From: Pathology Bandsintown
Don’t miss out on the chance to experience the electrifying energy of the apocalyptic spring tour! Get your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable night featuring performances by Pathology, NecroticGoreBeast, and Aethereus.
Pathology is set to blow your mind with tracks from their highly anticipated new album. Stay tuned for album details, coming your way very soon! Grab your tickets before they’re gone and prepare for a night of intense metal mayhem!
From Stillborn Records:
Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta has finally gotten a release date for his 10 song love letter to thrash album And Jasta For All. May 17th, 2024.
10 original tracks featuring guest appearances from Scott Ian, Chuck Billy, Zetro, Phil Demmel & More! this album is ALL RIPPERS NO SKIPPERS!!
UK sludge trio IRON MONKEY today shares new song “Off Switch” from their forthcoming new full-length, Spleen & Goad, set for release on April 5th through Relapse Records!
On Spleen & Goad, the legendary band is as uncompromising as ever, churning out some of the grittiest sounding sludge doom in their twenty-five-plus year history. Dubbed a “doom sludge vanguard” by The Sludgelord, IRON MONKEY lives up to their legacy, absolutely pummeling through each of the nine tracks on their new album.
From the two-ton, heavier-than-anything-else riff opening “Concrete Shock,” IRON MONKEY shows no signs of easing up; fuzzed out guitars crash against pulse-pounding drums, set against vicious, misanthropic snarls and barks. Elsewhere, tracks like the aptly titled “Rat Flag” kicks the band into high gear with palpable fury and malaise.
Check out IRON MONKEY‘s “Off Switch” on YouTube HERE or listen on all streaming services HERE.
Watch IRON MONKEY’s previously released video for first single, “Misanthropizer,” HERE.
Preorder Spleen & Goad on LP, CD, and digital formats via Relapse.com HERE.
Recorded in their native Nottingham, Spleen & Goad was mastered stateside by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.
IRON MONKEY was formed in the year 1994AD in the city of Nottingham, England. The original members were J.P. Morrow, J. Rushby, D. Dalziel, S. Watson, and J. Greaves. IRON MONKEY released six tracks of raw sludge-core via the label Union Mill that were later re-released on Earache Records. During this period S. Watson was replaced by D. Berry.
1998 saw the release of the album Our Problem, widely regarded as a masterpiece of negative rock. This was succeeded by a split EP on Man’s Ruin Records with Church Of Misery from Japan.
IRON MONKEY destroyed itself sometime in 1999. Vocalist J. Morrow died from heart failure in June 2002. Rest In Noise…
The band reformed in the winter of 2016 with original members J. Rushby and S. Watson with the addition of the then Chaos UK drummer Brigga. As of 2023, IRON MONKEY are back with a new lineup featuring founding member J. Rushby and D. Berry from the Our Problem sessions and ex-Widows drummer Z. Big.
Source: EARSPLIT PR
One of the early bastions of true U.S. metal, New Jersey’s Attacker is back to celebrate their 40th anniversary on The God Particle, a triumphant, eight song classic metal offering! The new album will be released on CD, vinyl and digital formats through Cruz Del Sur Music on April 12.
A lyric video for the first single, “The Mighty Have Fallen” is available at: youtu.be/cVpamPWzZg8.
New Jersey heavy metal legends Attacker are celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2024. A milestone marked by their influential 1985 Battle at Helm’s Deep debut and 1988 The Second Coming sophomore effort, as well as post-2001 reformation full-lengths like 2004’s Soul Taker and 2006’s The Unknown that served as reminders of Attacker’s staying power.
While it hasn’t always been easy for Attacker, founding member and drummer Mike Sabatini attributes the band’s longevity to their love of heavy metal music. That red thread and never-ending appreciation for what Attacker means to them and so many across the globe helps define the band’s newest studio foray, The God Particle.
The follow-up to 2016’s Sins of the World LP and 2018’s Armor of the Gods EP was recorded at Sabatini’s Bandmother Recording Studio in Jersey City, New Jersey, from November 2023 to January 2024. The album was mixed by Sabatini alongside C.J. Scioscia, with mastering by Joe Lambert.
The God Particle is a tried-and-true dose of pure, unbridled heavy metal with ample broadsides of aggression and melody; both permanent elements of Attacker’s sound. The band rounded out by vocalist Bobby Lucas, the guitar tandem of Mike Benetatos and Jon Hasselbrink and bassist Brian Smith, have gelled into a formidable writing unit, offering what is perhaps Attacker’s most varied batch of songs.
The album’s gestation period was longer than normal (see: Covid). The extended time writing afforded Attacker the opportunity to craft new songs that are primed and ready for European festival sing-along participation. Lucas is responsible for the album’s soaring choruses and its concept, which is based on the Large Hadron Collider Particle Accelerator in Cern, Switzerland, that is used to create energetic collisions of particles like protons, breaking them into subatomic components that are detected and studied. Adding to the intrigue: supposedly a satanic ritual was performed at the Collider site to call in evil from another dimension. Whether that actually happened or not, it serves as the perfect tie-in to Marc Sasso’s cover art (DIO, HALFORD, Marvel Comics).
Pre-order:
attacker1.bandcamp.com/album/the-god-particle
Sabatini has been on record that he was reluctant to reform the band during its 1990s dormancy. Only the passing of original guitarist Jim Mooney and vocalist John Leone (who performed on The Second Coming) reignited the Attacker fire. The band now exists to honor its storied legacy and to create new, compelling music to satisfy a worldwide fanbase that remains hungry for Attacker music. Consider the job complete on The God Particle.
Track List:
Source: ClawHammer PR
Detroit (MI) – Melodic Power Thrashers AMONG THESE ASHES have released “Restless Gypsy,” a cover of the W.A.S.P. classic on all major streaming platforms, including the following:
amongtheseashes.bandcamp.com/track/restless-gypsy-w-a-s-p-cover
open.spotify.com/track/1IPutpceHrmUtIypMxSNvw
music.apple.com/us/album/restless-gypsy/1733179382
Guitarist/Backing Vocalist Richard Clark released the following statement on the decision to cover the song:
“W.A.S.P. embodies so much of what I love about metal, and at that band’s core has always been masterful, memorable songwriting. Restless Gypsy has long resonated with me as a great song, and JP [Abboud] and I have been discussing covering this track since we started this band in 2020. We’ve slightly reconfigured a few of the riffs to put our stamp on the song while prioritizing staying true to the original recording. Matt Ries from Traveler gave us an awesome guest solo on it. Also, Matt Roach gave us an excellent mix and master that perfectly captures the atmospheric elements of the 1980s recording. We intentionally dropped this cover so that we could make a content release prior to the release of our second album. The new album is completely tracked, and we expect to drop it in summer 2024.”
Line-Up:
JP Abboud: Vocals
Richard Clark: Guitars and backing vocals
Dylan Hamann: Guitars
Kane Bochatyn: Bass
Kyle Wagner: Drums
BIO: Among These Ashes is a melodic power/thrash metal band hailing from Detroit, MI. The central focus of this band is creating stellar, highly-memorable metal songs. The band’s sound is crushingly heavy and punctuated by cerebral arrangements, thought-provoking lyrics, and dynamic shifts in tempo and aggression. The band’s debut musical offering, Dominion Enthroned, is a conceptual tour de force inspired by modern societal parallels and struggles. In April 2023, the band released the single “The Enemy In I” with a b-side cover of Savatage’s “Sirens.”
Credits:
Guest guitar solo: Matt Ries (Traveler).
Recorded by Among These Ashes. Mixed and Mastered by Matt Roach.
Written by Blackie Lawless.
Artwork by Jayson Cessna.
Source: ClawHammer PR
From the heart of the Chicago underground metal scene arises epic traditional/doom metal collective ÇÖKÜŞ, today unveiling an earthmoving new single, “Wolf Moon.”
Chicago-based ÇÖKÜŞ is the product of ten years of mostly virtual collaboration between former Earthen Grave bandmates, vocalist Mark Weiner, drummer Chris Wozniak (Vanishment, Lair Of The Minotaur), and guitarist Jason Muxlow (Witchcryer, The Living Fields).
Even though Muxlow and Wozniak had moved thousands of miles away after the abrupt conclusion of Earthen Grave in 2013, the three stayed in touch, trading riffs, beats, and lyrics from their respective corners of the United States. The material that emerged saw influences from the usual suspects — Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Trouble, Dio — as well as old favorites like Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, and Kyuss.
Shortly before the pandemic, the group started meeting periodically in Chicago to write and record. Embracing a shorter, more polished format than their previous engagement, they privately released a demo under the moniker WMW in 2020, which generated a lot of buzz and positive feedback among those who had access to the recording.
Watch ÇÖKÜŞ’ “Wolf Moon” visualizer HERE and stream the song HERE.
In 2021, the group re-branded as ÇÖKÜŞ (pronounced cho-koosh; Turkish for “decline” or “collapse”) and recruited bassist and longtime friend Patrick Green to complete the lineup and the material which will become the band’s debut album. Soon after, they were joined by another old friend, Steve Ligeza (Torg, Makahiya), on second guitar, and ÇÖKÜŞ began playing live.
ÇÖKÜŞ’ first album, An Hour Of Lies, was captured in three states – Illinois, Washington, and Texas – the drums and vocals recorded by John E. Bohmher, Jr. at Berwyn Recording, the bass recorded by Patrick Green, and the guitars recorded by Jason Muxlow, the finished recordings were mixed by Chris Wozniak and mastered by Chris Hanzsek (Melvins, Soundgarden, Helms Alee).
The visual elements including the logo, album and single art, and video content was handled by Tom Denney (Soilent Green, Weedeater, Rwake)
While An Hour Of Lies will be released late this Summer, ÇÖKÜŞ presents a harbinger of the record with the new single, “Wolf Moon,” with it writing, “‘Wolf Moon’ is one of the last — and longer — songs written for the album, but quickly became a favorite, so we decided to release this one first. It’s a lot of fun to play, too. Musically, it features some odd scales and feels, which complement the lyrical themes well. It pairs well with Halloween and haunted walks through the woods.”
The full details on An Hour Of Lies will be issued in the months ahead and will be released by Qumran Records late this Summer.
ÇÖKÜŞ:
Mark Weiner – vocals
Jason Muxlow – guitar
Steve Ligeza – guitar
Patrick Green – bass
Chris Wozniak – drums
Source: EARSPLIT PR
International melodic death metal project ACT OF DENIAL has dropped the lyric video for their latest single ‘Unbury The Hatchet’, which bring you back to 90 and early 2000 with some old school Gothenburg vibe. The single has a new guest on drums, Eugene Ryabchenko (best known as drummer of FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE).
Watch the ‘Unbury The Hatchet’ lyric video, created by Wanderley Perna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ha7ynfrlp0
Few words from AOD co-founder Luger:
“We are extremely happy that we have a new song out after almost 3 years together with a new lyric video. Once again video is done by our buddy Wanderley Perna who did also our 1st lyric video for ‘Your Dark Desires’ from our debut album and he did an amazing job as always. Thx bro!!
We are also satisfied that we are recording again since it is very difficult for us at this point. People we are working with, are very busy already with their own bands and it is hard to find any time for some side projects. 1st album was made during Covid time when everyone was stuck at home, so they had time, now is completely different situation but somehow we’re still managing.
Also thanks every AOD fans and supporters for making this happen.
What everyone is wondering and asking us lately, will there be a new album from AOD soon? Unfortunately I can’t confirm anything about that topic, as already said, some of the guys already started their tours or they will start it soon, but I can give a hint about a new song that is in the works with some cool guests, and not only 1 but a few, but we will leave that aside for now.
We will be updating all on our socials when time comes. Stay tuned, healthy and beautiful. As always Rock on!!”
The single is now available on all major digital platforms and on Spotify + Bandcamp:
– https://open.spotify.com/track/4xouoiAdnvDUr7swrCVVG0
– https://actofdenial.bandcamp.com
Unbury The Hatchet’ line-up:
Voi Cox – Lead guitar, programming
Luger – Rhythm guitar
Bjorn Speed Strid – Vocals, backing vocals
Steve Di Giorgio – Fretless bass
Eugene Ryabchenko – Drums
John Lönnmyr – Keyboards
Wanderley Perna: https://www.facebook.com/wanderleyperna – https://www.facebook.com/wdesignerbr
Unbury The Hatchet’ Credits:
Music by: Luger and Voi
Lyrics: Bjorn Strid
Mix: Fredman studio and Fredrick Nordstrom
ACT OF DENIAL released their highly acclaimed debut album ‘Negative’ on August 13th 2021.
Source: Tarja Virmakari PR
Chilean Thrashers Critical Defiance are set to release new album The Search Won’t Fall… March 22 on CD via Unspeakable Axe Records and vinyl LP via Dying Victims Productions. The album will also be available digitally on the usual platforms.
Critical Defiance has released a lyric video for “44 Minds” and an official video for the title track, both of which are available below:
“44 Minds” (Lyric Video): youtu.be/p62kXs9hBeQ
“The Search Won’t Fall…” (Official Video): youtu.be/nKOwHggGnrg
The Chilean metal force known as Critical Defiance has something for every thrash fan out there. Not in the sense of being homogenized and generic, but in their alchemical and nearly magical melding of blitzkrieg tempos, dizzying technicality, aggressive shouts and gang vocals, and rarest of all for a post-1990 thrash act – a healthy dose of actual, memorable melody. They have added a new element to the mix: just a taste of the eerie melancholy and harsh melodrama of black metal.
Their release schedule has been nearly as fast as their music, with the debut (Misconception) coming in 2019, and its follow-up (No Life Forms) in 2022. They have let even less time elapse from then until this new platter’s arrival, taking line-up changes in stride and pushing forward relentlessly regardless.
The addition of Mauricio Toledo on guitar (just prior to their previous album) has pushed their music in new directions. That black metal aspect, some tremelo riffing, some blastbeats, bits of a distinctly new melodic sensibility–lends the album an updated feeling that sets it apart from its predecessors, while by no means abandoning the thrash foundation that has served them so well.
All of this ambition is well-served by a terrific production job that balances just the right amount of rawness and polish. Three albums in, Critical Defiance are poised to deliver their most ferocious work yet. Angry yet uplifting, full of the spirit of true metal both old and new, it’s a record that only these guys could make.
Line-Up:
Felipe Alvarado – Vocals, Lead Guitar
Mauricio Toledo – Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Ignacio Arévalo – Bass
Rodrigo Poblete – Drums
Pre-order:
unspeakableaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-search-wont-fall
unspeakableaxerecords.com/purchase
Track Listing:
Source: ClawHammer PR
From POWERWOLF / Bandsintown:
Zenith – Nantes, FR – Tickets on sale now.
NEW DATE FOR THE WOLFSNÄCHTE TOUR 2024! After the metal mass in Paris is almost completely sold out already 8 months before the show, we have set everything in motion to make another date in France possible! On October 09th we will play an additional show at the Zenith in Nantes. We are already looking forward to coming back to the region near Hellfest, it brings back great memories! See you all there!
Tickets available here: https://powerwolf.net/tickets
If there is one band that combines a classic approach with fresh ideas and an expansive joy of playing to honor their ancestors from the likes of early Exodus, Metallica, or Slayer, then it is the German heavy metal hellions, VULTURE. On their fourth album Sentinels, set for release on April 12th via Metal Blade Records, they prove once again that tradition and further development are not mutually exclusive, but on the contrary can lead to something extraordinary that leaves no headbanger untouched.
“In direct comparison to the last album, Dealin’ Death, we’ve picked up the pace again noticeably,” elaborates guitarist Stefan Castevet. “We’re bolder and a bit wilder again. It was important to us to be catchy and to include choruses that stick. Of course, we’ve basically retained our style, but we’ve defined the framework of the songs more clearly.”
“In order to create such a monster as Sentinels, some changes were necessary. “It started with the songwriting, where we took more time than usual. We recorded a total of three demos with numerous songs, which we also produced to the best of our ability. This gave us the chance to let our songs sink in as relatively final versions so that we could then choose the best pieces and – at least in part – rework them again.”
VULTURE again recorded with Marco Brinkmann in his Hellforge Studio where there were also some innovations. “We had a clearly structured daily routine, a normal working day with set goals in which we could focus purely on recording the songs. Our previous recordings were a bit less organized which resulted in working overtime for everyone involved at the end. This is one of the reasons why Sentinels is the best sounding VULTURE record to date!”
“In advance of the record’s release, today the band unleashes first single, “Unhallowed & Forgotten,” which serves as a blueprint for the VULTURE style: wild riffs, lots of breaks, and tone changes, furious solos, exploding toms, and a huge chorus! “Lyrically, we also stay true to ourselves,” notes Castevet. “The song is about the Blind Dead film series, whose thirst for blood, like ours, is difficult to quench.”
Watch VULTURE’s “Unhallowed & Forgotten” video, directed by Robert Piel, HERE.
Crystal Clear w/ Black Smoke (US)
180g Black (EU)
Blood Red & White Splattered (EU – Ltd. 200)
Bright Red White Marbled (EU – Ltd. 700)
Special Edition Bundle w/ 12″ (Midnight Blue Marbled), 7″, Patch, Signed Photo, Poster (EU – Ltd. 500)
Find preorders at: metalblade.com/vulture.
VULTURE:
L. Steeler – vocals
S. Castevet – guitars
M. Outlaw – guitars
A. Axetinctör – bass
G. Deceiver – drums
Sentinels Track Listing:
VULTURE Live:
3/14-17/2024 Underground Resistance Festival – Göteborg, SE
4/11/2024 Don’t Panic – Essen, DE * Record Release Show
4/12/2024 Bambi Galore – Hamburg, DE * Record Release Show
4/13/2024 Hühnermanhattan – Halle, DE * Record Release Show
4/26/2024 SWR Festival – Barroselas, PT
5/10/2024 Huginns Awakening Fest – Ostende, BE
5/30 – 6/1/2024 Muskelrock Festival – Alvesta, SE
Source: EARSPLIT PR
New Album, ‘Creation Undone,’ Out Friday!!
“PERFECT PREY” – WATCH THE VIDEO
https://youtu.be/pXrdbQHaunI?si=x2ueYpBWT7L3UdrE
‘CREATION UNDONE’ – PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE FROM https://mortaskuld.lnk.to/Creation_Undone
Ahead of the release of their crushing new studio album ‘Creation Undone’ on Friday 23 February through Peaceville Records, the revered death metal legends Morta Skuld unleash a new single and video on the masses for the song “Perfect Prey”.
The single is available to stream & download here: https://orcd.co/ms_perfect_prey_listen
“Perfect Prey”, Dave Gregor states, is “about control and how the powers that be can really put a stronghold on us as humans, I felt it was like shooting fish in a barrel and that we as people were the perfect prey.”
Watch the accompanying video capturing an incendiary performance from the band here
Scaling new heights of brutality for the longstanding US death metal veterans, ‘Creation Undone’ is the latest work of inspired extremity from frontman and mastermind Dave Gregor and co. In a time when the band’s iconic and celebrated debut ‘Dying Remains’ reaches its thirty year milestone, and with recent live activity on both sides of the Atlantic seeing the quartet performing to a ravenous fanbase of metalheads both old and new, Morta Skuld returns with a ten track opus of pure death metal in their unrelenting and unwavering pursuit of heaviness.
With themes exploring an increasingly savage, corrupt and destructive state of the world in present times, and executed with a razor-sharp precision, with ferocious and hook-laden compositions to match and even exceed any of their highly-regarded early output.
‘Creation Undone’ was recorded and mixed at Belle City Sound Studios by Chris Djuricic, with mastering work conducted at Flatline Audio with Dave Otero.
1. We Rise We Fall [04:56]
2. The End Of Reason [03:57]
3. Painful Conflict [04:22]
4. Unforeseen Obstacles [04:25]
5. Perfect Prey [03:25]
6. Soul Piercing Sorrow [04:59]
7. Into Temptation [04:09]
8. Self Destructive Emotions [04:49]
9. Oblivion [04:55]
10. By Design [04:42]
The album will be released on LP, Limited edition Green LP, CD and digital. Pre-order copies right here: https://mortaskuld.lnk.to/Creation_Undone
Catch Morta Skuld in March on the Latin America tour with countrymen Malevolent Creation.
21/3- Bogota – Colombia
23/3 – Quito – Ecuador
28/3 – Puerto Montt – Chile
29/3 – Santiago – Chile
30/3 – Concepción – Chile
06/4 – Merida – Mexico
More dates to be confirmed soon .. stay tuned.
Line up:
David Gregor – Guitar/vocals
Scott Willecke – Guitar
John Hill – Bass
Eric House – Drums
Follow Morta Skuld:
https://www.instagram.com/mortaskuld1offical/
From CRASHDÏET bandsintown:
The time has come to enter the next chapter in the CRASHDÏET book of madness.
After much soul-searching, Gabriel has decided to leave the band to focus on other things in life.
We are shaken by his decision, but we respectfully wish him all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for the years he worked with us and his contribution to the last two studio albums.
Taking over the vocal duties will be none other than John Elliot. A good friend and excellent singer from the band Confess! He has the drive and the hunger to lead us into a promising future.
We also welcome Martin’s brother, Michael, as the band’s permanent drummer! He has stepped in for Eric on countless shows since 2011 and is a natural fit for us. Now that Peter is back and full of energy, we can proudly announce the lineup of CRASHDÏET in 2024:
John Elliot
Martin Sweet
Peter London
Michael Sweet
See you on the long and winding road!
Tour dates: https://bnds.us/1z7csb
//CRASHDÏET
Kraków (PL) – Willowtip Records has signed Polish Death Metal duo DORMANT ORDEAL! The band is preparing to enter the studio soon to record what will be their first album for the label and the fourth overall, following 2021’s The Grand Scheme of Things (Selfmadegod Records).
The band released the following statement concerning the signing:
“We’re honored to announce the signing of a worldwide deal with Willowtip Records. Many great releases that we personally hold in high regard have been featured on this label and we are thrilled to be joining the roster. We truly appreciate the trust Willowtip have placed in us – can’t wait to start this chapter!
We’re planning on going into the studio in the upcoming weeks to record our fourth album. We may be the worst reviewers of our own music, but one thing we can say for sure – it is more ‘us’ than ever. The successor to 2021’s ‘The Grand Scheme of Things’ is planned to be released later this year.”
DORMANT ORDEAL:
Maciej Nieścioruk (Guitar)
Maciej Proficz (Vocals)
Source: ClawHammer PR
By Norse Music is proud to celebrate Record Store Day on April 20th with two very special releases. The label will release a new edition of Wardruna’s ‘Skald’ album, which features two bonus tracks, including “Voluspá,” performed live with Eivør & Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the orchestral version of “Voluspá” with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
The second release is Enslaved’s iconic album ‘Vikingligr Veldi,’ which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Both deluxe editions were entirely redesigned by Bartek Rogalewicz (Behemoth, Enslaved) and offer special high-end details that will ravish the fans and collector.
Wardruna – Skald details:
2LP premium edition carefully restored and redesigned by Bartek Rogalewicz/Lodge. Black.
First time in a gatefold 2LP format for a superior audio quality.
Enslaved – Vikingligr Veldi details:
30th Anniversary premium edition carefully restored and redesigned by Bartek Rogalewicz/Lodge. Black. Includes additional illustrations by Zbigniew M. Bielak and Bartek Rogalewicz.
Both editions will be available in Germany, USA and Canada only, starting April 20 in the participating stores. Get more information at recordstoreday.com.
Follow BY NORSE MUSIC:
Website | Facebook |Instagram
Exclusive Special Limited Edition 2LP Gatefold
Colored Vinyl Reissue With Personal Liner Notes
Record Store Day began in 2008, and since many fans and retailers look forward to the annual event celebrating independent record stores and the numerous exclusive releases issued on the special day. This year RSD will be April 20th and M-Theory Audio is proud to represent again with a special vinyl reissue and we are pleased to bring you a limited edition 2LP colored vinyl reissue from Bay Area Thrashers FORBIDDEN for their 2010 comeback album, ‘Omega Wave.’
Limited to 1000 copies, this double album will be presented on clear vinyl, one with blue splatter and the other record red splatter, to reflect the colors in Kent Mathieu’s (Exodus, Possessed, Autopsy) stunning artwork of the crystal skull with the red and blue flying skulls reminiscent of his work on FORBIDDEN’s 1988 debut.
Additionally, this gatefold 2LP will include a 4-page insert featuring lengthy and personal liner notes from guitarist Craig Locicero recalling the era when the band reformed, wrote and recorded this cherished effort along with an extra band photo from Alex Solca and revamped layout by FORBIDDEN fan and Metal Church/Ross the Boss singer Marc Lopes.
‘Omega Wave’ marks a significant time as it was FORBIDDEN’s first comeback as original members Craig Locicero, bassist Matt Camacho and singer Russ Anderson regrouped and created a new album, their first since 1997’s ‘Green,’ with new members guitarist Steve Smyth (Testament, Nevermore, Vicious Rumors) and drummer Mark Hernandez (Vio-lence, Heathen, Defiance), which saw the group sign to Nuclear Blast Records and tour to support the album before hibernating again. Many regard ‘Omega Wave’ as an unheralded masterpiece and a record worth further investigation hence the value of bringing the effort back and making it available once more.
“In our opinion, ‘Omega Wave’ may be Forbidden’s strongest and most complete effort. That’s no disrespect to our first four offerings and the amazingly talented musicians that contributed to them. Those are all untouchable in their time,” states guitarist Craig Locicero. “After the years off, we had clear perspective and a new inspiration to make the best possible thrash record we could. We feel that we accomplished it.”
“Now we are very excited to have ‘Omega Wave’ re-released with a special two record, colored vinyl release and new packaging though M-Theory Audio. This ultra-limited special edition will be available on 4-20-24. Record Store Day! Get yours while you can.”
Additionally the timing of this is even more apparent considering FORBIDDEN premiered again in 2023 with a series of live shows and a further revamped lineup now featuring Craig, Matt, Steve and new singer Norman Skinner (Niviane, Imagika) and drummer Chris Kontos (Machine Head, Testament, Verbal Abuse). The group has met with tremendous renewed interest and performed several prestigious live dates with many more high-profile festivals on this year’s calendar including Hell’s Heroes, OmegaFest, Maryland Deathfest and Brutal Assault. Writing continues on FORBIDDEN’s forthcoming sixth album.
‘Omega Wave’ will be exclusively at indie record stores as part of the Record Store Day celebration. Check in with your local retailer and let them know you’re interested. Find stores and more information at recordstoreday.com
For more info:
www.m-theoryaudio.com
www.officialforbidden.com
From Helloween / Bandsintown:
We are thrilled to announce that we have signed a new record deal with Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) for our upcoming studio album!
RPM proudly comments on the signing: “It is a true milestone for Reigning Phoenix Music to welcome HELLOWEEN to our family of artists. HELLOWEEN is not just a band, they epitomize the energy and passion of power metal. Their music has inspired generations, and we are proud to collaborate in order to reach new heights.”
As for us, we are equally enthusiastic about the new partnership: “Sven Bogner and his team have convinced us with their ideas and enthusiasm. They live and love metal, and this is what connects us – we look forward to be working with them!” explains Andi Deris.
Specifically, we will start working on new material from the summer and are planning to release a new studio album in 2025. Stay tuned, pumpkinheads!
Following the release of their latest, much acclaimed studio album Firestar, German power metal force IRON SAVIOR has unleashed a furious, new single entitled “Raising Hell”! Firestar was released in October 2023 via AFM Records, and is available at THIS LOCATION!
“Those were the days
When Metal came out ways
Making me stronger
Day by day
We’ve been the warriors
To rule the gleaming city lights
Metal on our minds
We’re raising hell”
Sings IRON SAVIOR frontman, Piet Sielck, but give ear and listen to “Raising Hell”, now premiering and available on all digital services at: https://iron-savior.bfan.link/raising-hell
Order the album, a must-have record that belongs into every well-sorted power metal collection, at https://bfan.link/firestar
Firestar – track listing:
https://www.afm-records.de/en/
Source: AFM Records
CROWBAR has announced their latest round of US headlining dates, confirming a two-week Spring run from March 30th through April 14th, with support from Morbid Visionz. The tour will see CROWBAR performing a special set of songs from their Crowbar and Odd Fellows Rest albums as part of the annual Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest in Philadelphia on April 12th. On April 13th, the band will play a Rocks Off Concert Cruise at Skyport Marina in New York City. Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
CROWBAR w/ Morbid Visionz:
3/30/2024 Southport Hall – New Orleans, LA
4/01/2024 Chelsea’s Live – Baton, Rouge, LA
4/02/2024 Growlers – Memphis, TN
4/03/2024 Granada Theater – Dallas, TX
4/04/2024 RecordBar – Kansas City, MO
4/05/2024 X-Ray Arcade – Milwaukee, WI
4/06/2024 Stan’s Room at Piere’s – Fort Wayne, IN
4/07/2024 Blind Pig – Ann Arbor, MI
4/08/2024 The Forge – Joliet, IL
4/09/2024 Black Circle Brewing – Indianapolis, IN
4/10/2024 Skully’s – Columbus, OH
4/11/2024 The Loud – Huntington, WV
4/12/2024 Decibel Metal And Beer Fest – Philadelphia, PA [tickets] *
4/13/2024 Rocks Off Concert Cruise @ Skyport Marina – New York, NY [tickets] *
4/14/2024 Elevation 27 – Virginia Beach, VA
CROWBAR released their most recent studio offering, the critically lauded Zero And Below, on MNRK Heavy in April 2022. Produced, mixed, and mastered by Duane Simoneaux at OCD Recording And Production in Metairie, Louisiana, Zero And Below is the band’s most unforgivably doom-driven record since their 1998 landmark effort, Odd Fellows Rest. Led by riff lord and vocalist Kirk Windstein, with guitarist Matt Brunson, bassist Shane Wesley, and drummer Tommy Buckley, songs like “Chemical Godz,” “It’s Always Worth The Gain,” and “Bleeding From Every Hole” are unapologetic emotional outpourings, with a bare-knuckle resolve alongside its soul-searching vulnerability, reliably delivered with crushing heaviness.
Zero And Below is available on CD, LP, cassette, and digitally. Preview and purchase the record at THIS LOCATION.
Watch the videos for “Chemical Godz” HERE and “Bleeding From Every Hole” HERE.
Source: EARSPLIT PR
FEATURING APOLLYON (AURA NOIR), BESTIAL TORMENTOR (INFERNÖ), & DARKTHRONE’S FENRIZ ON VOCALS,
COMING MARCH 29TH
BAND REVEAL FIRST TRACK “OVER FROZEN MOORS” FROM THEIR ALBUM OF EPIC NORWEGIAN HEAVY DOOM METAL
(https://orcd.co/coffin_storm_over_frozen_moors)
———————————-
Overlooking the ancient lands of sensational heavy metal, Norway’s Coffin Storm is the new band consisting of a trio of Kolbotn veterans, with the line-up of Apollyon (Aura Noir/Lamented Souls) and Bestial Tormentor (Infernö/Lamented Souls) completed by Darkthrone’s Fenriz on vocal duties.
Fenriz explains the origins of the band: “Kolbotn is a hilly forest-y place directly south of Oslo, Norway. When Ole Jørgen and Olav and me grew up there in the 80s we had easy access to all the metal in the massive amounts of record stores in Oslo. Olav and Ole Jørgen started playing doom metal together in the 90s (Lamented Souls) but in 2020 they teamed up again and making riffs in the slow thrash/doom/classic heavy metal style. When the songs started to take form, Ole Jørgen took his place on the drum throne and soon started to record them. Wanting it to be a 100% Kolbotn project, they asked if I wanted to lay down vocals for it and after a couple of sessions in 2021 and 2022 COFFIN STORM was born.”
Apollyon adds “Me and Bestial Tormentor have been playing together since we met in college in 1990 and formed the doom metal act Lamented Souls. However with most members being busy with other bands LS kind of faded away. Our last rehearsal was around 2007.
After I had stopped playing live with Aura Noir we decided to meet up weekly and play guitar together. It was not going to be Lamented Souls and we had no serious plans of any kind. – but as songs were starting to emerge I switched to drums and we made recordings that Bestial Tormentor played to Fenriz, who apparently approved! I would never have dared to ask him to do the vocals! I was considering doing them myself but he was secretly our first choice. Fortunately Bestial Tormentor popped the question and he said yes, so we recorded 3 songs with an extra pair of drum mics(4 in total )in the rehearsal place. Added bass and guitar in my house and went to Fenriz’ to record the vocals. Then we had two more sessions before the album was finished.
Initially I was assuming the music would be doom metal. I think all of us had “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” in mind but even if our songs are slow/mid tempo, the riffs ended up being more thrashy than I had expected. Only the title track is pure doom simply because it’s a song me and Bestial Tormentor made some 20 years ago that we were über eager to hear Fenriz’ ravishing vocal lines on.”
And so the first fruits of their toil manifest in the form of debut album, ‘Arcana Rising’, with a sterling concoction of classic heavy metal, slow thrash and doom. The result is a torrent of rousing, accomplished titanic riffing from both Apollyon & Bestial Tormentor, commandeered by Fenriz’s unmistakable vocal prowess as witnessed with his own Isengard project as well as multiple Darkthrone releases, with vocal inspiration summoned from bands such as Agent Steel.
Having exclusively premiered the first track “Over Frozen Moors” on the Fenriz Metal Pact Podcast he comments on the single “Right off the bat it’s a chunky 1984 style Exodus verse riff followed by a myriad of melodics in a levitating refrain. The middle of the song just proceeds with an even more killer slow-thrash riff and a surprising vocal part baked into it which gives the song an added epic layer. For the heaviness of the rhythm shift in the closing part I just have one thing to say: Wait for it!..”
WATCH THE ANIMATED LYRIC VIDEO HERE
https://youtu.be/d5nvhMqJ9Ns
(created by Matthew Vickerstaff)
‘Arcana Rising’ contains six sprawling metallic epics covering the 45 minute running time, and was recorded at a variety of studios in the band’s native Norway, with work originally commencing back to 2021. With production overseen by Apollyon himself, ‘Arcana Rising’ truly channels & encapsulates the spirit of the 80s, with inspiration from such masters of metal as Candlemass, Pentagram, Metallica & early Kreator, with musical nods to early Paradise Lost & Cathedral from the more extreme side of the doom spectrum, as well as including traces of the DNA from Apollyon & Bestial Tormentor’s own prior work together with their cult doom act Lamented Souls, to create a sensational and majestic opus.
Mastering work was completed by Jack Control at Enormous Door (Darkthrone), and cover art appears courtesy of Polish artist Maciej Kamuda.
‘Arcana Rising’ track-listing:
Arcana Rising’ is released on March 29th on CD, limited orange vinyl, and black vinyl with pre-orders available here: https://coffinstorm.lnk.to/Arcana_Rising
Make sure you follow Coffin Storm:
https://www.facebook.com/coffinstorm
https://www.instagram.com/coffin_storm/
Here are some of my Metal thoughts for Monday, February 12th, 2024. Enjoy:
Fuck the Grammy Awards.
Fuck off Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Seriously.
Without bassist Bob Daisley, Ozzy Osbourne wouldn’t have his first 2 solo albums written.
Kudos to the great Kerry King for staying true to his brand of Metal with his forthcoming studio album ‘From Hell I Rise’. The naysayers can go listen to their ABBA 8-tracks.
I’m as excited for the next Mötley Crüe studio album as I am to watch my dog take a shit.
The KISS Avatars interest me as much as watching a slug eating a tomato plant.
Stay true to Metal. Thank you for reading my Metal thoughts for today. – Stone
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 > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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