Exciting things are underway: as they record the follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2021 self-titled album with producer Charlie Bauerfeind, metal legends HELLOWEEN treat fans to another preview from their upcoming Live At Budokan release. This high-octane rendition of their timeless classic, “Eagle Fly Free”, captures the unmistakable chemistry between the band and the spirited Japanese audience at Tokyo’s Budokan, elevating the track to an entirely new level.
“A song that is just as wonderful and popular today as it was when it was first released. It comes with an effective overture, has a great upbeat and a brilliant, fast-paced ending. “Eagle Fly Free” has the ultimate vibe and encourages you to sing along. It has everything you would expect from an ‘evergreen,’ I love playing it,” states guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen.
Pre-order Live At Budokan in your preferred physical format [digipak-2CD, 3LP (limited first edition in trifold), Blu-ray, DVD], pre-save it on your favourite digital service provider (DSP), or pre-order the album digitally to receive “Eagle Fly Free (live)” and “Best Time (live)” instantly: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR
Blackened death metal quintet AOIDOS carve out a fusion of haunting melodies and atmospheres from the realms of black metal in conjunction with the power and groove of death. Storytelling is core to the band, whose name AOIDOS means bard in Ancient Greek. Light your fire, pour yourself a drink and prepare for dark and shadowy tales as the band present their new offering, “Trauma”. The single is the first to emerge ahead of the forthcoming album Oizys that is set for release on November 29th, 2024, via Nox Liberatio Records. Watch “Trauma” HERE.
Dynamically, AOIDOS sculpt a thrilling soundscape across “Trauma” which encounters high intensity with brief moments that are almost serene. Delicate piano melodies enthrall among the weight of the heavy instrumentation. “Trauma” includes lyrics in the band’s native language – Portuguese. “The chorus is totally in Portuguese”, the band explain, “and it sings the plea of ‘Trauma’, a force that sees itself not as an oppressor, but as a protector, a shield between the victim and the true extent of the tragedies they went through.”
Tracklist + Running Times:
Dieaed – 01:29
Thrall – 05:56
Fire – 06:26
Oizys – 06:28
Trauma – 05:50
Old Ballad – 01:48
The Wheels – 04:03
Black Swan – 06:06
From the Surface Grate – 05:10
Slumber – 01:53
All! Wherever! Always! – 04:27
Full Album Running Time: 49:26
About AOIDOS: AOIDOS came to be following a night of mead at the iconic Taberna 58, in Coimbra, Portugal, in 2019. Inspired by storytelling and the Aoidos, who were the bards and minstrels of Ancient Greece, the band bring this element into their heavy and ambient style.
Influenced musically by the likes of GOJIRA, BEHEMOTH and WATAIN, alongside classical piano compositions, AOIDOS strive to create a rich and textural soundscape that embraces the fierce energy of death and ethereality of black metal. To date, the band have taken to stages around South West Europe, including festival appearances at Bajonca Rock Fest, Rock dos Romanos, Mosher Fest, Melena Fest.
Most recently, AOIDOS shared the bill with VADER, SEPTICFLESH and MOONSPELL at Laurus Nobilis Music Festival 2024. With a number of single releases behind them, AOIDOS are now set to unveil their debut album Oizysthis November.
AOIDOS: João “Freitanás” Freitas (Vocals / Guitars) Ekid Marques (Vocals / Bass) Pedro Miguel (Drums) Ivo Resende (Guitars / Backing Vocals) Erlkönig (Piano)
Special Guests: Chris Barber (Drums)
Credits: Producer: João “Freitanás” Freitas Recording Studio: All tracks recorded at Home and our Rehearsal Space in Coimbra except Drums, which were recorded at Golden Jack Studios, Coimbra. Engineer: João “Freitanás” Freitas and João Dourado Mastering: João Dourado Mixing: João “Freitanás” Freitas Album Cover Artist: Sofya Alves Band Photos by: Ruben Lopo
Toronto-based hardcore/crossover thrash quartet, THE SLIME, are back with a brutal new double single offering, “Russian Roulette” and “Orange”, set to give listeners a raw taste of what’s to come from their upcoming album, Crab-Walk To Oblivion, releasing January 24th, 2025.
These two tracks showcase the band’s signature style: ferocious riffs, socially conscious lyrics, and an unrelenting intensity that has made THE SLIME a staple in the underground punk and metal scenes.
“Russian Roulette” is a harrowing dive into the psychological toll of war. Featuring a riff that predates the current lineup, this track has become a staple in the band’s live shows thanks to its hardcore breakdowns and thrashing momentum. Lyrically, the song offers a stark anti-war message, reflecting on the terror and trauma of killing from the impersonal height of an airplane. In a chilling nod to Motörhead’s Bomber, THE SLIME deliver a poignant line, “This ain’t no Bomber fantasy,” to drive home the brutal reality of modern warfare and the haunting specter of PTSD.
On the flip side, “Orange” is a short, fast ripper that keeps both the band and their listeners on edge. But behind its lightning pace lies a weighty, deeply serious message. The song confronts Canada’s shameful history of colonial violence, focusing specifically on the atrocities of the residential school system. With pointed lyrics, THE SLIME call out the systemic racism that allowed such atrocities to happen, challenging the white colonial collaborators who sought to erase Indigenous communities. It’s a blistering critique of a history that can no longer be swept under the rug.
With these two powerful singles, THE SLIME continues their tradition of pairing hard-hitting music with thought-provoking themes, offering their audience a sonic experience that is as cathartic as it is socially relevant.
Detroit (MI) – Detroit power metallers, DEMON BITCH, have premiered “Master of the Games,” the title track and second single from their long-awaited sophomore album!
Gates of Hell Records (a Cruz Del Sur Music sub-label) will release Master of the Games November 29 on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.
The sophomore effort from Detroit, Michigan pillars of classic metal Demon Bitch, Master of the Games is a nine-song effort that is unmatched and unpredictable!
An eight-year buffer between studio albums left Detroit true metallers Demon Bitch with one, singular option: To be as uncompromising as possible. While there was an assortment of lessons learned along the way, Demon Bitch used their time wisely to ensure their sophomore Master of the Games long-player turned out exactly like they wanted.
Recorded in Lansing, Michigan between 2022 and 2024 under the watchful eye of George Szegedy, Master of the Games evokes the raw, obscure feelings of underground power and classic metal and captures it throughout nine songs of timeless glory.
Demon Bitch features several members of the heralded White Magician within its ranks, including vocalist Logon Saton, the guitar tandem of Lord Mars and Solon Saton and Drummer Master Commander. The band is rounded out by returning bassist B. Beastmaster, who was featured on the 2014 Death is Hanging… EP.
At its core, Master of the Games is a chaotic offering of obscure and underground U.S. power metal and classic heavy metal with some eclectic moments ranging from 1970s sensibilities to more extreme influences.
The over-the-top approach found on the band’s Hellfiends debut remains, although Demon Bitch has injected several epic moments to make the album even more dynamic. And it’s all tied together by lyrical themes of fantasy, legends and lore, highly disputed claims about the world around us, mystery, secrecy and the unknown captured through ominous, esoteric and dark romantic expression. According to Logon, the stories told in the lyrics are “left pretty open for interpretation in most cases, but I certainly think there’s some interesting concepts for you to look into.”
The album’s artwork was handled by Logon, who wanted to complement some of the more esoteric and mysterious aspects that Master of the Games encompasses, both lyrically and musically. He was working on both the lyrics and the artwork around the same time period, so he spent a lot of time staring at the painting while writing and thinking of ideas. This helped to inspire some lyrical passages in songs like “Sentinel at the Spire,” “Tower of Dreams” and “Soldiers of Obscurity.”
The release of Master of the Games was preceded by Demon Bitch’s first-ever European dates. The band played Chaos Descends in Germany; a festival populated by some of the truest diehards in the metal scene.
Demon Bitch also played a few exclusive club shows in Vienna and Croatia. Not surprisingly, the response was universally positive. And, now, with the release of Master of the Games around the corner, the next phase of Demon Bitch’s career begins. Let the games begin!
Reading, Pennsylvania-based progressive death metallers RIVERS OF NIHIL will embark on a full European tour in February. Support comes from Prog legends CYNIC as well as BEYOND CREATION and labelmates DÅÅTH! Full dates below.
Comments RIVERS OF NIHIL: “We can’t wait to return to Europe on The Aggressive Progressive Tour this February. We are honored to have Cynic, Beyond Creation, and Dååth along with us for the ride. This lineup truly embodies both the ‘aggressive’ and ‘progressive’ nature of what this tour is all about. We can’t wait to see all of you, and who knows? Maybe even bring some new music along for the trip.”
THE AGGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE EU/UK TOUR 2025 RIVERS OF NIHIL w/ CYNIC, BEYOND CREATION, DÅÅTH:
28.02.25 Germany Köln Essigfabrik 01.03.25 Belgium Antwerp Zappa 02.03.25 France Paris La Machine 04.03.25 UK Glasgow Slay 05.03.25 Ireland Dublin Academy 06.03.25 UK Bristol The Fleece 07.03.25 UK Southampton Engine Rooms 08.03.25 UK Manchester Club Academy 09.03.25 UK London Electric Ballroom 10.03.25 UK Birmingham XOYO 12.03.25 Netherlands Haarlem Patronaat 13.03.25 Germany Hamburg Gruenspan 14.03.25 Sweden Stockholm Fryshuset Klubben 16.03.25 Finland Helsinki Tavastia 18.03.25 Norway Oslo John Dee 19.03.25 Denmark Copenhagen Pumpehuset 21.03.25 Poland Warsaw Proxima 22.03.25 Germany Berlin Columbia Theater 23.03.25 Germany Nürnberg Z-Bau 24.03.25 Austria Wien Flex 25.03.25 Hungary Budapest Dürer Kert 26.03.25 Germany München Backstage 27.03.25 Italy Milan Slaughter Club 28.03.25 Switzerland Aarau Kiff 29.03.25 Germany Karlsruhe Substage
Ticketing details and further information can be found at: lnk.to/RON-EUROPE2025 – ticket sale starts October 25th at 11am CET.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the debut full length album from filthy, vicious Canadian Death Metal destroyers Immortal Force. Mystic Seance Unrealities is up now for pre-order and will be released November 22nd on CD and Digital formats along with merch.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions welcome Immortal Force with their debut album Mystic Seance Unrealities! Hailing from Western Canada, this four-piece Death Metal band worships the old analog metal sound, the filthiest horror flicks of the ’80s, and anything bizarre, absurd, and menacing! On Mystic Seance Unrealities, these Canadian freaks forego false trends and instead create something timeless, as seen through an otherworldly lens, with themes such as heinous crimes committed without method; dissecting the prophesied departure from life; propagation of extraterrestrial lifeforms; life manifested and subsequently uncreated.
Mystic Seance Unrealities takes listeners through ten devilish tracks of obscure Thrashing Death Metal steeped in abstract ideas & peculiar affairs and features artwork by Paolo Girardi (Power Trip, Revocation, The Black Dahlia Murder). Immortal Force also unleashes two covers, one by the mighty Napalm Death and one by gore masters Carcass.
For congregants of all that’s unknown and macabre, Immortal Force‘s debut is a MUST-listen for fans of Master, Nunslaughter, Pestilence, Demilich, Impetigo, Mortician, Deicide, Timeghoul and all late 80’s/early 90’s EVIL!!
Narcotic Wasteland, fronted by ex-Nile guitarist/vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade along with drummer Joseph Howard (Fields of Elysium), Neuromorphic) and bassist Kenji Tsunami (Ontogeny), will be hitting the road with Long Island, NY old school death metallers Pyrexia for the“Cemetery Slam Tour” from November 15th to 23rd. Narcotic Wasteland will also perform at this year’s SwarmFest in Tampa Bay, FL following the tour (dates listed below).
Plus Fans who purchase tickets for Austin and Houston show dates will be automatically entered in the raffle to win a Jackson guitar signed by all the bands playing. Check out the Instagram videos below.
In additional news, the trio unveiled their new music video for the single “Barbarian” this past September and will be featured on their forthcoming album “Digital Cordyceps” out on Megaforce Records (release date TBD) to follow their 2017 breakout sophomore album “Delirium Tremens”.
Dallas Toler-Wade comments on the track:
“For me, Barbarian is a prime example of me doing the thing I love and that defines me the most. Continuously striving to improve my craft as a musician and a songwriter. But also the overall message of this song. Live!! Be free!! Find your own path!!! Question everything!!! And also we don’t need politicians or religion to shape our moral centers. In fact, It seems they distort the truth every chance they get. This whole album cycle has seemed to have this recurring theme about the narcissistic oligarchy that we have all fallen victim to. I Dallas Toler, Wade the barbarian, will fight this mockery until I leave the land of the living, and even after that, my powerful voice will echo through the halls of time!! Because I am a barbarian!!”
Pyrexia (Headliner) + Narcotic Wasteland Tour Dates: 11/15/2024 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street 11/16/2024 – Fort Worth, TX – The Rail Club 11/17/2024 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger 11/18/2024 – Houston, TX – BFE Rock Club 11/19/2024 – Austin, TX – The 13th Floor 11/20/2024 – Tulsa, OK – The Vanguard 11/21/2024 – Corpus Christi, TX – Boozerz Friday 11/22/2024 – Shreveport, LA – Strange Brew 11/23/2024 – Long Beach, MS – TRAX Narcotic Wasteland only 11/24/2024 – Tampa, FL – Swarmfest – Brass Mug
Narcotic Wasteland is a relentless force in the metal realm, known for its infernal performances and unyielding sound. Led by former Nile guitarist Dallas Toler Wade, the band has forged an unholy covenant with legions of devoted followers, spreading chaos and devastation wherever they tread.
A face-melting experience, Narcotic Wasteland unleashesblistering guitar wails to heart-pounding drum onslaughts, with every track promising to be an infernal ritual that will leave metalheads possessed by the spirit of pure chaos. Prepare for sonic hellfire!
Costa Rican thrashers SHADOWS DECAY have shared the new single off their upcoming EP, Agent of Chaos.
Stream “Bringer of Death” now on the band’s Spotify page.
The sonic force of relentless thrash metal known as Shadows Decay is set to release its newest EP, Agent of Chaos. True to form, the band’s latest offering doles out six tracks of anthemic, jugular-slashing thrash in the vein of the old-school masters of the craft.
Hailing from the vibrant metal scene of Costa Rica, Shadows Decay has been a formidable presence in the thrash metal genre since their formation in 2008. Originally known as Preoptic Distortion, the band underwent a transformation both in name and sound, evolving into Shadows Decay; a name that embodies their music’s raw energy and dark intensity.
Drawing inspiration from the titans of thrash such as Slayer, Testament, Metallica, Anthrax, and Death Angel, Shadows Decay has cultivated a unique sound that honors the legacy of these pioneers while forging their path. The music is a relentless onslaught of powerful riffs, thunderous drums, and aggressive vocals, delivering a high-octane experience that resonates with metal fans worldwide.
Shadows Decay is more than just a band; they are a collective of passionate musicians driven by a shared vision of musical excellence. Their live performances are known for their electrifying energy and raw intensity, leaving audiences craving more. With every show, Shadows Decay solidifies their reputation as one of the most dynamic and powerful thrash metal bands in the region. As they look to the future, Shadows Decay is poised to take their music to new heights, with plans for new releases and more explosive live shows. Their journey is one of perseverance, passion, and an unwavering commitment to delivering the pure essence of thrash metal.
Shadows Decay stands ready to spread their sonic devastation far and wide – because in the world of metal – decay never sounded so good.
Australia’s SARCOPHAGUM will release their debut full-length, The Grand Arc of Madness, on December 6th, 2024 through Nuclear Winter Records.
The album track “Feudal Futures” is now streaming at THIS LOCATION.
SARCOPHAGUM spawned to life in the early half of 2021, during the time of the plague as a new project featuring Golgothan Remains members past and present. The purpose being to provide a channel to explore new ideas and sounds in a studio-only setting.
The dark death metal realm remains the primary influence and a debut EP, Conduits to the Underworld, was released in 2022 through Nuclear Winter Records, followed swiftly by a stand alone single, “This Wrought Creation”. Now their full length debut is here,The Grand Arc of Madness. Poised to unleash a soundscape of disharmony and terror over the listener, the angular horror awaits…
Both a culmination of their already characteristic aesthetic and a whole new twist upon it, The Grand Arc of Madness sees SARCOPHAGUM fusing clanging angularity with haunting atmospherics, chaos with eerie melodicism, epic narrative with primal crush.
Mixed and mastered by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios.
Cover art by Khaos Diktator.
Track list:
Ritual Pillars Burn
Feudal Futures
Vermiform
The Grand Arc of Madness
For fans of: Ulcerate, Immolation, Adversarial, Golgothan Remains
“Embrace The Lie” Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available
“I never intended to pick up with THE GATES OF SLUMBER ever again in 2014. While I did start the band and wrote most of the first album it was never intended to be a one man show.”
— Karl Simon, 2024
Indiana-based doom metal behemoths THE GATES OF SLUMBER return with their self-titled new full-length, set for release on November 29th via Svart Records. The record serves as the band’s first new output since 2011’s The Wretch and their sixth overall.
In advance of the record’s release, the band has unveiled a video for “Embrace The Lie,” an ode to lying news media outlets and political talking heads.
Watch THE GATES OF SLUMBER’s “Embrace The Lie” video at THIS LOCATION. Stream the track at THIS LOCATION.
The Gates Of Slumber will be available on CD and digitally as well as vinyl in the following color variants: Black/White Marble, Transparent Blue (limited), and Black. Find physical preorders HERE and digital preorders HERE.
THE GATES OF SLUMBER was formed by Karl Simon in 1998 and underwent various lineup incarnations between 1998 and 2001, when the Blood Encrusted Deth Axe demo was recorded with Jamie Walters aka Dr. Phibes/Athenar (Boulder, Midnight) on drums and bass. In 2003, Jason McCash took over all bass duties and was a long-time member of the band until his untimely passing in 2014, after which Simon decided it was time to call it quits.
That was until 2019 when renowned metal festival Hell Over Hammaburg wanted to bring the band back to the stage to perform at the festival’s 2020 edition. Simon reformed the band with its original drummer Chuck Brown and bassist Steve Janiak. “We’d been asked several times to play Hell Over Hammaburg. But there was no ‘we’ to play,” said Simon. “The germ of the idea started. We started re-learning songs from the first LP. It wasn’t too long into the rehearsals that we started coming up with new songs.”
Following a short reunion tour, the COVID pandemic decelerated the band’s writing process. Half of the album was written; however, the remaining half was left to stew in its juices. But they toiled on ultimately composing six wholly engrossing new hymns of true doom metal excellence. With chest quaking songs honoring such greats as Saint Vitus and Penance, straight forward bangers, lyrics inspired by the Black Death and John Carpenter’s The Fog, The Gates Of Slumber is a truly crushing work to behold.
ALBUM NEWS ARRIVES WITH PREMIERE OF “WITNESS” VIDEO
Oct. 18, Northampton, U.K. – OBEYER, who recently announced their signing to 3DOT Recordings, have set a Nov. 15 release date for their debut album, Chemical Well.
News of the album comes alongside the third preview of the forthcoming album, with today’s release of “Witness” and its accompanying video: https://go.mhe.fm/obeyer_witness.
“Witness is a song that was incredibly important for us during the writing of this album, representing both an evolution in our sound and a shift in approach to songwriting,” the band shared, referencing their previous work as Lay Siege. “The song single-handedly laid the foundation for the rest of the album and has always felt like the natural choice to open Chemical Well with.”
The British band previously released a two-song digital single, featuring “Second Sun” and “Radiant,” as well as a clip for “Second Sun.”
Chemical Well was recorded at Lower Lane Studios with producer Sam Bloor (Graphic Nature, Black Coast). The band praised Bloor’s “innate ability to draw the very best from a performance created an environment that allowed us to achieve a sound that felt both authentic and true to our vision. We wanted to ensure the album acknowledged our influences but also pushed our own boundaries both musically and lyrically. Chemical Well explores the impact technology has on our day to day lives, having the world at your fingertips is both a blessing and a curse.”
3DOT Recordings co-founder and Periphery guitarist Misha Mansoor expressed his excitement for the album, saying: “The early support for OBEYER has been amazing and we want to thank everyone for checking them out. We think fans will only be further impressed as they hear more.”
OBEYER is Carl Brown (vocals), Jamie Steadman (guitar), David Bartlett (bass), and Lewis Niven (drums). The Northampton, U.K. foursome previously recorded under the name Lay Siege, releasing an EP and a full-length album that garnered praise from The Guardian and other notable British media. Newly re-formed as OBEYER, the group is set to release their debut album, Chemical Well, on Nov. 15 through 3DOT Recordings.
Dusktone welcomes Germany’s ALTAR OV ASTERIA to the label’s roster, announcing their entrancing debut album Éna for November release.
The first single, “Kataklysm”, is now streaming at THIS LOCATION.
Established by two girls from the Dresden area, Satyra and Melpomene, both heavily involved in the rich local underground, ALTAR OV ASTERIA was envisioned and formed through its members’ shared influence of black metal. The goal of the band’s material, embodied in their Éna debut, is to balance visceral energy with enveloping atmosphere and dark melody, creating a sound both rooted in black metal tradition and expansive new avantgarde sounds.
“Imagine you would wake up in a world full of mysteries and realities woven into each other, like in a story book of the past centuries of Dante Alighieri or Homer. Two black-robed mysteries in gold-snake masks wake you up from the heavy dorm with blackened sirens crushing your ears, mesmerizing your mind to sense the allegories of humankind existence. You’ve got an invitation to a storybook of hellish Sodom, chapter by chapter illustrating thy and foreign dystopia”.
Dusktone will release Éna on CD and all digital platforms on November 25th, 2024.
Oct. 15, 2024, LOS ANGELES – Jerry Cantrell’s new album, I Want Blood, arrives this Friday, and to celebrate its arrival the iconic musician has announced a North American tour of the same name.
The trek kicks off on Jan. 31 in Niagara Falls and makes its way across the country, concluding in Cantrell’s home state of Washington.
Tickets go on-sale this Friday at 10 a.m. local time with an exclusive artist pre-sale starting Wednesday at 10 a.m. For ticket information, visit jerrycantrell.com/tour. Filter supports on all dates.
“[This album] packs a punch and it hits you in the face,” Cantrell shared in a recent interview with Loudwire adding, “I couldn’t think of a more impactful title than I Want Blood.”
Ahead of the album’s release, Cantrell has been featured on the cover of Revolver, participated in a career-spanning conversation with Rick Beato, and has received widespread praise album for the collection’s heavier sound. Metal Hammer described I Want Blood as having an “iconic sound, sludgy guitars and soulful vocals.”
I Want Blood was recorded at Joe Barresi’s JHOC Studio in Pasadena, Calif., and features contributions from Duff McKagan (Guns N’Roses), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Greg Puciato (Better Lovers, ex-Dillinger Escape Plan), Gil Sharone (Team Sleep, Stolen Babies), and Lola Colette.
Jerry Cantrell tour dates:
October 17 Pioneertown, CA Pappy & Harriet’s SOLD OUT
November 8 Huechuraba, Chile Fauna Primavera November 10 Comuna 15, Argentina C Complejo Art Media November 12 São Paulo, Brazil Audio
January 31 Niagara Falls, ON Fallsview Casino Resort February 1 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom February 2 Portland, ME Aura February 4 Boston, MA Citizens House of Blues Boston February 5 New York, NY Irving Plaza February 7 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore – Silver Spring February 8 Bensalem, PA Parx Xcite Center February 11 Huntington, NY The Paramount February 12 Norfolk, VA The NorVa February 14 Raleigh, NC The Ritz February 15 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre February 16 Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom February 18 Columbus, OH The Bluestone February 19 Indianapolis, IN Murat Egyptian Room at Old National Centre February 22 St. Louis, MO The Hawthorn February 23 Chicago, IL The Vic Theatre February 25 Tulsa, OK Tulsa Theater February 26 Houston, TX House of Blues Houston February 27 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre March 1 Mesa, AZ The Nile Theater March 2 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues Las Vegas March 4 Los Angeles, CA The Belasco March 5 Ventura, CA The Majestic Ventura Theater March 7 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory – Spokane March 8 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom March 9 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
I Want Blood is available on CD, digitally, and multiple 2LP vinyl variants: https://bio.to/JerryCantrell. A bonus spoken word version of each song on I Want Blood is included with each vinyl release.
Photo credit: Darren Craig
Jerry Cantrell is an iconic American troubadour, celebrated for his distinctive guitar playing, soulful vocals and profound songwriting. Known for his work in both Alice In Chains and as a solo artist, the GRAMMY-nominated musician has sold in excess of 30 million albums, has been named one of the greatest guitar players of all time by both Guitar World and Rolling Stone, and has been instrumental in shaping the sound of modern rock music. Over his career, he has released six studio albums with Alice in Chains, three solo full-lengths, has had his music featured in films from Cameron Crowe, Judd Apatow and Ben Stiller and made cameos in “Deadwood” and “Jerry Maguire.”
Metal Blade Records is very pleased to welcome Italian doomsters MESSA to its worldwide roster!
MESSA plays evoking doom metal with Middle Eastern vibes. Deliciously haunting female vocals, ‘70s guitars, and Arabian Oud combine to conjure a sound that is entirely their own. With influences as diverse as Dead Can Dance, Om, Swans, Killing Joke, Electric Wizard, Thergothon, and Current 93, the band has moved from the first occult then noir-tinged doom metal of their previous works to an innovative atmospheric Mediterranean sound. The evolution is clearly showcased in their latest studio album, Close.
MESSA emerged on the first day of 2014. Guitarist/bassist Marco and vocalist Sara began to develop the basic concept while writing the first songs. Later, guitarist Alberto and drummer Rocco joined the band. The extreme diversity of their musical backgrounds immediately proved to be essential in the construction of their sound. In 2016, their first opus, Belfry, was released, and MESSA embarked on several tours across Europe and the US.
By 2018, their second work, Feast For Water, brought the band on tour even more extensively. Their latest studio work, Close, released in 2022, was lauded by critics and defined as, “the sound of a band fleshing out their place in doom metal’s past, present, and future” by Metal Injection. MESSA appeared on such illustrious festivals as Hellfest Open Air, Roadburn, and Desert Fest. The band’s latest record, Live At Roadburn, was released on April 7th, 2023, offering their main-stage triumph, joined by a unique constellation of musicians and instruments. Seeming to both embrace and defy everything it means to be a metal band, MESSA meshes Mediterranean sounds with crushing doom riffs, with an emphasis on atmosphere and an unusual use of instrumentation.
Comments MESSA, “We’re glad to announce we’ve joined forces with the legendary Metal Blade Records. We are beyond stoked to become part of the incredible legacy of this label, marking their catalog with our music. Since 1982, Metal Blade has put fundamental metal artists on the map, and being in this label’s roster is a big honor for us. We can’t wait to share some glimpses of what we are working on! In the meantime, you can catch our live shows in the following European cities.”
MESSA Live: 10/17/2024 Sunset – Martigny, CH 10/18/2024 Artik Club – Freiburg, DE 10/19/2024 Kufa Haus – Braunschweig, DE 10/20/2024 Desertfest – Antwerp, BE 10/21/2024 AZ – Aachen, DE 10/22/2024 Cassiopeia – Berlin, DE 10/23/2024 VooDoo – Warsaw, PL 10/24/2024 2Progi – Poznan, PL 10/25/2024 AJZ – Chemnitz, DE 10/26/2024 Lazy Bones – Hamburg, DE 10/27/2024 Samhain Festival – Maastricht, NL 11/09/2024 Catania Tattoo Convention – Catania, IT 12/13/2024 Kapu – Linz, AT 12/14/2024 Hellgart Festival – Stuttgart, DE
MESSA: Sara – vocals Marco – guitars, bass Alberto – guitars Rocco – drums
New Orleans’ finest riff bringers, CROWBAR, will close out the year with a final run of US shows. The journey begins on November 5th with a special performance in Houston with Soulfy and makes its way across nearly two dozen cities through November 29th in New Orleans. Support will be provided by Morbid Visionz. Tickets are on sale now at crowbarnola.com/tour. See all confirmed dates below.
CROWBAR w/ Morbid Visionz: 11/05/2024 Warehouse Live Midtown – Houston, TX w/ Soulfly, Eyehategod, Mutilation Barbecue, Skinflint, Will To Live, Stone Nomads 11/06/2024 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX 11/07/2024 Lowbrow Palace – El Paso, TX 11/08/2024 The Rock – Tucson, AZ 11/09/2024 Backstage Bar & Billiards – Las Vegas, NV 11/10/2024 Tarros Chicali – Yuma, AZ 11/12/2024 The Casbah – San Diego, CA 11/13/2024 Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA 11/14/2024 Harlow’s – Sacramento, CA 11/15/2024 Senator Theatre – Chico, CA 11/16/2024 Dante’s – Portland, OR 11/17/2024 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 11/19/2024 Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT 11/21/2024 Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO 11/22/2024 HQ – Denver, CO 11/23/2024 TempleLive – Wichita, KS 11/24/2024 Revolution Music Room – Little Rock, AR 11/25/2024 Workplay – Birmingham, AL 11/26/2024 The Earl – Atlanta, GA 11/27/2024 Soul Kitchen – Mobile, AL 11/29/2024 Southport Music Hall – New Orleans, LA
CROWBAR’s most recent studio offering, the critically acclaimed Zero And Below, was released in April 2022 via MNRK Heavy. 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.
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.
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.
1/15/25 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom 1/17/25 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Live Casino 1/18/25 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo 1/19/25 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater 1/20/25 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore 1/22/25 – Calgary, AB – Palace Theatre 1/23/25 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall 1/25/25 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre 1/26/25 – Minneapolis, MN – Fillmore 1/28/25 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave 1/30/25 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre 1/31/25- Cleveland, OH – House of Blues 2/01/25 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall 2/02/25 – Montreal, QC – Olympia 2/04/25 – Boston, MA – Royale 2/05/25 – Philadelphia, PA – TLA 2/07/25 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza 2/08/25 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage 2/10/25 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre 2/11/25 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live 2/13/25 – Houston, TX – House of Blues 2/14/25 – Austin, TX – Emo’s 2/15/25 – Dallas, TX – Studio at the Factory 2/17/25 – Denver, CO – The Ogden 2/18/25 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater 2/19/25 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater 2/21/25 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda 2/22/25 – Las Vegas, NV – HOB Vegas
Get ready to dive headfirst into the electrifying world of HELLOWEEN with their new live album Live At Budokan, a colossal release that immortalises their iconic performance at Tokyo’s legendary Nippon Budokan! Dropping on December 13, 2024 through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), this release will be available in a plethora of formats: 2CD-digipak, 3LP vinyl in trifold, Blu-ray, DVD and digital.
Each version is meticulously crafted to suit the metal community’s diverse tastes, ensuring every fan can relive the raw, unfiltered energy of HELLOWEEN. Pre-order/pre-save the album here: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR
To tide fans over until Live At Budokanarrives, the band have launched the first single “Best Time (live)”. This electrifying live version of the hit single and most streamed track (more than 11 million streams on Spotify) from HELLOWEEN‘s self-titled reunion album [2021] can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT1ITfb76-0
Guitarist Sascha Gerstner comments: ‘“Best Time'” captures the energy and the moment when everything fits together perfectly and you leave everything negative behind. For me, this track is an anthem for all those nights when you’re heading towards the future. That’s why it conveys exactly this mood in concert as if you were living in a single great moment that lasts forever.”
This release celebrates the grand finale of HELLOWEEN‘s epic world tour from 2022 to 2023. Spanning over 30 countries on three continents, the tour was nothing short of a triumph, drawing massive crowds and showcasing the band’s undying appeal, the sold-out concert inTokyo is the crowning glory of the cycle.
Known for their explosive stage presence and high-voltage performances, HELLOWEEN‘s shows are fueled by the unique chemistry among the band members. Triple lead-guitar attacks from Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, and Sascha Gerstner alternate with goosebump inducing duets from vocalists Michael Kiske and Andi Deris, occasionally supported by Kai Hansen, the band’s original singer and third voice. He also takes the spectators on a journey back in time with a medley from the band’s early days, returning to the origins of their sound – HELLOWEEN, the godfathers of melodic speed metal.
Choosing the Nippon Budokan for this live recording was no coincidence. A venue rich in musical history, it has hosted countless legendary concerts and is an accolade for every music group that has played there. HELLOWEEN are the first German band ever to record a live album in the Nippon Budokan, and for the members it was a dream come true.
Lead vocalist Michael Kiske described the show as “surreal, with the electrifying fan energy creating a magical atmosphere.” Bassist Markus Grosskopf spoke of the venue’s profound personal and historical significance, expressing how humbling and inspiring it was to perform in a place that shaped their own musical journeys.
The live recording’s technical brilliance is another highlight. With 29 cameras capturing every nuance, the production team ensured that each moment of the concert is preserved in stunning detail. This attention to detail means the Blu-ray and DVD versions offer an immersive viewing experience, making fans feel like they are right there in the front row.
The setlist of this live album is a treasure trove of surprises, contains the entire 2-hour+ show and offers a fresh experience compared to previous releases like United Alive [2019]. This thoughtful song selection honors both the die-hard fans craving something new and the band’s rich musical legacy, showcasing their evolution and expansive repertoire.
This live album is more than just a concert recording; it’s a celebration of HELLOWEEN‘s enduring impact on the metal scene. It promises to bring the magic of an unforgettable performance straight into fans’ homes, offering a piece of music history that embodies the spirit and energy of a legendary band at their peak.
HELLOWEEN are: Michael Kiske – vocals Andi Deris – vocals Kai Hansen – guitars, vocals Michael Weikath – guitars Sascha Gerstner – guitars Markus Grosskopf – bass Daniel Löble – drums
CATEGORY 7, featuring John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Phil Demmel (Kerry King, Machine Head), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), Jack Gibson (Exodus), and Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Overkill), today announces their 2025 first ever tour in support of their self-titled Metal Blade debut.
The fourteen-show trek commences on March 6th in Baltimore, Maryland and runs through March 23rd in Atlanta, Georgia. Direct support on all shows will be provided by Exhorder (except Milwaukee). Additional support will be provided by Hand Of The Tribe on all dates, as well as Dead By Wednesday on the first four dates, and Engineered Society Project on the remainder of the tour, starting in Warrendale.
Comments vocalistJohn Bush, “Looking forward to CATEGORY 7 blowing off the roofs of some venues on the East Coast and Midwest in March of 2025. This will be the first time the band will be playing live so come and check out some killer musicianship. Playing songs from the debut record should be fun. See ya there!”
Adds guitaristPhil Demmel, “Batten down your hatches because the C7tempest is about to touch ground in the US this March! We are all so thrilled to launch this band and bring our show through the states! See you in the eye of the storm!”
Presales on Blabbermouth.net and Knotfest.com will begin tomorrow, October 9th with the general on sale beginning Friday, October 11th. VIP upgrades will be available for all shows at category7official.com. The VIP purchase does not include the show ticket. See all confirmed dates below.
CATEGORY 7 w/ Exhorder, Dead By Wednesday, Hand Of The Tribe: 3/06/2025 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 3/07/2025 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ 3/08/2025 Middle East – Downstairs – Cambridge 3/09/2025 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA w/ Exhorder, Engineered Society Project, Hand Of The Tribe: 3/11/2025 Jergel’s – Warrendale, PA 3/12/2025 The Asylum At Temple Live – Cleveland, OH 3/14/2025 The Machine Shop – Flint, MI 3/15/2025 The Forge – Joliet, IL 3/16/2025 The Rave II – Milwaukee, WI ** 3/18/2025 Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN 3/19/2025 Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE 3/21/2025 Pop’s – St. Louis, MO 3/22/2025 Exit/In – Nashville, TN 3/23/2025 The Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA ** w/ H1Z1, Misfire, Engineered Society Project, Hand Of The Tribe (no Exhorder)
Category 7 was released on July 26th to worldwide critical acclaim and debuted at #8 on the Billboard Rock Chart. The band has released four videos to date for the tracks “In Stitches,” “Exhausted,” “Mousetrap,” and “Apple of Discord.” The band has received major support from the Sirius XM channel Liquid Metal.
Category 7 was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Mike Orlando at Sonic Stomp Studios with art and layout by Carlos Fides at Artside Studio (Angra, Evergrey, Kamelot). Stream and purchase the record at: metalblade.com/category7.
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