FaST Metal news

GLORYFUL have released their successful album The Warrior's Code last month.
The band has now published the video clip for the album's title track, which you can enjoy here.
Mirko Witzki of mirko witzki graphics has produced the clip.

In music, as with most things in life, trends tend to come and go. What was in vogue yesterday, today, is cast aside, for the next big thing.
Since 1998 Melodic Rock artist Newman have been producing consistently high quality albums filled with hook laden songs and thought provoking lyrics.
Now, after a break of 2 years, following a studio upgrade and relocation, Newman return with their 10th Studio album and once again the collaboration with AOR Heaven continues. Siren is a rock album through and through, taking influences from the whole of Newman's career to date. Powerful song-writing backed by a powerful production. Driving guitars feature with the strength of hooks and chorus's that this artist is renowned for.
This time around, as with the last few studio albums, Steve is joined by the highly talented session drummer Rob McEwen, but has also brought in a few familiar guests to enhance the sound and songwriting process. From the Newman live band, Shaun Bessant guests on When It Comes To Love and Robert Säll (Work Of Art, W.E.T.) guests on Feel Her Again. In the songwriting department, Steve has joined forces with Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse, Tainted Nation) for the songs Some Kind Of Wonderful and Waiting For The Day. Steve's long time friend, who also appeared on One Step Closer, Nick Workman (Vega, Kick) co-writes on the uplifting When It Comes To Love. Both Pete and Nick also contribute backing vocals.
In music, as with most things in life, trends tend to come and go. What was in vogue yesterday, today, is cast aside, for the next big thing. It's re-assuring to know that some things remain...
Newman are most definitely back and stronger than ever!!!
Release Date: 19.07.2013

The Brazilian classic Metal heroes of HELLISH WAR are set to launch their new studio record. Titled Keep It Hellish, the album was produced by Ricardo Piccoli at PiccoliStudio in Biella, Italy, and will mark the premier of HELLISH WAR's new vocalist, Bil Martins.
Keep It Hellish is the successor of the high acclaimed Live In Germany (elected by Heavy Metal Brasil one of the all time best Brazilian Metal live albums).
Keep It Hellish will be released in Europe on June, 28th by the German record label Pure Steel Records (Omen, Warrant, Halloween, Cage). In Brazil, the album hits the stores in the beginning of July through Voice Music (Angra, Korzus, Torture Squad, Hibria, etc).
Last week, Keep It Hellish, the title track of the album, was launched for listening - and now one more new song is available, The Challenge.
On the next June 21th, Masters Of Wreckage will also may be listened by fans.
Among other news, in October HELLISH WAR embarks for its second European Tour. The first two shows are already booked: 12.10 at Downi in Worblaufen/Switzerland and 18.10 at Marias Ballroom in Hamburg/Germany (with Dorrn).

AXEMASTER is proud to announce that they will be playing at next year's Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse festival at Reggies in Chicago, Illinois. The festival is scheduled for April 4th and 5th 2014 and Grim Reaper will be headlining. You can find more information at http://www.ragnarokkrmetal.com and https://www.facebook.com/RagnarokkrMetal.
The band would also like to announce and congratulate the winner of the contest to create a lyrical subject/theme for one of the songs that will appear on the band's new album. The winner is Christian Locke from Athens, Greece. He will receive a collectible promotional copy (never available for sale) of the re-release of the album Blessing in the Skies on CD by Burning Star Records, as well as a copy of the new album once it's released and his name included in the liner notes. The band is very happy for Christian as he is a long time Axemaster fan, he said "It's nice to think I shared part of a great Axemaster song". The band would like to thank everyone who submitted their ideas for the contest. There were a lot of good topics presented that would have been really cool to write lyrics about, so thanks to all who made the decision a tough one!!!

Brazilian symphonic Black metallers FROST DESPAIR is finishing the recordings of its debut album, Surreal, the follow up to 2011's The God Delusion EP. The debut was recorded in Hurricane Studios, and produced by Sebastian Carsin (Enthroned, Bestial).
The artwork was created by Marcelo Vasco (Dark Funeral, Dimmu Borgir, Borknagar), who stated: "This illustration for Surreal was forged through the general concept of his title and acclimated in the most dirty and chaotic way, mixing elements biomechanics with nature and science where everything becomes a kind of bestial and psychological heart."
A release date will be announced soon.

Check Y.O.C. original songs on the REVERBNATION PAGE.

BLOOD TEARS, the Doom Metal band formed by Earth (Seduced by Suicide), released a split-CD with Hermit Age. The follow up to 2004's Demo Songs is just the first partnership with Hermit Age to be released this year.
About the release Earth comments: "Even though we play really different music, Diego (Hermit Age) and I have a lot in common. This includes our work (we both have a recording studio) and some strong musical influences, like Type O Negative. Gothic Dream and Sinnocence were released pretty much at the same time and we faced similar challenges and solutions. Even before that we used to help each other a lot with information about music and audio, to grow together. All of that even living in different cities. I believe that we didn't met eachother more than three times. In the last years I recorded several new songs with Blood Tears and Seduced by Suicide just for myself and I knew that he did the same, so, considering our affinity and the fact that I'm really a fan of Hermit Age, I decided to invite him to release our songs together, afterall we have a similar audience."
The split CD features the songs My Dearest Scar (Blood Tears) and Spread The Sin (Hermit Age) and is available for download.

Badass, debut album from Italians Shabby Trick, was originally released in 1989 only on vinyl and then printed for Japan only (!) on CD by Teichiku Records (now almost impossible to find). Its sound is still fresh and alive after about 25 years, a cool balance between street, Metal, sleaze and Hard Rock. Completely remastered, contains 5 bonus tracks. A must for fans of Skid Row, Faster Pussycat, Alleycat Scratch, WASP.
Shabby Trick Badass was included in 'the best 100 Glam Metal records' (Italian) book by Tsunami, together with albums from classic bands as Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Dokken, Enuff Z Nuff.
Released on CD: 25th May 2013.

Austrian symphonic Metal band EDENBRIDGE release with Alight A New Tomorrow the first video from their new studio album The Bonding, the clip can be seen here.
It's now more than a decade since Edenbridge first created a stir with the launch of their debut Sunrise In Eden back in 2000. What presented itself as a young but already immensely talented band has evolved into one of the genre's most independent acts. Their latest album The Bonding sees the group from Austria underline their exceptional status in Melodic Metal and puts an end to their creative hiatus of almost three difficult years. "We had to come to terms with a number of personal setbacks, which is why the production of the album took longer than originally scheduled," explains guitarist and main songwriter Lanvall, who among other things suffered the loss of his father due to suicide. In addition, Edenbridge underwent an unexpected line-up change: bassist Simon Holzknecht had to be replaced by Wolfgang Rothbauer (Disbelief, Zombie Inc.).
Yet the band's great compositional qualities, the amazing voice of singer Sabine Edelsbacher and Edenbridge's unconditional determination to not only validate, but to surpass the undisputable strengths of each predecessor album are omnipresent. "The initial ideas were developed as early as 2010, immediately after the release of Solitaire, but due to our private trials and tribulations it took us until autumn 2012 to conclude the recordings for our new album," Lanvall looks back at taxing months marked by one ambitious goal: to complement the new album by a real orchestra in order to support the material's symphonic direction. "Our style has always had an unmistakably symphonic quality," says Lanvall, "so the only question was: how do we finance a big orchestra?"
At this point, outside help arrived, in the form of support from fans and sponsors. Thanks to a major joint effort, the band succeeded in bringing to the studio the Klangvereinigung Orchestra of Vienna under the direction of Georg Luksch to cap the atmospheric and at the same time dynamic songs on The Bonding. Lanvall: "When it had been confirmed that the Klangvereinigung Orchestra would come to the studio, I concentrated on writing scores for our songs, so we were able to integrate these additional elements more concisely than ever before. Of course it would be a mistake to drown our songs, which also feature guitar riffs, choirs and rhythmic details, in orchestra sounds. It was all about positioning the orchestra in a way that would create an additional dynamic level. I think we've succeeded in doing just that on The Bonding."
Another outstanding feature is Sabine Edelsbacher's voice, whose warm, pleasantly melancholy timbre refines every Edenbridge track. "I've worked very hard on my voice in recent years to intensify not only expression and power, but also clarity and nuances," she explains. "It's very important for me to devote myself totally to my music, to be able to immerse myself 100% in every song."
Which is probably one of the reasons why The Bonding has turned into the band's most haunting and ambitioned album so far, including truly impressive numbers such as Mystic River, Alight A New Tomorrow, Shadows Of My Memory and – more or less as the grand finale – the 15-minute title track, a memorable duet by Sabine Edelsbacher and Erik Martensson (WET, Eclipse). Lanvall: "This song is the culmination of the album's general theme, which is about universal energy, about birth and growth, about memories and reflection." In line with this, Edenbridge also present two different sets of cover artwork for the Digipak and jewel case editions, both related but unique in terms of their design. In other words: orchestra, renowned guest vocalists and fascinating themes included, The Bonding is an exceptional release in every respect and a real must-hear!
The Bonding will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in Germany June 21st, in Europe June 24th and in US/Canada July 2nd as limited edition ecol book with a different cover incl. bonus CD, double coloured LP, standard version and download.

Brazilian heavy metallers ERIDANUS are recording their debut album and announced a new line-up. The band was formed in 2005 and after several concerts was put on hold until this year, now featuring the following members:

• Thiago Lauer - vocals
• Roger Feilstrecker - guitars
• Deivid Morais - guitars
• Andi Castro - bass
• Rafael Reis - drums

The debut album, entitled HellTherapy, is being recorded in Estúdio Nitro, being produced by Roger Fingle (Blood Tears, Seduced by Suicide) and will be released in the second half of 2013. About this forthcoming album the guitarist Roger Feilstrecker comments: "With this album Eridanus will show a new musical approach, from extremely heavy guitars to catchy ballads, mixing the best influences from Heavy Metal and Hard Rock."

NORDAFROST, founded 1996 in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, returns with the re-release of their rare 2002 EP Dominus Frigoris!
Release date was May 31, 2013 as digipak edition incl. 6 bonus tracks via Godeater Records.
Aggression, atmosphere & versatile melodies are the trademarks of the stormy German frost-bunch, which follows the glorious path of classic 90s Black Death Metal.
Who follows well known bands as Immortal and Dissection, should get pleased with NORDAFROST's honest blizzard sound.

The Brazilian classic Metal heroes of HELLISH WAR are set to launch their new studio record. Titled Keep It Hellish, the album was produced by Ricardo Piccoli at PiccoliStudio in Biella, Italy, and will mark the premier of HELLISH WAR's new vocalist, Bil Martins.
Keep It Hellish is the successor of the high acclaimed Live In Germany (elected by Heavy Metal Brasil one of the all time best Brazilian Metal live albums).
Keep It Hellish will be released in Europe on June, 28th by the German record label Pure Steel Records (Omen, Warrant, Halloween, Cage). In Brazil, the album hits the stores in the beginning of July through Voice Music (Angra, Korzus, Torture Squad, Hibria, etc).
Keep It Hellish, the title track of the album is already available for listening.
The band will launch two more songs on the weeks prior the official release of the album. On the next June 14th will be the time for The Challenge and, lastly, Masters Of Wreckage will also may be listened by fans from June 21th.
In October, HELLISH WAR embarks for its second European Tour. The first show is already booked for October, 12th at Downi in Worblaufen, Switzerland.

Check Y.O.C. original songs on the IMRADIO page.

Brazilian Metal act Almah, featuring ex-Angra singer Edu Falaschi officially announces start of the recordings of its fourth full-length CD, follow-up to Motion (2011). Last week-end Almah's drummer Marcelo Moreira entered the studio AML in his home city Florianopolis, Brazil to record drum parts for the new studio album of the band, as-yet-untitled.
The drums are being recorded with an experienced sound engineer and producer Alexei Leão (also the vocalist of Stormental band).
According to Moreira: "We have chosen AML studio due to various reasons. First of all, we have taken into account the quality of its equipment and a very good choice of instruments, besides the professionalism of Alexei. Also, the studio has a very good location: inside an hotel in 800m from the beach (don't forget, we stay in Florianopolis, a very nice city on the seashore with 42 beaches!). The place is easy to access and it has everything for the work and for the rest".
"Well, this time we've assembled a drum kit in an exotic way to have an opportunity to create different grooves. Besides the special character, the kit is really giant!" – continues Moreira, – "It has 4 snares, (10", 12", 13" and 14"), 3 toms (8", 10" and 12"), 3 floor toms (14", 16" and 18"), 2 bass drums (2 – 20"), 1 gong bass (22”), 1 timbales (12”) and 1 cowbell. We use drumheads by Brazilian company RMV and cymbals by Turkish brand Murat Diril, series Black Sea. I'm using 3 crashes (16", 17" e 18"), 2 chinas (2 - 18"), 1 ride (20"), 2 hi hats (12" and 14") and 1 Orbit Stacks (10")."
"So, I'm seeking to work with different grooves more and more, mixing the toms and floor toms during the grooves. All this helps to create good and different grooves mixed with fast and technical parts".
After the drums are finished Almah will continue working in Do It! Studio in São Paulo (a new studio established by Edu and Tito Falaschi) later in June. The new CD is planned to be released in the second half of 2013. On September 19 Almah will play at one of the most influential music festivals worldwide – Rock In Rio.

After the much acclaimed Static Impulse release in 2010, Dream Theater's Jame LaBrie is back with a powerful new studio album effort entitled Impermanent Resonance, to be released on July 29th, 2013 in Europe and August 6th, 2013 in North America via InsideOutMusic.
Impermanent Resonance was once again conceived together with LaBrie's songwriting partner for over a dozen years now, Matt Guillory, who didn't only take the leading role in the composing of the song material, but also handled all of the keyboard recordings as well as background vocals.
The line-up on this diverse and extremely entertaining new album also features Marco Sfogli from Italy on guitar, Ray Riendeau (Halford, Machines of Loving Grace) on bass and Dream Theater audition's finalist Peter Wildoer (Darkane, Majestic, Arch Enemy, etc.) from Sweden on drums, making it the same line-up for the group as on the previous Static Impulse release. Furthermore, former Soilwork guitarist Peter Wichers was also added to the fold for songwriting and guitar recording contributions.
James LaBrie comments about Impermanent Resonance as follows: "To me this album incorporates and continues with the styles and musical direction that we have created with the previous releases. The difference being that the music on this disc is to me a true telling of the songs evolving and taking on a sense of identity that is every band's ultimate goal. It is powerful, memorable, hook-driven and above all extremely musical. It shows how the writing and the band itself have matured. I truly feel that this is our quintessential album."
Impermanent Resonance was once again mixed and mastered at Sweden's Fascination Street recording studios (Kreator, Opeth, Paradise Lost, Symphony X, etc.) with Jens Bogren and this time also Tony Lindgren. Visually, Canadian LaBrie hooked up with Gustavo Sazes / abstrata.net (Arch Enemy, Firewind, Kamelot, etc.) to capture and translate the intense album's atmosphere into the extremely striking artwork.

The winners of Rock Award 2012 Festival Mediaval, sailing under their own original flag: ELMSFEUER means Pirate Rock!
The six crew members are playing German Pirate Rock, a mixture of Folk, Medieval and Rock.
Peppered with wit and irony they tell stories of the adventurous journeys of the ELMSFEUER, legends, raids, mysteries and the true love to the ocean.
Listen to the stories of treasure hunts, great battles and glorious tavern crawls to become part of the crew. But also painful love and loss is told with a wink. Party, dance and sing with ELMSFEUER in this thrilling blend of Rock and Roll!
Merely the ladies, armed with violin and accordion, defy the perils of the sea and seduce the audience in a very romantic way as the hard guitar riffs unified with the clear voice of the captain cut through the waves of the vast ocean.
ELMSFEUER's Schatzsuche release date: May 31. 2013 via label Totentanz.

CRYSTAL TEARS's upcoming third album has finally gotten a name: Hellmade!
Having stepped it up a gear, CRYSTAL TEARS sound more brutal, heavy & melodic than ever!
With multi-vocalist Søren Adamsen (ex-Artillery) and producer R. D. Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy, Devil's Train, Suicidal Angels et al.), the band evolved to an unstoppable Metal riffing machine!
The cover artwork of Hellmade was designed by Siege Ind, who already worked with bands such as Scar Symmetry, Suicide Silence or Bleed From Within.

A message from Mike Portnoy:
"It saddens me to announce that the 4 upcoming shows in Latin America this month supporting Halestorm will be my last with Adrenaline Mob.
Unfortunately, I have scheduling conflicts that prevent me from being able to fully commit to the band's future activities at the moment.
As I cannot be in two places at the same time, I don't want to hold them back and have to wait for my schedule to re-open up to resume activity.
I'm very proud of what we started together and the music we made over the past two years and I wish the guys all the best in the future."

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of an exciting brand new British 3 piece rock band called THREE LIONS. This new band consists of Vinny Burns (Dare, Ten, Asia) on guitars, Greg Morgan (Dare, Ten) on drums and introduces the talents of Nigel Bailey on vocals and bass guitar.
THREE LIONS formed when Vinny, Greg and Nigel were introduced by Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino to producer Alessandro Del Vecchio at Firefest in October 2012. The guys hit it off straight away and immediately set about writing new material for an album. The songs were written without an agenda and these songs were sent to Perugino for consideration, who loved the material and immediately commissioned an album.
12 songs were chosen, (2 of which see the band collaborating with Del Vecchio) and recording commenced at The Viper Room and Coil Tap Studios in the UK and then at Ivory Tears Studio in Milan, Italy.
"We set out to write good songs, the only criteria was that all of us liked them" said Nigel Bailey, "Working with Vinny and Greg has been a blast and we were all determined to make the best album possible and are immensely proud of the songs that have made it onto the final record". From the eastern influenced Kathmandu, to the driving power of Hellfire Highway and Twisted Soul, to the heartfelt ballads Made For One Another and Don't Let Me Fall. This new album in the works promises to deliver passionate performances from the guys. Vinny's trademark guitar work is, as you would expect, filled with emotion and feel. "I wanted to start with a blank canvas for the guitars" says Vinny. "This album allowed me to show a different side to my playing whilst retaining the familiar sound and feel fans of Dare and Ten will recognise". "Working with Vinny again has been great fun and Nigel brings something new to the table" said Greg. "This is definitely a record made by a band, not just a studio project, and that really comes across in the songs. We had an instant connection as musicians but also as people and we cannot wait to get out and perform these songs live soon".
THREE LIONS make their live debut supporting SNAKECHARMER at the Manchester Academy on Friday June 21st 2013 - Hear The Roar!!!

Awesome bassist Steve DiGiorgio is actually recording his low-end killer bass on my upcoming instrumental Metal album Gemini which will be released later this year.
Here an exclusive rough mix preview: http://snd.sc/145Qeyx.
Gemini lineup is completed with Mistheria on piano, keyboards and keytar, Roger Staffelbach on guitar and John Macaluso on drums. A couple of guests and a contest will be announced soon!

House of Lords singer, James Christian built for himself during the years a reputation as a fine songwriter and producer in his own right. His first solo album Rude Awakening was originally released in 1994 and is, to this day, regarded as a musical delight for any lover of first class AOR.
After the return of House of Lords in the early 00's, Christian released another classy Melodic Rock album Meet The Man in 2004 which featured the songwriting of several AOR luminaries such as Stan Bush, Judithe Randall and his then House of Lords bandmates Chuck Wright and Lanny Cordola.
Now - another 9 years later - Christian steps back with a brand new solo release Lay It All On Me, which he recorded and produced in his own studios in Florida during the second part of 2012 and early '13. This long wait for has been worth every drop of sweat and tears spilled these past years since Christian superb vocals can really offer the listener a rewarding experience.
With songwriting contributions from Tommy Denander, Chris Pelcer, Jimi Bell and Jeff Kent, Lay It All On Me is a strong personal statement from James Christian: a mature artist, songwriter, producer and performer who meets his fans with another beautifully crafted Melodic Rock release.

Slayer's Tom Araya and Kerry King are very pleased to announce that Paul Bostaph has rejoined the band on a full-time basis. Bostaph will be behind the drum kit beginning June 4 when Slayer kicks off the first leg of its 2013 international tour in Warsaw, Poland. Gary Holt will continue to fill in for fallen guitarist Jeff Hanneman. Slayer's 2013 itinerary will have them playing 35 dates that will include headline shows as well as a number of major summer festivals in Europe, Eastern Europe and South America between June and October. The complete itinerary is below. "Paul's a great drummer and a good friend, and we're very happy that he's decided to rejoin the band," said Tom Araya. "We're still pretty numb from the loss of Jeff, but we don't want to disappoint our European fans, and we need to begin moving forward...having Paul back in the band makes that a whole lot easier." "I'm very excited to be rejoining Slayer," added Bostaph. "We spent a very intense ten years of our lives together, had a lot of fun, made a lot of great music, so for me, this feels like coming home." Bostaph was Slayer's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band - the Gold certified Divine Intervention (1994), the 1996 punk covers album Undisputed Attitude, Diabolus in Musica, (1998), God Hates us All (2001) that received a Grammy nomination for 'Best Metal Performance,' as well as the DVD War at the Warfield (2001), also certified Gold. In addition to Slayer, Bostaph has been a member of Forbidden, Exodus, Systematic and Testament.

Everything started back in 1995, when CRYSTAL BALL were a cover band named Cherry Pie. They used their stage experiences as foundation for CRYSTAL BALL, who soon were one of Europe's major forces in the Hard Rock genre.
Their successful debut album In The Beginning was released in 1999, followed by the even more successful Hard Impact in 2000.
They soon signed with Nuclear Blast and toured with bands such as U.D.O., Doro and Axxis. After the release of their fifth album, Timewalker, CRYSTAL BALL went on their first headliner tour with Thunderstone.
In 2007, CRYSTAL Ball signed with AFM Records and released their sixth album Secrets.
Now, in 2013, the band's back with a brand new line-up featuring a great new vocalist, Steven Mageney.
They're currently working on their seventh album, which is set to be released later this year via Massacre Records!

My Kingdom Music is absolutely delighted to announce that they have signed one of the best Italian bands ever: DRAGONHAMMER. The new album titled The X Experiment will be released on October 21st, 9 years after the last band's release.
The album could be defined an explosive mix of Power, Epic and Progressive Metal in the real DRAGONHAMMER tradition and style, and is based on a great futuristic concept, a modern fantastic story set in a post-nuclear world where the chaos reigns.
The X Experiment, recorded by a completely renewed line-up, but leaded by the talent of Gae Amodio and Max Aguzzi, will have great special guests of international level and we are sure will sign the return to the glorious past of a historical reality of the Italian Metal scene.
The release will be followed and promoted by a series of live shows in Europe.

A message from Jon Schaffer:
"There's a lot happening in Iced Earth world at the moment. We are just a few short weeks away from getting together in Germany to rehearse the new songs for the upcoming album Plagues of Babylon. We have a few weeks of rehearsal, then we start tracking the new album in between a string of festivals in Europe, and one in India, which we are all excited about, since it'll be our first time there. Tracking will be done at a studio in Germany to try to keep the jetlag at a minimum. The numerous trips across the Atlantic during the Dystopia recording were a bit brutal, so we are doing it smarter this time. If we stay on target, you will have the new album in October! It's a tight schedule, but we are intent on making it happen. I am very happy with the work so far, and it's only going to get better when we are all together cranking it out."

Dark Forest's album will be called The Awakening and will consist of nine brand new thunderous Heavy Metal songs.
On May 28th the band will be returning to Hellfire Studios to work with producer/engineer Ajeet Gill. It's been four years since Dark Forest worked with Ajeet to produce their Defender EP and now with a new studio, located in South Derbyshire, plus brand new (and analogue) equipment, the band are very excited to be working with him again.

SPV are proud to announce the renewal of their contract with UK legends The Mission. Keeping busy with a worldwide tour in 2013, The Mission have sold over 4 million albums worldwide and just celebrated their 25th anniversary as a band in 2011. Presently, the band is recording their 12th studio album in a secluded residential studio in the heart of the UK. David M Allen (Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Sisters Of Mercy) is producing the album and comments, "It is a privilege and an honor to be working with The Mission on their new album. I've had many dealings with the band over the last 30 years that I have known them, and this chance to record with the original members is very special". But the most exciting part of these plans – the whole process will be filmed for The Mission's new documentary, which will be released next year.
Says Wayne Hussey: "They say it's better the devil you know... and so... here we are once again, back signed to SPV for Europe (excluding France 'cos France is special, or at least they say they are...) and with a new Mission album in the works scheduled for release later in the year. My take on this is that we have a good relationship with the people at SPV (take a bow, Gero, take a bow) and, at my age when the candles cost more than the cake, I'd rather work with people I know and trust and who have been huge supporters of both myself and the band over the last 12 years or so - rather than try to forge new relationships with strange foreign types... SPV have been incredibly supportive of the band and we have successfully released our last 2 or 3 studio albums and a couple of DVD's with SPV and everyone has been happy. Why spill the apple cart? So, we're here again and again I'm looking forward to visiting the SPV offices in Hannover and going through the cupboards and seeing what is worth stealing. And if we ask for drugs, then laugh, and chop 'em out... Cheers!"
SPV A&R Gero Herrde adds: "All of us at SPV are incredibly proud to work together with The Mission on what will become another, if not THE, masterpiece of this groundbreaking band! If it wasn't for THE MISSION, people would be missing a whole collection of atmospheric gems that no other band would have been able to write. Being proud of their glorious past, yet always forward-looking at the same time, this band has proven at least several hundred times that they are second to none. And yes, I take more than ONE bow, Wayne!"
The new studio album by The Mission will be released in September 2013 via Oblivion/SPV in Europe and via The End Records in the US.

Disinterred British extreme Metal legends CARCASS have signed to Nuclear Blast Records for the world excluding Japan! Surgical Steel, the band's first studio release since their 1996 LP Swansong, was produced by Colin Richardson (NAPALM DEATH, BOLT THROWER, GOREFEST, CANNIBAL CORPSE, SINISTER, RODRIGO Y GABRIELA) and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ACCEPT, EXODUS, TESTAMENT). Joining guitarist Bill Steer and bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker in the band's current incarnation are new drummer Dan Wilding (ABORTED, TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED) and guitarist Ben Ash (PIG IRON, DESOLATION, LIQUEFIED SKELETON). Expect some guest vocals from original sticksman Ken Owen as well, when Surgical Steel is released this Fall world-wide.
CARCASS has released the following statement regarding their new found partners in medical deviancy: "We are pleased to announce that we have found the perfect home for Surgical Steel, the first CARCASS album for, what, eighteen years?! We've inked a deal with Nuclear Blast for our new baby.
We have to thank Markus Staiger for his enthusiasm and belief in what he heard, but mostly his ability to take advantage of Jeff with a bad hangover when he visited the office in Stuttgart to let him be the first to hear the rough mixes. Nuclear Blast has managed to secure this release despite interest from all the main players in what remains of the Metal 'music industry'.
We're also looking forward to working with our pals in the US Office, who have done favors for us behind the scenes over the last few years. On a personal note, Jeff looks forward to his and label manager Gerardo Martinez' friendship to come crashing down in flames and tears in a few months.
As long as we don't mention 'The War' we think we're going to do just fine with our new Teutonic home!"
Commented Nuclear Blast owner and founder Markus Staiger: "One of my all-time favorite UK Metal Bands signed recently to Nuclear Blast - it feels like a dream come true. When Jeff Walker let me listen to the new record I knew immediately that CARCASS made one of their best albums ever! It is a perfect mixture of Heartwork and Necroticism with a massive production to boot. The album is without a doubt just as perfect and lethal as surgical steel itself, and exactly what both old and new fans have waited for eagerly all of these years!
I am very proud to say, CARCASS - welcome to the Nuclear family. It is an honor to work with this legendary band."
Adds North American label manager Gerardo Martinez: "First of all, apologies to the many that were wondering where that signing statement was the other day. Well, we didn't anticipate the prenuptial agreement to take this long but here we are, and about to release to the world what many people said would never happen: a new CARCASS record!
All joking aside, this is a dream come true. All I can say is that even the biggest critic, Señor Walker himself included, will find this to be one of the best CARCASS albums. It already sounds like a classic and I can't wait for people to hear it. 'Time to die, die in pain'!!!"
CARCASS has released several classic albums over the years, including Decibel Magazine 'Hall of Fame' inductees Heartwork and Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious, and their influence has changed the face of extreme Metal with every consecutive release. Whether it was inventing gore-grind (i.e. Reek of Putrefaction, Symphonies of Sickness) or creating the template for Melodic Death Metal (i.e. Heartwork), CARCASS has always made records by which bars were set and rules were broken. Upon the band's dismantling in 1996, fans mourned the loss of the seminal act and longed that the group would return again one day. In 2007, the Metal world got its wish as CARCASS reformed to play several sold-out reunion shows around the globe. Once again re-motivated to administer a shot of cynicism and infectious riffs into the arm of a sickly Metal scene, founding members Bill Steer and Jeff Walker began writing what would become the latest output of their highly influential career, Surgical Steel. Only the choicest of cuts were made, and blood sweat and tears were shed to bring us a record worthy of the CARCASS legacy. In short, Surgical Steel is just what the doctor ordered.

MYSTIC PROPHECY announced in February 2013 that they're going to enter the studio in early March. Soon after, the band's new masterpiece got a name: Killhammer.
The new album was recorded at the Prophecy and Music Factory Studios with singer R.D. Liapakis once again sitting in the producer's chair. Fredrik Nordström (Hammerfall, In Flames, Arch Enemy) is responsible for the mix at the Studio Fredman in Sweden.
The band has now revealed the album's cover artwork, created by Uwe Jarling - one of the most talented fantasy graphic designers!
R.D. Liapakis comments on the album as follows: "After 12 years and 7 albums we are ready to release our 8th album. Killhammer will be a Metal masterpiece with a wall of sound, loud guitars straight in your face and without compromises!"

Century Media Records is proud to announce the signing of the legendary Seattle Metal band SANCTUARY. In 2010, four of the founding members, Warrel Dane, Jim Sheppard, Lenny Rutledge and Dave Budbill, came together for a few select reunion performances. At first, it was just going to be a handful of shows, but the response and chemistry on stage was so overwhelming that the guys changed their minds. Now, some 20 years after they left off, SANCTUARY will continue with their unique mix of US Power Metal, Hard Rock and progressive elements and begin work on a new LP. To complete the line-up, Brad Hull (FORCED ENTRY) will be filling in for former guitar player Sean Blosi. A late 2013 release is planned.
The band comments:
Warrel Dane: "Having been with Century Media since 1995 with NEVERMORE, it was a very comfortable decision for SANCTUARY to sign with them. Century Media has a great team that always delivers for all of their bands. I've known most of them on a first name basis for many years and I look forward to this new chapter in history."
Lenny Rutledge: "I can speak for every member of SANCTUARY when I say we are all excited to join the Century Media family. We now have the opportunity to work with the best metal record label on the planet. We are looking forward to creating great music with an awesome team behind us."
SANCTUARY released the classic albums Refuge Denied and Into The Mirror Black during their short existence between 1985 and 1992. Following the band's dissolve, singer Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard formed NEVERMORE.

The Australian Heavy Metal outfit PEGAZUS have announced today that they proudly introduce their new vocalist AXEL WINTER to the Metal community. Axel will replace Justin Fleming, who could be heard on the debut album and the latest release In Metal We Trust.
Guitarist and founding member Johnny Stoj about the singer-switch: "Although we are laid back Australian guys, we have always approached our music with 100% dedication, passion and loyalty. Heavy Metal music and our fans deserve nothing less than that. This has always been like this for us and that will never change.
When you are in a band, you have lots of commitments: you have to give 100% on and off stage, you have to keep improving yourself as a recording artist and entertainer, you have financial responsibilities, you have to be loyal to your band mates and of course the fans, you have to be available for the band on all occasions ... I'm very thankful that we have found this all back again in Axel. He came on our path, we have been rehearsing and he fitted like a glove".
Stoj about the near future :"We were already working on our next album and this process will only go faster now. So, you can expect new music and lots of touring. We are fired up, ready to go and the world will meet the Thunder From Down Under again very soon!"

It's already available on Youtube the video clip Start The War from the Brazilian Prog Rock/Metal band IMAGERY.
Produced by João Rodrigo Milanez, the video was shot in the band's home land, Londrina, Brazil, and has emphasis on lightning, both to talk about the concept of the lyrics as to highlight the arrangements and technical skill of the musicians.
Start The War is the first video of the band's debut album, The Inner Journey.
The record has been highly acclaimed by all sectors of the Brazillian media. In criticism about the album published on Combate Rock blog bound to Estado de Sao Paulo, the biggest and most respected Brazilian daily newspaper, the journalist Marcelo Moreira declared that IMAGERY is one of the "best Brazilian bands of the new generation". The website Rock On Stage gave maximum rate to the album (10/10), declaring, in the words of the editor Fernando R. R. Junior, that IMAGERY "owes nothing to bands like Dream Theater and Fates Warning in terms of quality". On the October 2012 issue of Comando Rock Magazine, IMAGERY was highlighted on the section 'Independentes... Por Enquanto', dedicated for unsigned bands. Signed by the reporter Erica Imenes, the article brought declarations like "the mix between Prog Rock and the details of jazz, classical music and Heavy Metal was meticulously composed" and "the band is perfectionist with every detail of the songs".
The Inner Journey was recently nominated as 'Best Metal Album' by the respected Brazilian magazine Dynamite. IMAGERY is competing for the prize with respected Brazilian metal acts like Andre Matos (Angra) and Dorsal Atlântica.
IMAGERY is currently formed by Joceir Bertoni (vocal/guitar), Ricardo Fanucchi (bass), Bruno Pamplona (drums) and Henrique Loureiro (keyboards).

Intromental Worldwide is very excited to be able to announce that the label has signed the UK/Greek Melodic Progressive Metal band UNTIL RAIN. Currently the band is working on their second full length release Anthem To Creation.

Primal Fear start with the recordings of the new band's album at Magnus Karlsson's Stuntguitar Studios in Sweden!

NAILGUN guitarist Florian Hahn and singer Manuel Bühler have left NAILGUN in February to break new ground in their musical career
Also, band's drummer Felix Hartwig decided to leave the band for personal reasons because he cannot be engaged into NAILGUN 100% anymore.
The rest of the band decided quickly to carry on with Manuel Blesch as the sole singer of NAILGUN.
After a short, intensive search, the band was able to announce in Mid-April to have found two new members: Nenad Eppli as the new NAILGUN guitarist and Steffen Wiesel gives the necessary punch on the drums! Both new members have a long time experience in making music.
Currently the band entered the rehearsal room in the new line-up to be prepared for upcoming live shows.
Meanwhile the band is also working on new material for the New World Chaos - successor.

Please welcome CARCASS with their new line-up with Jeff Walker on vocals and bass, Bill Steer on lead guitar, Daniel Wilding on drums and Ben Ash on guitar on board 70000TONS OF METAL, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise!
Just imagine: In January 2014, 40 Heavy Metal bands and 2,000 fans from all over the World will go to the Caribbean to take over the luxury cruise ship 'Majesty of the Seas' for 5 days and 4 nights. Book your cabin now at http://www.70000tons.com and be part of Heavy Metal History made in the Caribbean once again on 70000TONS OF METAL, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise! The Original Metal Cruise: Home of the biggest open air stage to sail the oceans!

The condemned live longer RITUAL STEEL have done an album which is with nearly 72 minutes playing time not only the longest and most varying one in the band history but also the musically ambitious one.

Amid the crisis in the music industry, SLIPPERY celebrates debut album sales. Released last year, First Blow reached expressive sales numbers in Brazil, Japan and Europe.
LP, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, MP3, Streaming. Doesn't matter the format or how music is or will be distributed from now on. Music will always live while there are honest musicians willing to play it and listeners with open heart and soul to receive it. This is the only certainty in these times of doubts about the future of the music market.
Indeed, this is already the reality for a Brazilian Hard Rock band, SLIPPERY, which has released in early 2012 its debut album, First Blow.
Produced by Átila Ardanuy (Dr. Sin, Anjos Da Noite) the album has been very well received by press, public and even other musicians. The respected Brazilian musical critic, Eduardo de Souza Bonadia, founder of Rock Brigade Magazine, published an article saying that SLIPPERY is "a band with all adjectives to reach the top of popularity". Recently, during an interview for the Brazilian radio show Heavy Nation, Rafael Bittencourt and Felipe Andreoli of ANGRA said that SLIPPERY is "the Brazilian version of Mötley Crüe!"
All these good words on SLIPPERY have been influenced positively the sales of First Blow. The first edition of the CD is practically sold out in Brazil, remaining a few copies in some record stores. In Japan, the CDs were exported for S. A. Music from Osaka and got sold out in three days! "SLIPPERY songs are awesome! The band gathers all the elements from the 80s Heavy and Hard Rock. Many clients said that SLIPPERY reminds the golden era of Pretty Maids. I agree!", said Ryo Venomizedsteeler Asai, CEO of the Japanese record label. The band also had expressive sales numbers in Europe and USA. Only through CD Baby it was sold approximately 500 units between physical CDs, MP3 and Streaming.
Optimistics about the future of the band, Fabiano Drudi (vocal), Dragão (guitar), Kiko Shred (guitar), Érico Moraes (bass) and Rod Rodriguez (drums) are already starting to work on the compositions for the band's next studio album. Before, they will release a video clip for the song Follow Your Dreams that soon will start being filmed in Campinas, Brazil.

Ladies and gentlemen, time to welcome METAL INQUISITOR to the Massacre Records family!
Lead guitarist Blumi formed the band in 1998 and drummer Witchhammer, vocalist l Rojo and bassist KronoS joined the line-up soon after. They started writing songs and released the 3-track demo Seven Inches For The Second Attack in 1998. Witchhammer left the band about 2 years later and was replaced by drummer Havoc. The second guitarist T.P. joined the band as well.
With this new line-up they recorded the band's debut The Apparition, which was released in 2002 via Iron Glory Records. Shortly after, the band went on 'The Apparition Tour 2002/2003'. In 2004 they played at the RockHard and Keep It True festivals in Germany.
In spring 2005, METAL INQUISITOR signed with Hellion Records and released the second album Doomsday For The Heretic in November 2005.
Within the following years KronoS left the band, was replaced by Dutch G, re-joined the band and was forced to leave the band in late 2010 due to health issues. Since October 2010 Cliff Bubenheim is the band's bassist.
METAL INQUISITOR's third studio album Unconditional Absolution was released in late November 2010 and was album of the month in the RockHard magazine #283!
During the past years, METAL INQUISITOR have shared stages with bands such as A Traitor Like Judas, Bloodattack and Witchburner and appeared on festivals like the Swordbrothers Festival, Wacken Open Air, Headbangers Open Air, RockHard Festival or Bang Your Head!!!
The band's goal is to play music that's influenced by traditional Heavy Metal, that's why their sound is often referred to as NWOBHM.
In March 2013 METAL INQUISITOR released the vinyl single Trial By Euthanasia featuring Jess Cox (ex-Tygers Of Pan Tang) and Brian Ross (Satan/Blitzkrieg).

ORDER OF NINE release video debut for new single Seventh Year of the Broken Mirror April 29, 2013, video can be viewed on the Nightmare Records 'MEGALOUD' Channel.
ORDER OF NINE's album SEVENTH YEAR OF THE BROKEN MIRROR was released May 22, 2012 on Nightmare Records, distributed via Sony / RED. The album is available on CD and Digital Download at your favorite vendors that champion great music.

Canadian Heavy Metal trio CAULDRON has released their third full-length album, Tomorrow's Lost, 30.04.2013 in the USA via Century Media Records/Earache Records! To purchase Tomorrow's Lost, please visit CM Distro for the album.
Tomorrow's Lost is another slice of pure Metal mastery that delivers even more riffs, attitude and Heavy Metal classics! Originally released in Europe during October 2012, the album has already received praise from both fans and critics alike.

The Brazilian classic Metal heroes of HELLISH WAR are set to launch their new studio record. Titled Keep It Hellish, the album was produced by Ricardo Piccoli at PiccoliStudio in Biella, Italy, and will mark the premier of HELLISH WAR's new vocalist, Bil Martins, who joined the band in 2012 to replace the old singer, Roger Hammer.
Keep It Hellish is the successor of the high acclaimed Live In Germany (elected by Heavy Metal Brasil one of the all time best Brazilian Metal live albums).
The band now reveals the cover of Keep It Hellish which was once again painted by Eduardo Burato who have already worked with the band on the previous two studio albums, Defender Of Metal (2001) and Heroes Of Tomorrow(2008).
According to Daniel Person, HELLISH WAR's drummer, the cover perfectly represents the album in the sense that it's an affirmation of the band's style and music identity.
"Keep It Hellish is Hellish War's most heavy, fast and best finished album", says the musician. "The band's identity is intact and this is a Heavy Metal album from the beginning to the end, full of strong choruses - something I really miss on the Brazilian Heavy Metal nowadays - and, of course, this is the premier of Bil Martins which is, in my opinion, one of the five best Metal vocalists from Brazil. The cool thing about the album cover is that it represents all these elements when connecting to the band's history - we have the return of Guillis, the same warrior that appears on the cover of our first album, that was also painted by Eduardo Burato."
Keep It Hellish will be released in Europe on June, 28th by the German record label Pure Steel Records (Omen, Warrant, Halloween, Cage). In Brazil, the album hits the stores on June, 10th through Voice Music (Angra, Korzus, Torture Squad, Hibria, etc).
In October, HELLISH WAR embarks for its second European Tour. The first show is already booked for October, 12th at Downi in Worblaufen, Switzerland.

On July, 08th the Brazilian Thrashcore band UGANGA embarks for its second tour in Europe. This time the group formed by Manu 'Joker' (vocal), Christian (guitar), Thiago (guitar), 'Ras' Phael (bass) and Marco (drums) will promote its most recent release, the live album Eurocaos Ao Vivo.
Titled 'Cross Over Chaos - European Tour 2013' UGANGA will make this new tour aside the Polish crossover band Terrordome. It will be approximately 10 shows during a 15 days trip. The confirmed dates so far are:

• 12.07 Prague (CZ) - Bazina Club
• 13.07 Zawiercie (PL) - Metal vs Core Open Air Fest
• 14.07 Banska Bystrica (SK) - Tirish Club
• 15.07 Budapest (HU) - ShowBarlang
• 18.07 Milan (IT) - Blue Rose Saloon
• 19.07 Nice (FR) - Le Volume
• 20.07 Zollikofen (CH) - Karma Factory

According to UGANGA's manager, Eliton Tomasi, this new tour brings many particularities in relation to the first tour that UGANGA did in 2010.
"I think that the first feature of this new tour is the fact that will be two great bands from two different countries, Uganga and Terrordome", says Tomasi. "This time Uganga will also play in some countries where we weren't in 2010 like Italy, France, Hungary and Slovakia. Nevertheless, previous experiences showed us that in some cases is better to make short tours, with less days and short distances between one show and another, unlike the 2010 tours when we ran more than 11 thousand kilometers all over Europe playing almost all nights during a period of 30 days".
Another interesting fact about this new tour is that, Eurocaos Ao Vivo, the new album that UGANGA will be promoting, was recorded live in 2010 during shows in Germany and Portugal. For the frontman Manu 'Joker', there would be no sense to not come back and promote the album in the continent that motivated and gave birth to the effort.
"The show at Razorblade Festival in Datteln was a very special moment and for sure one of the highlights of our first European tour", tells the vocalist. "The people received us surprisingly, even more considering that we are a band that sings in Portuguese and that was practically unknown in Germany. The cherry of the cake was the organizers had offered us conditions to record the show in a professional way and the record label got animated about releasing the album, Metal Soldiers (Portugal) in Europe and Sapolio Radio and Incendio Discos here in Brazil. Now we are coming back to celebrate this album together with our friends of Terrordome and working hard to make this new tour even more productive and fun. Moreover, July is not the best period for club shows in Europe because most of the big open air summer festivals are going on, but it was very nice to realize that Uganga now have a good receptivity there and the promoters even so didn't hesitate to make us good shows proposals".

Noticeable many young Thrash bands emulating old heroes like VENOM or HELLHAMMER. This sounds very often like musicians in a junk room with bad guitar solo and poor vocals. The newcomers often forget that in the early 80ies of the last millennium the style was initially discovered or the bands were not able to play better.
SHALLOW GROUND do not have jump on the bandwagon. The American and shows well-done Thrash, technically and musically fine with great songs. They can be queued among many established acts without drawing concrete comparisons between them to easily. The interspersed harmonies and having the knack for skillful arrangements let the nearly sixty minutes pass without having any boredom at all. SHALLOW GROUND rivet and waking the desire for more!
SHALLOW GROUND The end of everything - OUT on 10/05/2013 via Killer Metal Records.

"We are very proud to announce that the new RHAPSODY album will be released in June/July 2014 by Nuclear Blast. Once again it will be produced by me and it will be recorded and mixed by Sebastian Röder at the Backyard Studios of Kempten (Germany)" states Luca Turilli.
Dominique Leurquin, the guitar player, adds: "After the great success of Ascending To Infinity, for which we'll never stop thanking our supporters and the international press, a new opus of cinematic metal will soon see the light and once more the wonderful and versatile voice of Alessandro Conti, ranging from heavenly and crystalline high tones to the dramatic power of an operatic tenor, will surprise most of the people while painting musical landscapes of rare beauty!".
Luca continues, spending a few words about his new upcoming project too: "In the last years I always dreamed of starting a second business activity in connection with cinema and other important media. I finally decided to take the big step in this direction and in a short time I will present my new music production company. Through it I will offer my services as arranger, being specialized in the creation of epic/orchestral/modern arrangements of all styles, but also as composer and artistic producer for all kinds of music (Metal, Rock, Pop, Classical, Opera, Folk, etc.) and mainly for all the media-related world (TV, Cinema, Videogames, etc.). I am actually selecting some top-level partners to offer and extend the services of my company to a worldwide level. More details about the same company and the new album will follow soon!"

TELLUS REQUIEM release video debut for new single Eden Burns 26 April 2013, video can be viewed on the Nightmare Records 'MEGALOUD' Channel.
TELLUS REQUIEM's new album Invictus (The 11th Hour) was released January 22, 2013 on Nightmare Records, distributed via Sony / RED. The album is available on CD and Digital Download at your favorite vendors that champion great music.
TELLUS REQUIEM hails from Norway, bringing to the world a rich Scandinavian blend of Progressive Power Metal that combines the bands musings and many different styles of music into a heavy alloy of epic and majestic technical Metal. TELLUS REQUIEM has delivered their breathtaking sophomore album Invictus (The 11th Hour).
TELLUS REQUIEM means 'The earth's death mass.' TELLUS being Latin for The Earth, REQUIEM being the last composition a composer writes before they died. The main theme of the bands musings is about worlds shattering. This can either be global, personal, fictional or literary. Leaving it open to interpretation.