Noise & Stuff

Soulfly: World Scum – new video

2012-02-17T17:18:00.001+02:00

Conceptualized by Max Cavalera and video director Thomas Mignone, produced by DOOM Incorporated, and “depicting various scenes of humanity's perspectives of some of the world's significant historical events including the attack on the Russian Czar by nihilists, the mass production of Zyklon B poisons, the Gulag prisons, the assassination of the president and a final showdown between Jesus and the Antichrist” well, ladies and gentlemen, ‘World Scum’ is the new SOULFLY video. The track comes from their forthcoming eight album ‘Enslaved’, recorded in late 2011 in Tallcat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and produced by Zeuss and Max Cavalera. ‘Enslaved’ is the first SOULFLY album to feature Tony Campos (ASESINO) on bass and drummer David Kinkade (ex-BROKNAGAR). Due on Roadrunner Records on March 13th, 2012, the album features guest appearances by Dez Fafara (DEVILDRIVER) and Travis Ryan (CATTLE DECAPITATION). The album's art was created by Marcelo Vasco.

SOULFLY was formed in 1997 by former SEPULTURA guitarist and frontman Max Cavalera. With Roy Mayorga on drums, Jackson Bandeira on second guitar and Marcello D. Rapp on bass, Cavalera recorded SOULFLY's self-titled album. Released by Roadrunner Records in 1998, the record was produced by Ross Robinson and featured guest appearances by Chino Moreno (DEFTONES), Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) and Eric Bobo (CYPRESS HILL). ‘Soulfly’, the album, debuted at number 79 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold in 2005. SOULFLY's second album, ‘Primitive’, followed in 2000, reaching number 32 on the Billboard 200 despite much criticism voiced in opposition by Cavalera's fans. In 2002, the group released ‘3’, which got commended by Bradley Torreano (AllMusic) thusly:

“This is the sound of a brilliant musician trying to find his place in a metal scene that he has jumped so far ahead of that he’s spinning his tires trying to get back with the pack.”

Completely new lineup was recruited by Cavalera for the recording of the album ‘Prophecy’ which featured drummer Joe Nunez, guitarist Marc Rizzo formerly and two bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and Bobby Burns. ‘Prophecy’ was released in 2004 and peaked at number 82 on the Billboard 200. SOULFLY's next album, ‘Dark Ages’, issued in 2005, was described by AllMusic's Jason Birchmeier as being “damned close to perfection”. Sixth full-length ‘Conquer’, which followed in 2008, debuted at number 66 on the U.S. albums chart, with 2010's ‘Omen’ nearly matching its predecessors success, landing position 73, while conquering the Greek Albums Chart at number 1:

“ ‘Omen’ is like thrash metal comfort food, showing us that sometimes what we really want is a heaping plate of good, old-fashioned, unbridled aggression. In a world where bands like MASTODON are pushing metal into increasingly esoteric directions, it takes an old pro like Cavalera, someone who’s made a career out of blending experimental grooves with meat-headed brutality, to make something that can be both simple and compelling,” [commented the Greek taste Gregory Heaney, AllMusic – more here]

SOULFLY features: Max Cavalera – vocals and guitar, Marc Rizzo - lead guitar, Tony Campos – bass and David Kinkade – drums

Full Album Stream: Nothnegal: Decadence – new album

2012-02-17T15:44:00.001+02:00

If you’ve ever asked yourselves how does Maldivian metal sound like well, here comes your answer; NOTHNEGAL's debut full-length, ‘Decadence’, is being streamed in its entirety here, courtesy Noisecreep. Out everywhere but North America since January 2012, visit NOTHNEGAL website in order to pre-order the album and perhaps win a trip to Maldives (an all inclusive holiday package even) or visit Season Of Mist's e-shop and order the ‘Decadence’ from them. U.S. release date is set for February 28th, 2012. Alongside the band's founders, cousins and guitarists Hirlarl and Fufu and bassist Hamad, ‘Decadence’ features drummer Kevin Talley (DÅÅTH, ex-CHIMAIRA, ex-DYING FETUS, ex-MISERY INDEX) and Finnish keyboard player Marco Sneck (KALMAH, POISONBLACK). The album's artwork was created by Philippine designer Michael Vincent Manalo.

“The Maldive Islands evoke images of an insular paradise before the eyes of a stranger. Like a double row of pearls hundreds of coral islands forming 26 atolls spread from north to south in the gentle breeze of the Indian Ocean. At first the hard sound of metal seems a contradiction to picturesque white beaches, palm trees and blue sunny skies. Yet now NOTHNEGAL are embarking to teach the world otherwise with their international debut album,” [states the press release boldly]:

NOTHNEGAL: Janus – courtesy of Season of Mist

NOTHNEGAL was founded in 2006 by guitarists Hirlarl and Fufu on the capital island Malé. The band had suffered through quite a few lineup changes before stabilizing enough to record their debut release, 2009's 4-track EP ‘Antidote To Realism’. Mixed by Finnish producer Anssi Kippo, NOTHNEGAL released the recording for free through the internet. The band supported FINNTROLL and ROTTING CHRIST on their 2010 European tour covering 25 cities in 12 countries.

Pilgrim: Misery Wizard – new album

2012-02-15T18:35:00.001+02:00

Already out in Europe since late January 2012, PILGRIM's debut album, ‘Misery Wizard’, has become available in North America yesterday, February 14th, 2012 via Metal Blade Records. The album was recorded and mixed at Emandee Studios in Brooklyn, New York, produced and mixed by Henry Yuan (and co-mixed by Mark Ospovat and PILGRIM's The Wizard), engineered by Mark Ospovat and mastered by Jamie Gomez at Orgone Studios. The album's artwork was created by Paul McCarol for Unginged Art. Download yourselves the tune ‘Astaroth’ free of charge here after you listen to it below, where you'll find its companion, the title-track, as well and visit Brooklyn Vegan here, to hear the album's third track ‘Quest’.

“ ‘Misery Wizard’ is a sonic journey through a strange and mystical legend. Hidden within are the twisted tales of the evil demons, ancient aliens and powerful sorcerers that once inhabited the dark realms of our fable. We wanted to make a record that harnessed the foreboding sounds of classic doom metal and mesh it with our tales of high-fantasy. We’re influenced by dark, heavy music, BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS, REVEREND BIZZARE, DARKTHRONE, BURZUM and the like. Unlike a lot of modern musicians, we wanted to pay tribute to these bands without being them, so to speak. I think originality and individuality is a staple of this record. No two songs are too similar. Each is a unique gem revealing an unsung tale of old. Each song is a portal into a different scene of the overarching mythos that is PILGRIM,” [stated PILGRIM]:

PILGRIM: Astaroth – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

PILGRIM: Misery Wizard – courtesy of brooklynvegan

Depending on your perception of things, you can either think of PILGRIM as a three-piece doom metal band from Rhode Island, USA, or believe them to be “an ancient fellowship from the hallowed halls of ancient tombs/shimmering slopes of frozen mountain peaks” who reportedly long ago “harvested the power of sonic amplification through arcane wizardry and dark bargainings with powerful demons” which they used to create a band (of all things!), in the year of wonders 2010.

PILGRIM features: Krolg, Slayer of Men – drums, Count Elric the Soothsayer – bass and The Wizard - guitar and vocals

Dawn Of Ashes: Farewell To The Flesh – new EP

2012-02-15T17:21:00.001+02:00

American melodic black metal warriors DAWN OF ASHES have just released an EP entitled ‘Farewell To The Flesh’ which can be purchased digitally via iTunes, courtesy Metal Blade Records. The EP features three new tracks, ‘Farewell To The Flesh’, ‘Torture Device Part 2’, and ‘Blood-Shed With The 3rd Eye' (Instrumental)’. The additional five songs featured are remixes of songs from the band's previous album ‘Genocide Chapters’. (A very DAWN OF ASHES-esque album preview video is available for your discrete viewing on the band's YouTube channel here.) The eight tracks were recorded and mixed between Patrick Mundy, Volkar Kael, and Kristof Bathory at the home studios of Ross Robinson, Volkar Kael, and Kristof Bathory. Without further ado, join the vile and sacrifice yourself to DAWN OF ASHES via iTunes.

“In the darkest form of incubated evil, a symbol has been born to strike immense fear into the hearts of mortal weakness. Kristof Bathory, Volkar Kael, Bahemoth and Othuum, four vile forms that control a new era where nightmares become reality and where the sounds of the macabre shall emerge from a catastrophic symphony, have resurrected the sounds and visions of horror, hatred, and suffering that is spewed forth in the form of extreme horror metal that is DAWN OF ASHES; a name that was created to reflect upon the birth of death and failure. Now the plague has come to corrupt the flesh of man.”

DAWN OF ASHES: Farewell To The Flesh – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

DAWN OF ASHES, also known as the darkest form of incubated evil, has been formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2001. They first manifested their horrific intentions through 2005's ‘Sacred Fever’ demo, followed by two industrial music efforts ‘In The Acts Of Violence’ (2005) and ‘The Crypt Injection’ (2008), issued on COP International. In 2009, the abominable act signed a worldwide deal with Metal Blade and recorded their proper melodic black metal debut with producer Fred Archambault. The band, whose life ambition is to dominate the music scene with a sonic force so vile and evil the listener will be both entranced and terrorized by the sheer ferocity, has delivered its first blow through ‘Genocide Chapters’ in 2010. (Their bloody disgusting video for ‘Transformation Within Fictional Mutation’, directed by David H. Greathouse, can be found here):

DAWN OF ASHES: Transformation Within Fictional Mutation – courtesy of Metal Blade

DAWN OF ASHES features: Kristof Bathory – screams (& violent voices ov the Abyss) and (blood stained) keys, Volkar Kael - (hard-string bludgeoning) guitar, Othuum - (pulsating holocaust) bass and Bahemoth (butchery-symphony) - keyboards

Event: Through Bleeding Eyes

2012-02-14T19:56:00.001+02:00

Who: THROUGH BLEEDING EYES

(Israel)

UNLEASH THE PAIN (Isr)

When: 15. 3. 2012

Where: Sublime Club

Salame 53

Tel Aviv / Israel

How much: 30 – 40 NIS

Unearth: Burn – new video

2012-02-14T19:29:00.001+02:00

Click Here To Watch The Video

Metalcore enthusiasts rejoice: UNEARTH have unveiled new video for ‘Burn’, the track from their July 2011 release ‘Darkness In The Light’. Exclusively premiered on Metal Injection, this “dark and disturbing video to match the equally bleak lyrics of the song” was directed by Scott Hansen. The 11-tracks appearing on ‘Darkness In The Light’ were recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer Adam Dutkiewicz and mixed at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, by Mark Lewis. Sitting in on drums during the recording was Justin Foley (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED). The album which peaked at position number 72 on Billboard 200 and at number 45 on Canadian Album Chart can be bought here (Metal Blade).

“ ‘Darkness In The Light’ is a maelstrom of melodic riffs, screamy shouts and enough noodling to keep “Guitar Hero” nerds happy. But it’s not chasing maidens and slaying dragons; UNEARTH have enough of the '90s straight-edge hardcore scene still left in their blood to give the lyrics an impassioned warrior cry against corrupt politics and wavering faith. See the words to opener ‘Watch It Burn’, which also features an honest-to-goodness open-E-chord breakdown. In 2011! Best of all, they don’t overdo their mighty breakdowns, which bogged down previous albums,” [reads Alternative Press' review – click here for the rest]

Formed in 1998 in Massachusetts, UNEARTH released their first EP, ‘Above The Fall Of Man’, through Endless Fight Records in 1999, and signed to Eulogy Recordings for the release of two albums, 2001's ‘The Stings Of Conscience’ (“The result brings about the most blissfully indulgent, entrancing, and overall greatest hardcore release ever,” wrote Jason Hundey, AllMusic) and 2002's ‘Endless’, described by Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic as “a pretty flawless release, and a fitting farewell to the first phase of UNEARTH's career”. And Metal Blade Records took notice: “If UNEARTH wanted to cover a classic Dean Martin hit, the logical choice would be 1960's ‘Ain't That A Kick In The Head’ - not because ‘The Oncoming Storm’ sounds anything at all like the late Rat Pack crooner, but because UNEARTH does, in fact, feel like a kick in the head. Mercy is not a high priority on this 2004 release, which demonstrates just how nasty, punishing, and downright vicious the metalcore style can be,” observed Alex Henderson (AllMusic). UNEARTH's Metal Blade debut, 2004's ‘The Oncoming Storm’ went on to sell in excess of 160,000 copies in the U.S. alone:

UNEARTH: The Great Dividers – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

The group's commercial breakthrough, Terry Date-produced ‘III: In The Eyes Of Fire’, entered the American albums chart Billboard 200 at number 35. Released in 2006, the album had sold in excess of 105,000 copies in the U.S. to date:

UNEARTH: Giles – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

UNEARTH returned to producer Adam Dutkiewicz for the third time with their fourth album, ‘The March’. Released in 2008, the album debuted at number 45 on the Billboard Top 200, with first week sales of just under 11,000 copies.

“… and the results are as hard-hitting and gloriously metallic as ever before. And as evidenced by tracks such as ‘Grave Of Opportunity’, UNEARTH have pretty much perfected their hardcore-meets-IRON MAIDEN style/approach by this point. ‘The March’ proves that all the early accolades were well worth it: UNEARTH have grown into one of metal's leading outfits,” [commented Greg Prato, AllMusic – more here]:

UNEARTH: My Will Be Done – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

UNEARTH features: Trevor Phipps – vocals, Ken Susi – guitars, Buz McGrath – guitars, John Maggard – bass and Nick Pierce drums

Full Album Stream: Les Discrets: Ariettes Oubliées… – new album

2012-02-13T18:27:00.001+02:00

‘Ariettes Oubliées…’, the successor to the much praised LES DISCRETS debut album ‘Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées’ was released on February 10th, 2012 via Prophecy Productions. You can listen to the album in its bittersweet entirety here (Prophecy YouTube channel) or below. LES DISCRETS has recently posted a promotional video for their new song ‘Ariettes Oubliées I : Je devine à travers un murmure…’, directed by the band's vocalist and lyricist Audrey Hadorn you can also find below. And if you find LES DISCRETS (bittersweet) melancholy and almost painful yearning to your liking, buy the album here. Furthermore, Fursy Teyssier's book of album cover artwork has become available; “Collected Works 2006 – 2011” features most of his cover arts, yet unpublished drafts and exclusive artworks he has done for EMPYRIUM, ALCEST, AGALLOCH, and MORBID ANGEL among others and is accompanied by the artist's comments and background information. You can pre-view some of his works here and buy the book here.

“On their second album, ‘Ariettes Oubliées…’, LES DISCRETS appear significantly matured in many aspects. Teyssier's artistic vision is clearer than ever, and his vocal performance shows a big progression in comparison to past recordings. Winterhalter [drummer] contributes arguably the best and most diverse drum performance of his career, and the sensitive, poetic lyrics of Audrey Hadorn add a further dimension to the album. The album's tenor is more severe, yet the bittersweet melancholy and almost painful yearning - both characteristic of the debut album, ‘Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées’ - here they are more moving than before. ‘Ariettes…’ is an elegiac and sublime album of enraptured beauty that develops LES DISCRETS' characteristic style in the hybridization of post-rock, doom metal, and shoegaze convincingly in every element, to every extent, and which will cement the band's status as a cornerstone of a new, thrilling music genre,” [accredits the press release]

Artist, musician and animated film director Fursy Teyssier created LES DISCRETS in 2003 in order to express through his music and art his fears and thoughts related to death and love. Teyssier's - who was previously involved with ALCEST and AMESOEURS as an artist and as a musician - LES DISCRETS released their debut album, ‘Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées’ in 2010 through Prophecy Productions.

LES DISCRETS features: Audrey Hadorn – vocals & lyrics, Winterhalter – drums and Fursy Teyssier - guitars, bass, vocals and visuals

Full Album Stream: Avatar: Black Waltz – new album

2012-02-13T09:35:00.001+02:00

Already out in Europe since January 25th, 2012 and about to be released in North America (February 14th, 2012), listen to AVATAR's new album, ‘The Black Waltz’, on AOL Music, where it is currently being steamed. ‘Black Waltz’ was produced by the Swedish Grammy award winning producer Tobias Lindell. The album's artwork was created by Caroline Falk. Out on Gain/Sony Music, order your own copy of ‘Black Waltz’ here.

“Regardless of how one wishes to classify them now, their new album is one interesting metal piece well worth anyone's time,” [writes Magnus Altkula, Sputnik Music] “Welding hard rock and minor electronic influences to their melodeath base has proven to be a great idea and ‘Black Waltz’ is most definitely the band's most exciting release to date. Smoothly transitioning from rockin' guitar riffs to more death metal orientated sections, all the while keeping an undercurrent of melody and maintaining a degree of technicality, ‘Black Waltz’ contains something for everyone.” [Read the rest here; watch Johan Carlén-directed video ‘Black Waltz’ below the text. It features Hellzapoppin's (*A Sideshow Revenue) Bryce Graves, Milla Floryd and Anna Mariann Lundberg]:

AVATAR: Let It Burn – courtesy of eOne Music

Formed in 2001 in Göteborg, Sweden, by drummer John Alfredsen and guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, AVATAR released their debut album, ‘Thoughts Of No Tomorrow’, in 2006 at tender age of 18. The debut album entered the Swedish Metal Album chart at top three. 2007's second full-length, ‘Schlacht’, took AVATAR on Scandinavian tour with fellow Gothenburg residents IN FLAMES. Since then they have supported MEGADETH, IMPALED NAZARENE, EVERGREY and STONE SOUR on their European tours. AVATAR's self-titled third album, released in 2009, entered the Swedish Album Chart at number 36. ‘Black Waltz’ EP was released by AVATAR in October 2011.

AVATAR features: Johannes Eckerström – vocals, John Alfredsson – drums, Jonas Jarlsby – guitar, Tim Ohrstrom – guitar and Henrik Sandelin - bass

Goatwhore: Blood For The Master – new album

2012-02-12T15:21:00.001+02:00

New album of “American no-frills black metal meets death & roll” by New Orleans, Louisiana's own, GOATWHORE, is set for February 13th, 2012 release in Europe and for February 14th, 2012 release in North America via Metal Blade Records. ‘Blood For The Master’ was recorded in St. Petersburg, Florida at Mana Studios with producer Erik Rutan. Visit Pitchfork to hear GOATWHORE's new track ‘Parasitic Scriptures Of The Sacred Word’ and listen to the opening track, ‘Collapse In Eternal Worth’, via player available below. Buy the album here.

“With their fifth album, ‘Blood For The Master’, GOATWHORE do just that [“doing the classics incredibly well” opposite to “exploring bold new sonic waters”] delivering another album of relentless and refined blackened death metal that speaks volumes about the band's level of craftsmanship. Every element of the album is airtight, and it’s from this highly fortified position that the band are able to launch and all-out metal assault, digging into their arsenal of thrash, death, and black metal riffage to destroy the eardrums of anyone they come across,” [commented Gregory Heaney, AllMusic – read the rest here]:

Collapse In Eternal Worth – courtesy of GOATWHORE

“One the most diligent and consistently ferocious bands of the 21st century” was formed by ex-ACID BATH and CROWBAR guitarist Sammy Duet in 1997. Duet, vocalist Ben Falgoust, guitarist Ben Stout, bassist Patrick Bruders and drummer Zak Nolan began their bestial journey with the ‘Serenades To The Tides Of Blood’ demo, followed by proper album ‘The Eclipse Of Ages Into Black’ in 2000. “By 2003,” explaines the group's bio, “GOATWHORE had systematically harvested a legion of followers possessed by the band's profound maze of unhallowed lyrics, CELTIC FROST-ian rhythms, and blackened bayou swagger.” In 2003, ‘Funeral Dirge For The Rotting Sun’, the band's second bloodfeast was issued. 2006's ‘A Haunting Curse’ was GOATWHORE's first on Metal Blade Records; “ ‘A Haunting Curse’ found the revised GOATWHORE lineup of Duet, Falgoust, drummer Zack Simmons and bassist Nathan Bergeron, fleeing the debilitating floods of Hurricane Katrina. Delayed but undeterred, the album proved their most volatile yet.”

“GOATWHORE has a much nastier, harsher, more primal vision of black metal - one that is mindful of the rawness of early black metal and remembers its punk, thrash, and hardcore roots. Don’t expect any sweet, lilting melodies on ‘A Haunting Curse’; this is caustic stuff, and GOATWHORE takes pleasure in going for the jugular,” [wrote Alex Henderson, AllMusic – read the rest here]:

Forever Consumed Oblivion – courtesy of GOATWHORE

Alchemy Of The Black Sun Cult – courtesy of GOATWHORE

GOATWHORE's fourth record broke Billboard Top 200 ranking in at number 190, and the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart at number 34. Once again produced by the band's longtime friend Erik Rutan, 2009's ‘Carving Out The Eyes Of God’ was met by much critical praise:

Apocalyptic Havoc – courtesy of GOATWHORE

GOATWHORE features: Sammy Duet – guitar and vocals, Louis Benjamin Falgoust II – vocals, Zack Simmons – drums and James Harvey - bass

The Devil Wears Prada: Dead Throne – new video

2012-02-11T09:26:00.001+02:00

American metalcore band THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA has released new video for ‘Dead Throne’, off their same-titled latest album. ‘Dead Throne’ was released in September 2011 on Ferret Music, co-produced by the band and Adam Dutkiewicz, engineered by Adam Dutkiewicz and Jim Fogarty and mastered by Tom Baker. The album's artwork was created by British artist Dan Seagrave. ‘Dead Throne’ became THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA highest charting release, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard 200, and selling over 32,000 copies in its first week of release. Buy THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA's stuff here.

“For THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA's fourth album, ‘Dead Throne’, the Christian metalcore six-piece is at its most technical and most brutal. Mike Hranica is a vocal beast, alternating between banshee screams and a Cookie Monster growl, while the rest of the members deliver muscular drop-D power chords, bottom-heavy bass riffs, and ferocious drumming. Sonically, the tone is equally massive. … As a bonus, AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis makes a guest appearance and roars back and forth with Hranica on ‘Constance’, one of ‘Dead Throne’s most powerful moments. But then again, picking a highlight is futile when an album is this merciless,” [was impressed Jason Lymangrover, Allmusic –more here]

“Easily one of the most bizarrely named bands of their time”, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, formed in 2005 in Dayton, Ohio. The group recorded and self-released an EP entitled ‘Patterns Of A Horizon’ that same year, with it impressing Rise Records which signed the band in 2006. The six-piece turned to producer Joey Sturgis in order to record their debut full-length, 2006's ‘Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord’:

“There’s a lightness of spirit evident in these songs that elevates ‘Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord’ above the standard-issue metal ghetto. Essentially a re-recording of the band's 2005 debut EP, plus two excellent new songs, ‘Dogs Can Grow Beards All Over’ and ‘Texas Is South’, this album features better sound and tighter arrangements than the debut, rendering the earlier record necessary only for completists,” [observed Steward Mason, AllMusic Guide]

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA sophomore outing, ‘Plagues’, released in 2007, peaked at number 57 on American albums chart Billboard 200, but AllMuisc's Eduardo Rivadavia wasn’t having any of it:

“THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA also subscribes to the irritating post-emo fad of consigning silly and/or utterly unrelated titles to songs whose stream-of-consciousness lyrics meld romantic/existential/religious allusions both recklessly and indiscriminately (e.g. ‘HTML Rulez D00d’, ‘Don’t Dink and Drance’, ‘Nickels Is Money Too’) - as if scripture wasn’t misleading enough as is. Another flagrant example, ‘You Can’t Spell 'Crap' Without 'C'’ actually makes the Sesame Street classic “'C' Is for Cookie” sound remarkably profound, and counts with the ringing intellectual endorsement of CHIODOS [American post-hardcore group'] singer Craig Owens, to boot.” [Read more here.]

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Ferret Music debut, 2009's ‘With Roots Above And Branches Bellow’, again produced by Joey Sturgis, debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, selling 31,000 copies during the first week of its release and won over even the toughest of music critic, including Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Allmusic:

“The question of progression for THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA lies not in innovation but refinement, with the vaguely Christian screamo sliding effortlessly toward pure metalcore on their third album. Such developments are subtle, all a matter of precision both in how the band executes their metallic breakdown and how they swing from bellowed verses to crooned choruses without a hiccup. [Read the rest here]:

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: Danger: Wildman – courtesy of The Devil Wears Prada

Their “fun but brutal” EP ‘Zombie’, (inspired by such clever stuff as Max Brooks' “World War Z” which you should most definitely read, most appreciated visitor) released in August 2010, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 and was met by critical praise:

“DWP usual sugary-to-brutal template is boosted by ‘Zombie’s thick production, which includes computer-glitched thrash riffs, a symphonic action/horror score, and fake radio broadcasts. Everything adds up nicely to make for an entertaining, fear-provoking listen, [wrote Jason Lymangrover, AllMusic Guide]:

Zombie EP – courtesy of The Devil Wears Prada

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA features: Mike Hranica – lead vocals, Jeremy DePoyster – rhythm guitar and vocals, Chris Rubey – lead guitar, Andy Trick – bass, Daniel Williams – drums and James Baney – keyboard and synthesizer

The Dillinger Escape Plan: Parasitic Twins – new video

2012-02-10T09:28:00.001+02:00

Directed by David Merenyi and produced by Greg Toth, ‘Parasitic Twins’ comes from THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's album ‘Option Paralysis’, out since 2010 on the band's own imprint Party Smasher Inc. created under French record label Season Of Mist. Co-produced by TDEP founder guitarist Ben Weinman and Steve Evetts, ‘Option Paralyses’ debuted at number 78 on Billboard 200.

“The band can still turn on a dime, musically speaking; its ultra-intricate jazz-metal breaks and solos that don’t feel like solos are still very present. So is the element of surprise; ‘Widower’ is a piano-driven ballad that’s downright beautiful, even (or especially) when the drummer’s going berserk behind his bandmates, slowly building to an inevitable hardcore outburst at the four-minute mark. If there’s one thing to complain about on ‘Option Paralysis’, it’s that the album has pieces made up of cool parts, instead of songs made up of hooks. But for DILLINGER fans, that alienating complexity is a bug, not a feature, and the fact that it’s impossible to remember how a given song goes when it’s over is taken as a testament to the bandmembers' ability to perform these stunts,” [was Phil Freeman's (Allmusic) impression – read the rest here]

[Now, if you happen to be of the reading sort, here is how Ryan Downey introduces THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN (for Allmusic Guide):] The depth of extremity and mental challenge presented by their music virtually defies description, at once recalling the mind-wandering spirit of the MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA [American jazz fusion group], the complex heavy metal of latter-day DEATH, CYNIC's solitary death metal achievement, and the progressive hard rock of RUSH. Their performances bring to mind the anarchic charge of early GUNS N' ROSES shows, and the sophistication that drives their craft should awe fans of classy art rock bands like RADIOHEAD,” [bowing to THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's greatness and having nothing to add – read the rest here (Allmusic)]

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN features: Greg Puciato – vocals, Ben Weinman – guitar, Jeff Tuttle – guitar, Billy Rymer – drums and Liam Wilson – bass

Benighted: Let The Blood Spill Between My Broken Teeth – new video

2012-02-09T18:43:00.001+02:00

France's death/grinders BENIGHTED have a new, Thibault Chaumont-directed video out for ‘Let The Blood Spill Between By Broken Teeth’, taken from their sixth album entitled ‘Asylum Cave’, out since March 2011 via Season Of Mist Records. Showcasing the fastest and most violent songs BENIGHTED ever wrote, and telling the story of a schizophrenic delusional man obsessed with notorious Joseph Fritzl, the album features guest vocalists Sven de Caluwé (ABORTED) and Mike Majewski (DEVOURMENT), and was was recorded at Kohlekeller Studios in Darmstad, Germany. Buy BENIGHTED stuff here (Season Of Mist).

BENIGHTED was formed in 1998 in Saint-Étienne, France, by members of French death and black metal bands DISHUMANIZED, DARKNESS FIRE and OSGILIATH. They recorded a mix of death metal, black metal, and grindcore and released the material as their first self-produced and self-titled album in 2000. In 2001, BENIGHTED signed a contract with French label Adipocere Records and recorded their brutal and technical death metal album ‘Psychose’ (2002). Change in the personnel department followed the release, as Remy Aubrespin took over the bass from founding member Chart. Amidst the writing process for their third album ‘Insane Cephalic Production’, BENIGHTED found themselves once again without a bassist. Inspired by vocalist Julien Truchan's work in a psychiatric hospital, the schizophrenic record of black metal, grindcore, thrash and hardcore, ‘Insane Cephalic Production’ was released in 2004. In 2005, BENIGHTED returned to Kohlekeller Studios for the second time and this time recorded their fourth album, ‘Identistick’ (2006), with new bassist Eric Lombard. The signing with Osmose Productions was quickly followed by BENIGHTED next brutal offering, 2007's ‘Icon’. As was the case with all their previous releases, BENIGHTED, once a side-project, worked full-time in order to promote their album, touring and appearing at numerous European festivals.

BENIGHTED features: Julien Truchan – vocals, Olivier Gabriel – guitar, Liem N'Guyen – guitar, Kevin Foley – drums and Eric Lombard – bass

Engel: Songs For The Dead – new EP

2012-02-08T17:02:00.001+02:00

Gothenburg finest, ENGEL, have been hard at work on their forthcoming album ‘Blood Of Saints’ these past few months, which is due in May 2012. As we all eagerly await the countdown to the joyous day of the release, we get treated with ENGEL's exclusive digital EP ‘Songs For The Dead’, comprised of four songs taken from the Japanese edition of the ‘Threnody’ album (and previously unavailable anywhere else) ‘Until Eternity Ends’, ‘Roll The Dice’, ‘Elbow And Knives’ and ‘Fearless’. ‘Threnody’ was released in 2010 on Trooper Entertainment in Japan and on Season Of Mist in Europe, and in 2011 in the U.S. (Season Of Mist). ‘Songs For The Dead’ will be available from February 10th, 2012 on iTunes – pre-order the EP there.

Founded by guitarist Niklas Engelin (IN FLAMES) in 2002, ENGEL self-released three demos between 2005/2006, before issuing their melodic death metal/industrial metal debut ‘Absolute Design’ in 2007/2008 on SPV/Steamhammer, whose sound was described by Allmusic's Alex Henderson as “heavier, more intense and metalcore-friendly version of STAIND”. Vocalist Magnus “Mangan” Klavborn, guitarists Niclas Engelin and Marcus Sunesson (THE CROWN), bassist Steve Drennan and drummer Daniel “Mojjo” Moilanen recorded ENGEL's second full-length, ‘Threnody’, already in 2008, but its release was delayed until 2010 due to label issues. New drummer Jimmy Olausson has since replaced Moilanen in the drum department. ENGEL have released two videos for ‘Threnody’, both directed by PA Nilssen and both available for viewing below. Buy ENGEL stuff here (Season Of Mist).

Full Album Stream: Chimp Spanner: All Roads Lead Here – new EP

2012-02-08T09:58:00.001+02:00

Already out in Europe, UK and Australia (February 6th, 2012) and just about to be released in North America (February 14th, 2012) on Basick Records, ‘All Roads Lead Here’, progressive metal multi-instrumentalists' Paul Antonio Ortiz (also known as CHIMP SPANNER) new EP features six new tracks you can enjoy via player available below. In addition to the CD and digital formats, a strictly limited edition clear transparent vinyl version is available, with the exclusive extention of the ‘Supereroremix’ EP (fan-made remixes of tracks from ‘At The Dreams Edge’). Buy CHIMP SPANNER's new creation here (Basick Records).

“ ‘All Roads Lead Here’ features six new tracks, which in true CHIMP style, range from the luscious and beautiful to the twisted and sinister, with the stunning three-part centrepiece ‘Mӧbius’ showing off his immense talent for gripping arrangements. And as expected, the EP flows like a groove driven atmospheric sci-fi soundtrack,” [adds the press release]:

Originally a solo recording project created by multi-instrumentalist Paul Ortiz in Essex, UK, CHIMP SPANNER independently released his debut album, ‘Imeprium Vortago’, in 2005, followed by, again, self-financed and produced ‘At The Dream's Edge’ in 2009, which was reissued in 2010 on Basick Records. In 2010, the project also took to the stage, appearing alongside the likes of TESSERACT, TEXTURES and MNEMIC.

CHIMP SPANNER features: Paul Ortiz on everything! / Live lineup: Paul Ortiz – guitar, Jim Hughes – guitar, Adam Swan – bass and Boris Le Gal - drums

Full Album Stream: Orange Goblin: A Eulogy For The Damned – new album / Red Tide Rising – new video

2012-02-06T18:10:00.001+02:00

Listen to ORANGE GOBLIN's upcoming album in its sweet entirety here (AOL Music). ‘A Eulogy For The Damned’ is scheduled for February 13, 2012 release in Europe and for February 14, 2012 release in the U.S. ORANGE GOBLIN's seventh studio album and their first for Candlelight Records was recorded at The Animal Farm studio in South London, UK, produced and engineered by Jamie Dodd, and mastered by two-time Grammy-nominated engineer Andy Jackson at Tube Mastering:

ORANGE GOBLIN: Red Ride Rising – courtesy of Candlelight Records

Formed in 1995 under the name “Our Haunted Kingdom”, ORANGE GOBLIN released a 7” split with ELECTRIC WIZARD in 1997 (as OHK), before adopting their current name. As ORANGE GOBLIN, bassist Martyn Millard, singer Ben Ward, guitarists Joe Horri and Pete O'Malley and drummer Chris Turner released their LOTR-inspired debut full-length, ‘Frequencies From Planet Ten’ through Rise Above Records in 1997, followed by ‘Time Traveling Blues’ in 1999. In 2000, ORANGE GOBLIN finally won over stubborn music critics with their third album ‘The Big Black’. On 2002's Scott Reeder-produced ‘Coup de Grace’, the group introduced punk as well as doom metal influences to their otherwise post-stoner rock. As a quartet - without second guitar player Pete O'Malley - ORANGE GOBLIN recorded ‘Thieving From The House Of God’ (2004), followed by 2007's ‘Healing Through Fire’, (Sanctuary Records) which marked the band's departure from their longtime label, Rise Above Records. In 2011, Metal Blade Records re-mastered and repackaged (with added bonus tracks) the band's first five albums:

ORANGE GOBLIN: Some You Win, Some You Lose – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

Event: Opeth

2012-02-06T16:42:00.001+02:00

Who: OPETH (Sweden)

When: 10. 3. 2012

Where: Hangar 11

Tel Aviv Port

Tel Aviv / Israel

How much: 269 NIS

Emmure: Drug Dealer Friend – new video

2012-02-06T14:54:00.001+02:00

Warning: This is EMMURE and viewer discretion is advised!

“It’s a respect issue; growing up in Queens, New York you either have to kill or be killed,” [state EMMURE uncompromisingly; then they go on explaining how, instead of taking out their aggressions in negative ways,] “EMMURE channel their collective angst into their music to create a propulsive blend of unabashed aggression and intensity that the youth across the world embrace with open arms.” [What a relief!]

‘Drug Dealer Friend’ comes off EMMURE's fourth album ‘Speaker Of The Dead’, which was released in February 2011 on Victory Records. The hard-hitting (mainly) deathcore release, produced by Joey Sturgis, debuted at position 68 on the Billboard 200, and at number 18 on the Rock Albums chart, to mention but a couple of American charts EMMURE succeeded to enter. Scroll down to watch two additional videos released by the group, ‘Children Of Cybertron’ and ‘Solar Flare Homicide’, directed by Frankie Nasso.

Originally from Connecticut, USA, now based in Queens, New York, EMMURE was formed in 2003 by Ben and Joe Lionetti and Frankie Palmeri. The three then jointly decided upon the band's name they deemed proper (“emmure” derives from “immurement”, a French torture technique where a person is walled up within a building and left to die from starvation or dehydration). In 2007, the group (vocalist Frankie Palmeri, guitarists Jesse Ketive and Ben Lionetti, bassist Mark Davis and drummer Joe Lionetti) released their Zeuss (Chris Harris)-produced brutal and unpredictable sounding debut full-length ‘Goodbye To The Gallows’, which was followed by 2008's ‘The Respect Issue’, again produced by Zeuss. EMMURE's second album entered American chart Billboard 200 at number 141; it also turned out to be the last recorded with founding members Ben and Joe Lionetti who left before EMMURE's next album was issued in 2009. ‘Felony’ featured new members guitarist Mike Mulohlland and drummer and Michael Kaabe and has debuted at number 60 on the Billboard 200:

“EMMURE's third outing comes fully stocked with enough anger, regret, violence, and deceit to satisfy even the most hard-line nihilist. … While lyrical clichés run wild, the band's musicality is never in question, offering up punishing riffs and brutal breakdowns like grocery store wine from an overzealous priest at Communion, pausing only to allow lead singer Frank Palmeri the occasional breather from a full-on death metal wail,” [observed James Christopher Monger, Allmusic – more here]

“Everyone has demons and dark sides to their lives, but this group shows that everyone deals with these types of issues and that there are productive ways to let it all out. EMMURE have gained the loyalty of the metal community and legions of rabid fans, but make no mistake - if you disrespect them, you will be left sleeping with the fishes,” [doesn’t exactly reassure the press release] “You’re either with them or against them.”

EMMURE features: Mark Davis – bass, Jesse Ketive – guitar, Frankie Palmeri – vocals, Mike Mulholland – guitar and Mark Castillo - drums

Caliban: I Am Nemesis – new album

2012-02-05T10:33:00.001+02:00

CALIBAN's eight full-length, ‘I Am Nemesis’, is bound to expose the downsides of humanity (loss and fear, greed and avarice, lies and deceit, madness and loss of control) through the month of February (2012; from February 3rd in Germany – February 28th in the U.S.) like no other release by a metalcore group has been able to before, heh. Co-produced by Benny Richter and CALIBAN guitarist Marc Görtz, mixed by Klaus Scheuermann at B.B. Serious Studio in Berlin, mastered by J. Oliver Wiebe in Hamburg's Nullzweistudios, and with artwork provided by Mark K. Kraemer, buy/pre-order this Century Media release through here (CALIBAN). ‘I Am Nemesis’ features guest vocal appearances by HEAVEN SHALL BURN's Marcus Bischoff and SUICIDE SILENCE's Mitch Lucker.

“The lyrical concept of the album is a continuation of our last record ‘Say Hello To Tragedy’,” [explained vocalist Andy Dörner] “It is socio-critical and points out things that go wrong in the world, at least in our eyes.” [Commented the album's sound lead guitarist Marc Görtz:] “The album breaks new soil without forgetting our roots. There are new influences such as shimmering guitar melodies and technical grooves with MESHUGGAH-like heaviness. In some songs we added an additional few pounds to make them even heavier. We wanted to record a very diverse album that has several fast tracks but also some slow and brutal mosh songs. It was important to us to have an elaborate album without any fillers, at least in our eyes. Additionally the sound of the album is the best we’ve ever had by far: it is heavy and brutal without being chaotic.”

CALIBAN formed in 1997 in Hattingen, Germany and released their first recording, a self-titled EP, the following year on Lifeforce Records, which was in turn followed by relentless touring as will be all CALIBAN's consequent releases. The bandmembers' assorted experiences were issued in form of CALIBAN debut studio album entitled ‘A Small Boy And A Grey Heaven’ in 1999 and a split with HEAVEN SHALL BURN, ‘The Split Program’, in 2000 (Lifeforce Records). Hard-working five-piece released ‘Vent’ in 2001 and ‘Shadow Heart’ in 2003 on Imperium Records, and signed with Roadrunner and Abacus Recordings in 2004 through which CALIBAN issued their fourth full-length, ‘The Opposite From Within’, recorded with IN FLAMES' Anders Fridén. Their second split with HEAVEN SHALL BURN, ‘The Split Program II’, came out in 2005, and was followed by 2006's ‘The Undying Darkness’, their second cooperation with Anders Fridén and Andy Sneap:

“2006's ‘The Undying Darkness’, gives little thought to drastic sonic reinvention, but focuses instead on their chosen style's most essential core values - let their followers come up with novel new ideas! Consequently, CALIBAN's songs for this occasion remain remarkably aware of their commercial potential - no matter how extreme some of their passages may be. In fact, it’s the stark contrast between those bone-crushing riffs and soul-lifting harmonies, Cookie Monster growls and soaring clean vocals, that fuels the very best among them (see ‘It's Our Burden to Bleed’, ‘My Fiction Beauty’, and ‘No More 2nd Chances’),” [commented Eduardo Rivadavia – more here]:

Its Our Burden To Bleed – courtesy of Calibanmetal

CALIBAN sixth album, and their first recorded with producer Benny Richter, 2007's ‘The Awakening’, peaked at number 36 on the German charts. In 2009, after signing a worldwide pact with Century Media, the group issued ‘Say Hello To Tragedy’, an album that matched its predecessor's chart success:

CALIBAN: 24 Years – courtesy of Century Media Records

CALIBAN: Caliban's Revenge – courtesy of Century Media Records

Not known for their idleness, CALIBAN issued a 4-song cover EP cleverly titled ‘Coverfield’ in 2011.

CALIBAN features: Andreas Dörner – vocals, Denis Schmidt – rhythm guitar and clean vocals, Marc Görtz – lead guitar, Marco Schaller – bass and Patrick Grün – drums

Darkest Era: An Ancient Fire Burns – new video

2012-02-03T19:17:00.001+02:00

Ireland's DARKEST ERA have released new video for ‘An Ancient Fire Burns’, the song from their debut album ‘The Last Caress Of Light’, out since February 2011 on Metal Blade Records. The video which “features a grim story with a surprise ending and is as melancholy and emotional as the band's music” was directed by Kieran Majury with Fastville Productions. The album which “stands out from all else as a record of intense emotional power and honesty; holding the listener within a dark heavy metal storm and not letting go until the last chords have rung out” was recorded at Foel Studios in Wales with producer Chris Fielding. Download the song ‘The Morrigan’ free of charge here (Metal Blade) and buy their stuff here.

“[Guitarist Ade Mulgrew commented on the video]: ‘An Ancient Fire Burns’ is a song about primal instincts and desire; and in this video we used a narrative that we really hope will grip people. It’s an old school buried-alive-in-coffin concept that compliments the themes in the song. We also shot the band's performance by torchlight in a 1000 year old monastery, once plundered by Vikings. It was a great setting and really adds to the atmosphere in the video.”

DARKEST ERA used to be known as “Nemesis” in 2005 when the band was formed. According to the legend, they wrote their first song, ‘Battle Of Cul Dreimne’ at their first practice; the song happened to had an unintentional Celtic leaning which was to pervade the band's writing from then on. Their self-titled demo, ‘Nemesis’, was released in 2006. The following year the band changed their name to DARKEST ERA, as doom, black, and pagan metal influences gradually crept their way into the band's music. In late 2008, DARKEST ERA released a 4-song debut EP ‘The Journey Through Damnation’ through German label Eyes Like Snow. In 2010, the band self-released a digipack entitled ‘The Oaks Sessions’ and signed a worldwide deal with Metal Blade Records

DARKEST ERA features: Krum – vocals, Ade Mulgrew – guitar, Sarah Wieghell – guitar, David Lindsay – bass and Lisa Howe – drums

DARKEST ERA: The Morrigan – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

Soen: Savia – new video

2012-02-03T16:39:00.001+02:00

SOEN was initially formed by drummer Martin Lopez (formerly of OPETH, AMON AMARTH etc.) and guitarist Kim Platbarzdis in 2005. With the arrival of vocalist Joel Ekelöf and accomplished bassist Steve DiGiorgio (DEATH, TESTAMENT, CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED etc.) in 2010 the project soon picked up speed; SOEN's debut full-length album,‘Cognitive’, is due on February 13th, 2012 on Spinefarm Records. Produced by Grammy-winning producer Dave Bottrill, ‘Cognitive’ can be pre-ordered here. The video was directed by Patric Ullaeus.

“ ‘Cognitive’ sure isn’t an instantaneously accessible album but with a bit of listener patience, it can prove to be one of the most rewarding pieces of “thinking man's metal” you will ever come across. In a world full of super-compressed albums waging the loudness war, ‘Cognitive’ breathes with ease thanks to the masterful mixing work of David Bottrill (TOOL, SMASHING PUMPKINS, MUSE etc.). Like rain on a windowpane; translucent and free of form, ‘Cognitive’ breathes like a living entity. The colors are there, lingering within the grays. It’s just up to you to find them,” [informs the press release. I would venture to advise all “thinking women” to approach the album with caution, heh]

Puscifer: Telling Ghosts – new video

2012-02-03T14:04:00.001+02:00

Maynard James Keenan is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, winemaker, actor, and former soldier. He is probably best known as the lead singer of the multi-platinum bands TOOL and A PERFECT CIRCLE. In 2003 he created PUSCIFER, a side project and “a playground for the various voices in [his] head, a space with no clear or discernible goals, [and] where [his] Id, Ego, and Anima all come together to exchange cookie recipes”. (I used to knows guys who knew just such places well, but they didn’t end up releasing either records or videos, heh) The above video though, was filmed by Tim Cadiente (Barton Perreira) and Meats Meier (3D Art Space). ‘Telling Ghost’ comes from PUSCIFER's second studio album ‘Conditions Of My Parole’, which was released on Puscifer Entertainment in October 2011. Below you’ll find videos ‘Man Overboard’, animated by Meats Meier, and ‘Conditions Of My Parole’, co-directed by Mike King (Flea Circus Films) and PUSCIFER. Both tunes are taken from the 2011 full-length, produced by Mat Mitchell and PUSCIFER, mixed by Mat Mitchell and Josh Eustis, and mastered by Bob Ludwig and Bernie Gardner.

“A departure from the angst of TOOL and the esoteric darkness of A PERFECT CIRCLE, the synth-heavy album has a more autumnal feeling about it, combining layers of electronic ambience and programmed drums with the singer's yearning vocals to create a kind of cold loneliness. It’s this isolated sound that Keenan thrives in, with his trademark vocals adding just the right amount of drama to the mix and acting as the glue that manages to hold everything together when the mood strikes him to drift into more aggressive territory on songs like ‘Toma’ and ‘Conditions Of My Parole,” commented Gregory Heaney, Allmusic – read the rest here]

Full Album Stream: Psycroptic: The Inherited Repression – new album

2012-02-01T17:54:00.001+02:00

Tasmanian devils' – as they are known in some predictable circles – new album will be released on February 7th, 2012 in North America and on February 10th, 2012 in Europe, but by all means do listen to PSYCROPTIC fifth studio album, ‘The Inherited Repression’, before its release in its full technical death metal glory here, at Guitar World. The album was produced, engineered and mixed by one of the band's founders guitarist Joe Haley, while Alan Douches handled mastering duties. Pre-order the album here (Nuclear Blast USA) and here (Nuclear Blast Europe), on iTunes and Amazon.

“ ‘The Inherited Repression’ is far and away my favorite PSYCROPTIC album thus far - all of us in the band think this. It’s the age-old cliché from bands when they talk about their current album as being the best of their career, blah, blah, but I have to say it because it’s true. We wouldn’t think there is a point of going on if we couldn’t outdo each album prior. We are certainly not playing music for anything else than the love of creating it and performing it. ‘The Inherited Repression’ is quite different from anything we have done in terms of song writing and structure, and we spent a lot longer writing and demoing the songs before we recorded it, which you can tell. It’s a very dynamic album - the fast elements faster, the slow elements slower, and a lot of light and dark binding it together. It’s a very catchy album as well - you can tap your foot, bang your head or anything else you want. Basically it has a lot of groove on it from start to finish,” [commented guitarist Joe Haley]:

PSYCROPTIC: Carriers Of The Plague – courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records

PSYCROPTIC was formed in 1999 by brothers Dave and Joe Haley in Hobart, Australia. With vocalist Matthew Chalk and bassist Cameron Grant, the brothers self-released PSYCROPTIC debut full-length, ‘The Isle Of Disenchantment’, in 2001, which was followed by ‘The Scepter Of The Ancients’ in 2003 (Unique Leader Records). In 2004, with their star on the rise, the group embarked on their first Australian tour as well as European tour with their Swedish brothers in arms DISMEMBER and ANATA. PSYCROPTIC lost vocalist Matthew Chalk upon their return to Tasmania, whom they replaced with Jason Peppiatt before issuing their third studio album, ‘Symbols Of Failure’, in 2006 (Neurotic Records/Willowtip Records/Stomp). With it PSYCROPTIC impressed Nuclear Blast Records, who offered the band an international recording contract. Logan Mader-mixed and mastered fourth full-length ‘Ob(Servant)’ was released in 2008:

“PSYCROPTIC usually go for the jugular, and they take great pleasure in kicking, stomping, and pummeling the listener into submission. … But never let it be said that bands like PSYCROPTIC lack chops or can’t play their instruments. Musicianship, in fact, is a crucial part of the equation on ‘Ob(Servant)’. These Aussies favor a complex blend of technical death metal and technical metalcore; technical is definitely the operative word where PSYCROPTIC are concerned, and the fact is that you need good chops to play music that is so unapologetically technical,” [was unapologetically perceptive Alex Henderson, Allmusic – more here]

PSYCROPTIC features: Jason Peppiatt – vocals, Joe Haley – guitar, Cameron Grant – bass and Dave Haley – drums

Landmine Marathon: Beaten And Left Behind – new video

2012-02-01T12:22:00.001+02:00

‘Beaten And Left Behind’ comes from LANDMINE MARATHON's most recent album ‘Gallows’, released in September 2011 in North America and finally out across Europe this week. The video was directed by Raul Varela. ‘Gallows’ was recorded by LANDMINE MARATHON guitarist Ryan Butler at Arcane Digital Recording Studio and mastered by Dave Shirk at Sonorous Mastering. It features the debut of the band's new drummer Andy York. The ‘Gallows’ cover art was created by UK artist and DEVIATED INSTINCT guitarist Rob “Mid” Middleton, known for his artwork for NAPALM DEATH, EXTREME NOISE TERROR and others. Listen to another new track, ‘Cutting Flesh And Bone’, below, and buy LANDMINE MARATHON stuff here (Prosthetic Records).

LANDMINE MARATHON: Cutting Flesh And Bone – courtesy of Prosthetic Records

Formed in 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona, LANDMINE MARATHON released their first demo of grindcore/death metal/hardcore/thrash in 2005, followed by debut full-length, ‘Wounded’, in 2006 (Level Plane Records). Their second album, ‘Rusted Eyes Awake’, came out in 2008 and was re-released a year later by Prosthetic Records:

“For their second long-player, the group seemingly sought to explore the very moment when thrash became death, given the improbable velocity with which they attack corrosive headbangers like ‘Certain Death’, ‘Bled To Death’ and ‘Heroin Swine’ - to the point that one wonders whether such near-blastbeat velocity would have even been achievable some 30 years earlier. Others, like the two-faced ‘Xenocide’, alternate a crawling first-half grind with a more typical flurry in its second half, all topped with words condemning American insularity (we think) with stellar results, and several more also indulge in the blood & guts lyrics typical of many genre-defining death metal bands. Finally worth mentioning is that LANDMINE MARATHON's vocal Armageddon is carried out by a charming young lady by the name of Grace Perry, whose crust-layered grunts and vicious shrieks leave nothing to be desired when compared to the boys' club that dominates the scene,” [expressed himself cleverly Eduardo Rivadavia, Allmusic – more here]

2010's “scorched, desolate and angry as hell” third album and LANDMINE MARATHON's debut on Prosthetic Records, ‘Sovereign Descent’, was recorded at guitarist Ryan Butler's Arcane Digital Recording Studios, mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music and has featured the artwork by acclaimed artist Dan Seagrave:

“Even at 40 minutes, it’s punishing and something of an endurance test. Those who like their metal relentless and punky will find much to bang their heads to, though,” [added Phil Freeman, Allmusic – more here]

LANDMINE MARATHON features: Grace Perry – vocals, Dylan Thomas – guitar, Ryan Butler – guitar, Matt Martinez – bass and vocals and Andy York - drums

Full Album Stream: Nephelium: Coils Of Entropy – new album

2012-02-01T09:19:00.001+02:00

Listen to Toronto's NEPHELIUM debut album, ‘Coils Of Entropy’, in its vehement death metal entirety here, at MetalRecusants. NEPHELIUM's debut full-length will be officially self-released on February 7th, 2012. ‘Coils Of Entropy’ was recorded at Rouge Valley Studios in Toronto, produced, engineered and mixed by Darius Szcepaniak and mastered by Steve Benford. The album's artwork was created by Juanjo Castellano. Download yourselves a free track, ‘Merciless Annihilation’, via NEPHELIUM's Bandcamp page after you listen to it below:

NEPHELIUM: Merciless Annihilation – courtesy of heavymetaltribune

Formed in 1990 by guitarist Alex Zubair and drummer Alan Madhavan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, NEPHELIUM re-established themselves in Toronto, Canada over 10 years ago. Releasing debut demo ‘Archaic Malevolent Sorcery’ in 2002, followed by ‘Ignite The Wrath Of Silence’ EP in 2003, it took the band a long while, to complete their debut full-length. NEPHELIUM co-founder Alan Madhavan explains:

“From the scorching heat of the Arabian deserts to the blistering cold of what we now call home, this debut album has literally and figuratively come a long way. The aged yet modern style of death metal with a subtle integration of Middle Eastern melodies is a perfect musical collaboration of our minds and souls. A ferocious ride with concepts and lyrical themes written around the observations of an entity witnessing the world and its demise through different eras and music that creeps up the caverns of your brain, be ready for a hybrid onslaught of technical mastery and bloodcurdling brutality. We firmly believe that it was well worth the wait but don’t take our word for it, give it a spin and determine that for yourselves. However, don’t cry when your speakers demolish your insides… you were warned…”

NEPHELIUM features: Devlin Anderson – vocals, Alex Zubair – guitar, James Sawyer – guitar, Flo Ravet – bass and Alan Madhavan - drums

Event: Tel Aviv Deathfest III

2012-01-31T19:48:00.001+02:00

Who: VOMITOUS (Sweden)

VxPxOxAxAxWxAxMxC (Aut)

PIGHEAD (Germany)

BLASPHTIZED (England)

VISCERA TRAIL (Israel)

BAR MINAN (Israel)

SOUL TORTURE (Israel)

SILENT SIN (Israel)

ABSENT MOURN (Israel)

When: 24. 2. 2012

Where: Sublime Club / Salame 53 / Tel Aviv / Israel

How much: 50 - 70 NIS