Heavy Metal Tribune

PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION: Debut Album To Receive U.S. Release In April

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:33:47 +0800

Reposted from: Blabbermouth.net

“Awoken Broken”, the debut album from PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION, the project featuring IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith and SIKTH frontman Mikee Goodman, will be released in the U.S. on April 17 through Spinefarm Records. The CD, which will be made available in Europe on February 27, was produced by Adrian and Mikee, and mixed by Simon Hanhart, whose previous credits include everyone from TIN MACHINE to SAXON. The album features 12 tracks top to tail, and it will be available on digipak CD, digital download and double colored vinyl in gatefold sleeve.

“Awoken Broken” track listing:

01. No Friendly Neighbour (4:53)
02. No Place Like Home (3:06)
03. I See Lights (4:59)
04. Bright As A Fire (6:21)
05. Savage World (3:38)
06. Tortured Tone (5:08)
07. White Sheet Robes (5:16)
08. As Tears Come Falling From The Sky (0:47)
09. Awoken Broken (4:58)
10. Search For Bliss (4:13)
11. Snake Ladders (4:43)
12. Mirror and the Moon (5:04)

The brainchild of Adrian Smith and Mikee Goodman, U.K. musicians with different stories to tell, PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION is a fresh new project that manages to be both reassuring and unexpected at one and the same time…

On the one side, there’s Adrian, a key member of the IRON MAIDEN setup, a band he first joined back in 1980; and since that time, MAIDEN has gone on to become one of the biggest hard rock bands the world has seen, playing to vast and staunchly committed crowds all over the world, opening exciting new doors in parts of the globe many people will never even have heard of! Their last studio album, “The Final Frontier”, hit the No 1 slot in over 28 countries!

With MAIDEN’s reputation having been forged through their ability to blend well-crafted vocal and guitar melodies with the sheer brute force of prime heavy metal, it will surely come as no surprise that the debut PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION album, “Awoken Broken”, delivers fully on both fronts, but with an extra nod to the underground, the alternative and the downright edgy — an aspect of the music that is enhanced from start to finish by the presence of one-time SIKTH frontman / lyric-writer/spoken-word maestro, Mikee Goodman.

With SIKTH now universally lauded as one of the major inspirations of the new “Djent” movement, it’s perfect timing for Mikee to return to the music scene in full force, following that band’s decision to take a break after their second “Death Of A Dead Day” album back in 2006; Mikee’s unique vocal approach — an arresting, signature blend of spoken word plus a wide variety of vocal tones (some dark and disturbing, others that owe a debt to the world of animation) — was very much a part of what made SIKTH stand out from the chasing pack, and fans will be delighted to know that his key vocal mannerisms have been both retained and honed for PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION, in a form tightly bound to the structure of the songs themselves.

Yes, there are spoken-word elements, and yes, there are more extreme vocal moments peppered throughout the tracks, but generally speaking, this is a more mature and experienced Mikee, showcasing a strong, melodic voice plus an impressive vocal range, using the more “adventurous” end of his repertoire as a way of providing contrast and effect.

In essence, PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION is the meeting of different minds, different mentalities and different musical backgrounds, but the end result is very much a cohesive, self-produced whole… albeit one that reflects the individual talents of the musicians involved: Adrian provides the guitars, the bass and the advanced song-writing skills — the sense of drama, of light and shade, of music designed to stir the senses, all of them.

Right from the start, it’s been very much a labor of love…

Adrian: “It was great working at my own pace and in my own studio with no time constraints. I think during the making of this album I went around the world twice with MAIDEN, working on the project in between. In the process, it allowed for a bit more of an experimental approach.”

Meanwhile, Mikee goes head to head with this renowned player as a full writing & production partner, adding new (sometimes surprising, often experimental) layers to the tracks, and ensuring that the music glistens with an inherent contemporary sheen.

Mikee: “Adrian inspired me in many ways. I learnt the importance and the power of choruses in songs. Adrian also gave me a lot more belief in myself melodically. I think we pulled each other out of our comfort zones, creating something fresh and exciting along the way. We co-produced the album together, and the whole recording process was very relaxed — no deadlines, just honing the songs naturally as we recorded them, a new experience for both of us.”

In addition to the PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION pair, there are backing vocals on three of the tracks (delivered by Tarin Kerry, discovered by Mikee while he was acting as producer for a band she was in), viola on the bulk of the songs (provided by Abi Fry of BAT FOR LASHES), plus original SIKTH member Dan “Loord” Foord on drums.

Interview with Maax

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:30:59 +0800

Maax started out in 2006 as a black metal band, but over the years have grown to infuse more and more old school, rock ‘n’ roll influences into their music, with their latest release, Unholy Rock & Roll being the definitive release of their new sound. We talk to Brett, guitarist of the band to learn more about their transformation over the years, the writing of Unholy Rock & Roll and more.

Read the interview here.

Album Review: Pharaoh - Bury the Light

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:30:33 +0800

Pharaoh [USA]
Bury the Light
2012
Full Length
Cruz Del Sur Music
Power Metal

USA’s Pharaoh this year releases their fourth full length album, Bury the Light. Having already released 3 overall pretty well-received full length albums and almost 15 years of playing experience, this band is certainly not one that is new to the metal genre, containing members that have been involved in bands like Nachtmysticum and famed Death frontman Chuck Schuldiner’s Control Denied, leaving me with high expectations despite this being my first encounter with Pharaoh.

Read the review here.

DARK EMPIRE To Release From Refuge To Ruin Album On March 27th Via Nightmare Records

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:17:21 +0800

Reposted from: Bravewords.com

New Jersey’s DARK EMPIRE return to the scene with their third release this March, entitled From Refuge To Ruin. Fusing elements of extreme and classic metal, 70s prog rock, and poetic, meaningful lyrics, Dark Empire bring forth a tremendously successful amalgam that is refreshingly unique as well as raw and aggressive.

Dark Empire have released a track off of From Refuge To Ruin on their official Facebook page, here.

Dominating through the intricate songwriting are powerful new vocalist Brian Larkin (who replaces Jens Carlsson of PERSUADER and SAVAGE CIRCUS fame) and the commanding riffs of lead guitarist/main songwriter Matt Moliti, who also lends a chilling death vocal counterpoint to Larkin’s leather-throated melodic lines. In addition to Moliti’s elaborate guitar work and Larkin’s attention- grabbing vocals, Dark Empire features the deep resonance of bassist Randy Knecht and the “Dave Lombardo-meets-Gavin Harrison” drumming of session player Matt Graff.

Not being ones to repeat themselves, Dark Empire has injected fresh new influences into their follow up to their 2008 release Humanity Dethroned. Taking a cue from 70’s prog masters such as GENESIS and KING CRIMSON, Dark Empire inventively utilize vintage Mellotron and Hammond Organ samples throughout the album, as well as delicate 12-string acoustic interludes and haunting, atmospheric melodies (coming to full fruition in the powerfully epic title track). This is not to undermine the push Dark Empire has also made in the heavier end of the dynamic spectrum, now utilizing seven-string guitars, crushing doom metal moments, and blistering death metal-inspired riffs. For older fans, these new elements serve to compliment, not overshadow, the band’s thrashy progressive metal roots, and the 13-minute-plus dark and doomy album closer ‘The Cleansing Fires’ serves as a musical culmination of the broadened range of styles found throughout.

With pristine and powerful production from Jeremy Krull and artwork by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, FIREWIND, MORBID ANGEL) along with fresh creative input and exceptional talent, Dark Empire will surely become the new cross-over favorite for any metal fan.

Refuge To Ruin tracklisting:

‘A Plague In The Throne Room’
‘Dreaming In Vengeance’
‘The Crimson Portrait’
‘Dark Seeds Of Depravity’
‘From Refuge To Ruin’
‘Lest Ye Be Judged’
‘What Men Call Hatred’
‘Black Hearts Demise’
‘The Cleansing Fires’

OCTOBER TIDE - New Year, New Album, New Lineup

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:15:49 +0800

Reposted from: Bravewords.com

Swedish masters of doom and melancholy OCTOBER TIDE have issued the following update:

“As you might have noticed we have showed up with different members on many of the shows lately and the reason for that is four newborn babies produced within one year. Since the effect of humping has a time consuming aftermath we hereby make the following statement:

Vocalist Tobias Netzell and bassist Pierre Stam have decided to leave October Tide in favor of their families and other musical adventures. We want to thank the guys for the past years and wish them both all the best for the future!

But rest assured, new full-time members have already been found. Pierre has been replaced by Mattias Norrman (ex-KATATONIA) and Tobias’ replacement will be no other than Alexander Högbom (VOLTURYON, SPASMODIC).

We are thrilled about this new strong lineup and more than ready to focus on the future and things to come. Our primary goal and mission for now is to continue to write new breathtaking material for the next album which will most likely be recorded during the summer for a late 2012 release.

We will keep you updated during the process!”

WARBRINGER Parts Ways With Guitarist, Announces Replacement

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:13:09 +0800

Reposted from: Blabbermouth.net

Longtime guitarist Adam Carroll has left Los Angeles thrashers WARBRINGER. The band enlisted friend and talented young guitarist Andrew Bennett for the upcoming North American tour with ICED EARTH, with the hope that he may become a permanent member of the group.

Commented Carroll: “To all fans and friends, I, Adam Carroll, have officially quit WARBRINGER. I have financial issues at home that have to be addressed sooner than later. I hope you all can understand and respect my decision. It’s been some of the best years of my life and I appreciate all the support you the fans have given us and continue to give. I will forever be part of the WARBRINGER family. Many thanks and until I see the rest of you again, keep the metal alive.”

The band enlisted friend and talented, young guitarist Andrew Bennett for the purpose of filling in live for this tour with the hope that he may become a permanent member of the group as he continues his audition process where it matters most— on the stage and in the van.

Added Bennett, “Last month I received a message from the guys, which basically stated that Adam was requesting to step out. As a result, they were searching for a possible replacement who could learn the material in time for the upcoming ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X tour. I jumped at the opportunity and started learning some tracks. Around the beginning of this month I went down and jammed with the guys and the rest is history.

“I am eternally grateful to my friends in WARBRINGER for giving me the opportunity to play with them and I am very excited about what the future may hold. But one thing that I would like to make clear is that I don’t view myself as Adam’s replacement, as much as I view myself as filling the position instead of him. Adam’s work with the band and time with them is not something that can be erased and I would just like to make it clear that I respect him greatly. He has left big shoes to fill and I have a lot of work ahead of me if I am going to honor his legacy with the band.

“I’m looking forward to interacting with, and playing for, the fans on the road! It’s time to shred!”

WARBRINGER’s third album, “Worlds Torn Asunder”, sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 11 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

WARBRINGER’s sophomore CD, “Waking Into Nightmares”, also opened with around 2,000 units back in May 2009 to debut at No. 14 on the Heatseekers chart.

“Worlds Torn Asunder” was produced and mixed by Steve Evetts (SUICIDE SILENCE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SYMPHONY X), and features artwork by Dan Seagrave, who designed WARBRINGER’s previous album cover (in addition to art for bands such as ENTOMBED, SUFFOCATION and MORBID ANGEL)

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Former NEVERMORE Guitarist JEFF LOOMIS: New Solo Album Artwork, Track Listing Revealed

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:12:19 +0800

Reposted from: Blabbermouth.net

Former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis has set “Plains Of Oblivion” as the title of his sophomore solo album, to be released on April 10 in North America (one day earlier in Europe) via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES) and features cover artwork by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design, who has previously worked with ALL SHALL PERISH, THE END and XERATH.

“Plains Of Oblivion” track listing:

01. Mercurial (feat. Marty Friedman)
02. The Ultimatum (feat. Tony MacAlpine)
03. Escape Velocity
04. Tragedy And Harmony (feat. Christine Rhoades)
05. Requiem For The Living (feat. Attila Voros)
06. Continuum Drift (feat. Chris Poland)
07. Surrender (feat. Ihsahn)
08. Chosen Time (feat. Christine Rhoades)
09. Rapture
10. Sibylline Origin

After Jeff’s departure from NEVERMORE and the release of his solo debut — 2008’s “Zero Order Phase” — fans have been craving a new album. With a number of influential musicians appearing on the upcoming release, Loomis is more than ready to deliver.

Jeff was the lead guitar player and main songwriter of NEVERMORE, a band that has certainly made its mark on modern music by forging a unique sound that fuses different forms of metal that has given birth to an authentic and very influential style. His solo CD, “Zero Order Phase”, took the #4 spot in a April 2009 Guitar World magazine’s readers’ poll in the “Best Shred Album Of The Year” category — a notable accomplishment when you consider the top three vote-getters, Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani. Jeff has become one of his generation’s most recognizable guitarists and the source of many of the last decade’s best riffs.

Jeff’s complex shredding has been a central part of the progressive power guitar scene since 1992 and is responsible for some of the most awe-inspiring riffs modern metal has ever heard. Nearly every aspiring musician who has been listening to metal for the past 10 years or so has undoubtedly had the pleasure of hearing Jeff Loomis’ progressive and technically superior playing.

Loomis’ first solo album, “Zero Order Phase”, was released in September 2008 through Century Media Records.

LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY: New Album Title, Track Listing Revealed

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:10:56 +0800

Reposted from: BLabbermouth.net

In August 2011, RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboardist Alex Staropoli announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli will continue under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, will make his future efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE’s original name), in which he will be joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, and drummer Alex Holzwarth. A singer for the group has has yet to be announced.

LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY will release a new album entitled “Ascending To Infinity” on June 29 via Nuclear Blast.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Quantum X
02. Ascending To Infinity
03. Dante’s Inferno
04. Excalibur
05. Tormento E Passione
06. Dark Fate Of Atlantis
07. Fantasia Gotica
08. Clash Of The Titans
09. Of Michael The Archangel And Lucifer’s Fall
I. Alma Mundi
II. Fatum Mortalis
III. Ignis Divinus

The album will have a running time of around 65 minutes.

The limited-edition version of “Ascending To Infinity” will include two bonus tracks for 75 minutes of music, plus “many exclusive gifts,” to be revealed very soon.

LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY will embark on the “Ascending To Infinity” headlining tour in the fall.

In a recent interview, Turilli stated about “Ascending To Infinity”, “Honestly, this album is very important for me, Alex Holzwarth, Patrice and Dominique and personally it is the one I always dreamed to record. The basic composition process lasted around five months. In this period of time I worked at the rhythm of 12-14 hours per day and, while very hard because very demanding mentally and spiritually, this was one of the most rewarding sessions of composition of my whole life. It rarely happened I had so much fun playing the guitar, the keyboards or my beloved piano and creating original classical parts, cinematic interludes, orchestrations and all the rest. Now all the songs are ready and I am actually in the process of arranging everything. As you know, I don’t hire external people to orchestrate the music, but I do all by myself writing the music for each section of the orchestra, the choirs etc. and this sometimes can be a very long and hard process stealing a lot of time and energy. I can not deny that this is a very ambitious album, because of the investment, artistic vision etc., and all the people working on it, Nuclear Blast included, are thinking the same. That’s why in the upcoming months of intensive studio work I want to go on dedicating myself night and day to it, without thinking to anything else.”

Regarding the change in the production team for the LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY album, Luca said, “After many years of work in Wolfsburg at the court of our friend Sascha Paeth, I decided to start this new artistic adventure with a different team of people. Sascha and the other friends of the Gate Studio (Miro, Olaf, Robert, Simon, etc.) are a winning team and their help in the past was really important for RHAPSODY. But it’s since many years already that Alex and I took the productions in our hands becoming producers of our own albums, despite Sascha remaining always fundamental as engineer and mixer man. His mixes will remain legendary and our list of thanks will be never long enough for all the professional contribution he gave. All the years of work, fun and sufferance in the Gate studios of Wolfsburg will surely remain unforgettable and are carved in our heart. For LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY and the new band adventure I decided to change the studio and the main man behind the console. We are now recording the new album at the Backyard Studio of Kempten, Germany. Our new engineer and main mixer man is the same owner of the studio and his name is Sebastian Roeder, the person who worked for RHAPSODY OF FIRE in the last worldwide tour making real miracles while mixing our music live. Apart from being a talented engineer, he is a great person and he shares with us the love for this style of music. To resume, the new album will be produced by me as usual, while Sebastian will take care of the engineering, mixing and mastering process.”

On the topic of the singer for LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY, Luca said, “As you can imagine, this will be one of the most important news to be given in the upcoming months, but for the moment we prefer to keep all top secret. Speaking about singers, please allow me to say a few words about Olaf Hayer, singer and talented voice of LUCA TURILLI, my old solo band. The truth is that, as many people could already imagine, I stopped my solo activity as LUCA TURILLI definitely, willing to dedicate myself to LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY at full time. That’s why I want to publicly thank Olaf for the fundamental contribution he gave to our solo albums. All the three albums of the trilogy entered the charts establishing some important records and this was possible mainly because of my friend Olaf. Who knows?! Maybe sooner or later we’ll still have the chance to work together. Never say never.”

VASTATOR releases "X-Terminate" music video

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:08:24 +0800

Chilean metal band VASTATOR has released the music video for the song “X-Terminator”, that is included on their latest album “Machine Hell”, released 2011 via Inferno Records and Digmetalworld. The music video it was recorded and edited by Carlos Toro at Abysmo Producciones in Santiago, Chile.

Watch X-terminate on the following youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsoeoQJA-oQ

The album “Machine Hell” it was recorded mixed and mastered by “Gerardo Barrenechea” at Estudios Kabara in Santiago, Chile. The album features special guests such as “Veronica Freeman (Benedictum)” and “Metal Mike Chlasciak (Halford, Pain Museum)”, the album “Machine Hell” followed its predecessor “Hell Only Knows” released in 2008 also via Inferno Records and Digmetalworld.

The tracklist of “Machine Hell” is the following:

1. Machine Hell
2. 8.8
3. The Gods Give No Reply
4. Fiend
5. X-Terminate
6. Hawker Hunter
7. Reminiscense
8. Combustible en la Sangre
9. Puñado de Almas
10. El Ultimo Grito en el Infierno
11. Caleuche

Vastator is:
Sr. Diaz - Vocals
Gerardo Barrenechea - Drums
Peyote Barrera - Bass
Felipe Herrera - Guitars

You can listen the album “Machine Hell” entirely on this location: http://music.digmetalworld.com/album/machine-hell, as well as “Hell Only Knows” on this location: http://music.digmetalworld.com/album/hell-only-knows.

THE HORDE Release Video For "Odin's Blood"

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:07:01 +0800

Illinois-based Vikings thrashers THE HORDE have released a video for the song “Odin’s Blood” off their latest release, Thy Blackened Reign; out now on Stormspell Records. Praised for its “aggressive, yet epic music…” by TheMetalReview.com, Thy Blackened Reign combines monstrous groove with fierce Viking Thrash for a sound that’s both destructive and impossible to resist.To check out the video for “Odin’s Blood,” visit this location.

The band is currently working out the details for an East Coast tour in support of Thy Blackened Reign set to take place in the Spring of 2012.THE HORDE is also hard at work on their as-of-yet untitled third album. Guitarist Tim Matthews comments, “Three songs have been written and from what we have gotten so far the next album is going to be even more epic and violent!”

THE HORDE was formed in 2006 and released their debut album From Empire to Ashes via Scenester Credential Records in June of 2008. Thy Blackened Reign,which was released in 2011, was engineered, mixed and mastered by John Hopkins and John Svec at Minstrel Studios in Iowa City, IA using old school technology married with new school production values.

Death Foretold
Thy Blackened Reign
Hell Beast of the Pale Frost
Odin’s Blood
Into War We Ride
Supertusk
War God
A Kingdom Cries
Vengeance for a King
With Death (Comes THE HORDE)

PILGRIM: Rhode Island Doom Trio Premiere New Song on BrooklynVegan

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:05:37 +0800

Today BrooklynVegan premieres “Quest,” the latest single from Rhode Island doom dooers PILGRIM. “Quest” is the third track off the band’s forthcoming debut full-length, Misery Wizard, set for North American release on February 14, 2012.

Commented the band in a collective statement: “‘Quest’ was one of our first songs. It has a special place in our hearts. It tells the tale of a man’s grueling journey through a desert to obtain an ancient relic locked away in a palace for thousands of years.”

Check out the tune as well as an interview with the band at THIS LOCATION.

PILGRIM are the latest addition to the Metal Blade roster via Primordial frontman Alan Nemtheanga’s imprint, Poison Tongue Records. Said Pure Grain Audio in an advance review of the record: “PILGRIM is a massive slab of slow-burning, sludgy doom metal. This is true doom metal, not the hybrid bile that so many bands are passing off as doom these days. The monster riffs will bludgeon you senseless and shake you to the core, but you’ll keep coming back from more, willingly and repeatedly.” Added Sea Of Tranquility, “slow, ponderous, crushing doom, owing much to vintage Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, and the like. Ominous riffs, pounding rhythms, and haunting vocals make up the formula here, and tracks such as ‘Quest,’ ‘Astaroth,’ and ‘Masters of the Sky’ mix up the slow motion death marches with speedier dirges for a wild ride.”

PILGRIM will be ravaging the East Coast this March with their soul-crushing bottom-end before making their way to Europe in May. Confirmed dates thus far are available below.

PILGRIM Misery On The Road 2012
03/01/2012 Public Assembly - Brooklyn, NY
03/02/2012 JR’s Bar - Philadelphia, PA
03/03/2012 St. Stephen’s Church - Washington DC
03/04/2012 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA
05/02/2012 Chateau Neuf Klubbscenen - Oslo, Norway * [new date]
05/03/2012 Heavy Days in Doom Town festival - Copenhagen, Denmark

Misery Wizard is available for pre-order now. Visit the band’s official landing page for further info: http://www.metalblade.com/pilgrim

THE FORESHADOWING - Third Album Due This Spring

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:48:11 +0800

Reposted from: Bravewords.com

Italian dark metallers THE FORESHADOWING are back to give birth to the awaited third chapter of it’s gloomy apocalyptic saga.

The album title and tracklisting are still secret but interesting details will be revealed soon through their official Facebook page, together with clips directly from the studio.

Mixing and mastering will take place at the mighty Unisound Studios in Sweden by the living legend Dan Swanö (ASPHYX, DARK FUNERAL, KATATONIA, EDGE OF SANITY, etc.) while artwork will be committed to Travis Smith (OPETH, ANATHEMA, NEVERMORE, etc.).

“This is gonna be, without any reasonable doubt, absolutely metal”, states guitarist Alessandro Pace. “We worked hard to step forward and gaining our melodic side, while at the same time we wrote the most groundbreaking rhythms we ever played. This is gonna be an album with no compromises, it’s gonna be a blast!”

Recording sessions have been held at well-known Outer Sound Studios in Rome with the old time friend Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE, KLIMT 1918, STORMLORD, NECRODEATH, etc.) and mixing is about to be finished. The album will be released worldwide by Cyclone-Empire in spring 2012. Stay tuned for upcoming news and the band studio diary.

SLASHER - ‘Enemy Of Reality’ Video Available

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:47:04 +0800

Reposted from: Bravewords.com

Brazil thrashers SLASHER have released a music video for the track ‘Enemy Of Reality’ from their debut album, Pray For The Dead. Check out the clip below:

A video description from the band is as follows:

“The video shows the band playing in an old abandoned church as a girl is kidnapped and abused in the basement. The elements presented in the video, also addressed in the album Pray For The Dead, refer to an awakening to reality. The central idea revolves around the ideological imposition and imprisonment made by the church. Throughout the history, the girl who was kidnapped is exposed to extreme situations that trigger an aggressive response. When she overcomes her fears, the plot turns over revealing details obscure to the spectators.”

The production of this video was made by the Soluciona agency from Itapira - SP. The direction and screenplay were under the responsibility of the guitarist Lucas Bagatella.

The band is currently on the road promoting their debut album Pray For The Dead, which can be downloaded for free from the group’s website.

AURA NOIR: 'Out To Die' Track Listing Revealed

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:44:42 +0800

Reposted from: Blabbermouth.net

Norway’s blackened thrashers AURA NOIR will release their fifth full-length studio ablum, “Out To Die”, on March 23 in Europe and March 27 in North America via Indie Recordings.

Speaking to Terrorizer magazine shortly after a recent listening session in Oslo, AURA NOIR guitarist/vocalist Aggressor stated about the band’s new CD, “It feels right. That’s all I can say really. I’m not sitting here digging it; it’s more like I’m content with having the finished product there, and now we can go play live. Because I think our music comes into its element when we’re playing live. For me, a new album is like, ‘Okay, we have more songs to play live now.’”

“Out To Die” marks the return of guitarist Rune Eriksen (a.k.a. ex-MAYHEM guitarist/songwriter Blasphemer), who now resides in Portugal and leads his own band AVA INFERI. Eriksen made several trips back to Norway to work on the new AURA NOIR songs with Aggressor and Apollyon (guitar, bass, vocals, drums; also bassist in IMMORTAL).

“I wish we were all living in the same apartment and rehearsing every day, all three of us together, but obviously that’s not possible because we have our private lives and everything,” Aggressor told Terrorizer. “But it brought about some new ways of working, and it actually worked out okay in the end.”

“Out To Die” track listing:

01. Trenches
02. Fed To The Flames
03. Abbadon
04. The Grin From The Gallows
05. Withheld
06. Priest’s Hellish Fiend
07. Deathwish
08. Out To Die

Album Review: Insane Prophecy - Apogee of an Inquisition

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:28:39 +0800

Insane Prophecy [India]
Apogee of an Inquisition
2012
EP
Independent
Black/Death Metal

The recent growth in the Indian extreme metal underground is evident, with bands like Devoid and Blood Meridian quickly gaining recognition and exposure with their recent releases. Despite that, Insane Prophecy is the first real black/death metal band that I encounter from the country, and this year sees the band releasing its debut EP, Apogee of an Inquisition.

Read the review here.

Album Review: Antropophobia - Scream in Emptiness

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:27:58 +0800

Antropophobia [Russia]
Scream in Emptiness
2011
Full Length
Solitude Productions/BadMoodMan Music
Atmospheric Black/Doom Metal

My interest in Russian black metal came about after listening to bands like Old Wainds, with the cold and bleak atmosphere that their music often invoke. What we have here then, is Russian atmospheric black/doom metal band Antropophobia’s debut release, Scream in Emptiness, which features a sole member, Dmitry, behind the band.

Read the review here.

STILLBORN Release Music Video For ‘Stillborm II’

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:44:52 +0800

Reposted from: Bravewords.com

Poland’s STILLBORN have announced the release of the music video for the track ‘Stillborn II’ from their last album Los Asesinos del Sur.

The band commented on the video: “This Image is a natural extension of the track’s lyrics- Two characters, two symbols, conflict, solution. We spit in faces and say it’s raining.”

Watch the video below:

Los Asesinos del Sur, was released on September 1st 2011 via Ataman Productions, with worldwide exclusive distribution provided by Pagan Records.

The album contains the following tracklisting:

‘Overture .966’
‘Hymn Of Destruction’
‘Diamonds Of The Last Water’
‘Antonym’
‘Son Of The Holy Motherfucker’
‘Blood And Dust’
‘Kot Wolanda’
‘Los Asesinos del Sur’
‘Stillborn II (Singularities Of The Ordinary Vulgar Boor)’
‘Whore Of The Whores’

ONLY THE DUST REMAINS Announce Release Of ‘Dies Irae’ Track

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:43:59 +0800

Reposted from: Bravewords.com

Tampa metallers ONLY THE DUST REMAINS have announced that they have digitally released their first single ‘Dies Irae’ which comes off their forthcoming new album Noctem Aeternam: Act I: Quem Deus Vult Perdere.

The new track is available now via Island/Def Jam Digital Distribution on iTunes and worldwide digital media outlets.

The band is currently finalizing work on Noctem Aeternam: Act I: Quem Deus Vult Perdere. The artwork for the album was crafted by Melissa McHenry at VespaWAR, can be seen below:

THE GARDNERZ Begin Work On New EP

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:43:10 +0800

Reposted from: Bravewords.com

Swedish doom/death metal act THE GARDNERZ have started recording their new EP which will be released in mid-2012 via Abyss Records.

Drummer Vedran Bencic recently entered Armageddon studio in Osijek, Croatia to lay down drums for five new tracks. Soon guitarist Wilhelm and bassist Francisco will once again head over to Funky Cat Studio in Landskrona, Sweden to lay down their tracks. Vocalist Niclas will do his parts at Ninja Studios in Malmö, Sweden.

Guitarist Wilhelm Lindh commented: “This time around the songs are a bit slower and darker then on the system of nature; we tried to continue on the path we have chosen. We have found our niche and have no reason to stray, so if you liked our first release you will like this. This time it was a bit more of a group effort and I think that made the songs stronger.”

A clip of Vedran recording a few drum parts can be seen below:

The lineup is:

Niclas Ankarbranth - vocals
Wilhelm Lindh - guitar
Franciso Martín - bass
Vedran Ben?i? - drums

OVERDRIVE Announce Return Of Singer Pelle Thuresson

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:42:16 +0800

Reposted from: Bravewords.com

Classic Swedish heavy metallers OVERDRIVE have announced that former lead-singer Pelle Thuresson has now returned as the band’s new bass player.

According to a press release: “After leaving Overdrive in 1985 Pelle switched to playing bass and has since played with bands like OVERHEAT (together with Stark), OVERDRIVE (1992 edition), CROSSEYED MARY and AC/DC cover band AC/DC JAM.”

The band commented: “It’s truly sad it had to come to this, but it was impossible to continue under previous circumstances. It however feels really great to have Pelle back in the band, both on a personal and a musical level. We’ve stayed friends through the years and Pelle even made a guest appearance on one of our shows in 2010. This also opens up possibilities for some more interesting things for Overdrive on a live show level. We are really excited to get this sucker on the road.”

Thuresson also ommented: “I didn’t expect this at all, but I immediately jumped at it when I was asked. Now I just have to relearn all the old songs on bass instead.”

Current lineup is as follows:

Kjell Jacobsson – guitar
Pelle Thuresson – bass
Per “Periloz” Karlsson – vocals
Janne Stark – guitar
Kenta Svensson – drums