Australian melodic metallers LORD have uploaded an official lyric video for the title track from their upcoming album ‘Digital Lies’, which is due to be released February 22nd in Australia and New Zealand through Riot! Entertainment and April 24th in Japan through Rubicon Records.
‘Digital Lies’ will also be exported to the rest of the world.
Previously stated LORD mainman LT of the new album:
“If you know what LORD sounds like… well, that. We’re not reinventing ourselves or the genre at all. We haven’t tried to go off in any new and weird direction. There’s definitely an underlying dark technology vibe throughout the album as a theme, but other than that, it’s the same diverse sound that we’ve had since we were out there as DUNGEON.
But don’t take my word for it, make up your own mind!”
To also celebrate the upcoming release and official lyric video, LORD have an exclusive pre-order offer for their new ‘Propaganda’ Digital Lies t-shirts, inspired by the title track and album title. These are available at special low price for pre-order only and will be shipped out over the coming weeks. Available to order here.
LORD
Track listing for ‘Digital Lies’:
Incipio
Betrayal Blind
Digital Lies
Point Of View
Walk Away
2D Person In A 3D World
Final Seconds
The Last Encore
Because We Can
The Chalkboard Prophet
Battle Of Venarium
Plus there will be additional bonus tracks for each country release.
Once again, our cover art was handled by Felipe Machado [BLIND GUARDIAN, IRON SAVIOR, ICED EARTH,GAMMA RAY].
LORD is essentially a continuation of DUNGEON, one of Australia’s longest running and highest profile heavy metal bands, that disbanded in 2005. LORD has released three full length albums, two EPs and a digital-only release live album, and continues to play the DUNGEON back-catalog live. The band have shared the stage with the likes of GAMMA RAY, NIGHTWISH, QUEENSRYCHE and most recently ICED EARTH and continue to tour internationally, appearing at Germany’s Headbangers Open Air festival in July. Their last critically acclaimed album, 2009′s “Set In Stone” featured guest appearances from Craig Goldy [ex-DIO], Pete Lesperance [HAREM SCAREM], Glen Drover [ex-MEGADETH], Felipe Andreoli [ANGRA], Olof Morck [AMARANTHE] alongside a host of other well known musicians.
‘Digital Lies’ (Official Lyric Video)
Betrayal Blind (Official Video from ‘Digital Lies’)
Because We Can (Official Video from ‘Digital Lies’)
Our cooperation has existed for a while, but now we raise our successful relations to a new peak…
Nightmare Records will act as exclusive distributor for all POWER PROG releases in North America from this point on!
These albums are available as CD and digital download from February 22, you can pre-order them immediately at www.nightmarerecords.com…
Chicagoland-based STARKILL has launched a new video for the track “Fires of Life”! Featuring a unique blend of symphonic black metal, power metal, and melodic death metal, “Fires of Life” is the title track from the band’s upcoming full-length effort, which is due out April 29th in Europe and April 30th in North America via Century Media Records. Filmed mainly in the studio (but also featuring candid clips of STARKILL), the video can be viewed below:
To listen to the previously released track, “Sword, Spear, Blood, Fire,” click here.
Fires of Life track-listing
1. Whispers of Heresy
2. Fires of Life
3. Sword, Spear, Blood, Fire
4. Below the Darkest Depths
5. Immortal Hunt
6. New Infernal Rebirth
7. Strength in the Shadow
8. This is Our Battle; This is Our Day
9. Withdrawn From All Humanity
10. Wash Away the Blood With Rain
Formed in 2008 by Parker Jameson, Spencer Weidner and Charlie Federici, the band self-released an EP in 2010 under the moniker MASSAKREN and played numerous shows across the US. A buzz about the band soon developed in the metal underground, and in tandem with signing to global powerhouse Century Media Records, they decided to change their name to STARKILL to mark the next chapter in their musical career.
While most of their peers were listening to and playing to the “core” US-based bands, the members of STARKILL spent their days cutting their chops to European metal– and the band makes no qualms about wearing their influences on their sleeves. Inspired by the likes of early CHILDREN OF BODOM à la the now classic Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper, in addition to NIGHTWISH, AMON AMARTH and DRAGONFORCE, STARKILL aims to pay homage to these acts, while also putting their own spin on Euro-metal– and their new album, Fires of Life, does just that.
Produced by the band’s own Jameson and mastered by death metal legend, James Murphy (DEATH, TESTAMENT, OBITUARY), the album’s concept, both lyrically and musically, is overlain in medieval fantasy-themed battles, mythology, and destruction. Fires of Life‘s artwork, created by renowned metal artist, Joshua Belanger, captures this perfectly.
Stay tuned for more news about STARKILL and Fires of Life coming soon!
STARKILL line-up:
Parker Jameson: Lead guitar, vocals, keyboards and orchestral programming
SOILWORK frontman Björn “Speed” Strid and bassist Ola Fink discuss the tracks on Disc 1 of the band’s ninth studio album & first double CD release, The Living Infinite which will be available on February 27th in Asia (via license to Marquee Records), in Europe on March 1st, and in North America on March 5th. View the video here: http://youtu.be/7umUWpbhZk0
In the second video trailer, “Speed” discusses the production process and the artwork for the new album: http://youtu.be/I6HBGrbpB4U
The official iTunes countdown for The Living Infinite kicks off today. The tracks “Spectrum Of Eternity” (http://bit.ly/swsoeitun) and “This Momentary Bliss” (http://bit.ly/swtmbitun) are now available for purchase; in two weeks, two more songs will be made available. Pre-order the album on iTunes here: http://bit.ly/swtlitune
Produced byJens Bogren (OPETH, AMON AMARTH, BLOODBATH),The Living Infinite features artwork by 2005’s Stabbing The Drama artist Mircea Eftemie Gabriel of MNEMIC.
SOILWORK’s world tour launches with a 54-show headlining trek through the U.S. and Canada this March. Support comes from Jeff Loomis, Blackguard, The Browning, and Wretched. Tour dates are:
03/12/13 Empire – West Springfield, VA
03/13/13 The Trocadero – Philadelphia, PA
03/14/13 Bogie’s – Albany, NY
03/15/13 The Gramercy Theater – New York, NY
03/16/13 Webster Theater – Hartford, CT
03/17/13 Petit Campus – Montreal, QC – CANADA
03/18/13 Dagobert – Quebec City, QC – CANADA
03/19/13 Mavericks – Ottawa, ON – CANADA
03/20/13 The Opera House – Toronto, ON – CANADA
03/21/13 Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
03/22/13 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
03/23/13 Token Lounge – Westland, MI
03/24/13 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
03/25/13 Mojoes – Joliet, IL
03/26/13 Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA
03/27/13 Station 4 – St. Paul, MN
03/28/13 Park Theatre – Winnipeg, MB – CANADA
03/29/13 The Exchange – Regina, SK – CANADA
03/30/13 The Distillery – Calgary, AB – CANADA
03/31/13 Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB – CANADA
04/01/13 The Generator – Prince George, B.C. – CANADA
04/02/13 Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, B.C. – CANADA
04/03/13 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
04/04/13 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
04/05/13 Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
04/06/13 House of Blues – Hollywood, CA
04/07/13 Rocky Point Cantina – Tempe, AZ
04/08/13 The Rock – Tucson, AZ
04/09/13 Las Vegas Country Saloon – Las Vegas, NV
04/11/13 In The Venue – Salt Lake City, UT
04/12/13 Gothic Theater – Englewood, CO
04/13/13 The Beaumont Club – Kansas City, MO
04/14/13 The Firebird – St. Louis, MO
04/15/13 Trees – Dallas, TX
04/16/13 Backstage Live – San Antonio, TX
04/17/13 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX
04/18/13 Lucky Mule – Abilene, TX
04/19/13 The Chameleon Room – Oklahoma City, OK
04/20/13 Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
04/21/13 Dirty Dog Bar – Austin, TX
04/22/13 House of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX
04/23/13 Geo’s – McAllen, TX
04/24/13 Scout Bar – Houston, TX
04/26/13 State Theater – St. Petersburg, FL
04/27/13 Jack Rabbits – Jacksonville, FL
04/28/13 The Casbah – Charlotte, NC
04/29/13 Kingdom – Richmond, VA
04/30/13 Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
05/01/13 Mexicali Live – Teaneck, NJ
05/02/13 The Chance Theater – Poughkeepsie, NY
05/03/13 Broadway Joes – Buffalo, NY
05/04/13 Al Rosa Villa – Columbus, OH
05/05/13 Music Hall – London, ON – CANADA
05/06/13 Station 58 – Syracuse, NY
05/07/13 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
Advanced tickets and VIP Meet & Greet packages (early entry + a shirt of choice from the band’s merchandise) are available at EnterTheVault.com.
SOILWORK’s2010 album,The Panic Broadcast, debuted on the American Billboard Top 200 Albums chart at #88.
Vancouver metal mavens, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD has announced a co-headlining North American tour alongside blackened thrashers GOATWHORE. The tour brings 23 days of menacing metal to the masses and will make a memorable stop in Worcester, MA for the infamous New England Metal & Hardcore Festival on April 20th. Making their triumphant return from defending the traditions of heavy metal at sea on the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will continue to support their fifth studio album, LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL on this forthcoming tour. The music video for “Metal Woman” from the current release can be seen below along with the complete list of tour dates.
We are happy to announce the release of GAMMA RAY (Official) “Master Of Confusion” on March 15th, 2013!
‘Master Of Confusion’ and ‘Empire Of The Undead’ are the first two new studio songs by Gamma Ray to be released after the successful studio album “To The Metal!”
With its 60 minutes of pure and raw Gamma Ray, “Master Of Confusion” is a great way to wait for the new album, scheduled for the end of 2013.
In addition to the brand new studio song, “Master Of Confusion” features a second new studio track: ‘Empire Of The Undead’, showing the heavier side of the band, with an explosion of energy and pure Gamma Ray sound at its best.
The release is not free from tasty rarities: a brand new studio cover versions of British Glam Rock band Sweet (‘Lost Angels’ – “the reason I have joined a band many years ago”, stated Hansen) and a hidden treasure of NWOBHM (‘Death Or Glory’ by Holocaust).
British melodic metallers CODE OF SILENCE – who are fronted by Brazilian vocalist Gus Monsanto (REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, ADAGIO, SYMBOLICA, LORD OF MUSHROOMS) posted a track-by-track album breakdown video provided by band leader and bassist James Murray who also supplied the debut album’s historical theme of the Knights Templar at the time of the Crusades. The video can be viewed here:
James says: “Although the album is thematic each song can be enjoyed in its own right separately away from any concept.”
CODE OF SILENCE recently released their debut video ‘Sky Is Falling Down’ – which has gained in excess of 15,000 views since posting and an informative EPK introducing the band:
“Taken in the round, this is a fabulous rock album. As a debut album it’s simply stunning.” Get Ready to ROCK!
A guitarist who wants to go to Japan, a drummer who thinks political leaders should settle arguments over a few beers, and a Brazilian who likes Scottish breakfasts. These are some of the fascinating facts you will glean from Code Of Silence’s newly launched website – www.codeofsilence.co.uk
The album – ‘Dark Skies Over Babylon’ – has been written and produced by Paul Logue (Eden’s Curse) and mixed by Alessandro Del Vecchio (Eden’s Curse, Hardline, Lionville). Stylistically it covers a range of genres from hard rock to progressive, fused with highly melodic metal.
The band includes seasoned vocalist Gus Monsanto, who has worked with Stratovarius vocalist Timo Tolkki (Revolution Renaissance) and Adagioand guitarist Ben Randall who for a time was with Power Quest. Scott McLean on keys (Concept Of Time and Falloch) and John Clelland on drums (The Jack) complete the line-up.
The album is released in Europe on 25 February and in North America on 9 April via Mausoleum Records. It was released in Japan via Rubicon Music on 23 January. There is a limited pre-order offer before release date at the band’s website.
Long Island-based heavy metal powerhouse MAELSTROM has issued an update regarding the enormous reception received by the Halloween 2012 digital reissue of their critically-acclaimed EP, It Was Predestined. Widely-praised by critics across the globe in 2009, when the EP was originally self-released, and again last year when Itchy Metal Entertainment (IME) offered the release to metal fans worldwide, It Was Predestined exploded onto the CMJ Loud Rock charts this month. MAELSTROM vocalist Gary Vosganian had this to say about the accomplishment,
“It is with great pride that I can say - MaelstroM has hit the US radio charts with our EP It Was Predestined – debuting at #20 on the Nationwide CMJ Loud Rock charts and as the 4th most added album in the country. Thank you to all that have helped and have been fans since the start and congrats to my partner in this effort the true guitar virtuoso Mr. Joey Lodes. Our label partners Itchy Metal Entertainment our PR group ClawHammer PR and of course our radio promoter Munsey Ricci and Skateboard Marketing Ltd. without whom this would have never happened, and of course all the fantastic Djs that are supporting us with their spins – it is sincerely appreciated. There is much work to be done as guitar tracking for the balance of the album has begun this week. But I will take a little time to really absorb the news about CMJ and celebrate this victory! Thanks again to all the fans who have stuck by MaelstroM your unwavering support has been amazing. Keep it Heavy!”As Vosganian stated, the band is currently at work on new material for the follow-up to It Was Predestined. Details on the next release will be announced as they come. Stay tuned!
It Was Predestined is available at www.itchymetal.com. Famed music journalist Martin Popoff called the release “A symphony of progressiveness the likes of which has pretty much never been articulated, invented, or heard, before now,” and world renowned publications such as Terrorizer, Metal Hammer and MetalSucks.net all sang MAELSTROM’s praises upon the EP’s release.
With a press release on their official website www.overtures.it the Italian heavy/power metallers Overtures announce that they finished the recordings of their new album “Entering the Maze”. The album has been mastered by Sascha Paeth(Avantasia, Kamelot, Epica, Edguy) at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany. “Entering the maze”, Overtures’ third album, will be released by the Greek label ”Sleaszy Rider Records”(www.sleaszyrider.com) that already published their previous CD “Rebirth” in 2010.
Here is the track listing:
1. The Maze
2. Under the Northern Star
3. Of Nightmares
4. Savior
5. Empty Trails
6. Consequences
7. In the Middle of Nowhere
8. Programmed to Serve
9. A Different Point of View
10. The Oracle
During the next weeks Overtures will also shot a new videoclip for the song “Savior”, and a lot of bonus stuff will be published from now on to the release date, scheduled for May 2013.
Manilla Road is back with their landmark 16th full length album, Mysterium; due out February 19th on Shadow Kingdom Records.
After a career that has spanned more than three decades, the band shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. In fact they’re more active now than ever with all of the live shows booked for 2013; including an appearance at this year’s Maryland Death Fest. The time has come for Manilla Road to break out of the underground bubble and get to the level where they can get some wider acclaim to all of the hard work that’s been put forth all of these years. Mysterium is another quality Manilla Road release that sounds a lot more classic/traditional than their previous, more experimental album Playground of the Damned. The production on Mysterium is a step above anything Manilla Road has released in the past, bringing the band into the modern era without sacrificing an ounce of their legendary style. With all of their albums, there’s nothing that’s ever the same with the albums they create or the production they have, but that’s what makes Manilla Road, Manilla Road.
Mysterium is currently streaming in full at this location.
Canadian Viking/folk metal band VALFREYA have announced that they will be direct support to ARKONA, on their Canadian Tour 2013 in April.
The 17 City Tour will sweep right across Canada starting with Western Dates; then the Tour will head East, hitting the Ontario and Quebec markets.
Formed in February of 2009, VALFREYA are a sextet based in Montreal, Canada. The band’s charismatic frontwoman, Crook, has a vocal range of symphonic clean vocals to that of guttural growls.
Their debut album ‘Path to Eternity’ was released worldwide by Maple Metal Records last July. ‘Path to Eternity’ was produced by the band, and was recorded, mixed and mastered in late 2011 at Silver Wings Studio in Montreal..
Vancouver based folk metallers SCYTHIA will be joining ARKONA and VALFREYA on the Western dates.
The Tour Dates are as follows:
18.04 – Edmonton, AB – The Pawn Shop
19.04 – Prince-George, BC – venue tba
20.04 – Vancouver, BC – venue tba
21.04 – Kamloops, BC – venue tba
22.04 – Vernon, BC – venue tba
23.04 – Calgary, AB – venue tba
24.04 – Winnipeg, MB – venue tba
25.04 – Thunder Bay, ON – venue tba
26.04 – Rouyn-Noranda, QC – venue tba
27.04 – Sherbooke, QC – Bar Le Magog
28.04 – Trois-Rivières, QC – venue tba
29.04 – Toronto, ON – venue tba
30.04 – Guelph, ON – venue tba
01.05 – Montreal, QC – Foufounes Électriques
02.05 – Quebec, QC – Bar L’agitée
03.05 – Rimouski, QC (without Valfreya) – venue tba
04.05 – Ste-Hyacinthe, QC – Bar Le Trash
VALFREYA have shared the stage with such bands as Korpiklaani, Moonsorrow, Tyr, Unexpect, Despised Icon, Nordheim, and many more on the Ontario & Quebec metal circuit, in their short existence.
The first single off Lordi’s new album “To Beast Or Not To Beast” called “The Riff” comes to the airwaves and all good digital platforms today, the 8th of February.
With it’s gripping opening and driving White Zombie like swagger, “The Riff” is just part of the band’s brand new album, but it promises to be a floor-filler up and down the country when the band plays 7 shows here in the UK in May.
Australia’s Airbourne will release Black Dog Barking on Roadrunner Records, May 21, 2013. Produced by award winning producer Brian Howes, this is Airbourne’s third album and the follow up to No Guts. No Glory. which was released in 2010.
Airbourne’s infectious music has been used in more than 20 video games, countless films, trailers, garnered two Top 5 and two Top 10 radio smashes across the Canadian airwaves. Inspired by the likes of Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and Motörhead, Airbourne has been winning fans since 2003 with their high energy, whiplash-inducing, working man’s rock ‘n’ roll. Airbourne has also racked up numerous accolades and awards including one they took home in 2008 from the Metal Hammer Golden Gods. Their first album Runnin’ Wild was named the year’s Best Debut Album. Spin said “Runnin’ Wild, Airbourne’s debut, is a smorgasbord of sledgehammer riffs, crass sex puns, and boozy sing-alongs.”
Hailing from Warrnambool, a small drinking town on the southwestern coast of Victoria, Australia, Airbourne has steadily gained an immense following with their explosive live shows and main stage festival appearances including a headliner spot at Wacken 2011, Rock Am Ring/Park (Germany) and Download (UK). It’s been a long year and a half for Airbourne since coming off the road mid-2011 to work on Black Dog Barking. Said the band, “A lot of thought and effort has gone into this record not only by the band, but by the production crew who worked countless hours, seven days a week, even through Christmas and New Year’s Eve to achieve the best possible performances, backed by real undying tones. Now we’re handing it over to you… so crank it up, crack a beer and stick some rock ‘n’ roll in your ear!”
Airbourne is Joel O’Keeffe (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Ryan O’Keeffe (Drums), David Roads (Guitar), Justin Street (Bass).
New York death metal veterans, SUFFOCATION, have posted a short documentary chronicling the making of their most recent video clip for the song “As Grace Descends” here http://youtu.be/Exe0lU1lAmU. The clip was shot by director Tommy Jones (KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK, DEATH ANGEL) at Duff’s in Brooklyn, NY where several fans showed up for the filming. The song comes from their upcoming soon-to-be-death-metal-classic, Pinnacle of Bedlam. Photos from the shoot can also be found here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152111275674298.496675.62183074297&type=1.
Pinnacle of Bedlam is now available for pre-order! Order the CD or deluxe CD/DVD digipak version of the record, with or without an exclusive t-shirt design while supplies last, from the following location http://jsrdirect.com/webstores/nuclearblast/. Pinnacle of Bedlam will be released on February 15th in Europe and on February 19th in North America.
Pinnacle of Bedlam deluxe digipak track listing:
01. Cycles Of Suffering
02. Purgatorial Punishment
03. Eminent Wrath
04. As Grace Descends
05. Sullen Days
06. Pinnacle Of Bedlam
07. My Demise
08. Inversion
09. Rapture Of Revocation
10. Beginning Of Sorrow
Bonus: The making of Pinnacle of Bedlam DVD
Pinnacle of Bedlam was produced by the band and tracked at Full Force Studios in New York by longtime collaborator Joe Cincotta. The mixing and mastering was handled this time around by world renowned producer/engineer Zeuss (HATEBREED, ARSIS, SUICIDESILENCE). Pinnacle of Bedlam features 10 genre-defining-bone-crushing tracks and also marks the return of drummer Dave Culross, who played with the band previously on their Despise The Sun EP. Artwork was handled by artist Raymond Swanland (DEEDS OF FLESH, PSYCROPTIC).
View the video clip for the track “Cataclysmic Purification” at this location http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEYSU4XGLpI. The footage was directed by David Brodsky (ARSIS, GOD FORBID, KATAKLYSM, SWASHBUCKLE) with animation by Tim Kellen.
Blood Oath, the follow-up to 2006′s self-titled record, was recorded by JoeCincotta (who worked on the band’s last two releases) and mixed by Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH). Cover artwork was once again brought to life by Jon Zig (DEEDS OF FLESH, DISGORGE, GORGASM). The album was released on July 14, 2009.
The news will come as a shock to some while others will shrug it off saying “It’s about time..,” but BW&BK has been informed directly that after approximately three years as the frontman for Florida-based progressive metal band CRIMSON GLORY, vocalist Todd La Torre has officially resigned.
La Torre was introduced to Crimson Glory by Matt La Porte (JON OLIVA’S PAIN / CIRCLE II CIRCLE), becoming an official member in 2010. He helped to ignite and give new life to the legendary band that had been on hiatus for nearly ten years, and mourning the loss of original vocalist Midnight. Crimson Glory emerged back into the world arena metal scene with very high praise and acceptance. La Torre toured as the new voice of Crimson Glory throughout Europe in celebration of the band’s 25th Anniversary with great success. Talk of a new album was highly anticipated and the band appeared to be firing on all cylinders.
“We were writing the new album and things were looking good, says La Torre. “We had interest from two major European labels, which was very promising. I was very honored and proud that we were on the rise, and the fans were embracing all that we were doing. We had wonderful momentum and we were working within an important window of time within which the new record should have been recorded and released to have the most impact given the bands resurgence. Unfortunately, the record never materialized despite my best efforts.”
“My involvement with Queensrÿche had nothing to do with the album progress,” he continues. “I haven’t been contacted to write with Crimson Glory for over six months. As a band, our writing sessions were slow, eventually becoming non-existent before I ever joined Queensrÿche. During the specific timeframe that I was in talks with Queensrÿche, members of CG were simultaneously occupied by other external and internal endeavors that apparently absorbed the time and/or will away from CG, which is not fallacious per se, but it proceeded in passivity. The main reason for my resignation from Crimson Glory is primarily due to its inertia status.”
“Crimson Glory was the catalyst that exposed me to the world as an undiscovered vocalist, and I am very thankful to them. Special thanks also to the amazing fans for their acceptance and support of not only Crimson Glory, but their continued support to me as an artist. Lastly, I sincerely wish my friends in Crimson Glory the absolute very best, both personally and professionally.”
For information and updates on La Torre and Queensrÿche, check out the following sites:
