Dutch death metal mongers CENTURIAN have debuted a new track from their forthcoming third album, Contra Rationem.

The song, entitled “Judas Among Twelve,” has been posted as a promo video at

this location. This is CENTURIAN’s first offering of new material in 11 years. Contra Rationem is slated for a 2013 release via Listenable Records.

Main songwriter Rob Oorthuis commented on his vision about the authenticity, core and strength of the new album:

“Contra Rationem is an adversive record in the broadest sense of the word. It lacks all the ethics of contemporary productions. Leaving only the dynamic range of decay and rats exploring your skeleton. Through the rattle of bones…One might even hear flesh on instruments. We keep our death metal under-produced. All songs were nailed with conviction, without hesitation, in one take. Guided only by tongues of fire descending upon our heads. Uncorrected. As real as we are not.”

Thou Shalt Bleed for the Lord thy God

Crown of Bones

Feast of the Cross

Judas Among Twelve

Antinomian

The Will of the Torch

Sin Upon Man

Damnatio Memoriae

Adversus

www.centurian333.com

www.listenable.net

Welkin Entertainment is making two of its recent compilations available for FREE DOWNLOAD for a limited time only via the below links!

THE EUPHONY FUSION 6 Australian metal compilation available FREE here:

http://www.facebook.com/welkinentertainment

PROGFEST 2012 compilation available FREE here:

http://www.facebook.com/Progfest

THE EUPHONY FUSION 6 features 24 fantastic METAL bands from across Australia of a wide variety of genres including Be’lakor, Ne Obliviscaris, Gods Of Eden, Eye Of The Enemy & many more! Full tracklist for both discs is below.

PROGFEST 2012 compilation features 27 prog bands ranging from the prog metal of Ne Oblivsicaris & Arcane, to the progressive heavy rock of Glass Empire, Branch Arterial & Breaking Orbit or the instrumental prog rock and experimental sounds of Mushroom Giant, Xenograft plus many many more! This CD is a great representation of the broad an open minded approach taken to creating ‘Progest’ live events, and is also a great way to discover some great new bands you may now have heard of! Full tracklist for both discs is below!

Did we mention these are now FREE? This offer is strictly for a limited time only though, so make sure you download your copy now!

THE EUPHONY FUSION DISC 1

1. EYE OF THE ENEMY (VIC) – Peace

2. BE’LAKOR (VIC) – Remnants

3. GODS OF EDEN (NSW) – Gods Of Eden

4. NE OBLIVISCARIS (VIC) – Xenoflux

5. MYRAETH (NSW)- Monarch

6. LYCANTHIA (NSW) – Forgone

7. OUR LAST ENEMY (NSW) – Ants In The Palm

8. HARLOTT (VIC) – In The Black

9. REAPERS RIDDLE (WA)- Fall Away

10. SPEAK DIGITAL WATER (VIC)- Roundabout

11. RANDOMBRAND (QLD) – Tsunami

12. EX CURIA (NSW)- Warned

THE EUPHONY FUSION DISC 2

1. THE ARCHIVIST (QLD)- The Clarity Process

2. BIOSTATE (VIC)- The Contagion

3. DECREPIT SUN – Drunker Than You (VIC)

4. APPARITIONS OF NULL (NSW) – Kaleidoscopes

5. CREATE|DESTRY (VIC)- Deathbringer

6. THANATOSIS (VIC) – The Worlds Refuse

7. VYRION (QLD) – Mortal Frame

8. SEVERANCE (NSW) – Bethrothed to an Early Grave

9. KUNVUK (NSW) – Teeth Swallower

10. INCRYPT (VIC)- No Regrets

11. MALAKYTE (QLD)- Fall To Khaos

12. TIL RAPTURE (NSW) – Horrifica

PROGFEST 2012 DISC 1

1. Ne Obliviscaris (VIC)- And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope

2. Branch Arterial (VIC)- Faces

3. Glass Empire (VIC)- Clarity

4. Arcane (QLD) – The Seer

5. Breaking Orbit (NSW)- Time Traveller

6. No Home For Heroes (NSW) – Parallel

7. Volytion (VIC) – Simplistic Revelations

8. Feed (QLD)- The Script

9. The Stealth Creeping Apocalypse (VIC)- The Switch Don’t Exist

10. Cinder And Dry (NSW)- Inside Out

11. Sam Locke (TAS) – Squared

12. Apparitions Of Null (NSW)- Kaleidoscopes pt. I

13. Sabriel (NSW)- My Own (Acoustic)

14. Nothinggod (NSW)- Crawl

PROGFEST 2012 DISC 2

1. Mushroom Giant (VIC) – 400 & Falling

2. Three Wise Monkeys (NSW)- Evolutions

3. Alithia (VIC)- WTFJ

4. Anubis (NSW)- Archway Of Tears

5. A Lonely Crowd (VIC) – Tyranny Of Dissonance

6. Xenograft (VIC) – Pineal

7. Grun (NSW) – Angry Bees

8. Shortfall (VIC)- Sometimes

9. Morphica (WA)- Crossfade

10. The Merlin Bird (VIC)- To The Unknown God

11. Domino (NSW)- The Hunter

12. Strangers In The Dark (NSW)- Wolves In The Sky

13. Nihilore (NSW)- Kanai

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL have a little Christmas treat for you!

They offer a free download of “XTC”, the first video from the band’s new album “2 Big 2 Fail”!

You can download it here: http://www.sindecademetal.com/LMK_XTC_HD.avi

“2 Big 2 Fail” was released on October 19th in Europe via Massacre Records.

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL were recently confirmed for Sweden’s Väsby Rock estival, which is going to take place on August 3, 2013: www.facebook.com/events/294227677364510

Get LOVE.MIGHT.KILL’s releases here: http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/search?lang=en&search=love+might+kill

www.lovemightkill.com | www.facebook.com/lovemightkill

Original TROUBLE drummer and RETRO GRAVE mainman Jeff “Oly” Olson posted on his HEADY METAL WITH JEFF OLSON podcast Facebook page today:

“Hey, it’s official… I’ll be playing Hammond Organ on Victor Griffin’s In-Graved debut album due Spring 2013. I’ll be playing the Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Holland on Saturday, April 20th as well as other select tour dates. I’l keep you posted. Merry Christmas everyone!”

According to the Mayan calendar the world was supposed to end today, so if you’re reading this it’s safe to assume the Mayans were way off base. Just as well, too, because GMM2013 will shake Dessel to its foundations and we’ve got 15 new confirmations to help us do just that: Korn, Bullet For My Valentine, King Diamond, Testament, Hellyeah, Ghost, Katatonia, Caliban, Moonspell, Unleashed, Entombed, Red Fang, Amaranthe, Veil Of Maya and Varg.

Our best season’s greetings and a fantastic start to the new year!

About the new names:
With King Diamond we’re adding a legendary band to our 2013 lineup. The Danish heavy metal band around the eponymous lead singer arose in the mid-eighties from the ashes of another legendary metal act called Mercyful Fate and quickly rose to prominence. King Diamond’s 30+ year musical career is one of the most storied in history of heavy metal, but the tale is not yet over! The most recent release, 2007’s Grammy nominated album ‘Give Me Your Soul … Please’, stands as one fo the most critically-acclaimed albums in an already iconic discography. You will be treated to the largest and most involved stage production in the band’s storied history. Horror concepts from multiple albums will be used in the décor! Feast your eyes and ears on this creative centipede at GMM2013!

Korn and Bullet For My Valentine need no introduction and we’re pleased to welcome these three household names back to our festival. Why? Because they’re popular as hell, they enjoy playing here and they deserve it. Welcome back guys!

Red Fang is a catchy heavy stoner rock band. After several successful tours supporting Mastodon and a first headlining tour in 2012, these guys are more than ready to make their mark on the major European festival stages.

For thirty years, the mighty Testament has been a tower of strength in the thrash landscape. Ever since the release of their epic debut ‘The Legacy’, the band around Eric Peterson and Chuck Billy has been a force to be reckoned with. Five years after their last GMM performance these thrash pioneers are back to treat us to the best of three decades of uncompromising thrash.

Abriosis have just released the first new track of refined aggressive dissonance from their upcoming EP, Vessel. “Crypsis” is available for free download, here: https://soundcloud.com/abriosis/crypsis

“Crypsis, the opening track on Vessel, gets 2 thumbs up for being Fast and Furious, says Vin Diesel,” says Abriosis.

As a follow-up to their acclaimed 2011 full-length album Tattered and Bound, Vancouver death metal band Abriosis are set to release their latest EP, Vessel on February 1st, 2013. Vessel merges disorienting waves of sonic violence with an ever-present thunderous pulse. Though short and sweet, this EP hits hard; representing the latest evolution in the band’s signature progressive death metal sound.

Vessel marks the first Abriosis recording to feature the band’s new vocalist, Alxs Ness (ex-Without Mercy). Ness’ Youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/Alxxxs) has attracted over one million views split between her death metal vocal covers and vocal technique/advice videos.

The following video trailer includes samples of all 4 tracks from Vessel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqB_mLwlJm0

In keeping with tradition, the band plans to release the digital version of the EP entirely for free via their official website,www.ABRIOSIS.com.

 J.K Impera band leader/drummer – Impera

Interviewed by Anders Sandvall

Thanks to Khalil Turk at Escape Music for the help to get this done.

Thanks to Escape Music for the promo pictures of the band

Promo pictures of the band is taken by: Tallee Savage

Impera is a brand new Swedish act led by drummer J.K Impera. He has gathered an all-star line up with Tommy Denander on guitar, Mats Vassfjord on bass and last but not least the incredible Matti Alfonzetti on vocals. The debut called LEGACY OF LIFE came in late October and I got a hold of J.K Impera in order to talk about the new album, about the band, the amazing line up and the future of the band. Read more about the latest hardrock band from Sweden. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Henrik Flyman band leader/guitarist – Evil Masquerade

Interviewed by: Anders Sandvall

Thanks to Trine at DARK MINSTEL MUSIC for the help and for the promo pictures of Evil Masquerade taken by: Thomas Trane

Single pictures of Henrik Flyman are from his own homepage and taken by: Thomas Trane

Additional live pictures are from the archives of: Anders Sandvall

The Danish/Swedish act Evil Masquerade released their fifth album earlier this year titled PENTAGRAM. The album is in my opinion one of the best albums of 2012 so of course was an interview with band leader/guitarist Henrik Flyman perfectly in order. This time around we spoke about PENTAGRAM, about the bands history with various labels through the years as well as past and present band members. If you’re into some good old fashioned hard rock make sure to check out Evil Masquerade I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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ALESTORM mastermind Christopher Bowes is ready to conquer the Scottish highlands with his new band GLORYHAMMER!

“Greetings my friends and fellow warriors, today we can announce that GLORYHAMMER’s debut abum “Tales from the Kingdom of Fife” will be released on March 29th 2013, through Napalm Records. We are also thrilled to show to you the album artwork, painstakingly handcrafted by Dan Goldsworthy (responsible for the album covers of ACCEPT, HELL, SYLOSIS, and many more). The art depicts the great hero Angus McFife, questing valiantly through the frozen highlands, wielding the Hammer of Glory. A truly magnificent piece, I’m sure you’ll agree. We can also reveal to you for the first time, the tracklisting of the album:

1. Anstruther’s Dark Prophecy
2. The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee
3. Angus McFife
4. Quest for the Hammer of Glory
5. Magic Dragon
6. Silent Tears of Frozen Princess
7. Amulet of Justice
8. Hail to Crail
9. Beneath Cowdenbeath
10. The Epic Rage of Furious Thunder

There will also be a “Limited First Pressing Heroic Edition” of the album, presented in a luxurious digipak format with alternate artwork, featuring the bonus track “Wizards!”.  Like the name suggests, this version will only be available in limited quantities, so get your copy fast! FOR THE GLORY OF DUNDEE!”

GLORYHAMMER @FACEBOOK

Ticketless VIP packages available through ArtistArena.com

ENGLAND – The U.K.’s infamous heavy metal act, Cradle of Filth, has announced a headlining February/March North American tour with The Faceless, Decapitated and The Agonist. Cradle of Filth “North American Tour 2013″ will mark the band’s return to North American shores in nearly two years. A list of confirmed dates can be seen below.

Ticketless VIP packages for most dates will go on sale tomorrow (12/21) through ArtistArena.com at: http://packages.artistarena.com/cradleoffilth/. Each package includes a meet-and-greet with the band, signed Cradle of Filth poster and commemorative VIP laminate. General ticket information for Cradle of Filth “North American Tour 2013″ is available online at: http://theorderofthedragon.com/page/on-the-road.

Cradle of Filth is touring in support of The Manticore and Other Horrors, its 10th studio release, out now on Nuclear Blast. The Manticore and Other Horrors entered the Billboard Top 200 at #96 with its first-week sales this fall.

Fans can order The Manticore and Other Horrors online via the Nuclear Blast web-store at: http://bit.ly/cofnbusa and digitally through iTunes at: http://bit.ly/cofhoritun. Click here: http://bit.ly/cofspecials to find out where you can purchase The Manticore and Other Horrors at a local music retailer.

The band’s latest music video for “Frost on her Pillow,” directed by Stuart Birchall, can be seen on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/9Nw_9meXYic.

Lyric videos for two additional new songs, “Manticore”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGxF0eDNWwQ and “For your Vulgar Delectation”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDgouqQrctk, are also streaming online.

Stay tuned for more information on Cradle of Filth and the impending North American tour, and be sure to upload band photos, CoF art, tattoos and more at: https://www.webdoc.com/documents/C5697C31-3CD0-0001-55B7-1AB486801B96.

Cradle of Filth “North American Tour 2013″ dates…

2/22 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
2/23 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium
2/24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theater Of Living Arts
2/27 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
2/28 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House Of Blues
3/01 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
3/03 – Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
3/04 – Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
3/06 – W. Hollywood, CA @ House Of Blues
3/07 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
3/08 – Anaheim, CA @ House Of Blues
3/09 – San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues
3/10 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
3/12 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
3/13 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
3/14 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
3/16 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
3/20 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
3/21 – Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
3/22 – Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
3/23 – Detroit, MI @ St Andrews Hall
3/25 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
3/26 – Guelph, ON @ Guelph Concert Theatre

Cradle of Filth online…

http://www.cradleoffilth.com

http://www.theorderofthedragon.com

http://www.facebook.com/cradleoffilth

http://www.youtube.com/cradleoffilth

http://www.twitter.com/OfficialCoF

http://www.nuclearblastusa.com

AVANTASIA – watch The Mystery of Time unfold itself before your eyes

Tobias Sammet’s AVANTASIA will enchant the world again during their  MYSTERY WORLD TOUR 2013 which will be the staging of their new release THE MYSTERY OF TIME (out March 2013).

We are very proud to announce their appearance at the Turbinenhalle Oberhausen on 25th April 2013.

Presales will start on December 17th, 2012 and tickets will be available on: www.metaltix.com & www.konticket.de

AVANTASIA are famous for their rock opera styled concept albums which feature a lot of guest musicians and tell a mystic, dark, complex and thrilling story, each song representing one fragment of the storyline.

For their new release AVANTASIA so far confirmed (amongst others to be announced) SAXON’s legendary singer Biff Byfford, URIAH HEEP drummer Russell Gilbrook and Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS & MEAT LOAF).

AVANTASIA: www.tobiassammet.com

Just a few hours before Cauldron take to the stage at Camden Barfly tonight to kick off their European tour, we sit down and have a chat about their new album Tomorrow’s Lost, touring, their favourite music and just a little bit about how they will be spending Christmas.

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Tonight we faced the cold outside and made our way to Camden Barfly in North London, to see Cauldron, and the evening is looking to be all about headbanging, drinking beer and traditional heavy metal as we know it. It’s about as good as Wednesday night can get!
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Hailed by the international metal scene for their 2011 debut Man Or Machine (Sonic Attack Records) and for their celebrated appearances at various European festivals, ALPHA TIGER has quickly become one of Germany’s hottest heavy metal newcomers. Due to epic compositions, catchy hooks and Stephan Dietrich’s powerful vocals (which are reminiscent of QUEENSRYCHE’s Geoff Tate and HELLOWEEN’s Michael Kiske in their heyday), the band succeeded in living up to the positive feedback and is now ready to unleash their new album, Beneath The Surface!

All lyrical topics on Beneath The Surface are represented in the stunning cover artwork, which was created by Hungarian designer Peter Tikos (who also worked with the band on the Man Or Machine cover). Beneath The Surface was recorded this past summer at Berlin’s Musicflash studio, engineered by Mirco Godi Hildmann, and mixed and mastered by Andreas Hilbert. See below for the worldwide release dates for the album:

Beneath The Surface release dates:

GERMANY / AUSTRIA / SWITZERLAND / NORWAY: Friday, January 25, 2013
UK / BENELUX / FRANCE / GREECE / DENMARK / PORTUGAL / REST OF EUROPE: Monday, January 28, 2013
SPAIN / ITALY: Tuesday, January 29, 2013
SWEDEN / FINLAND / HUNGARY: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND: Friday, February 1, 2013

USA / CANADA: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 **digital only, European CD/LP imports available through CM Distro**

ALPHA TIGER is now offering a free download of the album track “We Came From The Gutter” as a special Christmas gift for fans. To download the track, click here. Fans can also watch the video for the first single, “From Outer Space,” here.

Beneath The Surface track-listing:

1. Intro
2. The Alliance
3. From Outer Space
4. Waiting For A Sign
5. Beneath The Surface
6. Along The Rising Sun
7. Eden Lies in Ruins
8. Rain
9. Crescent Moon
10. We Came From The Gutter

ALPHA TIGER just finished a European tour as direct support for W.A.S.P., and they will play a couple of special release shows in 2013. See below for all upcoming tour dates.

ALPHA TIGER live

26.01.2013 – Dresden – Chemiefabrik (Germany)

01.02.2013 – Weinheim – Café Central (Germany)

02.02.2013 – München – Backstage (Germany)

23.02.2013 – Köln – MTC (Germany)

12.07 – 13.07.2013 – Bang Your Head Festival

01.08 – 03.08.2013 – Wacken Open Air

ALPHA TIGER online:

http://www.facebook.com/AlphaTigerBand 

http://www.alphatiger.de 

Danish rock band Volbeat is confirmed to play Norwegian festival Hove next summer. The Copenhagen-group has over the years gathered a large fan base in Norway and will play the festival on Wednesday, July the 3rd.

Says Toffen Gunnufsen, head booker at Hove:

&#8211 Volbeat has developed into one of the biggest rock acts in Scandinavia and the rest of the world, and we know they have a big and devoted following in Norway. They rank very high on our audience’s wish list.

Volbeat has since year 2000 released four albums and recently confirmed that their new album will be released during 2013. Their fusion of rock and roll, heavy metal, punk and rockabilly and their energetic live performances have gained them a worldwide reputation as a live attraction, and the group has shared stage with names such as Metallica, Motörhead, Megadeath, Slayer and Anthrax.

Hove Festival 2013 will take place from 2nd of July &#8211 5th of July, in beautiful surroundings on the island of Tromøya, situated on the south coast of Norway. Other artists confirmed so far are among others Kings of Leon, Bullet for My Valentine, Stone Sour, Asking Alexandria, Enter Shikari and Torche.