Undisputed masters of the crossover genre, Richmond, Virginia’s MUNICIPAL WASTE are proud to announce their new worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
On their way to devastate the Mainstage 02 at Hellfest Open Air in France this Saturday, June 18th, WASTE members check in about their big announcement:
“It took a real long time to decide what we were going to do for our next record,” states WASTE frontman Foresta. “We wanted to work with a label that were not only fans of the band and our music, but were willing to get behind any ridiculous idea that we could think of. Once we realized this, Nuclear Blast was the obvious choice. The Blast has been friends with the band long before doing a record was even a possibility. I feel like we’re starting off with a clean slate and decade of experience to start back up on the right track. Expect some great things in the near future from the WASTE. This is only the beginning!”
"Nuclear Blast has shown their love for the WASTE for years,” Witte continues. “And when it came time for a new deal, it was a no brainer in my eyes. NB all the way. We are thrilled to be included among a roster of great bands and hard working people that love them. I can't wait to get into that studio!"
Gerardo Martínez, long-time MUNICIPAL WASTE fan and Label Manager of Nuclear Blast USA, comments on the newest members of the Nuclear Blast Family:
“We’ve known the WASTE guys for some time and when the moment was right to bring them on board, we did not hesitate one second. They are the best and most relevant band at what they do, and a pleasure to be around… not to mention they are some of the funniest and down-to-earth people we’ve met. The excitement level for a new MUNICIPAL WASTE record is at its highest and we are ready to deliver this to the masses!”
The WASTE will be entering the studio this summer to record their fifth full-length album and Nuclear Blast debut in their hell-bent quests for infectious riffs and never-ending headbanging sessions. A 2012 release is expected.
Alestorm hit the German charts
2011-06-20
Alestorm entered the German album charts at number 42 with their latest album "Back Through Time"! A big "yarrr" goes out to all supporters and fellow pirates!
Turisas announe UK tour
2011-06-20
After last weekend's boiling set at Download Festival, we proudly announce that TURISAS will return to UK shores as headliners later this year: the upcoming invasion is an extensive 17 date tour, taking place between 27 October and 17 November 2011, supporting the band's latest album “Stand Up and Fight”. The tour will also feature the bands' first ever voyage across the Irish Sea to visit to Dublin and Belfast , it’ll be co-headlining shows with DEVIN TOWNSEND.
Violinist Olli Vänskä: "We did a similar run back in 2008 and it was a massive success. So many international bands only do a 3-4 date tours in the UK, only covering a couple of the major cities: we wanted to dig deeper and played a lot of shows also in smaller towns and cities. The audience seemed really appreciative and we had some super intense shows back then, and I've no doubt that this tour is going to be an exploding experience, too. It's great to be able to return with such a good number of dates!"
The tickets for the tour are on sale starting Friday 17 June (except Irish shows, on sale date TBA). The supporting bands are still TBC, so keep an eye out for a further announcement on supports.
27.10.2011 Brighton - Concorde 2, www.seetickets.com
28.10.2011 Bristol - O2 Academy 2, www.seetickets.com
29.10.2011 Plymouth - White Rabbit, www.seetickets.com
31.10.2011 Norwich - Waterfront, www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk
01.11.2011 Glasgow - Garage, www.triplegmusic.com
02.11.2011 Newcastle - Northumbria Uni, www.seetickets.com
04.11.2011 Wolverhampton - Wulfrun Hall, www.seetickets.com
05.11.2011 Leeds - University Union (Damnation Festival), www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets
07.11.2011 Belfast - Limelight (co-headline with DEVIN TOWNSEND)
08.11.2011 Dublin - Whelans (co-headline with DEVIN TOWNSEND)
09.11.2011 Wrexham - Central Station, www.seetickets.com
10.11,2011 Sheffield - Corporation, www.seetickets.com
12.11.2011 Cardiff - University SU: The Great Hall 2, www.seetickets.com
13.11.2011 Reading - Sub 89, www.seetickets.com
15.11.2011 Southampton - University: Garden Court , www.seetickets.com
16.11.2011 Leicester - Sub 91, www.seetickets.com
17.11.2011 Manchester - Academy 3, www.livenation.co.uk
Arch and Mateos set debut album title
2011-06-20
As previously announced, Jim Matheos (current member of the progressive rock powerhouse Fates Warning and OSI) and John Arch (former vocalist of Fates Warning) have teamed up to form the new progressive rock band, ARCH/ MATHEOS. The band -accompanied by Joey Vera on bass, Bobby Jarzombek on drums, and Frank Aresti on additional lead guitar- began tracking the drums on January 12 and continued to record through mid February with Jim Matheos producing. ARCH/ MATHEOS is pleased to announce Sympathetic Resonance as the title of the debut album, which will be released September 13, 2011 in North America.
Jim Matheos offered his insight on the writing and recording process of Sympathetic Resonance; "I think John and I work really well together. There's a lot of mutual respect and trust in what we do. But, we're also both very critical of ourselves, and each other. This can make for a long and, sometimes, tedious process. But ultimately it's one I enjoy because I think it brings out the best in both of us." John Arch added; "When I first heard some of the arrangements Jim had written and recorded, it took quite some time before I could wrap my mind around the odd time signatures and guitar work going on here. There are some long compositions, so putting anxiety and apprehension on the back burner it was time to dissect these numbers into digestible bits. After the lengthy process of lyrics and melodies, listening to the songs now, I can't imagine them any other way." In terms of the lyrical content on Sympathetic Resonance, John Arch notes that "the lyrics this time around are more in line with A Twist of Fate and not of the mystical nature of some past albums."
More details will be released over the coming months so be sure to stay tuned to MetalBlade.com. ARCH/ MATHEOS pages on Facebook and Twitter coming soon!
Lineup:
John Arch – vocals (Fates Warning)
Jim Matheos – guitars (Fates Warning, OSI)
Joey Vera – bass (Armored Saint, Anthrax, Fates Warning, Seven Witches)
Bobby Jarzombek – drums (Halford, Fates Warning, Sebastian Bach, Riot)
Frank Aresti - additional lead guitar (Fates Warning)
Powerwolf finish shooting new video
2011-06-20
Multinational Heavy Metal warlords POWERWOLF recently finished shooting a video clip for the song We Drink Your Blood from their upcoming album Blood Of The Saints!
According to their sacral image and the concept of Blood Of The Saints, POWERWOLF shot the video in an ancient monastery church. “Shooting the video in such a special and atmospheric place was incredible”, comments organist Falk Maria Schlegel. “The combination of the sacral interior of the church, including altar, confessional box and a church organ with a lot of fire, fog and metal insanity was the perfect set for a POWERWOLF video!”
The song title We Drink Your Blood is an allusion to the congregation in the Christian liturgy ‘Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.’
In the very own style POWERWOLF have adapted this to a typical suggestive horror story. Be prepared for a stunning video to a great metal hymn!
To give you a first glimpse about things to come, POWERWOLF have revealed some making-of photography on www.powerwolf.net
Blood Of The Saints will be released July, 29 (G/A/S) / August, 1 via Metal Blade Records in Europe. The album will be released as a regular CD, a limited edition Digibook 2-CD and on vinyl.
The front art has been created by POWERWOLF guitarist Matthew Greywolf.
POWERWOLF guitarist Matthew Greywolf comments on the release of Blood Of The Saints: "We´re really excited about this album. It´s been a hard piece of work, but it was so goddamn worth it. I think on Blood Of The Saints we delivered a striking balance of mighty melodic stuff and some serious wolfish metal madness, all dressed up in some highly catchy tunes. We can hardly wait until the album is finally out and we can celebrate these tunes together with all of you - Be prepared!"
Yes to release new album
2011-06-07
The most influential and ground-breaking progressive rock ‘n’ roll band in history, legendary rockers and Grammy Award winners YES, will release their first studio album in a decade, Fly From Here, on July 1st in Europe and July 12th in North America through Frontiers Records. Their long awaited 20th studio album is the follow up to 2001’s Magnification and marks the band’s return with producer, Trevor Horn, who produced the band’s chart topping album, 90125, in 1983 and also sang for YES on the Drama album in 1980. YES is Benoit David on vocals (his first studio recording with YES), Steve Howe on guitars/vocals, founder Chris Squire on bass/vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards and Alan White on drums. Roger Dean, creator of a number of YES’ most memorable album covers, also returns with his signature style for Fly From Here.
“At last we have some shape and dynamics within these tracks that are truer to the
original idea of what a YES recording is about,” proclaims Howe.
The new album represents the best of YES from the 70s and the 80's with a current twist,” Squire adds.
All of the songs on Fly From Here embody that classic and now iconic YES sound and style. The first single, “We Can Fly,” (to be released digitally on June 13th) is borne from a piece of music that was written prior to the Fly writing sessions - an idea that has now grown into an overture and 5 subsequent movements that feature the unparalleled musicianship and virtuoso talents that are synonymous with YES. From the first chord of “Fly From Here – Overture” to the last note of the album’s closer “Into The Storm,” there is no question that the unmistakable technical proficiency of YES carries on.
"It's awesome working with Trevor Horn again, he pays a lot of attention to detail. It was a great pleasure in the studio to play some incredible music with some great players,” says White.
First formed in 1968, YES’ remarkable career spans over 40 years and the band has time and again redefined the boundaries of rock music. YES has sold nearly 50 million albums worldwide and continues to stretch the boundaries of progressive art-rock with their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles. This summer, YES will return to the road to bring Fly From Here as well as some of their classic hits to their loyal following. European tour dates are scheduled for the fall.
Theatres des Vampires announce new DVD
2011-06-07
Theatres des Vampires have just returned home from a very successful European tour and are now working on a Latin America tour for 2012.
It's since 2006 that Theatres des Vampires have long been awaited in Latin America, thanks to the support and love of hundreds of Latin American fan clubs.
Now the dream of all the followers of Theatres des Vampires in South and Central America will come true! More details will be available soon.
Theatres des Vampires "Moonlight Waltz Tour 2011" DVD and live CD.
A New DVD is coming!
All the Russian and European Tour was recorded with HD cameras, and Professional Digital Audio equipment.
At the moment Fabian Varesi from Theatres des Vampires and Christian Ice from Temple of Noise studio are working together to finalize a new upcoming DVD and live Cd.
This new release will be produced by Aural Music/Dreamcell11 in a deluxe Artbook that will contain both the live DVD and the live CD plus some brand-new unreleased songs and an exclusive roadbook of 50+ pages! The Live DVD will include the whole concert in Moscow at Plan B club, pro-recorded with multi-angle Hd Cameras. As a special bonus, the DVD will contain a long and exclusive backstage documentary of the whole 2011 European Tour. The Audio Cd will have the great quality of the latest TdV productions.
It's the FIRST time ever that Theatres des Vampires have released a live DVD recorded by a great staff with high professional equipment, as you will remember, the last DVD live from Theatres des Vampires -"The Addiction tour 2006"- was made using low-fi clips made by fans of the band. This time the result will be terrific, a “must have” for each Theatres des Vampires fan.
The release of this new DVD+Cd is scheduled for this winter on Aural Music/Dreamcell11 www.auralmusic.com
Godflesh confirm London show
2011-06-07
British industrial metal pioneers GODFLESH have confirmed a headlining show at the HMV Forum in London, UK, on June 16th.
GODFLESH made their first UK appearance in over ten years at last year's Supersonic Festival in the band's hometown of Birmingham, where the group were one of the headlining acts. Now, GODFLESH are returning to London for their first headlining appearance in the city since 1999, with GOATSNAKE and D.R.I. also appearing as special guests.
GODFLESH founding member JUSTIN BROADRICK comments:
"We are excited to be playing our first GODFLESH London headline show since 1999! In fact, the last time GODFLESH headlined London as originally intended - two men and machines - was around 1995. We hope our bleak sound and performance impacts like it did some years ago."
Epysode sign with AFM Records
2011-06-06
AFM Records is pleased to announce the signing of EPYSODE, the new melodic progressive metal band project of Samuel Arkan (Virus IV). The debut album “Obsessions” is expected to arrive in late August.
Band leader Samuel Arkan comments:
"I'm very excited to announce to everyone that I signed with AFM Records for my new project EPYSODE! This label is the home of so many of the great bands I've loved throughout the years. I'm looking forward to working with the AFM team on this upcoming album, which will be called “Obsessions”. EPYSODE is a very special project to me. It can be described as a “supernatural thriller” concept album, which was composed & written by me. It's something very deep, a strong story with characters, clues & secrets behind, to involve the listeners into the adventure. With an amazing team of 5 musicians & 5 singers from the Progressive & Metal scene who were all involved in the creation of the album, the music of EPYSODE is intense and melodic, with lots of small nuances, emotional as well as high-energetic! Prepare to get lost in your “Obsessions”…”
Further info about this outstanding project will follow soon…
Suidakra enter the studio
2011-06-06
Rumors say that SUIDAKRA have entered the studio again, which is surprising, considering that the band´s latest album “Book Of Dowth” was released just two months ago! But as it is with rumors sometimes, it´s true… BUT: Arkadius and his mates are NOT working on a new album already. So what´s the reason for this visit? We will know soon…
Psychotic Waltz to headline KIT XV
2011-06-06
We are very happy to announce, that Prog Metal legends PSYCHOTIC WALTZ will headline the KEEP IT TRUE XV 2012 Friday. Since years we tried to get this amazing band for KEEP IT TRUE and now finally it worked out. PSYCHOTIC WALTZ wrote metal history with their first two albums and are known for their magic headliner shows. On the support tour for Nevermore they proofed, that the old magic is still there and at KIT we will all enjoy a full headliner show.
Additionally we are able to finally change the announced FISCHELS BEAST show into SENTINEL BEAST (Special Reunion show), since at least three original members (Debbie Gunn, Barry Fischel and Mike Spencer) will take part.
We hope to announce two co-headliners in the next weeks and the second headliner in autumn, so stay tuned. Here is the billing so far:
KEEP IT TRUE XV
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ (USA)
HEADLINER II (TBA)
NWOBHM ANNIVERSARY SHOW PART II
(feat. Roxxcalibur and lots of original vocalists)
SWORD (CAN)
(First Time in Germany)
CoHeadliner (TBA)
TYTAN (UK)
OZ (FIN/SWE)
TENSION (USA)
(First European Show)
MYSTIC FORCE (USA)
(First European Show)
ADRAMELCH (ITA)
OSTROGOTH (BEL)
WITCH CROSS (DEN)
MYSTIK (USA)
SENTINEL BEAST (USA)
(Special Reunion Show)
PORTRAIT (SWE)
DARK WIZARD (HOL)
SAVAGE BLADE (CAN)
VOLTURE (USA)
+ more
April 27th. and 28th. 2012
Tauberfrankenhalle Lauda-Königshofen
Sinister frontman launches new band
2011-06-06
There's a new death metal group called Absurd Universe featuring former Sinister singer Adrie "Aad" Kloosterwaard. The band's debut album, "Habeas Corpus", will be released in late September via Punishment 18 Records Records.
Mithras bassist returns
2011-06-06
Mithras would like to announce the return of long time frontman/bassist Rayner Coss, who left back in 2008.
Rayner commented “Firstly, it's good to be back! When I departed in 2008, Leon and I had been playing in bands together non-stop for over 12 years, and for various reasons I was finding it really difficult dedicating the necessary amount of time and attention to Mithras. But, during the near three years I've been away, my situation has changed to the point where I'm able to fully concentrate on the band again. We've gone straight to work on the new record, which Leon already had a lot of ideas down for and so far it's been the easiest writing process we've ever had, which is really promising”
Guitarist/Drummer Leon Macey added “It's great to be working with a re-energised Rayner on new material again, and the tracks we're developing for the next album are sounding incredible. Even though I needed a rest and had put Mithras practically on hiatus for the last six months, I already had a fair amount of material demoed up which I'd been working on solo. It's only taken a month to get Rayner up to speed with where I'm at with everything and it's also extra great because I don't need to record the vocals myself now, haha! So for the next record, we'll be sticking to the formula which worked great on all our others, Rayner Coss - Oratory/Bass and Leon Macey – Guitars/Drums”
The yet to be titled follow-up to the critically acclaimed 'Behind The Shadows Lie Madness' (which was released in 2007 via Candlelight Records) is due sometime in 2012...
Sweden Rock sold out
2011-06-06
Sweden Rock Festival announced today that the long-running Swedish festival has sold out completely.
On Sunday 33000 visitors will once again begin enjoying some of the finest rock and metal has to offer, both past and present.
Sinister part with members
2011-06-03
Oh well, we've got bad news for you.
First of all SINISTER have to cancel their appearance at Mexico's Metal In The Forest Festival, because some members aren't able to leave their work. The band did everything to make it happen, but in the end it didn't work out.
Unfortunately this would have been the last show in the current line-up from SINISTER, which means this would have been the last chance to see the band live in this formation.
As you may already have heard guitarist Alex Paul, drummer Edwin van den Eeden and bassist Joost van der Graaf have left the band.
Vocalist Aad Kloosterwaard is now the only remaining band member.
He comments:
"But don't be afraid the band will go on with a new line-up .. and will let the Sinister flame burn for some more years to come."
Belladonna to release new album
2011-06-03
In August 2010 Belladonna hole themselves up in a tiny rehearsal room to start working on a brand new selection of Rock Noir songs penned by belladonna's two songwriters, the luscious singer Luana Caraffa and the band producer/guitarist Dani Macchi. It's the conception of their much-awaited third album: "And There Was Light".
In November the band flies to Los Angeles to the legendary Stagg Street Studios (the vintage studio of many classic recordings of Patti Smith, CSNY, Tom Waits) to record totally live, with no click tracks, all playing at the same time, just as in those classic Led Zeppelin or Bob Dylan records of a bygone era.
With the invaluable help of engineer Mike Tacci (Metallica's "Black Album") and of Grammy-nominated producer Alex Elena (Alice Smith, Lily Allen) the band puts onto tape the incendiary takes that form the rock-hard foundation on which in the following months Dani and Luana built the emotional architecture that makes "And There Was Light" such a unique-sounding yet timeless record.
The album is a true journey, over an hour of high-intensity music that seamlessly gravitates between echoes of Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan-style allegories, White Stripes blazin' tones, Blue Oyster Cult's esoterism, Arcade Fire's romanticism and Jimmy Page's passion for the blues-tinged and spiritually malevolent guitar riff.
Yet its sound is that unmistakable belladonna-patented Rock Noir - the genre they single-handedly originated and that many bands the world over now swear to - and Luana's vocals are as sensual and sexual as ever, making the deeply literary lyrics come alive with Truth.
Several prestigious guests enrich "And There Was Light": the above-mentioned Alex Elena (former drummer with Iron Maiden superstar Bruce Dickinson and Miles Davis keyboardist Adam Holzman) on percussion, Massimiliano Annibaldi (the renowned Italian film soundtracks composer) on the theremin and the viola da gamba, Imani Coppola (the cult NY singer-songwriter recently in the UK top 10 as Little Jackie) on the violin, Francesca Bottaro (of avantgarde pop combo Shootin' Stars) on the sax and the L.A. art-rock Diva Ruby Friedman with a spoken-word feature.
"We've always felt our music had a cinematic quality to it, yet once we finally completed "And There Was Light" and treated ourselves to a full playback of it all we were absolutely amazed ourselves of how deep its power of conjuring up moving images was" reveals Dani, and Luana adds poignantly: "We've always known that writing and making music is akin to Automatic Writing, and we truly feel that we only channeled this album, that it already existed somewhere in some as-yet-undiscovered dimension and it then materialized through ourselves, full of energy, and full of light".
"And There Was Light" will be released worldwide on iTunes on the 16th of May 2011.
Neroargento sign with Coroner Records
2011-06-03
After the great feedback got from his first EP digitally distribuited only, NEROARGENTO (who worked with bands like Disarmonia Mundi, Rise to Fall and others as synth/effects producer) signed with Coroner Records/Murdered Music for the worldwide release of his upcoming debut album entitled "Three Hours Of Sun".
The album, available in Digipak format and Digital Download, is scheduled on June 30th 2011 (July 1st 2011 in the UK) via Coroner Records.
"Three Hours Of Sun", which includes 11 tracks of alternative electronic rock-metal, features the guest appereance of Ettore Rigotti and Claudio Ravinale (Disarmonia Mundi) and has been mastered by Ettore Rigotti at The Metal House Studio (Disarmonia Mundi, Blood Stain Child, Slowmotion Apocalypse, Destrage, Stigma, etc...).
Skeletonwitch enter studio
2011-06-02
Metal maniacs SKELETONWITCH entered a Los Angeles studio today with producer Matt Hyde (Slayer, Machine Head, Kreator) to begin recording the follow up to 2009's burner "Breathing The Fire." The as-yet-untitled album, expected to be released this fall, features the track "The Infernal Resurrection," the demo version of which appears as the B-side on the soon-to-be-released final 7-inch of a limited-edition vinyl trilogy. This will mark the first recording with their new drummer, former DEMIRICOUS skin-pounder Dustin Boltjes.
Axe-man Scott Hedrick commented: "Waiting fucking sucks! So, after months of writing, it's great to finally be in the studio tracking the new album. It's not rocket science...it's epic, it's brutal, it's fucking Skeletonwitch! We can't wait for everyone to hear it.
"We'd also like to officially welcome aboard our newest member Dustin Boltjes. He's a great fucking dude and an animal behind the kit. We couldn't have found a better fit. Welcome aboard, brother!"
15 years of Prophecy
2011-06-02
In June 1996, Prophecy Productions saw its first release: Empyrium's debut album "A Wintersunset...". Since then, 15 years have passed, and today, the name Prophecy Productions more than ever stands for a varied roster of artists and extraordinary "eerie emotional music" far from any genre's restrictions.
In order to celebrate this anniversary with the fans of our artists, in the next twelve months we are going to choose an 'artist of the week' every one or two weeks whose records and merchandise are going to be available from our online-shop at special rates for a limited period of time. Of course, we are going to start today with Empyrium (see below).
There is more to it than that, however. For next year, we are planning another extravagant label-related release, and we are also hoping to realise another Prophecy concert night that is bound to eclipse the 2006 festival. We will keep you informed about it all.
Black Skies forced to cancel tour dates
2011-06-02
North Carolina psychedelic sludge trio, BLACK SKIES, who kicked off a near-four-week U.S. tour last month were forced to cut their journey short due to a family emergency.
Said the band in a collective statement: "This has been BLACK SKIES' best tour to date. The shows have been consistently awesome and we have been well received everywhere. We owe huge thanks to all the promoters, venues, bands, friends and fans who aided in making this a successful tour. With heavy hearts, we regretfully have to cancel the rest of our tour so that one of our members can tend to a family emergency. The shows will still go on, so please go out and support Caltrop and Royal Thunder, two amazing live bands. We plan to make up any missed shows later in the Fall. More info to come as we find out. Thanks so much for your understanding and support!"
