German Thrash legends KREATOR return to BLOODSTOCK this year for their only UK show of 2011 on the RONNIE JAMES DIO stage. Alongside fellow countrymen Destruction and Sodom - both BLOODSTOCK veterans - KREATOR dominated the European Thrash scene of the mid 1980’s, working their way from the grimy streets of Essen to international acclaim. 30 years in the business has done nothing to soften the fearsome foursome, and we look forward to a furious set of thrash classics including “Pleasure To Kill”, “Betrayer”, “Tormentor” and “Extreme Aggression”.
Joining them will be black metal overlords 1349, who make their Bloodstock debut this summer. Something of a super-group, 1349 specialise in the super fast, raw metal blackness that their home country of Norway is notorious for. Formed from the ashes of Alvheim in 1997, 1349’s speed and technique took their music to a new level of intensity and brutality. With live sets famed for their raw aggression and evil atmospherics, the shadow that 1349 will cast over BLOODSTOCK this summer is one no fan of extreme music will object to standing in.
From neighbouring Sweden, true metal heroes WOLF return to BLOODSTOCK for some kick-ass honest, grab-you-in-the-nuts heavy metal. With five albums under their belts and a new one set for an April release, the Swedish powerhouse look forward to their third appearance at BLOODSTOCK for this exclusive festival appearance.
“ Bloodstock Open Air!!! Hell yeah we say. It’s an honour to return for the third time and as always; we’ll give you 666%. With the new album, ‘Legions of Bastards’ fresh outta hells mouth, we’ll be blasting you off the goddamn planet. Us included. See ya front row. - WOLF”
Next up, Rock’n’Roll dirtbags NEMHAIN return to deliver a dose of whiskey fuelled blues stained punk rock mayhem and have already started their preparations for BOA 2011:
“ Last time Nemhain played Bloodstock the sky turned black, Thor’s hammer sounded, and the mother of all storms descended just as we went on stage. That however, was nothing compared to the soaked and rabid crowd who came to be deafened during our set and join the Nemhainous afterparty!
We love Bloodstock and are honoured to be on the bill again and especially to be playing the S.O.P.H.I.E stage. In fact, we’re so excited , we’re packing already: Drums, Check, Guitars: Check, Jagermeister: Check, Alka Seltzer: Check, Dodgy blow-up doll: Check...”
Joining them Newcastle metallers DEF-CON-ONE will be joining the line up on the SOPHIE stage. Formed by ex-Venom drummer Antton, DC1 look forward to delivering a powerful set of groove crushing metal this August.
“All we can say is how excited we are to be playing Bloodstock and its gonna be an absolute honour to play the fest. Bloodstock always has killer bands on the bill and we can’t wait to be part of it.”
And finally we have Finnish death metallers SURVIVOR ZERO, who come to Bloodstock for the first time. Formed by noted Finnish Metal Producer and video director Sami Jamsen, the line up is completed buy other metal lifers who had paid their dues in Finnish heavy-weights as Finntroll, Deathchain, Impaled Nazarene and The Scourger. Describing their music “heavy death metal”, the band has always aimed for great songs instead of image, crushing live shows and straight up honesty in their music. Says the band:
“Survivors Zero is proud to have the chance to perform at Bloodstock, the greatest festival on the misty isles.”
All Shall Perish finishing new album
2011-02-07
California extreme metal band ALL SHALL PERISH are currently nearing completion of their fourth album and follow up to their 2008 release "Awaken the Dreamers".
Antigama enter studio
2011-02-07
ANTIGAMA recently entered Progresja Studio in Warsaw, Poland to record a handful of new tracks. The band recorded with Pawel Grabowski and the songs were mixed and produced by Szymon Czech. The new tracks will appear on an upcoming split CD with Italy’s Psychofagist. Additional information on the split will be made available shortly along with audio previews.
Additionally, ANTIGAMA has almost completed writing for a brand new full-length and follow-up album to 2009’s Warning. The band is set to record again with Szymon Czech in spring 2011.
2011 marks the 10th anniversary for ANTIGAMA. The band is planning a special anniversary show toward the end of the year along with a CD compilation of their 10-year recorded history.
Bloodiest to release debut album
2011-02-07
Chicago, IL's BLOODIEST will release its debut full-length, Descent, on March 29th in North America (April 4th internationally). Descent was recorded with engineer Sanford Parker at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studios in Chicago.
A Life Divided to support Apocalyptica
2011-02-07
Munich-based electronic rockers A LIFE DIVIDED have just released their new album "Passenger" (in stores since Janury 28th), which is the ultimate proof that electronic elements, heavy guitars and dark melancholy can melt perfectly.
After securing the support slot for the upcoming tour of former Nightwish vocalist TARJA, the band around singer Jürgen Plangger will additionally support APOCALYPTICA their upcoming tour:
22.02.2011 Ljubljana, Cvetlicarne
23.02.2011 Budapest, Petofi Hall
24.02.2011 Krakow, Studio
25.02.2011 Pilsn, Locomotiva
26.02.2011 Prague, Archa
27.02.2011 München, Zenith
28.02.2011 Stuttgart, Theaterhaus
01.03.2011 Frankfurt, Hugenottenhalle
Frostmoon Eclipse release new album
2011-02-07
Osmose Productions has released the new album from Black Metallers FROSTMOON ECLIPSE. “The End Stands Silent” is the band’s fifth album, and is released in both CD and vinyl formats. Track listing as follows:
1. Heaven Outside, Hell Within
2. I Am The Absence
3. Corridors
4. Under Pale City Lights
5. Unnatural Isolation
6. A Clandestine Freedom Between Shadows
7. The End Of Everything
With four previous full length albums as well as several limited edition releases and appearances on tribute albums to its name, FROSTMOON ECLIPSE is one of the longest serving Black Metal bands on the Italian scene. Formed in the autumn of 1994, the band has long been known for combining Old School Black Metal with acoustic interludes of haunting beauty, setting it apart from the usual fast and chaotic sound one would expect from the genre and creating an atmosphere all of its own. FROSTMOON ECLIPSE’s line up includes Claudio Alcara on guitars, Lorenzo Sassi on vocals, Gionata Potenti on drums and Davide Gorrini on bass.
FROSTMOON ECLIPSE is due to play live at Carlito’s Way, Retrobido (IT) on the 10th April.
U.D.O. complete new album
2011-02-07
German metal masters U.D.O. (the band around legendary former Accept members Udo Dirkschneider and Stefan Kaufmann) have just put finishing touches on the upcoming new album “REV-Raptor”, which will be released on May 20th. The recordings took place between June 2010 and February 2011 in the Roxx studios in Pulheim (whose owner is Stefan Kaufmann, the band´s guitarist), Germany.
Late 2010 saw U.D.O. stop the recordings and take a break, forced by the very same back injury that many years ago already ended Stefan Kaufmann´s drum career in ACCEPT. But now, fully healed and in good spirits again, Stefan was able to complete the recordings for “REV-Raptor” as planned.
The album's cover artwork will once again be a comic-like motif: but the known “Dominator” character this time comes along a lot more effectual und colorful.
“REV-Raptor” was mastered by Manfred Melchior in the MM Sound Digital studios in Steinhagen, Germany.
Next week U.D.O. will film two video clips in Nürnberg (Germany) and also the official “REV-Raptor” photo shooting will be completed.
Cipher System recording new album
2011-02-07
Swedish melodic death metallers CIPHER SYSTEM have uploaded the first videos from the recording of their sophomore album, "Communicate The Storms" which is believed to be among most melodic death metal fans top 3 albums of 2011.
Mixing will once again be handled by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg (Sweden) in the beginning of April.
No contract has yet been signed for the upcoming album so interested parties should get in contact with the band.
According to the band, "The music direction hasn't changed that much since [the release of 2004's debut, 'Central Tunnel Eight'], so it's still melodic death metal we are talking about." Song titles set to appear on the CD include "A Lesson Learned", "End My Path", "Forget To Forgive", "Objection", "The Failure Start" and "Project Life Collapse".
CIPHER SYSTEM is:
Carl Obbel - Vocals
Johan Eskilsson - Guitar (Ex Dead by April)
Andreas Allenmark - Guitar (Ex Anata)
Henric Carlsson – Bass (Ex Nightrage)
Emil Frisk - Drums
Peter Engström - Keyboards
Steele sign with Z Records
2011-02-07
Z Records are extremely pleased to announce the signing of LA Based melodic rockers STEELE. The band released a self titled debut via the now defunct Alfa Brunette label in Japan during 1996 copies of which now sell for three figure sums on ebay,they are that rare. After much searching Z Records finally located band leader Jeff Steele and a deal was inked during late January of this year. Head of Z Records Mark Alger explained "during 1996 Z's sister company was working for Kip Winger and a friend at the label he was signed to gave me a copy of Steele's debut to listen to. Driving back from London to Liverpool I thought wow why isn't this out over here. 15 years on Z Records will now unleash this fantastic album on the general public"
Lead Guitarist and band leader Jeff Steele added a few words................
"I'm really stoked and happy that Mark managed to hunt me down, and that these songs are going to get a second chance. Even better, this time 'STEELE' will be available to the whole world! Z Records knows this kind of music and knows the people who love it, so I'm really honoured to be part of this. I hope all you rockers out there will check out "STEELE" -- my friends and I put a lot of love and hard work into it, and I believe you'll find it worthy."
The bands album entitled "Tricks Up My Sleeve" will be released with two bonus tracks on May 3rd.
Gary Moore is dead
2011-02-07
February 6th 2011
"I am deeply saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Gary Moore while on holiday in Estepona, Spain.
I had the honor to know and work for him and I considered Gary a friend and not a client. I had spent some memorable moments playing guitar with Gary and I will truly miss his generous nature.
While there is nothing I can say that will ease his loss, I wanted you to know that he's gone but never forgotton and he always remains in our hearts."
Carlos Juan Carlos Amplification
New video from Whitechapel
2011-02-07
Knoxville, TN's WHITECHAPEL have given Blank TV the exclusive premier of their new live music video Breeding Violence, which was shot in Nashville, TN on January 8th with director Scott Hansen (Ill Nino, Willie Nelson, A Day to Remember, DWP, Bless the Fall, We Came As Romans). Fans can watch the new video right below.
And don't forget to catch WHITECHAPEL live as they tour across the US as headliners on the Welcome to Hell Tour. Joining WHITECHAPEL on the road is The Acacia Strain, Veil of Maya, Chelsea Grin, and I declare war. Fans can purchase tickets for the Welcome to Hell Tour now at the following location: http://whitechapelband.com. And don't forget to pick up the FREE official WHITECHAPEL iPod App that includes the band's latest music, videos, photos, news, and tour dates! Get your free WHITECHAPEL App at the iTunes store.
Last Chance To Reason set release date
2011-02-07
LAST CHANCE TO REASON have announced April 12, as the North American release date for their PROSTHETIC RECORDS' debut, "Level 2." The cover art can be seen above. The Augusta, Maine based, experimental prog-metal sextet will hit the road in February for their first Canadian run of dates and will then meet up with the legendary Atheist. The band will also be appearing at this year's New England Metal and Hardcore Festival in Worcester, MA on April 16th.
LAST CHANCE TO REASON teamed up with producer Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me) to create a modern take on the classic progressive concept album. Drawing influence from the 70's prog of King Crimson and Yes, composers Steve Reich and Schoenberg as well as prog-metal masters Opeth, Dream Theater and Cynic, LCTR's "Level 2" takes the band in awe-inspiring new directions.
Set in a Tron-like virtual world, the album's concept revolves around the relationship between man and technology, our move from physical reality to virtual spaces and what these changes mean to our lives and our art. The lyrics are expressed from the point of view of an artificial intelligence facing the violent reality of a videogame world.
Hour of 13 album out tomorrow
2011-02-07
THE RITUALIST, the latest album from North Carolina doom metallers HOUR OF 13 -- has been reissued on Earache Records and will be out tomorrow, February 8th in North America. THE RITUALIST has been fully updated and remastered and features eight tracks of occult-inspired, doom-laden metal.
The full track listing for THE RITUALIST is as follows:
01. The Gathering
02. The Ritualist
03. Naked Star
04. Demons All Around Me
05. Possession
06. Soldiers Of Satan
07. Evil Inside
08. The Crawlspace
Chrome Division finish new album
2011-02-04
Norwegian doomsday rock n rollers CHROME DIVISION featuring notorious DIMMU BORGIR singer Shagrath on guitar, just finished the work on the bands new album.
The yet untitled effort will contain the following tracks, among others: „Unholy Roller“, „Fight“, Zombies & Monsters“, „Bulldogs Unleashed“ and „Join The Ride“.
Furthermore the album will feature the first recordings of new vocalist Shady Blue (better known as Athera from SUSPERIA) who replaced Eddie Guz in 2009.
The third CHROME DIVISION release was recorded at Marius Strand Studio, Oslo and is set to be unleashed in the first half of 2011.
Evil Survives to release new album
2011-02-04
Following the release of their sophomore album Powerkiller, Canadian heavy metal heroes EVIL SURVIVES strike back with another entry in the HEAVY ARTILLERY RECORDS discography with a reissue of their debut Metal Vengeance. Available for the first time ever on CD and digital formats, Metal Vengeance was originally released by renowned Canadian vinyl-only metal label War On Music. Metal Vengeance will be re-released world wide on March 22nd 2011.
Based out Winnipeg, Manitoba EVIL SURVIVES first began spreading their metallic mayhem when the in the summer of 2006 Front man Karl “Axe n’ Smash” Warkentin and guitarist Adrian Riff began the arduous task of recruiting like minded metal heads. Finally after three months the search was complete and EVIL SURVIVES was born. By June 2008 EVIL SURVIVES made its first performance- by no coincidence...but fate! - outside of an Iron Maiden concert in their home town of Winnipeg . Less than a month later, EVIL SURVIVES entered the studio to record their debut full length album Metal Vengeance released exclusively on vinyl on War on Music.
On the heels of a growing renown, EVIL SURVIVES were right back in studio by the end of 2009 to record their second full length album, entitled Powerkiller, released by War on Music on vinyl and limited edition cassette. Mixed entirely in analog, the master reels contained over 40 minutes of driving NWOBHM worship, sounding like 1985-2009 never even happened. Powerkiller caught the attention of New York metal merchants HEAVY ARTILLERY RECORDS who will be released the album on CD and digitally on October 12th 2010.
Touring non-stop across Canada and beyond, EVIL SURVIVES quickly gained a reputation as a ripping live act, with piercing croons, guitar heroics, shotgun bass, and wild antics. Taking the torch from those who came before them, EVIL SURVIVES are positioned to become a leading force for the fight for the rightful return of Heavy Metal… and the execution of false metal everywhere.
Architects in the charts
2011-02-03
ARCHITECTS have landed on an amazing position #1 in the UK Rock Album Charts with their latest album “The Here And Now”. Also the album entered the official UK Album charts with a mid week position of #35 securing them a final 1st week at #57. It is another chapter in the band’s success story that was marked by UK daytime radio playlist for their latest single “Learn To Live”, cover stories for Metal Hammer (UK) and Fuze (Germany), as well as vocalist Sam Carter being part of the composite cover for Rock Sound UK, 9/10 Album Of The Month in Metal Hammer (UK), 8/10 Album Of The Month in Rock Sound (UK), 4K Lead Album Review in Kerrang! ( UK ), 4/5 Album Of The Month in Big Cheese (UK), Album Of The Month in Rock One ( France ) - just to mention a few.
Antje Lange, General Manager Century Media Records Europe: “We are very proud and happy that such a great young UK talent is charting in their home country and currently developing into one of the hottest UK bands. Britain has great talent indeed and it is fantastic to see that it is being embraced and gets the recognition it deserves."
The band has just been confirmed for UK ’s Sonisphere Festival (http://uk.sonispherefestivals.com) alongside rock and metal titans such as Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Biffy Clyro, Slipknot, Weezer, In Flames, and Mastodon.
Sam Carter (vocals) cannot wait: " UK festivals are always a massive deal for us, because it’s basically the biggest gathering of ARCHITECTS fans we can play to and this year it’s going to be special, because the line up for Sonisphere is INSANE. It’s also a big deal for us, because it'll be our first UK festival since our new record 'The Here And Now' came out and that record was built for festivals! We'll see everyone at Sonisphere 2011!!!"
ARCHITECTS are confirmed for the following summer festivals so far:
13.06.2011 (A) Nickelsdorf - Nova Rock
17.06.2011 (F) Clisson - Hellfest
24.06.2011 (CH) Basel - Sonisphere
26.06.2011 (B) Dessel - Graspop
09.07.2011 ( UK ) Knebworth - Sonisphere
Believer complete new album
2011-02-03
"We're pleased to announce that mixing and mastering for the upcoming album is complete. We decided early on in project that we wanted an outside person to mix the record so we could spend more time writing and recording. Kevin Leaman (BELIEVER guitarist) recommended Kevin Gutierrez from Assembly Line Studios for mixing this record. Leaman had worked with Gutierrez previously and said that he was really easy to work with. From the first telephone conversation it was clear that Gutierrez understood exactly what we were looking for sonically and he seemed really interested in helping us achieve that.
We let Kevin know we wanted this album to sound very musical; not just be heavy. We wanted to use the whole frequency range and not have all the mids scooped out so that everything going on in the tunes was audible. Most importantly, we wanted to keep the dynamics. We were a little nervous about not being there physically for the mix, but we spent so much time tweaking in the sounds for tracking that we were confident he had good stuff to work with. The rough mixes we made for ourselves already sounded pretty decent.
Kevin was fast and efficient. He'd send us reference mixes as he completed each song and we'd be emailing/texting comments back and forth at all hours of the day and night. He was very responsive to our change requests and was really helpful in setting up the mastering session and communicating what we wanted to Maor Appelbaum of Maor Appelbaum Mastering.
Maor also understood what we were trying to achieve with the dynamics and the overall listening experience we wanted to create on this album.
Sonically we're extremely happy with this album and can't wait for other people to hear it. We feel like this is a really strong and unique album in the BELIEVER catalog and it's something we're definitely proud of.
So what will you hear? As we mentioned, we focused more on the overall musicality which included more instrumental layers than we used before. The vocals were also more of a focus as we have had much feedback throughout the years, specifically to get out of the one dimensional realm. Kurt wanted the vocals to be more complimentary to the overall tune feel, so he used many facets of his vocal abilities. As with all Believer albums, this one is definitely unique."
Stay tuned to MetalBlade.com for more information on Believer's upcoming album including album title & artwork, tracklisting, pre-orders, music, and videos.
Believer is:
Kurt Bachman - guitars/vocals
Joey Daub - drums
Jeff King - keyboards/guitars
Kevin Leaman - guitars
Cerebral Bore confirmed for Neurotic
2011-02-03
Scottish death metallers CEREBRAL BORE have been confirmed to play at this year's Neurotic Deathfest, which takes place on April 29th and 30th in Tilburg, the Netherlands.
Neurotic Deathfest is one of the most popular death metal festivals in Europe and attracts fans from far and wide with its world class extreme metal acts.
CEREBRAL BORE have been added to the already-impressive bill, which includes such legendary names as AT THE GATES, AUTOPSY, OBITUARY, HATE ETERNAL, DECAPITATED and many more.
Cruachan to release new album in April
2011-02-03
CRUACHAN - Ireland's CRUACHAN are set to reignite the Pagan metal flame with the release of their new album, Blood on the Black Robe. Set for release April 19, it is the band's first new album in nearly four years. Founder/vocalist Keith Fay noted, “we are reborn,” on signing with Candlelight early August of 2010. “Returning to our musical roots, we hope to stamp our mark on what we started but also spearhead its revival.” Blood on the Black Robe is a more urgent and darker recording. It features eleven new songs that both old and new fans can embrace. It features guest performance from former vocalist Karen Gilligan.
Zyklon history set out now
2011-02-03
ZYKLON - The career-spanning 3-CD set, Storm Manifesto, is now in North American stores. Over the course of their three solid recordings, Norway’s ZYKLON impressed metal fans worldwide. Formed in 1998 by then-Emperor guitarist Samoth and drummer Trym Torsten (the duo teaming with Secthdamon and Destructor of Myrskog; Daemon from Limbonic Art appeared on one album), ZYKLON quickly and permanently made a lasting mark on extreme metal. Storm Manifesto features previously unavailable material.
