Metallian Heavy

Give Praise Records has issued ROT’s Old Dirty Grindcores 2007-1991 compilation album, which the label believes includes all the studio work of the Brazilian grind band. The label has also issued the Canadian band GOJIRA’s Don’t Fear The Cookie Monster 7”. The ‘90s band played power violence.

German black metal band OLD PAGAN has an album called Ogdrun Jarhar through Symbol Of Domination.

Ukrainian band REABILITATOR’s Global Degeneration album has been re​-​released through Symbol Of Domination. The band plays thrash metal. The label has also issued FIMBULVINTER’s Ancient Spell’s Inscribed Cuts album. The band hails from Russia.

Baltimore, Maryland-based sludge/grind band MUSKET HAWK will release its sophomore full-length, Desolate, later this spring through Unholy Anarchy Records.

To commemorate the band’s 25th anniversary AVULSED will issue a double-album called Deathgeneration this autumn, which will feature the band’s best works on disc two and rerecordings with guest singers on the first. Guests include Mark “Barney” Greenway (NAPALM DEATH), Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES), Antti Boman (DEMILICH), Sven De Caluwé (ABORTED), Per Böder (GOD MACABRE), Chris Reifert (AUTOPSY) and others.

Germany’s DAWN OF DISEASE has signed with Napalm Records. The band’s next album is called Worship The Grave and will be released on June 24th.

Rome, Italy-based technical and industrial-influenced death metal band DECEPTIONIST has signed with Unique Leader Records. The label shall release the band’s Initializing Irreversible Process debut album late this spring.

COFFIN DUST, which features former EXHUMED bassist Matt Slime, will release its Everything Is Dead full-length through Unholy Anarchy Records this May.

Switzerland’s black metal band BLAKK OLD BLOOD has a 12″ MLP for Clavis Secretorvm entitled Greed. The band was founded in 2012. Clavis Secretorvm also has a split 7″ with BLAKK OLD BLOOD and the United States’ BLACK DEVOTION.

Metal Scrap Records has issued the new album by DRUKNROLL. The Russians’ latest is called In The Game.

The debut full-length album from Italian “raw funeral death metal project” FUNERAL OF GOD is out through Merdumgiriz Records. It is called Of Doom & Despair.

Swiss death metal band OMOPHAGIA will release its In The Name Of Chaos full-length through Unique Leader Records on April 15th.

Northern Germany’s metal duo MANTAR has its forthcoming album, Ode To The Flame, out on April 15th through Nuclear Blast.

Swedish solo death metal act EXTERMINATION TEMPLE has an independent 7” EP called Lifeless Forms.

STORTREGN has signed a deal with Non Serviam Records for the upcoming Singularity album. The album, featuring several international musicians, will be published on May 27th.

BLACK SHAPE OF NEXUS will release its Carrier 2 x LP on March 18th through Exile On Mainstream.

Selfmadegod Records has signed Italian death metal/grindcore act HAEMOPHAGUS for the release of the band’s third full-length Stream Of Shadows in the summer.

MEMORIAM is a new UK-based project playing death metal and composing new material. The band features singer Karl Willets (BOLT THROWER), guitarist Scott Fairfax (CEREBRAL FIX), bassist Frank Healy (BENEDICTION and CEREBRAL FIX) and drummer Andy Whale (BOLT THROWER).

Blackened death metal band RIMFROST’s self-titled album is available through Non Serviam Records. The band features current and former members of WHEN NOTHING REMAINS, THE COLD EXISTENCE, NOX AUREA, etc.

Harsh Conditions, the second full-length from Arizona doom act VIA VENGEANCE, is out through Battleground Records.

Massachusetts-based death metal band ABNORMALITY will release its new album, Mechanisms Of Omniscience, on April 29th through Metal Blade.

ASSASSIN will release a new album, called Combat Cathedral, on May 20th through SPV.

Half a dozen years after the last full-length DARK FUNERAL will release a new album, called Where Shadows Forever Reign, on June 3rd through Century Media.

Norwegian black metal pioneers MAYHEM will be joined by singer Sven Erik “Maniac” Kristensen for a show at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival, which will take place June 8th-11th in Sölvesborg, Sweden. Mannheim, Messiah and Maniac were also part of the band at the Inferno Festival in Oslo, Norway on March 26th.

Non Serviam Records will issue DARKEND‘s The Canticle Of Shadows on April 25th. The band features Attila Csihar (MAYHEM), Niklas Kvarforth (SHINING), Sakis Tolis (ROTTING CHRIST) and Labes C.N. (ABYSMAL GRIEF).

KATALEPSY’s Gravenous Hour album is out this May through Unique Leader. The Russian band was formed in 2004.

EMBRYO is continuing the promotion of its self-titled album, which released on February 10th through logic(il)logic Records, through shows in Europe. The band is, among others, sharing the stage with NILE and MELECHESH.

Guitarist Alex Hellid and L.G. Petrov of ENTOMBED have been involved in a legal battle over the ENTOMBED name for several years. Petrov won the right to use the monicker and subsequently has released an album and toured as ENTOMBED AD despite Hellid’s objection. The guitarist has now registered the name ENTOMBED and has started a beverage business called Entombed with the Swedish patent office’s approval.

DIAGNOSIS’ album Sympathy For Disease is out now through Db Metal recording. The band hails from Mexico.

SLAYER and EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt has a custom ESP guitar, which was designed with Holt’s own blood by Vincent Castiglia. The prototype is not going into production.

The reunited original trio line-up of EXCITER (drummer/vocalist Dan Beehler, guitarist John Ricci and bassist Allan Johnson) performed on March 18th at Foufounes Électriques in Montreal, Canada. PILEDRIVER opened for EXCITER.

NYC-based death metal duo GERYON – formed by KRALLICE bassist Nicholas McMaster and drummer Lev Weinstein – has partnered with Profound Lore Records for the impending The Wound And The Bow album.

German black/death metal band BLOODRED is issuing a demo this month called Nemesis.

Bassist and singer Jeff Walker of CARCASS broke a bone in his left foot on March 19th as the band was about to give a concert in Seattle, Washington, USA. The man is continuing on the road. CARCASS is opening for SLAYER and TESTAMENT.

Ephemeral is the impending new long player from Ventura, California-based technical death metal band, INHERIT DISEASE. It is the follow-up to 2010’s Visceral Transcendence and was recorded at Seahorse Sound Studio by Samur Khouja (CONDEMNED, ARKAIK and FLESH CONSUMED).

Speed metal band RABID FLESH EATERS has a demo called Reign Of Terror. It was produced by the late Mike Scaccia (RIGOR MORTIS and MINISTRY), a long-time friend of the band, and features a guitar solo by Scaccia on opening track, Lycanthrope.

Inspired by KEEL? DEMOLITION HAMMER has reformed and scheduled a concert for Friday, June 17th at St. Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, New York. The band is original members Steve Reynolds (vocals and bass) and guitarists James Reilly and Derek Sykes. New to the line-up is drummer Angel Cotte (IMMORTAL FLESH, EYES LIKE CYANIDE, etc.). The band will appear at The Maryland Deathfest on May 29th.

AMON AMARTH has recruited Jocke Wallgren (OCTOBER TIDE, VALKYRJA) to play drums on its upcoming tours.

AKEM MANAH’s Demons Of The Sabbat is out through Possession Productions. Featuring ex-WHITE ZOMBIE drummer Ivan De Prume and ex-NILE bassist Chris Lollis, supporting guitarist/vocalist and founder member Dead Nedry, DEMONS OF THE SABBAT, blends doom with death.

Solipsist, the debut full-length from Los Angeles death metal band THE ZENITH PASSAGE is now out through Unique Leader.

HELLEBORUS, founded by brothers Jerred and Wyatt Houseman, will issue their debut album The Carnal Sabbath through Satanth Records (Russia) and Black Plague Records (USA) on June 17th, 2016. The band is playing several shows in Colorado.


Metallian Hard

Toronto, Canada heavy metal trio BLACK ABSINTHE has a debut demo called Early Signs Of Denial. It was produced by Dave Baksh.

VICIOUS RUMORS has picked Concussion Protocol as the title for its next album, which is due this August through SPV/Steamhammer.

MOTÖRHEAD's November 20 and November 21st, 2015 concerts at the Zenith in Munich, Germany shall be released this May through UDR as the Clean Your Clock CD and video.

Guitarist Martin Henriksson has left DARK TRANQUILLITY citing the loss of the passion to play music.

American hard rock band CRASH MIDNIGHT has announced a record deal with London-based Musicarchy Media for the release of Lost In The City in Europe and Asia.

OMNIKAGE’s debut album will be called Acceptance. It is out on Art Gates Records next month.

Kazakhstan’s HOLY DRAGONS returns with their fourteenth album, two years after the last offering Dragon Inferno. Civilizator will be out on April 15th through Pitch Black Records.

MALAMORTE based in Rome is the side-project of Alex Nunziati (LORD VAMPYR, CAIN, NAILED GOD, SHADOWSREIGN, SEPOLCRUM, VII ARCANO and THEATRES DES VAMPIRES). The act has an album called Devilish Illusions through Satanath Records. The label has also issued BESTIAL DEFORM ...Ad Leones album, which is described as death metal.

FORKLIFT ELEVATOR has signed with logic(il)logic Records to release its EP Killerself, featuring 6 tracks of groove metal! The release date for the album is late spring.

Laser's Edge Sensory Records division has announced the label's signing of Swedish progressive metal band WOLVERINE for the summer release of the band's fifth studio full-length release, Machina Viva.

Spain’s ICARUS DREAM has a demo called Renace (‘Reborns’).

Former IRON MAIDEN/KILLERS singer Paul Di'Anno performed at a NWOBHM symposium in Tokai, Japan sitting on a wheelchair. The singer has blamed osteoporosis and a lack of ligament on his condition. He is due for a surgery following years of pain.

AC/DC has been forced to officially postpone the ten remaining dates on the U.S.A. leg of its Rock Or Bust tour as of March 8th. Singer Brian Johnson has been told by his physician to either immediately cease giving concerts or risk a total hearing loss. Original singer Dave Evans has thrown his hat in the ring offering to return to the boogie metal act citing fan demand. It is being rumoured that AC/DC has already replaced Johnson despite the singer’s intention to continue as soon as possible.

GUNS N’ ROSES has announced a 21-date tour of North America although not all cities’ dates or venues are yet known. THE CULT will open select shows. Former drummer Matt Sorum had also played in THE CULT. A rumour has it that Axl is also replacing Brian Johnson in AC/DC and has been part of rehearsals in Atlanta, USA. In the meantime, the band played a one-off show at the Troubadour club in Los Angeles.

EMP Label Group, the label founded by MEGADETH’s David Ellefson, has announced the formation of EMP Underground imprint, which will issue music with less publicity and support. Coming on the label are HELSTAR, which will release a debut single Black Cathedral through the label on April 9th from the upcoming LP Vampiro, a continuation of the 1989 Metal Blade release Nosferatu, and a couple of poppy and mallcore records.

Portugal's heavy rock band MISS LAVA returns in 2016 with Sonic Debris, its new album, which is set for release on May 20th, 2016 worldwide through Small Stone Records.

Inferno Records is issuing DEJA VU’s Ejected album on April 15th. The German band is compared to JUDAS PRIEST and ACCEPT. The label is also issuing LEGIONS OF WAR’s Honour To The Past’s album.

Following the 2015 full-length debut, Savage Land, DEATH copy band GRUESOME - featuring current and former members of EXHUMED, POSSESSED, MALEVOLENT CREATION and DERKETA - returns in 2016 with a new EP entitled Dimensions Of Horror. It is produced by the band and co-produced and recorded by Jarrett Pritchard at New Constellation RMP Studio in Orlando, Florida.

Doom-tinged metal band CASTLE has announced the release of its fourth full-length through Ván Records this summer. Entitled Welcome To The Graveyard, it is the follow-up to 2014's Under Siege.

Bulgarian occult metal band GHOST WARFARE has an album called Dusk Reloaded out through Art Gates Records this May.

American band VISIGOTH is touring USA in support of NIGHT DEMON. VISIGOTH is supporting it’s the Revenant king album.

Drummer Tom Hane has left IN THIS MOMENT citing creative differences with the rest of the group.

Italian heavy metal group VANEXA will issue a new studio album Too Heavy to Fly in digipack CD version through Punishment 18 Records with the vinyl version to be handled by Black Widow Records.

Former ANGEL man Punky Meadows will release his debut solo album, Fallen Angel, on May 20th through Main Man Records.

California, USA’s BRUTE FORCZ, featuring two former wrestlers, has signed to Slip Trick Records and will issue its self-titled album Brute Forcz featuring Rowan Robertson (Ex-DIO) on guitar. The album was engineered and produced by Bill Metoyer.

The Danish heavy metal band STEEL INFERNO will release its debut full-length album Aesthetics Of Decay on CD through Infernö Records. The LP and MC versions will be released by Deadbangers Productions in Denmark.

BOOZE CONTROL has signed to Infernö Records and will release the band's new studio album, The Lizard Rider. The album will be out on April 15th.

Talking to USofA gossip website TMZ GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall says that his band has "never" used pyrotechnics and insists that the group that played the 2003 show in Rhode Island that claimed 100 lives was not really GREAT WHITE.

Pitch Black Records has announced that Canada’s GYPSY CHIEF GOLIATH has a new album out this month. It is called Citizens Of Nowhere.

After once being censored by white metal band MEGADETH, ROTTING CHRIST will reportedly appear in South Africa this July under an assumed name in order to slip under the radar of religious protesters. The band is booked in Johannesburg on July 1 and Cape Town on the 2nd.

Belgian heavy metal band AFTER ALL has signed with NoiseArt Records. The band's next full-length album, Waves Of Annihilation, will be released on June 10th. The album was produced by Dan Swanö.

I Can Do Without Love is the first solo album by RIKARD ZANDER, the keyboard player for the Swedish metal band EVERGREY. It is out through ZR/Border Music.

MADNESS OF SORROW has recruited singer Prophet. Muriel Saracino has decided to focus on the song writing and band management after three records, whilst also taking care of the guitars. The band is also looking for a new bassist.

American Pagan metal band HELSOTT has recruited guitarist Mike Pardi (POSSESSED/DRACONIS) for both live work and the upcoming recording for the follow-up to 2014's debut album Woven, where Pardi was a guest vocalist for the track Cessation.

Canadian label Test Your Metal Records has announced it will be releasing Brazilian singer and composer EDU FALASCHI's (ALMAH, ex-ANGRA) solo debut album Moonlight on May 20th for North America.

Finnish progressive metal quartet ODDLAND has signed with New Jersey-based Sensory Records for the impending release of the band's next album, Origin.

Inspired by KEEL? Reunited NWOBHM band VARDIS will release a new album, called Red Eye, on May 20th through SPV/Steamhammer.

TOKYO BLADE has recruited not one, but two former vocalists, Vick Wright (1984-1985) and Chris Gillen (2008-2010 and 2015) of OVERLOADED to rejoin the act for touring. Gillen, who is in the USA, will play US shows. Wright will front the band in Europe.

While awaiting the reunion of BLACK SABBATH, which played its latest final shows last month, guitarist Tony Iommi is looking to record new material with former singer Tony Martin.

Former BUDGIE guitarist John Thomas died at the age of 63 on March 3rd.

Former SCORPIONS guitarist Uli Jon Roth is releasing a concert DVD entitled Tokyo Tapes Revisited as the follow-up to his 2015 double album Scorpions Revisited. The new DVD was recorded in Budokan in Tokyo where SCORPIONS taped their Tokyo Tapes in 1977.

The German band DÉJÀ VU has a new album entitled Ejected through Inferno Records.

Italy’s CREEP has signed a worldwide deal with Sliptrick Records and will issue an album called Innerland this month. It was produced at Magnitude Studio by Matteo Magni of RHYME.

Laser's Edge metal division, Sensory Records, has signed New York City-based progressive quintet INFINITE SPECTRUM for the summer release of the band's sophomore album, Haunter Of The Dark.

Toronto, Canada-based OPERUS, which plays classical influenced metal, is the brainchild of band founder Oscar Rangel. The band has a four-track debut demo called Opus I since November of 2015. The band is opening for SONATA ARCTICA's Toronto tour date on March 31st.

Cleopatra Records is issuing a vintage and unreleased live set by former RAINBOW singer JOE LYNN TURNER entitled Street Of Dreams - Boston 1985. It was recorded when Turner was touring in support of his debut solo album Rescue You and features several RAINBOW songs.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and SAVATAGE guitarist Chris Caffery will fill in for METAL CHURCH's Rick Van Zandt on the white metal act’s current U.S. tour. Van Zandt is undergoing an eye surgery for a detached retina.

TIGERTAILZ will release a new full-length, Blast, on April 25th. The CD will feature the song Pipped It Popped It, which was written for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS’ new album Havoc will be released on March 18th through Frontiers Music.

Dark Essence Records has signed Norwegian alt-metal band MADDER MORTEM. The band's next album is entitled Red In Tooth And Claw and out this year.

In the US presidential elections the endorsement of MEGADETH’s Dave Mustaine of Christian evangelical candidate Santorum leads to no results.

Relapse has issued GRAVES AT SEA’s The Curse That Is debut full-length from the Portland doom band.

NEVERWORLD’s Dreamsnatcher album is now out through Dream Demon Recordings. The band is compared to JUDAS PRIEST.

Swedish hard rockers SHOTGUN will release a new live demo called Live - Down Decadencia Drive on May 7th through Livewire/Cargo Records. The band is described as a “rocking new half breed of the original SHOTGUN MESSIAH.” The live album features all the songs from SHOTGUN MESSIAH’s first album.

One-time BLUE MURDER keyboardist Nik Green died last month due to cancer. BLUE MURDER bassist Tony Franklin called the man "a gentle soul and huge talent" on Twitter.

ADRENALINE MOB guitarist Mike Orlando has joined Brazilian band NOCTURNALL featuring former ANGRA drummer Aquiles Priester.

CHICKENFOOT is playing two reunion shows this May in the USA.

KATATONIA will release will release its next album, The Fall Of Hearts, on May 20th through Peaceville. It is the follow-up to 2012's Dead End Kings.

American hard rock band SCARS OF GRACE has a new demo. It is called The January Man and will be out on May 6th.

DIAMOND HEAD will release its first original album in eight years on April 22nd. The self-titled record features singer Rasmus Bom Andersen.

Lizzy Borden of the band LIZZY BORDEN has signed a solo contract with Metal Blade Records. The man’s band has been releasing album on the American label as well.

LEE ARRON’s Fire And Gasoline album will be released on March 25th. The band is going to tour Europe this summer.

Whether Ted Nugent, Dave Mustaine, Gene Simmons or any old fat rich douche some chickenhawk has surely delivered some mouth fart this month.


Metallian Demos

DETONATOR - THE BURNING INFERNO
The Burning Inferno is Detonator's second EP. The Swedish quartet (minus a drummer to be recruited) has also released two full albums, most recently 2012's The Fragile Thought. In Vertigo is the first of the six songs here; it starts promisingly with a thrashy riff. As the band openly claim they are influenced by ‘80s and ‘90s thrash metal. The ‘90s, or at least the non ‘80s part, features clean backing vocals that appear briefly in the opener. Treating The Threat contains heavy thrashy riffs and the guitar production and sound help the band's cause. Slayer influences are never far behind with bands like Detonator but the vocals of Viktor Sheffield don't belong to that category. Cyanotic is somewhat of a departure of anything belonging to the ‘80s and features a few start-stop breaks and perhaps a tinge of industrial. In Awe They Come is also a more modern or different song but one that features heavy metal riffs more than anything thrashy. Ikaros perhaps highlights the contrast between the vocals and the music. The two are not the best fit at times. Captured starts heavy and thrashy but pulls it back soon after. Detonator may appeal to thrash metal fans as the band seems to hope, but The Burning Inferno is by no means an all-out thrash EP. Check the band at www.facebook.com/detonatorsweden. – Anna Tergel

P2TEN - WORLDS APART
Worlds Apart is one of many releases by the prolific UK one-man band. Paul McCameron's bandcamp features 12 releases with the man himself handling all from guitars to programming and production. Worlds Apart is eight songs and 30 minutes. Paul jams with his guitar and bass and succeeds in creating songs that have structure and remain heavy. The title track opens this up and remains mostly constant. Spin is the same. Dreamscape is even more straightforward with fewer riffs. End Of Empire is livelier and more enjoyable albeit with programming always in the background. Silence is heavier and makes a bigger impact. The Great Divide continues his experimentation without losing its effectiveness; there is no sign of a pointless acoustic segment or slowing down for the sake of it. Lost Days keeps up the momentum with a loud and solid production. Soul closes the album and it is its longest at just over five minutes, not too surprisingly it is a somewhat experimental, ambient and acoustic one. Find the man at www.p2ten.com – Anna Tergel

P2TEN - NEW FIRE
The Birmingham, UK man's all instrumental work is a nine-song affair on New Fire. Paul McCameron's work is almost 34 minutes’ worth of music. The production and sound seems cleaner here, as compared to Worlds Apart released months before it. Descent Into Darkness has a good tempo and is a solid instrumental with a good solo too. The title track manages the same. The songs seem to have a clearer heavy metal influence on New Fire. Dawn Of Hope is one example with riffing not unlike any guitar oriented melodic heavy metal band. Red Sky is a 4:44 long intermission. Gone Too Long can be classified as a ballad. Rise is a good title and song to follow up a ballad. Goodbye Fear is a speedy shorter song. Bleed Again is mid paced and generic. The Fight Inside features heavier riffs and closes the album with another short song. Variety is not necessarily a noun one can attribute to Paul McCameron's music but it is neither needed nor always welcome. Plenty to listen to at p2ten.bandcamp.com. – Anna Tergel