Metallian Heavy

Canada-based thrash metal group TYMO has signed with Spiritual Beast for the Japanese release of The Art Of A Maniac album. The full-length is slated for release in Japan on February 16th and will include two exclusive tracks.

Canada-based CHASMDWELLER has announced a reissue of its second album Bacterial Lotus for this month. Originally released as a CDR by Life After Death and limited to 100 copies this CD will have a proper CD re-issue on Dawnbreed Records/Life After Death as a digipak.

TRAUMA has a new album and it is called Awakening. It is expected later this year. This release features singer Brian Allen who replaces Donny Hillier. TRAUMA, ROSS THE BOSS and RAM are touring Europe in May.

Slovakia-based STERCORE has an album called The Death Head through Gothoom Productions. There is a lyric video for the song ManKind.

HYPOCRISY will embark on the Worship tour of Canada and the USA with CARACH ANGREN, THE AGONIST and HIDEOUS DIVINITY this April and May.

HIDEOUS DIVINITY’s latest EP LV-426 is available as a 10″ vinyl now. Licensed by Century Media and limited to 150 ‘acid blood’ coloured copies and 350 regular black copies, the EP is conceptually a sub-narrative of the second Alien movie, which was directed by James Cameron.

HYSTE’RIAH has a new CD and it is called Badassery. It featured 15 minutes of music during the course of ten tracks.

California, USA-based death metal trio DARKNESS EVERYWHERE shall release its debut EP, The Seventh Circle, through Creator-Destructor Records in late February.

After nearly a decade of silence, French underground black metal band HELL MILITIA has returned with a new album, entitled Hollow Void, now. The first song of the new record is called Dust Of Time and streaming now.

Sleaszy Rider has issued BULLET-PROOF’s album Cell XIX on 14.01.2022. Andrea Demasi has replaced Max Pinkle on guitar.

Japan-based thrash metal group SURVIVE has a forthcoming live record. Live At Death Valley is set to be released this spring through Pest Records on Jewel-case CD format and will feature eight tracks plus four bonus cuts. The band is managed by Kimmo Kuusniemi who is SARCOFAGUS’ guitarist.

783punx Tape Pizza boxset series will issue the Mortal album by Bay Area death metal/punk trio NECROT next. Recorded and originally released by Tankcrimes Records in 2020, the follow-up to the band’s Blood Offerings received the cassette treatment on 28.01.2022.

TRISKELYON is a Canada-based melodic thrash metal project created by Geoff Waye, guitarist for ARTACH and CATEGORY VI. Conceived in late 2021 as a studio-only project, the band’s self-titled demo is out now. There is a lyric video for the song Hunger. TRISKELYON features the contributions of vocalists Pete Healey and Marlee Ryley (HYPERIA) along with drum programming by Raul Marques (BURNING TORMENT).

Australia-based THRAXAS!, which combines thrash metal with crossover and mallcore, has a demo called Planetary Terrorism.

TESTAMENT and drummer Gene Hoglan have parted ways after 10 years of steady collaboration. He had also played on the Demonic album of 1997. Both parties assert that scheduling was the reason for the split.

More than a decade following the release of its demo, Italy and Germany-based death metallers HUMATOR are releasing an album called Curse Of The Pharaoh. The band has recently signed to Time To Kill Records and the album will see release on February 28th.

Finland-based noise black metal act VAINA will issue a new mini-album, entitled Futue Te Ipsum, which is due through Aesthetic Death on March 4th. The band claims the direction for the release was set at its first and only show where it decided to play its Viisikärki album as unrehearsed noise.

Mythic Panda Productions has signed white metal band A HILL TO DIE UPON. The band is expected to release an album this year.

RITUAL NECROMANCY has returned after five years and will have a split single with FOSSILIZATION through Everlasting Spew in late February.

Every band is now “post” something: Loud Rage is issuing Romania-based KULTIKA’s Capricorn Wolves album.

Spain-based death metal band MAINBRAIN is issuing a demo called Jawbreaker on 11.02.2022. The band’s lyrics are socially conscious per the press release.

The Netherlands-based VULCAN TYRANT has a full-length called Vulcanocide through Horror Pain Gore Death. The band is compared to RAZOR and BATHORY.

ATRIUM NOCTIS commemorates its 20th anniversary with a demo of re-recordings. The self-cover version album is self-titled and out this month.

The North American Siege 2022 featuring ARCH ENEMY and BEHEMOTH plus guests NAPALM DEATH and UNTO OTHERS will wind its way through Canada and the USA this April and May. ARCH ENEMY will release a new album, called Deceivers, through Century Media Records in July.

DEICIDE has picked up guitarist Taylor Nordberg (THE ABSENCE and INHUMAN CONDITION) to replace Chris Cannella who had joined the band in 2019.

The Chaos & Carnage tour’s 2022 iteration features co-headliners SUICIDE SILENCE and CARNIFEX as well as LORNA SHORE, UPON A BURNING BODY, ANGELMAKER and DISTANT. The tour runs through the USA in May and June.

PROFANITY has a play-through video for Ceremony Of The Rotten. The song features SUFFOCATION‘s Terrance Hobbs on lead guitar and is taken from the band’s latest, Fragments Of Solace.

SUFFOCATION and ATHEIST have announced the Forces Of Hostility – North American Tour 2022 beginning this April. The band swings through the Maryland Deathfest. Openers for the tour are SOREPTION and CONTRARIAN in the USA and the former in Canada.

DEVIL’S FORCE, the solo project of Pierre Törnkvist (HELLTRAIN) has released a new single entitled Watchers Of The Holy Night. The track features drumming by Perra Karlsson (ex-DESTROYER 666, ex- BENEDICTION, IN AETERNUM, NOMINON, etc.).

Death/black metal band ANTHROPOVORE has signed with Music-Records for the release of a new album, which is scheduled for May 13th. The band features a member from MUERTISSIMA, which is also signed to the label. ANTHROPOVORE is compared to GORGOROTH and MARDUK.

SATANIC CORPSE’s Belial is being re-issued on CD by Propaganda of Ukraine in March.

FALL OF STASIS from Montreal, Canada is issuing its first full-length on February 25th. The Chronophagist was produced by Chris Donaldson of CRYPTOPSY. The band mixes heavy growling with pop music.

Avantgarde Music has several new releases. Canada-based VASTATUM has an album called Mercurial States Of Revelation. The band features Wraith (VANQUISHED) and Luzifaust (KAFIRUN and HOSTIUM). Italy-based A PALE DECEMBER mixes ambient music with extreme interludes. Its album is called Death Panacea. SYVYJ YAR’s Golden Threads is described as black metal and neofolk from Russia.

GRAFVITNIR’s album is called Death’s Wings Widespread and is black metal from Sweden. YSYRY MOLLVÜN’s self-titled record is black metal from Argentina.

SLOB has an album called Deepwoods Shack Of Sodomy through Comatose Music on March 4th. The band was founded by Ross Honour (guitar) and James Murphy (guitar/vocals/drum programming) in 2013.

California, USA-based HELSOTT are beginning 2022 with a single and the title track to the forthcoming concept album Will And The Witch, which is mixed and mastered by J-F Dagenais (KATAKLYSM). It is being released through M-Theory Audio this spring. The band proudly proclaims the album to be diverse and feature thrash metal, heavy metal, banjos and campfire strumming!

GOJIRA has postponed the first leg of its European tour “due to the current COVID restrictions” across Europe. The tour was due to kick off on 17.01.2022.

Vile Tapes will release BLUDGEONED’S Summary Execution EP on February 10th. The USA-based death metal trio is comprised of Jonathan Huber (I DECLARE WAR, PATHOLOGY, WHITECHAPEL, etc.), guitarist Sean May (COVIDECTOMY) and the newest member so-called YouTube sensation Nikhil Talwalkar (ANAL STABWOUND, ENGULFED IN REPUGNANCE, etc.). TRAUMATOMY guitarist Constantine Chevardin has signed BLUDGEONED to his Vile Tapes label.

MESHUGGAH will release a new album, called Immutable, through Atomic Fire Records. The album follows its predecessor The Violent Sleep Of Reason by six years. The Abysmal Eye is the title for an advance single.

Time To Kill Records has signed Italian thrashers VIOLENTOR. The band is currently writing and recording new material, which will be released in 2022. The band was founded in 2004 and is Ale – vocals and guitar, Gigi – bass and drummer Micha.

Season Of Mist has signed Portugal death/doom duo OAK, featuring band members of label-mates GAEREA. The band will release its new second full-length later this year.

Time To Kill Records has signed Italy-based black metallers FERALIA. Under Stige/Over Dianam will be released through Time To Kill Records in the spring.

OLAMOT the studio project created by the minds of Daniele Boccali (FICTIO SOLEMNIS and ex-DISEQUILIBRIUM) and Edoardo Casini (DESOURCE, XENOFACTION and solo artist) will issue Realms, the first chapter of a series of albums which tell the story of Raziel, a human-entity who through a pact with the Devil seeks to become a God himself through ceremonial magic and human sacrifices. The four-track EP will be issued through Lethal Scissors Records.

FERNANDO ARTEAGA (formerly of HOLLOW HUMANITY), EFYD and FRAGMENTUM are touring Eastern Europe this month.

CEREBRAL INCUBATION re-issues Fermenting Cranial Inebriating Fluids EP of last November through Brutal Mind.

USA-based groups and label-mates CEREBRAL ROT and GRAVESEND are on a mini-tour for the USA in late March.

Canada-based WAKE, END, PORTRAYAL OF GUILT and YASHIRA have a North American tour this March. WAKE is on Metal Blade now.

MACHINE HEAD-influenced INCITE has signed a contract with Atomic Fire Records. An album called Wake Up Dead is out on March 25th. The band was recommended by mallcore musician Dez Fafara of DEVILDRIVER who also manages JINJER and CRADLE OF FILTH.

Metal Scrap Records has released Zero the fifth EP by Russia-based band DRUKNROLL. The band’s next full-length is also due this year.

Keyboard-oriented VORAATH was founded in September 2021 and features members from NILE, XAEL, RAPHEUMETS WELL, IMPLOSIVE DISGORGENCE and SWEET BLOOD. The band has a new single called The Barrens to follow the debut single and music video, Siren Head. VORAATH features Brad Parris (NILE) on vocals and guitar, Joshua Nassaru Ward (XAEL and RAPHEUMETS Well) on drums, vocals and keyboards, along with Paul McBride (IMPLOSIVE DISGORGENCE and SWEET BLOOD) on bass and guitarists Daniel Presnell and Tylor Kohl.

Italy-based AEVUM has a video for Holy Alix from the upcoming album Glitch, which will be released through Darktunes on 15.04.2022.

ANGEL RISING has a new album, which is entitled Immortal Volition. The album “plunges into a terrifying, immersive and eschatological universe.” Immortal Volition will be available through digital platforms and in physical format on February 12. Music-Records is the record company.

ABBATH has a new song and music video. The song Dream Cull is taken from the band’s new record Dread Reaver, which is set for release through Season Of Mist on March 25.

Canada-based extreme and ambient band IDOL OF FEAR has a new demo called Trespasser in March. The band has uploaded a sing called Cheirotonia in advance.

Germany-based BOÖTES VOID has an album called C.O.L.D. out through Ketzer Records. The title stands for Circle Of Life And Death.

Ocularis Infernum and Black Tears Label with the contribution of Wine & Fog Distribution and Nadir Music have issued a compilation called A Time Of Sorrow featuring GOREPEST, NATRON, KRYPTONOMICON, STORMCROW and others.

The Netherlands-based MOUFLON has an album called Pure Filth through Raw Skull Recordz on 25.03.2022. A track called Death By A Thousand Cuts is available now.

Japan-based death metal band ALPHOENIX has released a music video for the single Return Of The Savior.

California, USA-based deathcore proud SUICIDE SILENCE has returned to Century Media. The band finished a tour with mallcore act JINJER recently and will tour with CARNIFEX next.

NEMOPHILA has announced a Japan tour of the Zepp venues for this summer.

Japan-based BURDEN OF DESPAIR has a new demo called Desecration following years of silence.

The Czech Republic and UK-based band SYMBTOMY, comprised of members of the bands SECTESY and IMPERIAL FOETICIDE, is releasing its second demo called Demo#2. The debut demo featured Jonny Pettersson (WOMBBATH), Ralf Haubert (REVEL IN FLESH) and Johan Jansson (INTERMENT). This demo features Rick Rozz (ex-DEATH and ex-MASSACRE), John Walker (CANCER) and Max Otero (MERCYLESS) as guests.

The attack of the daily ‘DEATH’ projects continues. Will a Chuck hologram be far behind? A new covers’ band is LEFT TO DIE. Former DEATH members Terry Butler and Rick Rozz have asked Matt Harvey (EXHUMED) and Gus Rios (ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) to join them in writing an EP and touring with DEATH’s Leprosy and Scream Bloody Gore songs. Harvey and Rios are in the DEATH tribute band GRUESOME and were covering DEATH also as LIVING MONSTROSITY.

Ottawa, Canada-based brutal band FUMIGATION has a new full-length and it is called Structural Extermination. It is out through CDN Records on 18.02.2022.


Metallian Hard

Toronto, Canada-based MY HOLLOW has a new demo coming out entitled Fighting The Monsters. Needless to say one track features Björn Strid (SOILWORK).

Japan-based CROSS VEIN will be releasing a new demo, called Silver Lining, on the 2nd of March.

BULLETBOYS has parted ways with original members Mick Sweda (guitar) and Jimmy D'Anda (drums). Sweda implied “toxicity” within the act as the reason. The band’s line-up had reunited in 2019. The new line-up, featuring singer Marq Torien, guitarist Ira Black (LIZZY BORDEN, METAL CHURCH, etc.), bassist Brad Lang (Y&T, etc.) and drummer Fred Aching (BILLYBIO), made its debut at RokIsland Fest in Florida, USA in January.

JUDAS PRIEST decided to move forward as a quartet initially before reversing the decision. The band was to have one guitarist going forward as Andy Sneap’s role would be limited to production duties. This decision was reversed within a week. The band, which announced its disbandment years ago, is recording a new album.

A couple of months after introducing singer Paolo “INJO” Ingianni with a version of Hell Is Open, a track taken from the debut album Like A Snake of 2019 X-PLICIT returns with a new single, The Party Is Hot. The single is available through Sneakout Records and features two Metallian Towers’ serfs on its cover.

BON JOVI will embark on a U.S. tour in April. The trek will begin April 1 in Omaha, Nebraska and end on April 30th in Nashville, Tennessee.

AEROSMITH has cancelled its already postponed tour of Europe owing to COVID-19. The tour was first scheduled for 2021 and subsequently for this summer.

KISS will release another ‘Off The Soundboard’ live record. It is called Off The Soundboard: Live In Virginia Beach and is recorded at the Virginia Beach Amphitheatre on July 25, 2004. The band has also announced USA shows for the spring.

JOE SATRIANI has a new album on April 8th. The Elephants Of Mars is out through the guitarist’s new label earMUSIC.

Jack Ernest Burnside former singer for Germany-based MASS died on January 6th.

CRADLE OF FILTH has a show stream called The Infernal Vernal Equinox on March 20th. The show will have the band play its 1996 album Dusk... And Her Embrace in full.

Atopia is the new album by SADIST guitar player and producer TOMMY TALAMANCA. It will be released through nadir Music on Friday 21 January. The album features singer and vocal coach Gloria Rossi.

SOILWORK has made bassist Rasmus Ehrnborn a permanent member. The bass player has been touring with the band and had recorded the A Whisp Of The Atlantic EP with the group.

Kelly Garni, the original bassist and founding member of QUIET RIOT, joined the current version of the group for the song Slick Black Cadillac at a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on December 31. QUIET RIOT has announced concerts in the USA all year through October.

Minotauro Records and THE MUGSHOTS have issued the Italy-based dark rock band’s single entitled Children Of The Night/The Call in a limited of 300 copies as a 12'' vinyl. Children Of The Night features a guitar solo by Jeff “Mantas” Dunn from VENOM INC while on The Call Attila Csihar (MAYHEM, TORMENTOR, et cetra) adds verses by English poet William Blake.

Toronto, Canada-based heavy metal band DEADWOLFF will be hitting the road across Eastern Canada this April in support of the self-titled debut EP released through Boonsdale Records and Metal Assault Records. The tour will kick off on April 1st in Ottawa and see the band perform dates in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The band was founded in 2020.

Singer and bassist John Burke Shelley of BUDGIE has died in Cardiff, Wales. The man suffered from aortic aneurysm.

UDO will release a new album, called My Way, through Atomic Fire Records in April. It is "his most personal and extraordinary album to date," featuring 17 cover versions of songs which influenced the musician.

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN will tour the US this May and June. The man cancelled several shows last year on doctor’s orders.

TNT guitarist RONNI LE TEKRØ will release a new solo album, entitled Bigfoot TV, through TBC Records on 18.03.2022.

Current INTO ETERNITY and former ICED EARTH singer Stu Block will take over the vocals from guitarist Jeff Waters for the forthcoming ANNIHILATOR concerts. The two have been collaborating for some time.

ICED EARTH has released A Narrative Soundscape CD on Ravencraft Productions. This was issued as a bonus in the deluxe edition of ICED EARTH singer Jon Schaffer’s Wicked Words And Epic Tales book. These recordings feature re-written lyrics of ICED EARTH songs for this release.

AMORPHIS will embark on a North American tour this spring. SYLVAINE and HOAXED open in the USA, while the latter band alone opens in Canada. Despite the pandemic the band has announced paid meet-and-greet tickets.

Sweden-based heavy metal band KRILLOAN has an album called Stories Of Times Forgotten through Stormspell Records.

Italy-based hard rock band STRANGER VISION has joined Eagles Nest Production management and also entered the studio to record a sophomore album. The record is going to be a concept based on a poem by American poet T.S. Eliot. Simone Mularoni will tape, mix and master the unnamed record.

Finland-based SOLUTION 13 reformed long enough in 2020 to record a new album called Chapters From Private Hell, which was issued through Wormholedeath Records in October.

W.A.S.P. will embark on a U.S.A. tour for the first time in almost ten years beginning this autumn. The shows will coincide with the band's 40th anniversary and will include support from ARMORED SAINT and MICHAEL SCHENKER on certain shows.

MINNERIKET’s new demo is called Gjennom Meg Går Ingen Til Hvile. The Norway-based band is termed “black metal,” but features ambient sounds, K&F, cello, harp, flute, saxophone and gong.

HANORMALE has signed with Dimensional Records in Japan.

ULTIMA GRACE is a new project featuring keyboardist Yuhki (GALNERYUS and ALHAMBRA). The debut and self-titled album features former NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon on vocals. It shall be released on March 16th through King Records.

Japan-based KAMIJO has an album called Oscar in June. The solo project of VERSAILLES vocalist Yuji Kamijo has been busy recently with one-off uploads.

Heavy Metal Ninja is the name of a new METALUCIFER EP available through Iron Oxide. The EP features four songs in their English and Japanese versions.

To coincide with its disbandment, MARY’S BLOOD will issue a compilation called Queen’s Legacy in April. The package will feature a T-Shirt and undetermined goodies.

Toronto, Canada-based SKULL FIST has signed with Atomic Fire Records. An album is due in April.

Stupidity Sells… But Who’s Buying? Unbeknownst to most Ted Nugent is still alive and probably even farting some more verbal diarrhea this month.