OVERKILL has signed on with Nuclear Blast USA after working with the label’s European branch. A box set of the group’s work will be issued this autumn. The band is touring with SYMPHONY X this autumn as well.
The reunited CARCASS was refused a visa to play Malaysia. After protesting and mocking Malaysia by posting that country’s flag upside down a number of Malaysian fans expressed disapproval on the band’s web page. Apparently, the band was denied a visa due to its lyrical content.
New York thrash metal band NUCLEAR ASSAULT will release a new EP on June 1. Entitled Pounder, the EP will feature four tracks.
Canadian thrash and groove metal band, MERIDIUS – named after Russell Crowe’s character in Gladiator – has issued a first single called Speed Kills from its upcoming self-titled debut demo due out March 20th.
Norwegian black metal legend GORGOROTH, featuring remaining original member Infernus, has signed to Soulseller Records for a worldwide deal. The band’s new and tenth studio full-length is entitled Instinctus Bestialis and will be released on June 8th 2015 on digipack CD, limited black vinyl, limited picture vinyl and digitally.
New England-based progressive death metal architects, ESCHATON, will release the Sentinel Apocalypse full-length this May through Unique Leader Records.
Montreal, Canada’s black doom metal band ÉOHUM’s debut full-length Revelations, Aurora Of An Epoch is set for release on April 7th. It is being offered as a ‘pay what you want’ release through band mastermind and guitarist Jeremy Perkins’ label Mycelium Networks.
Germany’s Ván Records has signed London-based black metal band CROM DUBH. The band’s debut full-length album Heimweh is now released.
New Zealand-based band DAWN OF AZAZEL will release its fourth full-length this month. Titled The Tides Of Damocles, the ten-track album is the trio’s first output in six years following 2009’s Relentless long-player. The Tides Of Damocles was recorded, mixed and mastered last year at Mana Recording Studio in Tampa, Florida by Brian Elliot and J.J. Hrubovcak. The title references the ocean.
B.C. based thrash and groove metal band MERIDIUS – named after Russell Crowe’s character in Gladiator – has released its self-titled debut EP.
Season of Mist has signed BLACK COBRA. The American sludge metal band will enter a studio in the near future to record its Season Of Mist debut album for a late 2015 release.
After co-founding member Steven “Steve-In” Breen decided to part ways with MUTANK in January to return to his hometown of St. John’s, NL, the Montreal based thrashers and 2014 Wacken Metal Battle Canada winners recruited Jordan Kelly into the fold.
New Italian death metal act DEMIURGON (featuring members from UNBIRTH and DARKEND) has signed with Ungodly Ruins Productions (RUS) for the release its debut album Above The Unworthy. It will be out on May 31st.
Art Gates Records has signed Spanish thrash metal band O.D.I.O (Our Days In Oblivion). The band is working on a new album, which is due in May.
Inspired by KEEL? SKINLESS will issue its first album in nearly a decade this June. Titled Only The Ruthless Remain, and featuring the late ’90s lineup, the album was recorded by Tom Case at Edie Road and Doomsday Bunker Studio.
DISARMONIA MUNDI’s new album. Entitled Cold Inferno, the album will be released on the 9th of June through Coroner Records.
Athens-based thrashers BIO-CANCER will release a new full-length, Tormenting The Innocent, in North America through Candlelight Records this month. Mixed by Andy Classen (DESTRUCTION, KRISIUN, etc.), the nine-track album is the first worldwide offering for the young five-piece and follows the 2012 demo Ear Piercing Thrash.
DESTRUCTION drummer Vaaver will not join the band for the upcoming North American tour with SEPULTURA and ARSIS due to the birth of his second child. Standing in will be former PRIMAL FEAR/ANNIHILATOR and current DUSKMACHINE drummer Randy Black.
April 2015 will see the return of Europe’s HateFest Tour. The bill will be headlined by SIX FEET UNDER and includes MARDUK, VADER and HATE! Special guests on all weekend-dates will be EISREGEN and DEBAUCHERY. Stepping in for the SIX FEET UNDER bass player, Jeff Hughell who is becoming a father, will be Victor Brandt from ENTOMBED.
Italian band DARKEND is participating in a PARADISE LOST tribute album with a cover of Colossal Rains from the Icon album.
After 17 years AMON AMARTH has parted ways with drummer Fredrik Andersson. The drummer will focus on THIS ENDING.
Following a legal battle with his former band-mates of IMMORTAL ABBATH has decided to write and perform under his own name going forward. The band ABBATH is writing songs and will appear at Blastfest in Bergen, Norway in 2016.
Former DEATH bassist Scott Clendenin, who played on The Sound Of Perseverance album, has died. He was 47 years old. A cause of death was not offered. Clendenin was recently involved in the DEATH cover band, DEATH TO ALL.
Spain’s NOCTEM is touring China.
Miami, Florida’s MARUTA will issue an album called Remain Dystopian through Relapse in June.
As Ván Records is issuing the sophomore album from Greek pagan ‘black metal’ band, MACABRE OMEN. The album is called Gods Of War – At War.