Metallian Heavy

NAPALM DEATH will undertake a Canadian tour in October. The release will coincide with the release of the band’s next record for Century Media.

INFERNAL MAJESTY will perform its 1987 album None Shall Defy (originally Roadrunner and later re-issued by Displeased) in its entirety with guest vocalist George “Corpsegrider” Fisher from CANNIBAL CORPSE on August 20th at Rickhaw Theatre in Vancouver, Canada. Opening is TYRANTS BLOOD and SINNED. Brian Langley of INFERNAL MAJESTY is now in CRADLE TO GRAVE.

DARK FUNERAL has been re-joined by drummer Nils Fjallstrom. DARK FUNERAL has also recruited vocalist Nachtgarm of NEGATOR to replace Emperor Magus Caligula who left last year.

IMMOLATION and KRISIUN have joined for a four-week European Sounds Of Extreme Tour 2011 in November.

Sweden’s BLOOD MORTIZED is currently in the studio recording its new album, The Key To A Black Heart. The band has a new bass player called Mattias Söderlund who plays bass with Swedish punk band CHARTA 77.

SVART CROWN has added drummer Nicolas Muller to its line-up. Nicolas joined the fold in time for the band’s performance at this year’s Hellfest.

Following the departure of Martin Petersson guitarist AntiChristian (Christian Strömblad) has returned to NOMINON. Juha Sulasalmi has switched to bass.

SEPTICFLESH is touring Canada and the USA this July.

The Ever-Burning Torch, the debut full-length from Sicily’s Swedeath band UNDEAD CREEP is now available through Dark Descent Records. The band was formed in 2009.

VADER will release its next album, Welcome To The Morbid Reich, which references the band’s early demo on August 12th through Nuclear Blast Records. The album was recorded at Hertz Studio. Its title refers to the band’s early demo.

Stockholm, Sweden’s MACHINERY has thrown in the towel. The band members will continue with other projects.

Technical metal band EAST OF THE WALL has completed the recording for its upcoming third full-length, The Apologist, set for release this October on Translation Loss Records for the CD and Antithetic for the vinyl release. The album’s official release date, track listing and more will be announced within the next few weeks. In support of the upcoming album, EAST OF THE WALL has begun planning a month-long U.S. autumn tour, with GOES CUBE, IRON THRONES and TIDAL ARMS.

Los Angeles-based metal trio EINVERA has a demo called In Your Image. The band’s site is at http://einveramusic.com.

DENIAL FIEND is releasing Horror Holocaust on August 2nd through Ibex Moon Records. Recorded at Mana Studio, the follow-up to 2007’s They Rise, Horror Holocaust features the current line-up of drummer Rob Rampy (DRI and THE SPEARS), vocalist Blaine Cook (THE ACCUSED and THE FARTZ), bassist Terry Butler (DEATH, SIX FEET UNDER, MASSACRE and OBITUARY) and guitarist Sam Williams (DOWN BY LAW and THE SPEARS). Horror Holocaust also features guest appearances from Steve Swanson (SIX FEET UNDER), Ralph Santolla (DEICIDE and OBITUARY) and James Murphy (AGENT STEEL and DISINCARNATE).

Massachusetts’ ALL PIGS MUST DIE is issuing its debut full-length this Summer. Entitled God Is War, the eight-song album has been set for release for August 16th through Southern Lord Recordings.

Selfmadegod Records has announced a split 7″ EP between two long running metal veterans. AGATHOCLES from Belgium and NUNSLAUGHTER from The United States hare sharing the EP, which includes three recently recorded songs from Belgium’s mincecore kings (Trail Of Despair, Nazional Sozial(ist) Security, Flanders’ Little Cesspool) and two from the Ohio’s death metal band (To Sin Again and Your Soul Belongs To Me). 100 copies are available on black/white/grey marbled vinyl and the remaining 400 on the standard black wax.

Brazilian crust band BODHUM is releasing a first demo called Extremo.

PESTILENCE will release its sixth full-length on July 19th through Mascot Records. Titled Doctrine, the 11-track album was recorded and mixed at Woodshed Studio in Germany with vocalist/guitarist by Patrick Mameli, Yuma van Eekelen and Victor Bullok (TRIPTYKON and DARK FORTRESS). The album’s theme revolves around man’s suppression through religion and politics.

This year’s edition of MADRID IS THE DARK Festival will take place on the 08th, 09th and 10th of December at the Old School venue in Getafe, Spain. Bands like GHOST BRIGADE, KATATONIA and AHAB are booked.

OPETH will undertake a North American tour in September with support from KATATONIA.

KATAKLYSM will headline Hatefest 2011 European tour in December. Support will come from TRIPTYKON, MARDUK and MILKING THE GOATMACHINE.

777 – The Desanctification, BLUT AUS NORD’s second part of the ‘777’ trilogy is currently being recorded and will be released through Debemur Morti Production this coming September.

PEDSTE NOIR has released an album called L’Ordure à l’État Pur through Transcendental Creations.

Italian thrashers NEURASTHENIA’S album, which will be out in 2012 and will be entitled Animalator (the band’s early name), will be preceded by a free digital track called When Nightmare Comes True.

Crossover band CONVERGE cancelled its remaining shows on its U.S. tour after bassist Nate Newton had a “health scare” during the drive from St. Louis to Austin. The band did not elaborate, although Newton was briefly hospitalized.

Inspired by KEEL? The reformed MALFEITOR has signed a contract with Hellthrasher Productions for the release of a full-length album, Dum Morior Orior, due in 2012. MALFEITOR recently recruited drummer Janne Rudberg Björkenfjäll of EXHUMED and EXCRUCIATE.

Make Nuclear Blast rich and proud! AMORPHIS’ The Beginning Of Times has entered the German Media Control chart at position Number 16, which is the band’s best chart position ever in that country.

ANNIHILATOR has recruited CRYPTOPSY drummer Flo Mounier for its summer shows.

Evan Seinfeld has left BIOHAZARD. Scott Roberts, who had played on the band’s Means To An End album in 2005, will play with BIOHAZARD at the Download festival and Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in June. A permanent replacement is being sought. The band has a new album due this autumn.

Worship Music, the next album by ANTHRAX, is out September 12th through Nuclear Blast and Megaforce Records.

Dark Descent Records has announced the CD reissue of DEATH STRIKE‘s Fuckin’ Death album. The recordings hail from 1985 and were also issued by Nuclear Blast in 1991. The label is working on a vinyl version.

CANNIBAL CORPSE is touring Mexico and South America in December with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and SUICIDE SILENCE.

NUMBNUTS, featuring singer Esben “Esse” Hansen of HATESPHERE, has signed a deal with Mighty Music. The band’s debut album, Smokey The Salmon And Horny Mermaids Of Detention, will be released in August. The album was produced by Jacob Olsen.

ANAL CUNT‘s frontman, Seth Putnam, died on Saturday, June 11th of a reported heart attack. He was 43 years old. The circumstances behind the heart attack were not revealed.

MUNICIPAL WASTE has signed a deal with Nuclear Blast Records with a record being due next year.

California’s WARBRINGER has completed work on its album, Worlds Torn Asunder, which is due in September through Century Media Records. The album was produced by Steve Evetts.

MISERY INDEX has signed a deal with the Season Of Mist.

SETHERIAL has signed a deal with Debemur Morti Productions. The band is busy writing its as-yet-untitled next album for a 2012 release.

TERRORIZER has signed a deal with Season Of Mist. The band’s next album is due in 2012. The band features David Vincent and Pete Sandoval of MORBID ANGEL, which are now signed to the label as well.

AGENT STEEL performed with original singer John Cyriis at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival, which was held June 8-11. The singer had returned to the band last year.

Saskatoon, Canada’s thrash/death metal trio UNTIMELY DEMISE has signed a worldwide multi-album deal with Sonic Unyon Metal. The label will re-release the City Of Steel demo in North America on September 13th, with European release dates to be announced shortly.

Having released Two Tongues, San Francisco’s TRILLION RED is now seeking a record label to release a forthcoming full-length release. The album, which is expected to be ready for release in early 2012, will feature eight new songs.

ABORYM has signed a deal with Agonia Records. The band’s sixth album will be released in 2012 and coincide with the group’s 20th anniversary.

MAYHEM claims that it used real human remains as part of its show recently at Hellfest in France.


Metallian Hard

CRUCIFIED BARBARA will enter the studio this summer to begin recording its third full-length album. It is due in the winter. The album will be produced by Chips Kiesbye (HELLACOPTERS, etc.). The band will play at shows like Hellfest in France and Stockholm Pride this summer.

JORN has scheduled several South American dates for July. The band’s live performance from last year's Sweden Rock Festival will be released on August 26th. It will also include a bonus DVD.

ARAPACIS is in the studio working on a new recording. Guitarist Jerry Fielden and vocalist Lizzie Fyre have shared the writing duties again. Drummer Matt Roy (ex-OBTENEBRIS) has also contributed.

WOLFPAKK is a new melodic metal project by former CRYSTAL BALL singer Mark Sweeney and Michael Voss of MAD MAX and CASANOVA. The duo has organized guest appearances by Paul Di’Anno, Ripper Owens, Paul Shortino and others.

Some fans never learn: Sounds Of A Playground Fading, the tenth album from IN FLAMES has landed in the first position on the German charts.

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal is recovering from minor injuries following a car accident. Thal was driving his Toyota on Tuesday, May 31st when he was hit by a SUV. Elsewhere GUNS N' ROSES and former manager Irving Azoff have settled a lawsuits concerning commissions and concert touring.

Finland’s GHOST BRIGADE has issued Until Fear No Longer Defines Us on Season Of Mist. The label has also issued NIGHTBRINGER’s Hierophany Of The Open Grave.

Former MEGADETH/KING DIAMOND guitarist Glen Drover has a solo album. The debut solo album, Metalusion, was released on April 5th through Magna Carta Records.

EDGUY will release a new album, Age Of The Joker, August 29th through Nuclear Blast Records. The album was recorded at Peppermint Park studio.

After losing its deal and members Finland’s CHARON has thrown in the towel. The members will play several summer shows and intend to continue making music individually.

Twenty acts are scheduled to appear on an ENSLAVED tribute, entitled Önd - A Tribute, which will coincide with the 20-year anniversary of Norway's prog band. REVERENCE, VREID and JANVS are among the bands participating.

Cruz del Sur Music has signed DARK FOREST. A young band based out of Birmingham, England, DARK FOREST released its self-titled debut album on Eyes Like Snow Records in January, 2009. DARK FOREST entered the studio on Saturday, June 18th recording its second full-length, Dawn of Infinity, which will be released by Cruz Del Sur Music in the autumn of 2011.

MORTAL SIN has picked Psychology Of Death as the title for its next album.

PRIMEVIL — featuring former VENOM members — has changed its name to MPIRE OF EVIL in order to avoid confusion with a band with the same name. Primevil was the name of a VENOM album.

Coming off the release of its debut album, The 26 Letters of Your Universe, Gothenburg styled melodic metal two-piece THE NEOLOGIST has new material. The band is currently working on its next album tentatively titled The Promise Of Eternal Separation which is set to be released in the autumn of 2011.

HELIX is tentatively planning to release a compilation album this autumn featuring five new songs plus tracks from the most recent three CDs, When Pigs Fly, Vagabond Bones, and Power Of Rock And Roll. The band has already issued an acoustic album, Smash Hits Unplugged, this January.

GIRLSCHOOL has pulled out of A previously announced North American tour with DIAMOND HEAD and HOLY RAGE (the band of early JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins). The tour is scheduled for August. The band reports that the promoter did not wish the band to tour without a new album.

JUDAS PRIEST kicked off its Epitaph world tour on Tuesday, June 7th in Tilburg, The Netherlands. The concert was the band's first concert with its latest addition, guitarist Richie Faulkner (DIRTY DEEDS and LAUREN HARRIS) who has replaced K.K. Downing. The band is touring North America in the autumn (mostly in November) with openers THIN LIZZY and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY.

Metal God Records has announced a new live DVD by HALFORD called Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena out October 10th.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY supported OZZY OSBOURNE in Oberhausen, Germany on June 13th. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY features Zakk Wylde, the former guitarist for OZZY OSBOURNE.

Jason McMaster of DANGEROUS TOYS and BROKEN TEETH was inducted into the South Texas Music Walk Of Fame on June 4th in his hometown Corpus Christi, Texas.

Inspired by KEEL? After some 24 years of absence Spain’s BANZAI played a comeback concert with 22,000 fans present on Saturday, June 4th in Madrid, Spain. The band is David Biosca, Jose Antonio Manzano and Salvador Domiguez. The show was filmed for a live release.

DEEP PURPLE is touring North America being accompanied on stage with a symphony orchestra in each city - except San Francisco. Eagle Rock will release DEEP PURPLE's Phoenix Rising, which is a two-hour documentary including 30 minutes of never-before-seen footage from Japan that is filmed on the stage. It will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and in a special two-disc DVD/CD package.

Several BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's concerts were cancelled in Europe as Zakk Wylde is suffering from inflamed vocal cords and was seeking medical attention.

YOB will release its sixth album, Atma, on August 16th through Profound Lore Records.

Integrity and sincerity: CATHEDRAL has pulled out of Germany’s Hammer Of Doom festival this October because another band uses animal blood as part of its show.

SEVEN WITCHES’ new full-length, Call Upon The Wicked, is scheduled for release on June 28th through founding guitarist Jack Frost's own FrostByte Records with North American distribution through eOne Entertainment. The band has a video for the song Fields Of Fire. Call Upon The Wicked was recorded at Lickman Studio by Frost with co-producers LePond and Joey Vera of ARMORED SAINT who also mixed the record.

Patrick Bruders of CROWBAR has permanently replaced Rex Brown in DOWN. Brown is still dealing with the aftermath of his Pancreatitis.

MACHINE HEAD has picked Unto The Locust as the title for its next album, due in late September through Roadrunner Records. The band is touring Europe with DEVILDRIVER and DARKEST HOUR.

Former MANOWAR guitarist David Shankle has joined HOUSE OF HOLLAND.

KILL DEVIL HILL, featuring Mark Zavon (RATT and W.A.S.P.) on guitar, Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH and DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (PANTERA and DOWN) on bass, and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals, is playing several US shows this summer.

Four musicians from KING DIAMOND's 1990 album, The Eye, namely guitarists Andy La Rocque and Pete Blakk, bassist Hal Patino and drummer Snowy Shaw, are featured on Get It On, a single from Patino's son, 20-year-old Maryann Cotton (born Jackie Patino).

Phil Varone, the one-time drummer of SAIGON KICK and SKID ROW who claims he has had sex with some 3,000 whores, has released Phil Varone's Secret Sex Stash through a Vivid Entertainment online. A two-disc CD set of the Vivid-Celeb imprint will be in stores this month.

INSOMNIUM has picked One For Sorrow as the title for its next album, which is due in October through Century Media Records. The album was recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden with DARK TRANQUILLITY’s Daniel Antonsson.

DISMEMBER played its first concert since 2008 as the headliner at Death Feast Open Air festival on June 23rd in Hünxe, Germany. The band was added as a replacement for GORGUTS.

GORGOROTH and VADER will tour as The Sign Of Hell Tour 2011. The European trek, which will include more than 45 shows, will begin at the end of October.

BËEHLER — featuring former EXCITER musicians — and opener HIRAX played at the Metal Attack II festival in São Paulo, Brazil on June 19th.

Drummer Alex Holzwarth and his brother bassist Oliver Holzwarth have returned to PARADOX. The band is working on a new album for AFM Records.

Inspired by KEEL? The original line-up of FORTÉ will reunite for a July 3rd concert at Big Papa's in Oklahoma City as the support band for LIZZY BORDEN. FORTÉ, James Randel (ex-OLIVER MAGNUM) and Rev Jones (MSG and STEELHEART) alongside brothers Jeff and Greg Scott, will perform its 1992 debut Stranger Than Fiction in its entirety.

END OF LEVEL BOSS has a new album called Eklectric this summer. Set for release on July 26th through Exile On Mainstream Records the album features a new rhythm section.

ICED EARTH, featuring former INTO ETERNITY singer Stu Block, has picked Dystopia as the title for its next album, which is due in the autumn through old/new label Century Media Records.

In an interview with Fearshop former ACCEPT/current U.D.O. singer Udo Dirkschneider has revealed that he did not accept to be a part of another ACCEPT reunion because he had asked his former band-mates to grant him the rights to the name should the reunion not go well. Apparently, in spite of Dirkschneider being the band’s founder guitarist Wolf Hoffmann has the rights to the band name.

Pepper Keenan, now in DOWN, re-joined former band-mates of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY for one show on June 18 at Kristonfest in Bilbao, Spain. DOWN was also on the bill.

ELDRITCH has signed a deal with Scarlet Records for the release of its album, Gaia's Legacy, a concept album dealing with global warming based on Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth.

DEF LEPPARD has announced two shows in Japan for November.

HAAVAT, a new Finnish band featuring Lauri Tuohimaa (CHARON, ex-EMBRAZE and FOR MY PAIN), Janne Regelin (ex-EMBRAZE) and bassist Olli-Pekka Karvonen (ex-EMBRAZE), has a four-song demo.

Name one band that claims it can write its ‘classic’ album all over again, but actually can write such an album!