Metallian Heavy

AT THE GATES, THE HAUNTED and DECAPITATED will tour the US in February.

HATCHET’s next album, Fear Beyond Lunacy, will be released on October 30th through The End Records.

Canada’s ODIUM has a demo called Terraform. It was issued on October 23rd, 2015.

German sludge band BLACK SHAPE OF NEXUS has recorded and mixed its fourth full-length studio album. The album will be called Carrier, and is more than fifty minutes long, boasting six tracks including a HELLHAMMER cover. The record is currently being mastered by Rashad Becker at Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin and will be finalized for release through Exile On Mainstream in the Spring of 2016 on CD and 2xLP.

UK’s COD has issued Live In The Netherlands 2015 through Heidens Hart. The band is described as “avant-garde black metal.”

GHOUL has released a new song for the ongoing soundtrack to Image Comics’ The Humans graphic novel series. The song is available online from The Humans Soundcloud page. GHOUL will be recording a follow-up to the 2011 LP, Transmission Zero, for Tankcrimes Records in December of this year.

FROZEN OCEAN has signed a three-album worldwide deal with new label Apocalyptic Witchcraft. A four-track mini-album The Prowess Of Dormition will be issued on January 11th.

American thrashers AGGRAVATOR and Dead Center productions have re-issued Populace Destructor. The release was originally out last year through Canadian Mulligore prods, but now AGGRAVATOR returns to Dead Center prods for wider distribution, which also released its first EP Age Of Combat back in 2012.

Thrash metal group RAVENOUS has re-released its debut We Are Become Death through Coffee Jingle Records.

Loud Rage Music has issued a split for AKRAL NECROSIS and MARCHOSIAS called (inter)SECTION. The Romanian bands are respectively described as black and thrash metal.

Witching Hour Productions is issuing CHRIST AGONY’s Black Blood album this month.

NETHERTALE has recruited guitarist Rob Wolf, a close friend of the band. He was formerly in bands like GOTHMOG and WHITE COAST REBELS.

BLOOD FEAST has signed a deal with Hells Headbangers for the release of the band’s next album, The Future State Of Wicked.

UK’s FOREFATHER has an album called The Fighting Man through Heidens Hart.

Guitarist Joe Frankulin of ‘90s’ black metal band GOATLORD killed a woman and her seven-year-old son before committing suicide on Friday, October 2nd. The mother and son were one Jennifer Bagley Donoso and her oldest son, Lex respectively. The 47-year-old Frankulin reportedly wrote “I LOVE YOU BABY” on the house’s garage door.

Cyprus-based thrash/heavy metal band BLYND has a new album, called Liber Sum, through Pitch Black Records, which is a follow-up to 2012’s Punishment Unfolds.

Canada’s SILENT LINE has issued a demo called Shattered Shores, which is the follow-up to the 2012 release Born Of Dying Star.

Belgian black metal band ABSOLUTUS has an album called Pugnare In Lis Quae Obtinere Non Possis through Heidens Hart.

OMEGA DIATRIBE has an album called Abstract Ritual since the 11th of September through Ear Records. The album features death metal drummer Kevin Talley.

Ukraine’s black metal band UNGOLIANTHA has an album called Through The Chaos, Through Time, Through The Death through Dead Center prods.

EXUMER is at studio in Dortmund, Germany recording the follow-up to the 2012 album Fire & Damnation for an early 2016 release through Metal Blade. The band is again working with producer Waldemar Sorychta.

Jumping on the merchandising bandwagon, CANNIBAL CORPSE has been contracted by Three Floyds Brewing Company to produce the Amber Smashed Face beer. The title is a play on the band’s song Hammer Smashed Face.

ASPHYX is in the studio this month recording a new album for an early 2016 release.

EXODUS will embark on a European headlining tour in February of 2016.

WHIPLASH’s original drummer Tony Scaglione has rejoined the band. The thrash act intends tom commomorate the 30th anniversary of WHIPLASH’s debut album, Power And Pain and play shows next year.

TESTAMENT had drummer Alex Bent (BATTLECROSS, DECREPIT BIRTH, etc.) behind the kit for the band’s shows in Japan and Hawaii. He had also played with the band at the Heavy Montreal festival at Jean-Drapeau Park in Montreal, Canada. Bent is filling in for Gene Hoglan who is touring in Europe with DEATH TO ALL (DTA).

Austin, Texas based melodic death/doom metal band HINAYAN, has recently released a demo titled Endless.

Italian black metal band TUNDRA has issued The Burning Fanatism through Avantgarde Music.

French black metal band HEGEMON is issuing an album called The Hierarch through Season Of Mist on the 13th of November. The label will also issue REVENGE’s Behold.Total.Rejection on the same day.

Wormholedeath has signed Russian “post black metal” solo project STIELAS STORHETT for his third album Drownwards, which will be issued on December the 1st.

New Jersey-based technical death metal quartet DYSTROPHY has signed a deal with Selfmadegod Records to release its second full-length album this November. The album is called Wretched Host.

WAX MANIAX is issuing VIO-LENCE’s Eternal Nightmare and SODOM’s Obsessed By Cruelty and Persectution Mania/Expurse Of Sodomy on double LP. The VIO-LENCE LP will feature the deleted Torture Tactics song, which was banned by MCA from the original release as well as the tracks from the band’s Mechanic demo.

The self-titled debut from Phoenix black/doom metal band NAUGHT was issued through Battleground Records as the band played the fourth annual installment of Southwest Terror Fest.

Horror metal band CADAVERIA has announced several autumn shows. The Italian band played two shows in Germany in late October, will support CRADLE OF FILTH in Italy in November and will headline two shows in December in Switzerland and Italy.

Lupercalia is the new full-length album by Italian folk black metal band SELVANS. It is their second offering after February’s debut mini-CD ‚ Clangores Plenilunio. It is out through Avantgarde.

DESTROYING THE DEVOID, the progressive death metal band of Craig Peters (DEEDS OF FLESH, ex-ARKAIK), will release their Paramnesia debut next year through Unique Leader Records.

Following the departure of drummer Chason Westmoreland from HATE ETERNAL due to “family matters” the band has recruited Hannes Grossmann (OBSCURA, NECROPHAGIST, etc.) to occupy the stool for the current tour with MISERY INDEX, BEYOND CREATION and RIVERS OF NIHIL.

US band PRODUCT OF HATE will release its debut album, Buried In Violence, on February 5th through Napalm Records. The album was mixed and mastered by James Murphy.

Yet another project: singer Ed Webb (MASSACRE), guitarist Matt Bishop (LIVIDITY, HORRIFIC DEMISE, etc.), bassist Terry Butler (OBITUARY, MASSACRE, DEATH) and drummer Greg Gall (SIX FEET UNDER) have a new project called HIDEOUS. The death metal band is writing music.

Former OBITUARY and GORGOROTH bassist Frank Watkins has died due to cancer. He was 47.

Season of Mist has signed Belgium’s EMPTINESS. The Belgian band will release its next full-length on the label in late 2016.

SHOTGUN RODEO’s World Wide Genocide demo is now out. The Norwegian band is compared to DARK TRANQUILLITY.

DEICIDE will embark on the Death In The Manger U.S. tour in December.


Metallian Hard

Swedish doom band WITCHCRAFT will release a new album, called Nucleus, on January 15th through Nuclear Blast.

ZAKK WYLDE will take part in the 2016 Experience Hendrix Tour.

VAGUS NERVE is the new hard rock project of Doc Coyle, formerly of GOD FORBID. The band is working on a demo called Visceral.

Following the latest commercial moves of other bands MOTÖRHEAD too has its own beer, Imperial Pale Lager.

PRONG will embark on a North American tour in April to support the band's next album, X (No Absolutes). The album will be released on January 29th through Steamhammer/SPV.

QUEENSRŸCHE's will support its new album, Condition Hüman, through a US tour this January.

Rock Solid Talent Entertainment, LTD, in association with Star 1 Entertainment/Star 1 Records, has issued music by 17-year-old Canadian rock singer/songwriter/actress SOPHIA RADISCH who is joined by Glen Drover and Shawn Drover (both formerly of MEGADETH) on her new single and video, Hot Blooded. The video was released on October 28th and the single on November 24th.

MAGIC CIRCLE's second LP Journey Blind was issued through 20 Buck Spin. Journey Blind sees its initial release in CD in November 20th with the vinyl to follow in early 2016.

Canada's quartet and Wacken Metal Battle 2015 international champions VESPERIA announced that due to a visa delay they have cancelled the announced US dates this November. The band will play several Canadian shows as planned.

UFO will tour the USA next March in support of the A Conspiracy Of Stars album.

VHÖL’s Deeper Than Sky LP is out through Profound Lore Records. The band is vocalist Mike Scheidt (YOB), guitarist John Cobbett (HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE, ex-LUDICRA), bassist Sigrid Sheie (HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE, ex-AMBER ASYLUM) and drummer Aesop Dekker (AGALLOCH, WORM OUROBOROS, ex-LUDICRA).

Italy’s SCALA MERCALLI has signed with Art Gates Records and issued an album called New Rebirth.

Italian band JOHN DALLAS has a video for the song Wild Life, the title track for the debut album released on October 6th through Street Symphonies Records. The video clip was directed by MaleFica Production.

Yet another project: Metal Blade Records has signed NECROMANCING THE STONE. The band will release a debut album in the winter of 2016. The act features current and former members of ARSIS, THE ABSENCE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and BRIMSTONE COVEN. Members include James Malone (ARSIS), Justin Wood and John Williams (BRIMSTONE COVEN), Ryan Williams (ex-THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) and Jeramie Kling (THE ABSENCE).

MEGADETH’s Dave Mustaine has affirmed that the band accedes to censorship and did not play the song Holy Wars in China to obey that country’s authorities. The concert was abbreviated and featured several songs being played without vocals. In the meantime, MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has founded a label called EMP Records through Megaforce. The label’s first release will be an EP called In Your Face by the Arizona-based all-girl band DOLL SKIN.

Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the mallcore subsidiary of Nuclear Blast, has signed CORROSION OF CONFORMITY — featuring Pepper Keenan on guitar and vocals — to a worldwide deal. The band will enter the studio next spring with producer John Custer.

MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee sustained an injury and inflammation to his left wrist last month and was unable to plays US tour date shows. ALICE COOPER's drummer Glen Sobel replaced him. Lee appeared on stage to play some keyboards.

Italian hard rock band MAD HORNET has signed a deal with Atomic Stuff Promotion to promote the latest release Would You Like Something Fresh?” The band is Mic Martini (vocals), Ken Lance (guitar), El Piamba (bass) and Beats Frank (drums).

Sweden’s VIOLENT DIVINE has a demo called Hyperactivity Disorder out on December 04th.

PARADISE LOST performed with an orchestra on September 20th, 2014 at the Roman theatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and will issue it this month as the Symphony Of The Lost CD and DVD.

Doom metal band CANDLEMASS will commemorate its thirtieth birthday next year with a brand new EP. The band is recording four songs with singer Mats Levén for the release on Napalm Records.

BLITZKRIEG’s re-recorded Version Of the A Time Of Changes album is out this month through Metal Nation Records.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has lost his appeal after being sentenced to eight months of home detention by a New Zealand court for threatening to kill and drug possession.

Brazilian female-fronted band SHADOWSIDE has announced the addition of Swedish bassist Magnus Rosén (ex-HAMMERFALL) to the group's ranks. SHADOWSIDE, which is set to record between June and August 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden, will once again use Fredrik Nordström (AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, SOILWORK, DARK TRANQUILLITY, etc.) for the album’s production.

The Swedish metal band VIOLENT DIVINE will issue a new album entitled Hyperactivity Disorder. It contains 13 tracks and will be released on December 4th, 2015.

MEMENTO WALTZ’s debut Division By Zero and 31-minute EP Antithesis Of Time will be available on the 26th of October on Jolly Roger Records.

The Great Lie, the debut studio recording from metal/opera project, MELTED SPACE, which is written and conducted by Pierre Le Pape with guest appearances from members of MORBID ANGEL, MAYHEM, SUNN O))), DARK TRANQUILLITY, ORPHANED LAND, SHINING, the entire City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and many more - is out through Sensory Records.

In addition to Kai Hansen GAMMA RAY has recruited Frank Beck, who has worked with the band since 2014, to be the band’s second vocalist. The move frees up band founder Hansen to put less stress on his vocals.

HELLOWEEN issued a book on October 31st entitled Hellbook, which the band describes as a "HELLOWEEN bible." In the meantime, MASTERPLAN and former HELLOWEEN guitarist are recording a HELLOWEEN cover songs.

As mentioned last month Ritchie Blackmore is playing several shows next summer of RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE songs. This is Blackmore’s first foray into hard rock since 1997. The guitarist has recruited an, as yet, unnamed vocalist. The show announced thus far are Monsters Of Rock festival on Friday, June 17th at Freilichtbühne in Loreley and on June 18th at Festplatz am Viadukt in Bietigheim-Bissingen.


Metallian Demos

FUCK THE FACTS - DESIRE WILL ROT
The Ottawa band is back with a seventh full-length (plus what seems like countless EPs and split releases). Desire Will Rot starts as expected with grinding screams accompanied by hardcore, loud bass and general craziness. Before long elements like solos and breaks creep their way into the songs. At first it is just a break in Shadows Collide and then a solo or two. By the fourth song, La Mort I, the band slow down briefly but the grinding is still there and remains for a while yet too. As the album moves ahead in its 11 tracks the length of the songs increase and give a hint as to something extra or different coming. Before the transformation though Prey is one solid and heavy song that combines the good of Brutal Truth, Cephalic Carnage or indeed Fuck The Facts itself type with slow heaviness. The last three songs, False Hope, Circle and Nothing Changes average over six minutes each. The first of the three starts as usual but then turns into something part doomy, part jamming. The four-part and almost eight minutes long Circle is fully ambient with experimental noise and includes bits of cello and piano too. It is a 180 degree departure. Nothing Changes is the closer and is still a big departure from most of the rest. While the screams and metal elements are back the song is mid-paced and chugs along for almost its entire six minutes or so. Check the latest at www.fuckthefacts.com. – Anna Tergel

BLËED - THE HATRED INSIDE
This Edmonton, Canada quartet "Pays homage to theatrical metal kings, Gwar, through ... costume design". The Hatred Inside is the band's full-length debut after 2014's self-titled EP. The title track is a short intro and is followed by Deceiver which along with Murder Baby is marked with asterisks on the band's bio. The asterisks are meant to denote explicit lyrics! The first thought that comes to mind is that the production is not helping Bleed. Deceiver struggles in both pace and heaviness as well. Committed does better in at least one of those areas. The sound is more speedy and thrashy than death metal or any other kind of brutality. The vocals (Robert Kreed) are also not growling but are reminiscent of a cleaner thrasher type. Blood Ashes tries to keep a good tempo with solos as well. Suffocate starts brighter and heavier and showcases a more complete metal side of Bleed. Murder Baby includes the aforementioned explicit lyrics and its chorus goes like “Fuck and kill and hate and rape and plant the seed of murder baby”, the highlights however are the death thrashy parts. Xombimind is less interesting and more formulaic. Beginnings is better again with a faster driving rhythm. It also includes a good extended solo. Obelisk, Conquer and Hate March Kill close out The Hatred Inside showing potential, notably the strong Slayer influence in Conquer and the more effective closer. When a band has a recommended if you like section that includes all of Gwar, Devil Driver, Coal Chamber, Static-X, Amon Amarth and Slayer questions are inevitable. More like the last bands will help - a lot - ask for it at www.bleedband.com. – Anna Tergel