INCANTATION Comments on Live Dates

After a successful string of US dates, death metal legends INCANTATION are set to take their newest masterpiece, Vanquish in Vengeance, to Europe for appearances in Paris, Switzerland and at the Neurotic Death Fest in Holland. Before heading across the pond, INCANTATION will make a stop in Miami, FL for a night of decimation with Hibernus Mortis, Ulcer and Masticator. The band issued the following statement regarding their recent live activities, 

"While the 'old world' awaits us in the near future, here stateside was a furious and ruthless number of shows. Ohio, Texas and New York mark the first live performances for our new Vanquish in Vengeance album. 

The staff of the Shrunken Head in Columbus made things go smoothly while the sick as fuck bands we had the pleasure of jamming with made it all the more awesome. Many hails to Soulless and The Council Beneath the Sea for their help and absolutely shredding. And of course everyone who attended the slaughter that night! Next was Houston to headline the Masters of Death fest. Been many years since the bands' return. The energy was unreal when the stage was pummeled by the likes of our brothers in Master, HOD, La Sanche, and Nodens. Thanks and greetings to all our old friends and the help they provided that made the show a true honor to be part of. Lastly was a return to NY at the St. Vitus club in Brooklyn. Few words can capture what it means to see a metal bar such as theirs overflowing with metal heathens. Fuckin' sick! So, why not a sold out show with the likes of such bands as Evoken, Derketa, and Funerus. If it weren't for their support a lot would not have been possible. Brutal crowd, great staff and pure death metal! 

With only a few weeks away we can no longer hold back our anticipation. Our crusade of blackened death for the Vanquish in Vengeance album will now poison the shores of Europe once again. A few battles planed in France, Switzerland with our brothers in Supreme Lord!  Then back to Tilburg, Holland for the Neurotic Deathfest! With so many hails in waiting to all of whom we'll reunite, and the greetings in infernal brotherhood to those whom we shall meet.   

The abyss beckons us to battle! This time it's to the south, to Miami. We're really anxious to bring our 'Vengeance' to an area we've not returned to in many years. Hails to Hibernus Mortis, Ulcer and Masticator who will share in our assault. Rally to the blasphemy of unholy old school death metal, we look forward to seeing you heathens there. You've been warned!"

INCANTATION Live:

2.05.2013 Paris, France @ Le Gibus 

3.05.2013 Winterthur, Switzerland @ Gaswerk 

5.05.2013 Tilburg, Netherlands @ Neurotic Deathfest

Vanquish in Vengeance was released last year on Listenable Records and features over 50 minutes of the band's trademark dark and unholy death metal. Recorded at the infamous Mars Recording Compound with Engineer Bill Korecky and mixed and mastered by the legendary Dan Swano at Unisound studios, Vanquish in Vengeance deals with the numerous counts of genocide in the name of religion our society has witnessed over a millennia. Check out the video for album track "Invoked Infinity" at this location.  

A CD/LP/ T-SHIRT/SPECIAL LTD BOX is available here : http://shop.listenable.net/category.php?id_category=129. 

This release and more band merch can be found at INCANTATION's newly relaunched webstore - www.incantation.com. 

"Death metal excellence." - Ghost Cult

"After two decades' worth of albums and a positively legendary number of lineup changes, [INCANTATION] are still as vital as ever." - Metal Sucks

"Vanquish in Vengeance sounds like it could have come out in 1991 and calls bullshit on the legions of poseurs who disguise a paucity of ideas under a blizzard of fret-wankery and offal. This is death metal for the ages, and the masters have once again returned to view their unholy kingdom." -  This Is Not A Scene

Chuck Sherwood - Bass 

Alex Bouks - Guitar 

Kyle Severn - Drums 

John McEntee - Guitar, Vocals

www.incantation.com 

Incantation on Facebook  

www.listenable.net 

EVILE TO PREMIERE NEW TRACK 'HEAD OF THE DEMON' TONIGHT ON BBC RADIO 1

EVILE are due to premiere a brand new track tonight on the UK's BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, hosted by DANIEL P. CARTER.

The world premiere of the track "Head of the Demon", which is taken from EVILE's upcoming new studio album, SKULL, will take place during the late night show, which starts at midnight and can be streamed live online.

Listen to the exclusive world premiere on the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show tonight at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wq4s

"Head of the Demon" is the second track to be released from SKULL, following the release of the first single, "Underworld", last week.  Watch the official "Underworld" lyric video now at http://youtu.be/gckfqefea_0

SKULL is due to be released in Europe on May 27th via Earache Records, and in the USA on June 11th via Century Media/Earache Records.  The album was recorded with producer RUSS RUSSELL (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England.  The artwork was painted by artist ELIRAN KANTOR (TESTAMENT, SODOM, HATEBREED).

SKULL is available to pre-order now in a huge selection of formats and bundles from the Earache Webstore in Europe at http://bit.ly/c7wbbN and in North America at http://bit.ly/9aOHhw

SKULL is also available on iTunes, including an instant grat track which you receive as soon as you pre-order the album.  Pre-order SKULL now on iTunes at http://bit.ly/itunesskull

See EVILE live at the following shows:

Jun. 14 - Wervik, Belgium - SkullFest
Jun. 28 - Lesmahagow, UK - Les Fest
Aug. 24 - Werrington, UK - Scar Fest

Get more EVILE news and info at:

Official website - http://www.evile.co.uk
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/evileuk
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/evileuk
Twitter - http://twitter.com/evileuk
Tumblr - http://evile.tumblr.com

Terrorizer Magazine Streaming SATAN's Life Sentence In Full

NWOBHM legends SATAN and Listenable Records have allied themselves with Terrorizer Magazine for a full stream of the band's long-awaited new album Life Sentence.  

The album will be out in North America on May 21st through Listenable Records, but you lucky bastards can check it out in its entirety at this location. 

This Sunday - April 28th - SATAN guitarist Steve Ramsey will be the special guest on Heavy Metal Mayhem. Tune in to the podcast this Sunday at 6:00 EST sharp to hear Steve and HMM host Mike "The Big Cheese" chat LIVE about Life Sentence and SATAN's storied history. Listen the Heavy Metal Mayhem at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/heavy-metal-mayhem/2013/04/28/heavy-metal-mayhem

Life Sentence, SATAN's first full-length since 1987's Suspended Sentence, will mark the 30th anniversary of the band's highly-acclaimed 1983 debut Court In The Act. The album feature the same line-up that appeared on that now-classic piece of metal history.

The cover art for the album (pictured below) was drawn by famed artist Eliran Kantor (SODOM, TESTAMENT, HATEBREED - www.elirankantor.com) and depicts a similar graphic concept as Court In The Act. Mixed by Dario Mollo at Damage Inc. Studio in Italy and tracked late last year at First Avenue in Newcastle, Life Sentence is a very strong uptempo heavy metal album that will undoubtedly become a metal classic. 

Pre-orders are available at http://shop.listenable.net/category.php?id_category=137

"The 80s NWOBHM legends return with an absolute beast of a comeback"

- Metal Hammer

"With the original lineup all in place, Satan's high-flying, expertly-phrased melody lines and riffing have returned as if reappearing, modified DeLorean-style, from the past."

- Worm Gear Zine

SATAN are a heavy metal band originating from Newcastle, England in 1980, known as part of the NWOBHM movement. Though generally obscure throughout their career, the band is considered influential for playing a form of proto-thrash metal that was fairly advanced by the standards of the early 1980s. SATAN remained inactive until re-assembling for a one-off gig at Germany's Wacken Open Air in 2004, and finally reunited in their original Court In The Act line-up for 2011's Keep It True festival. The band performed at several European festivals in 2011 and 2012 and have announced more festival shows and new album for 2013, to mark the 30th anniversary of their debut release.

www.satanmusic.com 

www.twitter.com/satanmusic_com 

www.facebook.com/officialsatanpage

                                    www.listenable.net 

The Golden Voice of Rock - JORN - is back with a new original album "Traveller" to be released in June on Frontiers

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of a brand new – all original – studio album JORN  « Traveller » on June 11th in North America and June 14th in Europe.

Considered one of the greatest legends in rock, and by many as the best male rock singer of the millennium, Jorn Lande never seems to stop producing music, and is back with yet another slab of classic 1st division heavy rock. The brand new album "Traveller" is definitely a suitable title to fit this gifted and creative viking’s extreme productivity.

During his almost 30 year long career his albums have sold millions. He managed to release close to 40 albums with various bands/projects in the past decades, and "Traveller" is his 8th studio album under the Jorn banner.  Some say he has passed his successors by his gift of being versatile, and ability to not get stuck in the political frames of the music business.  A true independent "freebird" hammering his legacy in stone as he goes, with a band of grounded and solid craftsmen to back up his hurricane force voice.

This album represents the first product of the pairing of Jorn Lande and the new JORN guitarist Trond Holter (Wig Wam, Dream Police). The result is eleven new songs encompassing a variety of moods and styles, with Lande’s voice shining through memorable anthems, backed by wonderful grooves and tightly-executed Classic and Melodic Heavy Metal. “This album has all the elements of the Jorn legacy,” says Lande. “It is heavy, but still very melodic and experimental, and it really rocks! As usual we haven't spent much time analyzing the material before recording it, this is an album about life, doom and death reflecting on what I know

and thoughts about what I don't”.

Being one of the most productive artists of his time, Jorn makes sure that the fans won't have to wait long for the rock!

 “Traveller” includes the following tracks:

Overload; Cancer Demon; Traveller; Window Maker; Make Your Engine Scream; Legend Man; Carry The Black; Rev On; Monsoon; The Man Who Was King

You can sample four songs from the new album following the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmALY0tRwC8

JORN

Jorn Lande: Vocals

Willy Bendiksen: Drums

Trond Holter: Guitar

Jimmy Iversen: Guitar

Bernt Jansen: Bass

WHITE WIZZARD REVEAL 'THE DEVILS CUT' ALBUM ARTWORK

WHITE WIZZARD have revealed the artwork for their upcoming new album, THE DEVILS CUT, which is due to be released on June 3rd in Europe via Earache Records, and June 25th in the USA via Century Media/Earache Records.

THE DEVILS CUT is the band's third full-length release, and features artwork by CAMERON DAVIS, who is known for his work as lead character designer and illustrator for the Guitar Hero video game series.

WHITE WIZZARD bassist and mainman JON LEON comments:

"It was great to work with the amazing artist Cameron Davis again, who also did the art for our album 'Over the Top'.  Cameron and I live in the same building here in LA and he is a really talented guy.  When he presented me the piece for the album cover, I knew right away it was the one.  It has amazing imagery and depth and is very artful, while making a tongue-in-cheek statement poking some fun at organized religion, which is something I feel strongly about.

"Some of my lyrics on this album and previous albums focus on not letting religion and the cult of group belief blind you from the preservation of thinking for yourself and being an individual, so it ties into that very well, as the statement of the piece is how religion is imprisonment for the soul and how, even within its own confines, it forces its believers into blind group submission.  I think any of us that went to catholic school as a child can relate to that nun!!!  It has 'classic metal cover' all over it and it just blew my mind.

"I look forward to this imagery being out there and am proud to have it be a part of White Wizzard.  To have art of this quality to convey the visual aspects of the band is just fantastic."

Watch a video of WHITE WIZZARD taking part in a photo shoot with artist CAMERON DAVIS, including an audio clip from the new album, at http://youtu.be/oO7w2tZVKrs

For more information about CAMERON DAVIS, go to http://www.cdavisart.com

See WHITE WIZZARD live:

May 08 - Fullerton, CA - Slide Bar (w/ CAULDRON)

Get WHITE WIZZARD music and merch from the Earache Webstore in Europe at http://bit.ly/a6kLfN and in North America at http://bit.ly/aHWjUL

Get more WHITE WIZZARD news and info at:

Official site - http://www.whitewizzardofficial.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/WhiteWizzard

Support Boston Strong

As many know Focus on Metal is based in Boston and the events of April 15 have touched many of our friends and families. With that in mind we want to make you aware of a fund raising effort to support those most affected by the bombings.

https://www.facebook.com/StayStrongBostonStrong

In the wake of the tragic events of the 2013 Boston Marathon, please show your support for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings by buying a shirt from Ink to the People. 

All proceeds from your t-shirt purchase (totaling $15) will be donated to a charity related to the events that transpired on Monday April 15th. The One Fund charity, set up by Governor Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas Menino, was created to raise money for the families most affected by the tragic events during Monday's Boston Marathon. Show that Boston and its people are resilient.

Ink to the People has been our partner through this campaign, and has agreed to donate the production costs of the first 1,500 shirts. After that, $5 is taken to produce, print, and distribute the t-shirt. All proceeds (totaling $15 per shirt) is donated directly to the One Fund Boston. Boston Strong is in no way profiting from this transaction.

Dreamed up by students at Emerson College in Boston, MA.

http://inktothepeople.com/marketplace/ink-detail/3731

BATTLECROSS unveil Shannon Lucas as session drummer for new album

BATTLECROSS has completed work on their sophomore album, which will be due out this summer during their tour as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Recording has been completed and the finishing touches are being applied to the tracks and art. During tracking, one of metal's most acclaimed drummers, Shannon Lucas, stepped in as the session drummer for the album.

Lucas comments: "Being a fan of Battlecross, it is an honor to be a part of their new record. I can't wait for the world to hear this album."

Producer Eyal Levi adds, "I am so beyond excited for the chance to produce Shannon Lucas on the new Battlecross record. He's one of the true BEASTS of metal drumming. The man's skills are literally untouchable. Combine that with a badass rising star of a band and I think we've got the makings of a crushing record!"

As previously announced, Kevin Talley will be stepping in to play drums for the band on their two upcoming live performances, the New England Metal & Hardcore Fest (4/19) and the Orion Music & More Festival (6/08-6/09). Drummer Mike Kreger has parted ways with the band to focus on some new opportunities and attend to personal business. BATTLECROSS will announce their new permanent member once a final decision has been made.

The album, scheduled to be released in early summer, also features a guest guitar solo by Producer Jason Suecof, and will be mastered by Joey Vera of Armored Saint. Vera also mastered the band's cover of Pantera's 'Hostile', which was released as a single last summer.

BATTLECROSS

04/19    Worcester, MA              Palladium - New England Metal & Hardcore Festival

06/08-09           Detroit, MI        Belle Isle Park - Orion Music + More Festival w/ Metallica

06/27    Las Vegas, NV               Cheyenne Saloon

w/ Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest 2013

06/29    San Bernardino, CA      San Manuel Amphitheater

06/30    Mountain View, CA       Shoreline Amphitheatre

07/02    Nampa, ID                    Idaho Center Amphitheatre

07/03    Auburn, WA                 White River Amphitheatre

07/05    Phoenix, AZ                  Desert Sky Pavilion

07/06    Albuquerque, NM         Isleta Amphitheatre

07/07    Englewood, CO                        Fiddler's Green Ampitheatre

07/09    Grand Rapids, MI          The Intersection w/ Children of Bodom, Amon Amarth, Behemoth, Job for a Cowboy, Huntress

07/10    Toronto, ON                 Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

07/12    Burgettstown, PA          First Niagara Pavilion

07/13    Scranton, PA                Toyota Pavilion

07/14    Darien Center, NY         Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

07/16    Mansfield, MA               Comcast Center

07/17    Bangor, ME                  Bangor Waterfront

07/19    Camden, NJ                  Susquehanna Bank Center

07/20    Saratoga Springs, NY    Saratoga Performing Arts Center           

07/21    Hartford, CT                 The Comcast Theatre

07/22    New York, NY               Saint Vitus w/ Huntress

07/23    Holmdel, NJ                  PNC Bank Arts Center

07/24    Bristow, VA                   Jiffy Lube Live

07/26    Noblesville, IN               Klipsch Music Center

07/27    Tinley Park, IL              First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre

07/28    Clarkston, MI                DTE Energy Music Theatre

07/29    Louisville, KY                 Expo Five w/ Children of Bodom, Amon Amarth, Emmure, Motionless In White, Born of Osiris, Job for a Cowboy, Huntress

07/30    Atlanta, GA                   Lakewood Amphitheatre           

07/31    Tampa, FL                    Live Nation Amphitheatre

08/02    Austin, TX                     TBA

08/03    The Woodlands, TX      Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

08/04    Dallas, TX                      Gexa Energy Pavilion

End Tour

08/07    Sauget, IL                     Pop's w/ Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Huntress

08/08    Nashville, TN                 Marathon Music Works w/ Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Huntress

08/09    Cleveland, OH              Peabody's w/ Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Huntress

http://battlecrossmetal.com/

https://www.facebook.com/battlecrossmetal

https://twitter.com/battlecross

http://www.metalblade.com/battlecross/

Bangladesh Death / Thrashers ORATOR Sign To Pulverised Records

Pulverised Records is extremely proud to announce the profane communion of ORATOR, the Death / Thrash act hailing from the cremation grounds of Bangladesh!

Formed in 2008, ORATOR has so far released one 7" EP, a live demo tape and one full-length album, entitled Kapalgnosis. After the release of Kapalgnosis earlier this year Armée De La Mort Records, the band has decided to get straight work on the follow up. 

The yet-to-be-titled second full-length will contain nothing but straight up old-school Death Thrashing Tandava in the vein of their debut. ORATOR plans to release the album by 2014. Behold the pulverized Aghoratical Deathrashing rage!

And as the band states: "We are presently working on new songs and we look forward to reveal them in our second album through Pulverised Records. More announcements on the upcoming album will follow in the course of time. ORATOR forms this mighty pact with Pulverised Records to bring their old-school Death Metal Aghori cult to a whole different level of existence both locally and internationally. The band therefore looks forward to a long and successful relation with the mighty Pulverised Records."

Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin further commented: "This was totally unexpected. In all honesty, no one would have imagined in their wildest dreams that there is much of an extreme scene in Bangladesh. ORATOR basically decimated all forms of sensibility and logic that we knew (or lack thereof) in the Bangladeshi Metal scene and ripped our faces off with their debut Kapalgnosis! We can't seem to stop raving about ORATOR and convinced that ORATOR is easily on par with the Death / Thrash Metal legends and greats of our time. Those who have embraced the intensity and savagery of the early 90's Death Metal will instantly dig ORATOR!"

To hear the hateful death metal abomination that is ORATOR, check out the track "Gnosis Stained Khadga" at this location.

ORATOR is:

Mephistopheles Warmonger - Drums

Skullbearer - Guitars, primary aghorations and lyrics

Vritra Ahi - Bass and secondary aghorations

 ORATOR Official Facebook

 ORATOR Official Myspace

www.pulverised.net 

www.facebook.com/pulverisedrecords

DARK DESIGN Signs With Heaven & Hell Records

Technical power/thrash band Dark Design from Raleigh, North Carolina has recently signed with Heaven & Hell Records for the release of their debut, Prey for the Future. 

Since early 2010Dark Design, comprised of members Ray Lewis (guitar), Mike Joyner (guitar), Andrew Bertrand (vocals), and rhythm section Matt (bass) and Robbie Mercer (drums), have built a strong fan base in their local metal scene. Their technical prowess and progressive song structuring have often been compared to that of Death, Toxik, and Anacrusis. As buzz of the band began to grow they were requested to play the 2012 Warriors of Metal Festival in Ohio. Meanwhile the band was working on their debut album. The band is currently finishing up the recording with John E Wooten (Widow U.S) and is now in final mix down. Mastering is set to be done by Jamie King at The Basement Studios. Release is set for late Summer / early Fall.

www.facebook.com/darkdesignband

www.heavenandhellrecords.com

www.facebook.com/heavenandhellrecords

SATAN Premiers "Testimony" at InvisibleOranges.com

Metal blog InvisibleOranges.com are in league with SATAN for the exclusive premier of "Testimony," taken from Life Sentence, the forthcoming album from the reunited NWOBHM legends. 

Life Sentence will be out in North America on April 29th via Listenable Records. Those eager for the sweet sounds of SATAN can bide their time with the stream of "Testimony" posted at this location. 

Life Sentence, SATAN's first full-length since 1987's Suspended Sentence, will be available in North America on May 21st via Listenable Records. The album will mark the 30th anniversary of the band's highly-acclaimed 1983 debut Court In The Act. Life Sentence will also feature the same line-up that appeared on that now-classic piece of metal history.

The cover art for the album (pictured below) was drawn by famed artist Eliran Kantor (SODOM, TESTAMENT, HATEBREED - www.elirankantor.com) and depicts a similar graphic concept as Court In The Act. Mixed by Dario Mollo at Damage Inc. Studio in Italy and tracked late last year at First Avenue in Newcastle, Life Sentence is a very strong uptempo heavy metal album that will undoubtedly become a metal classic. 

Pre-orders are available at http://shop.listenable.net/category.php?id_category=137

"The 80s NWOBHM legends return with an absolute beast of a comeback" 

- Metal Hammer 

"With the original lineup all in place, Satan's high-flying, expertly-phrased melody lines and riffing have returned as if reappearing, modified DeLorean-style, from the past." 

- Worm Gear Zine

SATAN are a heavy metal band originating from Newcastle, England in 1980, known as part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement. Though generally obscure throughout their career, the band is considered influential for playing a form of proto-thrash metal that was fairly advanced by the standards of the early 1980s. SATAN remained inactive until re-assembling for a one-off gig at Germany's Wacken Open Air in 2004, and finally reunited in their original Court In The Act line-up for 2011's Keep It True festival. The band performed at several european festivals in 2011 and 2012 and have announced more festival shows and new album for 2013, to mark the 30th anniversary of their debut release.

It's only taken me 25 years or so

   Yeah I joined a fan club, never been arsed about it before. I thought they were old hat to be honest and a relic of a bygone age. Sure most bands don't even bother with them anymore as they would rather get $200 out of you for 5 minutes at a meet and greet rather then pay someone to administer a club full time and charge $50 for a years membership. Then there's Twitter and Facebook that brings you closer (illusion?) to the band.

   So what fan club did I join and why? Well it's none other then the Megadeth Cyberarmy for 2 reasons. One: I love the band so enough said on that. Two: For April they are including a signed copy of the new cd with membership and as I am in a signature collecting mood it was an offer too good to give up. So you get THAT and everything else you normally get for $49. Click.....buy.......welcome to the club. Although I've really been in it since Peace Sells.

Check it out.

http://cyberarmy.megadeth.com/

1982 Metal Fanzine THE HEADBANGER Issue #2 Now Available on iTunes and Amazon!

Issue #2 of the Legendary early ’80s fanzine The Headbanger

Now re-released as an ebook through Japanime Publishing

Bob Nalbandian, founder and publisher of the esteemed early '80s heavy metal music fanzine THE HEADBANGER, has just released issue #2 of the groundbreaking Xeroxed fanzine in ebook form through the Tokyo-based company Japanime Publishing. This is the second issue (out of 11 total issues) to be released as an ebook, the first issue, which was also originally released as a Xeroxed fanzine in 1982, was made available as an ebook earlier this year. Never before has the fanzine — which featured early interviews of local and international heavy metal bands, including the very first profiles of then-unsigned LA bands Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth — been available for mass distribution until now.

Bob Nalbandian founded THE HEADBANGER in early 1982 when he was just 17 years old, and released the inaugural issue in May of that year. The seminal fanzine featured articles and interviews that vividly captured the emerging heavy metal scene.

Nalbandian says, "(Japanime founder) Glenn Kardy and I decided to present the readers an ebook version of the fanzine in its all its original, raw glory — without any touchups or changes to it. I've scanned all the pages of the first issue as is, or as was! What you’re getting is a digitized version of the original mockup, complete with cutout pictures and logos, rub-off letters, and typewriter print! THE HEADBANGER was published long before the widespread use of home computers and desktop printing, so this is as old-school as it gets!"

This second installment of the ebook will include an all-new introduction from Nalbandian, along with the entire contents of THE HEADBANGER Issue #2 (original fanzine release in late October of 1982). The issue features cover story/live review of British metal legends Motorhead on their first US headlining tour playing the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles; a 1-page European metal report (featuring then, fresh new metal bands Accept, Trust, Mercyful Fate, Electric Sun, Silver Mountain, Bodine and many others); a live review of Scorpions, Sept. 1, 1982 show at the Long Beach Arena; a heavy metal news section called “Hot Tips”; and no-holds-barred commentary on “new” albums by Saxon, Raven, Rainbow, Riot and “heavy metal masters” Judas Priest.

Nalbandian states, “I originally sold THE HEADBANGER for a dollar per issue (and the first one, I gave away for free). By transforming them into ebooks, I feel I can still offer it at an ultra-low price and give readers the same experience as if they were reading the original fanzine with its wrinkled pages, typos, faded print, and atrocious spelling and grammatical errors! I can't think of a better way to expose readers to a time in history when heavy metal music truly was an underground phenomenon, and tape-trading and metal fanzines were a way of life."

Both Issues #1 and #2 of The Headbanger are currently available worldwide in the Apple iBookstore and the Amazon Kindle store. Here are direct links to the latest issue (#2) for customers in the United States.

Itunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-headbanger/id621352581?mt=11

Amazon: 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Headbanger-Issue-2-ebook/dp/B00C5NYYJS 

EVILE: EXCLUSIVE 'SKULL' PRE-ORDER OPTIONS AVAILABLE FROM EARACHE

British thrashers EVILE are now offering pre-orders for their brand new studio album, SKULL

As a special offer to fans, SKULL will be available in a wide selection of exclusive pre-order options from the Earache Records Webstore, with deals to suit everyone from the casual fan to the most dedicated and die-hard EVILE followers.

The new SKULL album and merch will be available in the following options:

- Regular jewel case CD
- Jewel case CD signed by band (100 copies)
- Red (100 copies), White (200), Purple (300) or Black (400) vinyl LP
- Black vinyl LP signed by the band (150 copies)
- Album cover t-shirt
- Album cover hoodie
- Album cover girlie/tank top
- CD & t-shirt/hoodie/girlie pack
- Black LP & t-shirt/hoodie/girlie pack
- Your name in the album credits & CD or Black LP

All SKULL album pre-orders from the Earache Webstore will also come with an exclusive bonus CD featuring two extra tracks, unavailable anywhere else.

View an image of the SKULL pre-order options at http://earacherecords.com/myspace/evile_skull_preorders.jpg

Please note that some of these products are only available in strictly limited quantities and once they're gone, they're gone!  Reserve your copy tonight from 6:00pm UK time from the Earache Webstore in Europe at http://bit.ly/c7wbbN or in North America at http://bit.ly/9aOHhw

A SKULL album teaser is available now, featuring clips from each of the nine tracks on the album.  Watch the teaser video now at http://youtu.be/_5DIkTStAa0

SKULL is due to be released in Europe on Earache Records on May 27th, and in the USA via Century Media/Earache Records on June 11th.  The album was recorded with producer RUSS RUSSELL (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England.  The artwork for the album was painted by artist ELIRAN KANTOR (TESTAMENT, SODOM, HATEBREED).

See EVILE live at the following shows:

Apr. 20 - Leeds, UK - Crash Records (Record Store Day UK show)
Apr. 26 - Dublin, Ireland - The Academy *
Apr. 27 - Manchester, UK - HMV Ritz *
Apr. 28 - London, UK - HMV Forum *
Jun. 14 - Wervik, Belgium - SkullFest
Jun. 28 - Lesmahagow, UK - Les Fest
Aug. 24 - Werrington, UK - Scar Fest

* with KREATOR

Get more EVILE news and info at:

Official website - http://www.evile.co.uk
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/evileuk
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/evileuk
Twitter - http://twitter.com/evileuk
Tumblr - http://evile.tumblr.com

REVEL IN FLESH - Manifested Darkness Out Today on FDA Rekotz

Manifested Darkness, the anticipated sophomore effort from dirty old-school death dealers REVEL IN FLESH is now available for global consumption via FDA Rekotz.  

Harnessing the momentum created by the album that Teeth of the Divine's Erik Thomas called "the best of a recent impressive run of the style," Manifested Darkness ups the ante and goes for the jugular. The album is sure to be considered one of 2013's best classic Death Metal releases.

Manifested Darkness is available as a CD and digital download, containing nine hammering new hymns of destruction plus one special bonus track exclusive to the CD version. The LP version will be out on April 26th and will include an additional bonus track. The artwork for

Manifested Darkness was created by the Spanish artist Juanjo Castellano. The album was mixed and mastered at Unisound Studio by Dan Swanö. 

   

Order now at www.fda-rekotz.com.

"This album will sit well with followers of a refreshed classic sound and Manifested Darkness lives up to its title by being thoroughly hard hitting, resulting in bone trembling filth and fury and this is a great place to reside in all honesty." - AveNoctum.com 

Martyrd to Support Yngwie Malsteem on Select N. American Tour Dates

Brooklyn Metal Merchants MARTYRD will support guitar god YNGWIE MALMSTEEN on select North American tour dates beginning April 26th in Toronto, ON. The band will also perform with SINGLE BULLET THEORY on May 11th in Queens, NY and June 1st at Mojo 13 in Wilmington, DE.  

MARTYRD released the critically acclaimed The Mortal Coil in 2012. Guitar World's Josh Hart praised the album, comparing the band's sound to acts as varied as KREATOR, and SYMPHONY X, while also affirming comparisons to the likes of MEGADETH, PAIN OF SALVATION, and SYSTEM OF A DOWN. 

       TOUR DATES

4/26 @ The Phoenix* - Toronto, ON

4/27 @ Webster Theater* - Hartford, CT

4/28 @ Carnegie Music Hall* - Munhall, PA

4/30 @ Irving Plaza* - New York, NY

5/04 @ House of Blues* - Chicago, IL

5/11 @ Arena Queens ** - Queens, NY

5/16 @ Granda Theater* - Dallas, TX

5/17 @ Backstage Live* - San Antonio, TX

5/18 @ Houston Guitar Fest* - Houston, TX

5/24 @ TBA* - Florida

5/25 @ Grand Central* - Miami, FL

6/01 @ Mojo 13** - Wilmington, DE  

*with Yngwie Malmsteen

**with Single Bullet Theory

"If you like a steady diet of crunchy riffs, and pounding drums punching out hook laden metal delivered with technical prowess, then Martyrd's new effort 'The Mortal Coil' will light you up." - Fingers, WBAB Radio DJ, Fingers Metal Shop

 "With the amount of new and young blood Thrash Metal bands being signed to major labels (Mantic Ritual, Black Tide, Warbringer), can success be far behind for the New York based Martyrd? Let's hope not." -Ken Pierce, Piercing Metal

"Martyrd has created a heavy metal album that wears its influences proudly (Exodus, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Megadeth)." -BLABBERMOUTH.NET

 "...you need to check out Martyrd. If you love that old school metal sound, you will love these guys!" -The Aquarian

www.Martyrd.com

www.facebook.com/Martyrd

twitter.com/martyrd13

www.youtube.com/martyrd13

www.reverbnation.com/martyrd13

CAULDRON KICK OFF NORTH AMERICAN TOUR TONIGHT

CAULDRON are due to kick off a North American tour tonight - Friday, April 12th - at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn, New York in support of their latest album, TOMORROW'S LOST.

The band will be playing headlining shows around the USA and Canada, as well as seven shows with British heavy metal legends DIAMOND HEAD.  The band will then be performing at METALLICA's "Orion Music + More" festival in June with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, DEFTONES, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, FU MANCHU and more.

CAULDRON vocalist and bassist JASON DECAY comments:

"Pumped to be heading out on our first North American tour in two years to support our latest album, Tomorrow's Lost.  Looking forward to some gigs with Diamond Head and of course a pile of headlining gigs.  Sorry to anywhere we can't make it but are repeatedly requested, we will try again next time.  See you on the road to nowhere!"

See CAULDRON on tour at the following shows:

Apr. 12 - New York, NY - Saint Vitus (w/ DIAMOND HEAD)
Apr. 13 - Worcester, MA - The Firehouse
Apr. 14 - Seymour, CT - Dewey's (w/ DIAMOND HEAD)
Apr. 15 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Électrique (w/ DIAMOND HEAD)
Apr. 16 - Quebec, QC - Coop l'Agitée (w/ DIAMOND HEAD)
Apr. 17 - Ottawa, ON - Mavericks
Apr. 18 - Kingston, ON - The Mansion
Apr. 19 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck (w/ DIAMOND HEAD)
Apr. 20 - Lansing, MI - Uli's Haus of Rock (w/ DIAMOND HEAD)
Apr. 21 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's (w/ DIAMOND HEAD)
Apr. 22 - Milwaukee, WI - The Blue Pig
Apr. 24 - Winnipeg, MB - The Windsor
Apr. 26 - Regina, SK - TBA
Apr. 27 - Edmonton, AB - Pawn Shop
May 01 - Calgary, AB - Dickens Pub
May 02 - Nelson, BC - Hume Hotel Spiritbar
May 03 - Vancouver, BC - Astoria
May 04 - Portland, OR - Branx
May 05 - Medford, OR - MusicHead
May 06 - Oakland, CA - Eli's (w/ ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST, HYSTERIA)
May 07 - Los Angeles, CA - 5 Star Bar
May 08 - Fullerton, CA - Slidebar
May 09 - Las Vegas, NV - Bunkhouse
May 10 - Mesa, AZ - Nile Theater Underground
May 11 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad (w/ TORTURE VICTIM)
May 15 - St. Louis, MO - Cusumanos'
May 16 - Indianapolis, IN - Indy's Jukebox
May 17 - Columbus, OH - Kobo

Jun. 08 - Detroit, MI - Orion Music + More festival
Jul. 05 - Richmond, VA - TBA
Jul. 06 - Raleigh, NC - The Maywood

CAULDRON's new album, TOMORROW'S LOST, is out now in Europe on CD and vinyl at http://bit.ly/e1A5Fs and on iTunes at http://bit.ly/MFZT9G

The album is due to be released in the USA via Century Media/Earache Records on April 30th.

Watch CAULDRON's music video for the track "Nitebreaker" at http://youtu.be/_ZYrPR5cr5o

Get more CAULDRON news and info at:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/cauldronmetal
Tumblr - http://cauldronmetal.tumblr.com
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/cauldronmetal
Twitter - http://twitter.com/cauldronmetal

ARRIVAL OF THE BLACK - Vinland Tour 2013 with INFINITUM OBSCURE Starts Friday

Mexico's Death Metal Darkness INFINITUM OBSCURE will begin their US invasion this week when the "Arrival Of The Black - Vinland Tour 2013" gets underway on Friday, April 12th at The Black Castle in Los Angeles. 

INFINITUM OBSCURE will be direct support for the legendary SORCERY. The tour features a total of 15 concerts across the United States of America that promise to deliver the most utter Death Metal Darkness.

ARRIVAL OF THE BLACK - Vinland Tour 2013 featuring SORCERY & INFINITUM OBSCURE Tour Dates:

Apr 12 - The Black Castle - Los Angeles, CA

Apr 13 - Oakland Metro Operahouse - Oakland, CA

Apr 14 - Rotture - Portland, OR

Apr 15 - Studio Seven - Seattle, WA

Apr 16 - Burt's Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT

Apr 17 - Sokol Underground - Omaha, NE

Apr 18 - Ultra Lounge - Chicago, IL

Apr 19 - The Foundry - Lakewood, OH

Apr 20 - Sergio's Place - Silver Spring, MD

Apr 21 - Freddies Tavern - Bristol, PA

Apr 22 - Swayze's - Marietta, GA

Apr 23 - Matthews Bar and Grill - Birmingham, AL

Apr 24 - Walter's Downtown - Houston, TX

Apr 26 - Til-Two Club - San Diego, CA

Apr 27 - Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV 

presented by Hatewar Productions (www.hatewarproductions.com) 

INFINITUM OBSCURE recently released the three-song MCD, The Luminous Black on Deathgasm Records. Featuring one new track, a re-recorded version of "Path to Apocalypse" from the band's 2006 debut Internal Dark Force and a blistering take on BATHORY's "Through Blood by Thunder," The Luminous Black will be unveiling what's to come in INFINITUM OBSCURE's upcoming full length album. This will be limited to a one time only pressing. Visit www.deathgasm.com to order.   

There is still no set recording date for the new album, things are finally beginning to materialize... but it will be recorded and produced once again by Bill Metoyer at Skull Seven Studios in Los Angeles, California and will be mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio in Sweden. It will also feature once again the majestic artwork of Ketolahelvete.

The full length will be released during 2013 in the U.S.A. via Deathgasm Records (CD format - digipack and jewelcase) and in Europe via Blood Harvest Records on 12 inch vinyl format.

www.infinitumobscure.com

www.facebook.com/infinitumobscure 

www.deathgasm.com

RIVAL SONS KICK OFF UK LEG OF EUROPEAN TOUR TONIGHT IN LONDON

Long Beach blues-rockers RIVAL SONS have returned to the UK to kick off the next leg of their European tour.

The band will be performing tonight - Tuesday, April 9th - at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, before continuing their trek around the UK for another six shows.  The band will then be returning to Europe again in June for a number of summer festival appearances, including the UK's legendary Download festival.

See RIVAL SONS on tour at the following shows:

RIVAL SONS w/ THE GRAVELTONES, ULYSSES
Apr. 09 - London, UK - Shepherds Bush Empire
Apr. 10 - Cardiff, UK - Solus
Apr. 11 - Birmingham, UK - Institute
Apr. 13 - Leeds, UK - Leeds Metropolitan University
Apr. 14 - Edinburgh, UK - Picture House
Apr. 15 - Preston, UK - 53 Degrees

RIVAL SONS w/ THE GRAVELTONES, THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT
Apr. 16 - Cambridge, UK - Junction

Jun. 08 - Kivenlahti, Finland - Kivenlahti Rock
Jun. 14 - Bergen, Norway - Bergenfest
Jun. 15 - Oslo, Norway - Norwegian Wood festival
Jun. 16 - Castle Donington, UK - Download festival


RIVAL SONS are releasing a special limited edition vinyl for this year's Record Store Day.  The picture disc features a live version of "Manifest Destiny Pt. 1" recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden; an acoustic version of "Manifest Destiny Pt. 2", and the full-length version of "Nava".

For more information about Record Store Day and to see which stores are taking part in the UK, head to http://www.recordstoreday.co.uk

RIVAL SONS' new album, HEAD DOWN, is out now in Europe on CD and limited edition vinyl at http://bit.ly/jucwYJ and on iTunes at http://bit.ly/KMbFhR

The album is also available now in the USA through Century Media/Earache Records at http://bit.ly/Zkw95l

Get more RIVAL SONS news and info at:

Official site - http://www.rivalsons.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/rivalsons
Twitter - http://twitter.com/rivalsons

Lizzy Borden Launches Selective US Anniversary Shows

Lizzy Borden will be celebrating thirty years of American Metal in 2013 with a brand new show, created from the ground up just for the monumental 30 year anniversary. The new selected shows will encompass songs from each and every Lizzy Borden record to date, including classic songs like "Me against the World", "American Metal", "Master of Disguise" Plus songs the band has never performed live. April 13 Whisky A Go Go - Hollywood CA April 20 Count's Vamp'd - Las Vegas, NV April 25 Changes New Castle, PA April 26 Dead Horse Cantina Music Hall McKees Rocks, PA April 27 Spring Stampede at the House Of Rock, Baltimore, MD    For tickets and upcoming tour dates, please see the official website at: http://www.lizzyborden.com/lizzyborden-tourdates.htm    The Band:  Lizzy Borden Joey Scott Marten Andersson Dario Lorina

EARACHE TO RELEASE 'THE WORLD'S SHORTEST ALBUM' RECORD STORE DAY VINYL

EARACHE RECORDS will be marking this year's Record Store Day with a number of special limited edition releases.  Among the rarities being unveiled on April 20th will be "The World's Shortest Album" - available on vinyl for the first time and clocking in at just 83 seconds.

Crammed into less than two minutes is an assortment of the best grindcore acts from the past two decades: NAPALM DEATH, WORMROT, A.C., INSECT WARFARE, BRUTAL TRUTH and more.  The album will be on a 5" vinyl, presented in a 12" sleeve.

INSECT WARFARE founder Beau Beasley commented on the power of short songs:

"The first time I heard 'You Suffer' was an experience like this: it was like the sound of two pieces of large, rusted metal colliding.  Quick, scathing, and confusing.  A car crash.  Not literally, but might as well have been.

"I like the primal aspect of these songs.  Anything that really needs to be said can really be expressed very simply.  Think of the power of the word 'NO'.  When you hear it yelled you immediately know its intent.  Imagine that power with the sound of a blast beat behind it."

The tracklisting for "The World's Shortest Album" is as follows (with timings in seconds):

Side A:
01. Napalm Death - You Suffer (1.9s)
02. Napalm Death - Dead (2.7s)
03. Napalm Death - Your Achievement (4.2s)
04. Wormrot - False Grind Sodomy (2.5s)
05. Wormrot - You Suffer But Why Is It My Problem (4.0s)
06. Brutal Truth - Collateral Damage (4.0s)
07. A.C. - Howard Wulkan's Bald (4.0s)

Side B:
01. Lawnmower Deth - Be Scene Not Heard (4.7s)
02. Painkiller - Trailmarker (6.0s)
03. Brutal Truth - Blockhead (7.3s)
04. Morbid Angel - Bil Ur-Sag #2 Lava (6.9s)
05. A.C. - Windchimes Are Gay (9.5s)
06. Insect Warfare - Street Sweeper (13.5s)

Total running time including gaps between tracks: 82.8 seconds

BRUTAL TRUTH's featured track, "Collateral Damage", is already in the Guiness Book of Records as the "World's Shortest Video", whilst NAPALM DEATH's "You Suffer" also attained status as the "World's Shortest Song".

Record Store Day is taking place on April 20th, 2013 and brings together artists and independently-owned record stores around the world to celebrate the art of music.  Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and sold in independent stores.

For more information and to see which stores are participating in Record Store Day in the UK, head to http://www.recordstoreday.co.uk