WHITE WIZZARD ANNOUNCE 'THE DEVILS CUT' U.S. ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

WHITE WIZZARD have announced a special album release show at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood on July 9th.

The band will be celebrating the release of their brand new studio album, THE DEVILS CUT, which is due to be released in the USA on June 25th via Century Media/Earache Records.  WHITE WIZZARD will be joined at the event by melodic power metallers DEATH DEALER.

WHITE WIZZARD bassist and mainman JON LEON comments:

"White Wizzard are really thrilled to play a dual CD release show with the awesome new band, Death Dealer.  We have played with Cage and Ross the Boss in the past so this should be a great local show for both bands.  We are also excited to use this show to debut new material from our new album, The Devils Cut, out on June 25th via Century Media.  Make sure you come out and support!"

THE DEVILS CUT is out now in Europe on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl LP.  The album features artwork by CAMERON DAVIS, who is known for his work as lead character designer and illustrator for the Guitar Hero video game series.

Get THE DEVILS CUT now from the Earache Webstore in Europe at http://bit.ly/a6kLfN or get the European import in North America at http://bit.ly/aHWjUL

Listen to two tracks from THE DEVILS CUT now:

"Strike the Iron" - http://youtu.be/FnKnQ_EahYI
"Lightning in My Hands" - http://youtu.be/XPbPvG8mi98

Get more WHITE WIZZARD news and info at:

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

Review - Queensryche- Queensryche (Century Media Records)

   The whole Queensryche break-up thing is just sad. After Chris Degarmo left the other four soldiered on releasing new albums at a brisk rate followed by heavy stints of touring. Not every release hit the spot with the die-hards. The band wanted to grow, the fans wanted old school. The cabaret thing was a mistake and then Geoff Tate lost the plot.

   So now we have two Queensryche's for the moment anyway until the judge rules in November. Tate was first out of the box with the underwhelming Frequency Unknown. Rushed, poorly recorded with a cast of thousands. A band indeed.

   A couple of months later and the Wilton, Rockenfield, Jackson, Lundgren band release their self-titled and rebooted version with Todd La Torre having big shoes to fill. They have taken the more dignified route waiting for the music to hopefully do the talking. They already have 2 strikes against them:

   Strike 1: a new singer is often the end of the band.

   Strike 2: the perception since Degarmo left was Tate steering the ship.

   I wasn't expecting much from this but damn am I impressed. Let's face facts, Degarmo was the principal songwriter for their biggest selling albums. What the band have done is try to recapture that classic sound and for the most part they have succeeded. Tracks like the opener Where Dreams Go To Die and Redemption could be taken from Rage or Promised Land. That's a good thing. After listening to this I'm just glad they tried. Best track for me is A World Without but there's not a duff track on this. Solid songs, well written, well performed and sounds great as in classic Queensryche great.

   Todd La Torre does a great job here and does sound uncannily like Geoff Tate at times. Lets call a spade a spade and say he's a better singer now. He is well able to sing the really old stuff from The Warning.

   It is a little too short though, there are only 9 tracks as 2 listed are short instrumentals. So where are the accumulated tracks that never made it onto the last couple of Tate led albums? It is only a small gripe though.

   So there you have it, I had high hopes for Tate and no hope for these guys. I was wrong.

Richie.

http://www.queensrycheofficial.com/intro.cfm

MOTHERSHIP Gearing Up For Summer Tour With COMMUNION

The Dallas, Texas-based trio of heavy rock bad asses known as  MOTHERSHIP is about to make a return the road for a brief run with psychedelic doomsters COMMUNION.   Those who missed out on the band's Spring run with  GYPSYHAWK now have a second chance to experience  some no-frills rock n' roll magic when MOTHERSHIP kicks off  their Summer tour on June 24th at Hotel Vegas in Austin, TX.  This run will include a June 28th stop in Trabuco Canyon, CA  for Show Class Magazine's Born Free 5 Festival People's Champ  Party. Details for Born Free 5 and the pre-party can be found  at the following links: bornfreeshow.blogspot.com  www.showclassmag.com  www.heavy-clothing.com      In other news, the song "Lunar  Master," off of MOTHERSHIP's  self-titled debut, has been ranked #3 on The Paranoid Hitsophrenic  'Regular Old Doom Charts.' Check out the rankings, which includes  a link to a stream of the track, at this location.   MOTHERSHIP Summer 2013 Tour Dates w/ COMMUNION     June 24 Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas June 25 El Paso, TX @ The Lowbrow Palace June 26 Tucson, AZ @ Surly Wench Pub w/ Thorncaster June 27 San Diego, CA @ The Void w/ Harsh Toke June 28 Trabuco Canyon, CA @ Cook's Corner -  Born Free 5 Pre-Party w/ O Zorn June 30 Los Angeles, CA @ TBA July 1 Phoenix, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room w/ Flying Scorpion July 2 Albuquerque, NM @ TBA July 3 Midland, TX @ Blue Max      "Such a killer find, man. Can't wait to see them live!"   - Dom Lawson (Metal Hammer / Classic Rock) "Been listening to Mothership all day now and if feels like UFO and  Orange Goblin got drunk with St. Vitus, smoked some weed with Blue Cheer  and spewed out the tuffest blues-drenched, no frills love child I've heard all  month. Some ridiculously badass guitars. And heavy above all else!" -- Sword of Doom "Try to resist a band that plays blues-laden metal with heavy guitar riffs  that is also hoping for intergalactic travel. Mothership is a three piece  from Dallas that alternates between an almost AC/DC-like sound on a  track like 'City Nights' and a broader, heavier and more epic sound on  tracks like 'Cosmic Rain,' 'Angel of Death' and the opener, 'Hallucination.'    -- VueWeekly.com   www.facebook.com/mothershipusa www.ripple-music.com

Some more hair metal albums that should be on the list.........

   Just LOOK for Christ's sake. Singers name is Dizzy Dean Davidson who sounds like Brian Johnson gargling razor blades. Contains the thought provoking tunes Kick 'N' Fight, Fun In Texas and Rock Revolution. I have this on vinyl. Toned it down for second album Boys In Heat. Get Bite Down Hard if you can find it with singer Tommy Paris.





   Another no brainer with the Timotei twins.  Song titles like Fill You Up and a drummer called Bobby Rock (bonus points for playing in Vinnie Vincent's Invasion) put this one over the edge.





   Singer Lorraine Lewis- yummy yummy. Songs called My Baby's Gun and Waiting For The Big One, that ditty might be about the nucleur bomb crisis . Wonder what the track Heat The Fire is about.





   All together now.........parp parp parp parp............parp parp parp parp parp........We're leaving together.......but still it's farewell. How that gobshite from Guitar World didn't put this one on the list...... This album also has Carrie and Rock The Night on it. John Norum jumped ship he was so pissed off with this. Returned about 10 years ago and are fantastic now, more of the graces and less of the airs.





  Pretty Boy Floyd. An explanation why. Really!!!


Richie

A Not Entirely Unexpected E-Mail

   I got an e-mail from Live Nation this morning offering $25 tickets for the Heart/Jason Bonham Experience this Friday. I'm not surprised one iota that they are trying to dump the tickets, what did surprise me is why it took so long for them to do it.

   There's no way in hell that this bill was going to do 20,000 and I'd be surprised if it does half that. I saw Heart support Def Leppard a couple of years ago and they were great live but are they a big enough draw to headline there. Not a chance. They've been through here twice in much smaller venues in the last year too. So much for the election into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame boosting sales.

   The Jason Bonham Experience as a choice for support baffles me. How did the promoter think that the son of John Bonham telling stories and playing along to home movies would do well in an arena that size. Whether you agree with what he's doing (I don't) or not would you get to the venue early to see this? If I wanted to see a movie I would have stayed at home. I suppose anything with a tinge of Zeppelin sells these days.

   The promoters have to get smart, there's huge competition for gigs out there. All the classic rock/metal bands have done the rounds with each other and having Mr. Bonham probably sounds great on paper because it's different. Different does not equal full.


Richie.

Dio- Magica (Deluxe Edition)

    I don't think anyone can argue that Ronnie James Dio has a spot on the Mount Rushmore of metal vocalists. The guy could sing the phone book and make it sound good. Vocal prowess aside there has always been questions concerning the quality of his solo material and his selection of band members. The vast majority of his fans love the first 3 albums, maybe include Dream Evil at a stretch. Then it gets difficult as we get 3 albums that plod along to various degrees, Lock Up The Wolves bores me to death, Strange Highways is a classic, even Ronnie thinks Angry Machines was shit. So where does that leave this?

   We all know that Magica was a labour of love for Ronnie who wanted to do a concept piece for a long time. The problem is the fans didn't share his feelings after it's release. Out goes the unfairly maligned Tracy G and in comes Craig Goldy for another shot. Blink and you'll miss him Jimmy Bain was there too although he did hang around longer this time then he did for Strange Highways. No Vinny Appice who I think is sorely missed.

   The songs although well written for the most part are too one dimensional and anyone looking for uptempo stuff like We Rock or Stand Up And Shout would be advised to move on. The thing sounds a little stiff too. Maybe an outside producer would have shaken it up a little more, maybe Ronnie couldn't look objectively at the thing as he was architect, material supplier and builder of the thing. Fever Dreams- cracking song, As Long As It's Not About Love- another cracking song. The rest- good/in parts really good/average. Take your pick. Those robot voices grate too.

   So what does the deluxe version have that the original didn't:

   For starters the thing is now easier to get as it's been out of print for a while. Isn't it odd how a much loved vocalist like Ronnie has studio albums that are hard to find, normally record companies try to make a quick buck after someone's passing. There's a couple of pics of Ronnie and some live shots but where's the promo band shot if there was one. There were none in the original so I suppose that's a plus. Liner notes by Mick Wall, sorry Mick not one of his finest. Lyrics and the story too although my original copy has the story as a separate booklet that opens up.

   Over on disc 2 we get Ronnie narrating the Magica story, I didn't listen then and I'm not listening now. Then we get two studio tracks: Annica which was originally a Japanese only release and doesn't have Ronnie on it at all. Electra which was recorded for a proposed future Magica album and was also on the recently released The Very Beast Of Dio Volume 2 that doesn't shake my tree at all, it's ok I suppose in the samey dirgey tempo of the original.

   Finally there's 5 live bootleg recordings of Magica material from the tour. The sound quality isn't great but surely that's the point. What is great is Ronnie's singing on these. The vocals in the breakdown section in Feed My Head put goosebumps on my arms.

   Get it if you don't have the original and want to complete your Dio collection. It's a good package. But for god's sake don't start with this one. What a fucking voice though.


Richie.

http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/

5 Hair Metal albums that should have made the list

   After posting the show about that dumb Top 20 Hair Metal list from Guitar World here's some I would have put in that didn't get mentioned. Bear in mind a couple of things:

1. The album doesn't necessarily have to be good, it can be bloody awful but epitomizes hair metal.

2. Must have sets of dumb lyrics that could be written by a six year old who can rhyme.

3. Multiple songs should have lyrics based around partying and/or getting in a girls pants.

4. The ballad should have the same message but told in a more mature way.

5. Bonus points for having a song(s) with the word rock in the title.

Ok, here goes in no particular order:



 
 
The U.K's answer to American Hair Metal. With a member called Pepsi Tate I think this should be on the list. Just look at the state of them for fuck sake. Thought provoking tunes include Love Bomb Baby and Squeeze It Dry presumably about the environment maybe.






Vinnie Vincent was part of the non-make up Kiss era and then he slapped a ton of the stuff back on. Gotta love those red bits in his hair. Introduced Mark Slaughter to the world. The guitar solos are only a little less indulgent then those heard on an Yngwie album. Songs include Let Freedom Rock and Heavy Pettin'. I love this album.




Sure they could play, sure they were female, sure they had big hair. With nearly all of their debut written by outsiders this alone puts them over the finish line. Their second album Rev It Up was heavier but by then it was all over. Songs include I Want You To Rock Me and Edge Of A Broken Heart. At least the band actually were women.


 

I don't even have to add anything else for this to qualify. Carmine Appice and co. lose the plot and try to rewrite the sequel to the Top Gun soundtrack. This album is terrible compared to Ready To Strike. Has tracks such as Raise Your Hands To Rock and Dream On that are song titles I think done previously by other bands. Has Mark Free on vocals who actually became a woman called Marci Free. Now that's metal. Recently reformed with the fab Paul Shortino on vocals and a new cd out next month.




Here's my final entry for now. Note the hair second on the left. I have this on vinyl. It's terrible. Has songs called Need Your Sex and Too Cool For School. How you could be too cool for school looking like this baffles me. Crikey.

More on the way...............

I'm putting these in and taking these ones out, Leppard's Pyromania, Tesla's Mechanical Resonance, VH 1984, Roth's debut and Whitesnake's 1987. The guy who did that list should have done his fuckin' research and not published albums because people know the bands.


More to follow.........


Richie.

Tonight's easy listening

Right now I'm listening to a ton of



and loads of




and always




Love them all. Play them loud as fuck.


Richie.

TMIS (THE MORE I SEE) SHOOT MUSIC VIDEO ON THE SET OF STAR WARS

British metallers TMIS (THE MORE I SEE) have finished shooting their first ever music video, for their track "The Eye That Offends", on the set of one of the most legendary movies of all time: Star Wars.

Long after being abandoned, TMIS - led by 22-year old Peterborough native JAMES CLUER - travelled deep into the Tunisian desert to shoot what is undoubtedly one of the most visually stunning music videos ever made.  With the ever-shifting desert sands gradually moving in and reclaiming the land, the band chose to visit the iconic movie set before it's lost forever, capturing in the process a stunning performance in an equally stunning locale.

See photos from the band's incredible journey at http://bit.ly/tmisstarwars

Watch a video of the band arriving on the set at http://youtu.be/m4SqegsC71E

TMIS frontman JAMES CLUER comments:

"It was an amazing experience to go out and venture a great part of North Africa in Tunisia to film amongst some of the greatest film locations possible!  Being a massive fan of Star Wars myself (especially films 4, 5 and 6) it was great to go and see Mos Eisley as it is known, as a lot of the old props are still standing strong and look epic!  The part which was my childhood dream was to see the igloo on the Tunisian/Algerian border, as it is just in the middle of a barren salt lake, and watching the sun set behind us whilst shooting the last scene for the video was really special!"

To reach their awe-inspiring destination, TMIS drove for six hours across the desert with instruments and camera equipment in tow, pushing themselves to the limit in the sweltering desert heat as they set up and performed in numerous locations which will be instantly-recognisable to any fan of the films, all while avoiding rattlesnakes and the first rainstorm in four years - a rare occurrence which, coincidentally, also held up filming on the original Star Wars in 1976.

Interesting facts about the band's journey:

Total miles travelled = 896
Number of hours spent in a cramped car = 23
Maximum temperature reached = 36 degrees Celsius
Total rain = 45 minutes
Number of abandoned cars spotted = 9
Number of creepy crawlies encountered = 7 snakes, 1 lizard, 11 beetles, around 500 giant ants, 20 donkeys, 2 camels and 1 falcon
Number of Star Wars quotes spoken during filming = approx. 100
Number of film set locations visited = 3
Number of places females in the crew refused entry to = 7

"The Eye That Offends" is set to appear on TMIS' new album, THE DISAPPEARING HUMANS, which was mixed by producer SCOTT ATKINS (SYLOSIS, BEHEMOTH, SAVAGE MESSIAH) and mastered at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios with STEVE ROOKE (THE BEATLES).  The album is due to be released later this year on Earache Records in Europe, and via Century Media/Earache Records in the USA.

Listen to "The Eye That Offends" now on Spotify at http://spoti.fi/15ctVWW

Get more TMIS news and info at:

Official website - http://www.themoreisee.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheMOREiSEEband
Twitter - http://twitter.com/TheMoreISee

Pulling back the curtain just a little........

   When it comes to the show Scott does the bulk of the work. When it's recorded the first time I get to hear it is a download just like everyone else. That includes the track of the week and any other edits or additions he puts in. I will say that 99% of what we talk about in our discussion episodes is left in there and I like that.

   That discussion on the Guitar World top 20 hair metal albums was a blast. I couldn't give a shit if Scott admitted he didn't realize the albums were in chronological order. He's right, I didn't know and the first time I knew was listening to the podcast last night. Our bone of contention was whether some albums should have been on the list at all.

   We recorded that episode the same night we talked to Michael Sweet and I've been a Stryper fan for many years, not the image thing as such. If you can get past that they are superb musicians and their vocal harmonies live have to be seen to be believed. When I joined the show I had zero radio experience, discussed metal with friends for sure but normally over pints with no microphone stuffed near my gob. Never interviewed anyone ever, my first one was Joel Mciver a couple of months ago. Am I asking the wrong questions? probably. Am I learning? well I hope so. I don't write anything down and like to get a conversation flow going. I'm on the learning curve. The trick is to get the guest to talk and I think we did a pretty good job with Michael.

   We've also got a great discussion with Doug Aldrich and boy is he a super nice guy, go get the Burning Rain cd cause it's super stuff. Scott has interviews recorded too with Udo, Jon Oliva and Roland Grapow so that's all in the future. We have a lot of stuff in the can and helps us spread out the discussion based episodes and allows us to mix it up a little which we like.

   So what I've tried to do is add a little flavor to the blog by giving my thoughts and opinions on stuff so I'm in and out of there writing whenever I can. Also I've tried to line up some interviews for the show, again I've no experience in doing this but I've gotten Michael Sweet and Doug Aldrich on. I also took on a project for an upcoming show that's really big in scope. One interview is already done and I heard it last night and it's a good 'un. The second set of interviews are in the next week or so and one involves Scott and I talking the show on the road for the first time to talk to one of the musicians, believe you and me he is well known and respected in the hard rock and metal world and is playing with a band that still has their songs regularly played on the radio. If everything works out on this one we are easily looking at a two-parter especially if I can tie down the one remaining guy we want to speak to.

   I've also been promised some time with Kings X in the next week or so, we'll see if the planets align on that one cause they didn't the last time. So that's it for now and yes we haven't forgotten to continue the Saxon discography, we will get there in the end.

Richie. 

OTARGOS Signs With Listenable Records

French blackened death metal mongers OTARGOS have inked a worldwide deal with Listenable Records for the release of the band's recently completed new album, Apex Terror. 

Apex Terror displays a fresher, stripped down and more intense style of songwriting that draws from the catchier end of death metal and obscure thrash.  Lyrically, the album is an exploration of the darker side of humanity. Apex Terror will be out in North America in the fall of 2013.    

Live footage of the brand new song "For Terra," which features BENIGHTED's Julien Truchan on guest vocals and will appear on Apex Terror, has been posted HERE. 

   

Apex Terror Track List:

Apex Terror

Fleshless-Deathless

For Terra (featuring Julien Truchan)

Remnant From a Long-Dead Star

Fallout

Xexo (instrumental)

Drone

Aftermath Hyperion

Versus

Fleshless-Deathless 2.0 ( Herrshaft Remix)*

* - Limited Edition Digipack Bonus Track

www.otargos-terror.com 

www.facebook.com/otargosband

www.listenable.net 

www.listenable.netshop.listenable.net

www.facebook.com/listenablerecs

HELLISH WAR "Keep It Hellish" - Cover, Tracklist, release date: 28th June 2013

The release date of the new HELLISH WAR album "Keep It Hellish" is June 28, 2013. The preorder phase will started on June 14, 2013 in their webshop. HELLISH WAR from Brasil is a thoroughbred, hard-line true-metal-band, which has a power and intensity that newcomers can only dream of. “Keep It Hellish” is the first studio-album to be released for 5 years, and the first new full-length-album, after the compilation “Defender of Metal?/Heroes of Tomorrow” (2009), which will be released by Pure Steel Records. The distinctive opener and title-track shows that the quintet has lost nothing of its old glory: lead-guitars, which will delight every RUNNING WILD-fan, a speedy, impressive and really grand double-bass-drumming, and terrific power-vocals by new band-member Bil Martins will show you the way which the rest of the songs will take up. Though they have a playing-time of more than five minutes, none of the songs gets boring, quite the contrary: they are fascinating and have also very interesting solo-parts. The choruses are very catchy, so you will be able to sing along very soon, the leads and riffs will stay in your memory for a long time afterwards. Special tips for listening: the title-track mentioned before, the anthem-like “Master of Wreckage” and “Phantom Ship”, the very strong instrumental “Battle at Sea”, and “Reflects on the Blade”. For all people who love traditional true metal, HELLISH WAR will be something to look forward to. This sound is highly addictive! Tracklist: 1. Keep It Hellish 2. The Challenge 3. Reflects on the Blade 4. Fire and Killing 5. Master of Wreckage 6. Battle at Sea 7. Phantom Ship 8. Scars (Underneath your Skin) 9. Darkness Ride 10. The Quest Total Playing Time: 67:56 min LINE-UP: Bil Martins – Vocals Vulcano – Guitar Daniel Job – Guitar JR – Bass Daniel Person – Drums

AMON AMARTH: Track-By-Track Video Premiere Hosted By Metal Insider

In celebration of its impending North American release just one week away, today Metal Insider offers up an exclusive track-by-track video premiere of AMON AMARTH’s Deceiver of the Gods.  The vibrant art clip includes snippets of each of the record’s epic ten tracks. Additionally, fans can enjoy the accompanying written commentary discussing the themes of each song as relayed by vocalist Johan Hegg.

Check out the video, hosted by Metal Insider, at THIS LOCATION 

Having blasted onto the Swedish melodic death metal scene with 1998’s Once Sent from the Golden Hall, every AMON AMARTH album has arrived bursting at the seams with power, melody and immersive storytelling centered around the richness of Norse mythology. Deceiver of the Gods is no exception, capturing the band at the peak of their powers.

Recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, UK and produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (Opeth, Megadeth, Exodus, Arch Enemy, Killswitch Engage) Deceiver Of The Gods boasts another exceptional Tom Thiel-created cover depicting a mythical battle between the Norse Gods Loki and Thor.

Though the record isn’t limited to one specific theme, the character of Loki, commonly thought of as a dark and mischievous entity, has a strong presence, and also inspired the title Deceiver Of The Gods. For Hegg however, the appeal of the character lies with the fact he is not simply drawn in black and white, as others might believe. “I think what’s intriguing about him is that he’s probably the most human of all the gods in northern mythology. A lot of people see him as an evil character, but he’s not the equivalent of Satan. He also does a lot of good things, and particularly with his talent for diplomacy he manages to get the gods out of trouble a lot of times. The only problem is that he’s usually the one that gets them into trouble in the first place! I just think he is really engaging in that he possesses a lot of human traits in the sense that we can do good and bad. We can be fantastic people and great people and huge people, and we can be very, very small people. We can be small minded and egocentric and devious and all of those negative things, and I like how he reflects that.”

Deceiver of the Gods will be released in North America via Metal Blade Records June 25th, in Europe June 21st/24th and Japan on June 26th. Special preorder packages are still available at this location: http://www.metalblade.com/amonamarth.

Following a run of European festival dates already underway, AMON AMARTH will be opening the main stage of this year’s edition of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest set to commence June 29 in San Bernardino. See confirmed dates below.

AMON AMARTH Summer 2013 European Festival Tour [remaining dates]:

6/21/2013 Nummirock – Nummijarvi, FI

AMON AMARTH @ Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest 2013:

6/29/2013 San Manuel Amphitheater – San Bernardino, CA

6/30/2013 Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA

7/02/2013 Idaho Center Amphitheatre – Nampa, ID

7/03/2013 White River Amphitheatre – Auburn, WA

7/05/2013 Desert Sky Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ

7/06/2013 Isleta Amphitheatre – Albuquerque, NM

7/07/2013 Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre – Englewood, CO

7/09/2013 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI w/ Children of Bodom, Job for a Cowboy, Battlecross, Huntress

7/10/2013 Molson Canadian Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON

7/12/2013 First Niagara Pavilion – Burgettstown, PA

7/13/2013 Toyota Pavilion – Scranton, PA

7/14/2013 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center – Darien Center, NY

7/16/2013 Comcast Center – Mansfield, MA

7/17/2013 Bangor Waterfront – Bangor, ME

7/19/2013 Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden, NJ

7/20/2013 Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY

7/21/2013 The Comcast Theatre – Hartford, CT

7/23/2013 PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ

7/24/2013 Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA

7/26/2013 Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, IN

7/27/2013 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre – Tinley Park, IL

7/28/2013 DTE Energy Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI

7/29/2013 Expo Five – Louisville, KY w/ Children of Bodom, Behemoth, Emmure, Motionless In White, Born of Osiris, Job for a Cowboy, Battlecross, Huntress

7/30/2013 Lakewood Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA

7/31/2013 Live Nation Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL

8/02/2013 Austin 360 Amphitheatre – Austin, TX

8/03/2013 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX

8/04/2013 Gexa Energy Pavilion – Dallas, TX

8/05/2013 Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre – Kansas City, MO w/ Rob Zombie, Machine Head, Children Of Bodom

8/07/2013 Pop’s – Sauget, IL w/ Children of Bodom, Battlecross, Huntress

8/08/2013 Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN w/ Children of Bodom, Battlecross, Huntress

8/09/2013 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH w/ Children of Bodom, Battlecross, Huntress

8/11/2013 Heavy MTL Festival – Montreal, QC

http://www.amonamarth.com

http://www.facebook.com/OfficialAmonAmarth

http://twitter.com/amonamarthband

http://deceiver.amonamarth.com

Ripple Music Places Three Bands into the May Super Doom Charts

It was a labor of love - - love for Doom, Stoner, and Sludge.  And perhaps a bit of insanity behind it all, but recognizing the failure of Billboard to adequately service the heavy rock genre, Paranoid Hitsophrenic founder Lucas Klaukien took on the challenge of compiling the first ever Super Doom Chart.

Polling some of the top bloggers, reviewers, radio hosts and label heads in the amorphous world of stoner doom sludge, Lucas took on the challenge to see what really were the top albums of the day.  He knew that the critics all played and reviewed tons of albums each month, but he wanted to know the answer to a simple question; which albums did they really like?  What were they really listening to?  What albums did they keep going back to?

And Ripple Music scored its last three releases all in the top 30.

Coming in at #5 was Devil to Pay's latest release Fate is Your Muse. "What can one say about this album and not come up short?  Hard rock, metal and a shamanistic spirit collide on 13 memorable tracks of equal potency.  This album put the band's label's motto in stark relief: 'Now it's time for your classic rock'."

Holding the #19 spot was the self-titled debut by Mothership.  "What was said about label-mates Devil To Pay's album applies in equal measure to Mothership.  This Texan quartet, led by the brothers Juett, play hard and tough as nails rock with more than just a glimmer of the glossy sheen of catchiness.  And as impressive as Clutch's and Egypt's placements are on this chart, keep in mind that this is a "what are you listening to right now?" kind of list and that this album originally came out over a year ago (it was officially released by Ripple in February)."

Rounding out the top 30, in the #29 spot was the rocking new album by Ape Machine, Mangled by the Machine. 

Featuring a list of contributors that reads like a Who's Who in the world of heavy music journalism, The Super Doom Chart is the first attempt to truly shed light on the albums that are not only being reviewed, but listened to.  Recommended for all fans of heavy rock.  

You can find the entire Super Doom Chart for May at:

theparanoidmusicblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/super-doom-charts-for-may-2013.html

Look for the next Super Doom Chart to come out this month on The Paranoid Music Blog.

List of contributors: Aaron Pickford (The Sludgelord), Arturs Vilmanis (Archivhate), Bill Goodman (The Soda Shop), Bucky Brown (Bucky Bloggy), Cheryl Prime (Metal Hammer, Cvlt Nation), Chris Markwell (TheSludgelord), Christian Spencer (Chilean Fuzz), Clint (Hand O Doom Radio), Craig Hayes (Six Noises), Dennis (Blasting Days), Doctor Doom, Gruesome Greg (Hellbound), Haris (Welcome to the Void), Jeff Warren (Broken Beard), Joop Konraad (Stoner Hive), Justin Gish (Heavy Planet), LK Ultra (Paranoid Hitsophrenic), Lyk (Phantasmagoria), Mats Florstam (Ozium Records), Matt Fitton (The Sludgelord), Nick (Broken Beard), Nuclear Dog (Heavy Planet), Ollie Stygall (Sleeping Shaman), Pat Harrington (Electric Beard of Doom), Phil Howlett (Rote Mare), Richard Maw (The Sludgelord), Rod Reinhart (Captain Beyond Zen), Soggy Bob (Soggy Bog of Doom Podcast), Steph LS (Temple of Perdition), Steve Howe (The Sludgelord), Steve Miller (Temple of Perdition), Todd Severin (The Ripple Effect), Tony van Dorston (Fast n' Bulbous), Ulla Rosacht (The Wicked Lady)

The Boys Are Kinda Back In Town

   It's great to see Saxon back for a North American tour in September with the excellent Fozzy as support. Go see them. No dates in the Boston area for Scott and myself so to all promoters in our area out there:

WWWWWWHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
and from us

FFFFFFUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

That is all.

Richie.

http://www.saxon747.com/en/

MetalInjection.net Premiers New I KILLED EVERYONE Track

Chicago bulldozers I KILLED EVERYONE have teamed with MetalInjection.net for the exclusive world premier of "Eviscerated," off the band's forthcoming debut full-length album, Necrospire.  

Set for a July 9th release on Pavement Music, Necrospire offers a violent barrage of blasting USDM riffing and earth-moving breakdowns. Sample it for yourself with "Eviscerated" at this location.

Formed in 2008, the Chicago band delivers a ferocious slab of Deathcore with Necrospire. Unlike most bands of their genre, I KILLED EVERYONE is influenced by classic death metal bands from the 90's such as SUFFOCATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE, and MORBID ANGEL. The band incorporates many of these influences to form a unique sound of modern deathcore with undeniable classic death metal overtones. With brutal, yet understandable, vocals and blast beats galore, I KILLED EVERYONE knows how to pummel an audience. The group has taken the scene by storm and continues to build their brand of extreme music both live and through aggressive social media. Be prepared: They WILL kill everyone!

Pre-order Necrospire at www.pavementmusic.com/store.

"Loaded with luscious riffs, pounding percussion, amazing vocal work and the heaviest, deepest breakdowns with the meatiest atmosphere that deathcore has,

Necrospire is nothing short of a testament to deathcore perfection." - Megusta Reviews

ikilledeveryone.tumblr.com   www.facebook.com/Ikilledeveryone  www.pavementmusic.com

What's all the fuss?

   Can someone explain to me the adulation Metal Church seem to have. To me they were never thrashy enough to be a straight up thrash metal band and too thrashy to be a straight up power metal band. That's not to say I don't like them, I just don't love them. The Human Factor and A Light In The Dark are great. I'm not a fan of The Dark and David Wayne and Blessing In Disguise is terribly produced, surprising since it's Terry Date and Elektra.

   Numerous line up changes didn't help and it just seemed odd that Kurt Vanderhoff did a bulk of the songwriting when he wasn't in the band anymore. When people talk about expanding the Big 4 you never hear these guys mentioned. So where do they fit in? Maybe file under the unlucky category. The Ronny Munroe line-up recently reunited for some shows, after calling it a day a couple of years ago maybe those cruises are the only way to see them from now on. Maybe they do weddings.

http://www.metalchurchmusic.com/

Burning Rain- Epic Obsession (Frontiers)

  I've been a big fan of Doug Aldrich's playing since I heard Lion's Dangerous Attraction in the 80's. From there he played on Hurricane's Slave To The Thrill in 1990 and for a lot of people pre-internet  fell off the face of the earth until Dio's Killing The Dragon in 2002. Now he is Coverdale's right hand man and songwriting partner in Whitesnake. He must have something playing with heavyweights like these.

   So what does he bring to the table here? For starters this is not a new band, for those living in Japan or willing to fork out numerous dollars for imports he had two Burning Rain cds pre-Dio. He's had other Jap only stuff in the grunge era such as Bad Moon Rising with Kal Swan and that Hurricane cd was out of print for years.

   Aldrich along with original vocalist Keith St. John has roped in play with everyone Sean Mcnabb and Ace Frehley's drummer Matt Starr to produce a solid slab of rock. It sounds like the new Whitesnake in places and you could hear Coverdale singing tracks like The Cure and Out In The Cold Again. I wasn't familiar with Keith St. John's vocals at all but he's no Coverdale clone thank god. I can hear a bit of Ray Gillen, Oni Logan and Ron Young in him. Maybe I'm way off but that's what I'm getting.

   It's just good bluesy hard rock and be thankful Aldrich hasn't tried to sound like Tool because he's not that type of player. He shreds on this. The thing sounds bloody fantastic too and leaps from the speakers. I picked this as one of the releases I was most looking forward too in the coming months and it delivers. Betcha Coverdale had a word in his ear after hearing this wondering why he didn't save some of it for the next Whitesnake cd.

   Frontiers have also released the first 2 cds so if you're a fan of this you know what you'll get there. We recently spoke to Doug and he was really great to talk to. I hope this does well and doesn't get buried under the recent Whitesnake live cd and tour. This is strong stuff.

Richie.

http://www.burningrain.net/

http://www.frontiers.it/

Behold! The Monolith Announce 'Desolization Tour 2013'

Riff-heavy Los Angeles Stoner/Doom/Thrash Metal band BEHOLD!  THE MONOLITH have announced the 'Desolization Tour 2013,' which  kicks off July 12th in Austin, TX and wraps up in Denver on July 24.   Stay tuned for forthcoming details on venues and support bands. Continuing  to tour in support of 2012's colossal outing Defender, Redeemist, BEHOLD!  THE MONOLITH will leave yet another trail of scorched earth in its wake  and offer further proof of why Terrorizer Magazine proclaimed "It's these  people who should be headlining arenas."   Make sure to pick up the limited edition (250 copies) Defender,  Redeemist double  LP Deluxe Vinyl once the smoke clears or order it at  beholdthemonolith.bandcamp.com. BEHOLD! THE MONOLITH Desolization Tour 2013:   7/12 - Austin, TX @ TBA 7/13 - Lafayette, LA @ TBA 7/14 - Orlando, FL @ Orlandoom @ TBA 7/15 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 7/16 - Chapel Hill, NC @ The Underground 7/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie 7/18 - Brooklyn, NY @ St. Vitus 7/19 - Akron, OH @ Annabell's 7/20 - Chicago, IL @ Ultra Lounge 7/21 - St. Louis, MO @ TBA 7/22 - Little Rock, AR @ Downtown Music Hall 7/23 - Wichita, KS @ TBA 7/24 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge     "It's like Behold! The Monolith, an unassuming power trio of laid-back  Californians, have listened to the latest albums by Mastodon or Baroness  and figured out what it is that made them suck" - TERRORIZER "Lurching, bowel shaking, an thoroughly unnerving." - DECIBEL "Defender, Redeemist is an impressive monolith to behold." - OUTBURN "B!TM rudely grasp Mastodon by the throat, snip their tiny prog balls off,  and proceed to shit vociferously into the wounds." - METAL SUCKS "A relentlessly amazing album from start to finish." (10/10) -  METALASSAULT.COM "Flawless" (10/10) - DOOMMANTIA   www.beholdthemonolith.com www.facebook.com/beholdthemonolith twitter.com/btmband beholdthemonolith.bandcamp.com http://open.spotify.com/artist/07mfSrRzytABKB1pkyAxLs

SAVAGE MESSIAH CONFIRM UK TOUR WITH WINTERSUN

SAVAGE MESSIAH have confirmed a UK tour with Finland's WINTERSUN and fellow UK metallers BLOODSHOT DAWN.

SAVAGE MESSIAH will be taking a break from recording their as-yet untitled new album to take part in the five-date trek, which kicks off on July 16th at the Garage in London.  The band will then be heading out around the UK again in October on a mini headlining tour.

SAVAGE MESSIAH lead guitarist JOFF BAILEY comments:

"Me and the boys will be taking a break from recording our new album in July to tear up the road again around the UK with WINTERSUN!  The band is in fighting form at the moment and we're set to raise absolute hell around the UK on this tour and our headline shows in October!  We'll also be previewing some brand new songs taken from the new record throughout all of these dates, making it the heaviest Savage Messiah set list to date!  It really is gonna kick ya fuckin' skulls in.  Mark our words... WE MEAN FUCKIN' BUSINESS!!  We really can't wait to rip the throat out of these shows and catch up with all the Savages around the country!  See you in the pit - then at the bar, mutha fukkas!  BRING IT!!!"

See SAVAGE MESSIAH live at the following shows:

Jun. 14 - London, UK - The Garage (w/ NEKROGOBLIKON)

Jul. 16 - London, UK - The Garage (w/ WINTERSUN, BLOODSHOT DAWN)
Jul. 17 - Manchester, UK - Club Academy (w/ WINTERSUN, BLOODSHOT DAWN)
Jul. 18 - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms (w/ WINTERSUN, BLOODSHOT DAWN)
Jul. 19 - Newcastle, UK - O2 Academy 2 (w/ WINTERSUN, BLOODSHOT DAWN)
Jul. 22 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy 2 (w/ WINTERSUN, BLOODSHOT DAWN)

Oct. 29 - Manchester, UK - Sound Control
Oct. 30 - York, UK - Fibbers
Oct. 31 - Birmingham, UK - The Temple
Nov. 01 - London, UK - Borderline

SAVAGE MESSIAH's latest album, PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE, is available now on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl LP.  Get the album now from the Earache Webstore in Europe at http://bit.ly/A9ClhQ or in North America at http://bit.ly/AgH8Dc

PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE is also available on iTunes, including an exclusive bonus track, at http://bit.ly/zqbuz3

Watch SAVAGE MESSIAH's music video for the track, "All Seeing I", at http://youtu.be/H65BFopVO_0

Get more SAVAGE MESSIAH news and info at:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SavageMessiahMetal
Twitter - http://twitter.com/savagemessiah

Review - Megadeth- Super Collider (Universal Music)

   For all intents and purposes Megadeth have been trying to top Countdown To Extinction since '92. That album ticked all the boxes- not too many songs, all killer, varied, great production and just under 50 minutes. Since then we've gotten the samey Youthanasia, too varied Risk, lengthy The World Needs A Hero and the not enough killer The System Has Failed. Then Mustaine woke up, maybe it was all his own brand coffee he was drinking. The last 3 releases in my opinion have been superb.

   Now it feels like a band again with Junior back on bass and the ever dependable Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover recording a Megadeth album with the same line up since Cryptic Writings. It's still Mustaine's band though and his fingerprints are all over Super Collider. He wrote the bulk of the material alone, gets a co-producers credit and am sure he picked the colour of the toilet paper in the studio bathroom. Is it any good though?

   I think it's fantastic but I get where some fans are coming from who can't seem to get past Rust In Peace. So let's use Countdown as a blueprint. Not too many songs (check), all killer (well.....maybe depending on the listener), varied (Kingmaker does not sound like The Blackest Crow), great production (absolutely) and just under 50 minutes. It's heavy too with no sign of a Crush 'Em anywhere. I'll be consistent and say Thin Lizzy's Cold Sweat should not have been on the cd, I'm not a fan of covers on studio albums but it's far from shit. The two Best Buy bonus tracks are just that, a nice but not better addition to the original 10 cuts. Improves with repeated plays too.

   So there you have it. Another solid set of songs from Mustaine's never ending well. Four studio releases in six years is not to be sniffed at and there's no sign of extinction any time soon. One final thing, the cut and paste band photos look crap much like the ones on 13 and can someone tell me where Shawn Drover is in the super collider photo under the cd.

Richie.

http://www.megadeth.com/





  

EVILE CONFIRM LONDON SHOW WITH SUICIDAL TENDENCIES

EVILE have confirmed a show in London with legendary crossover thrashers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.

EVILE will be supporting SUICIDAL TENDENCIES at the Electric Ballroom in the UK's capital on Sunday, 7th July.  EVILE's new album, SKULL, is due to be released on Monday, 27th May in Europe via Earache Records, and on June 11th in the USA via Century Media/Earache Records.

EVILE bassist JOEL GRAHAM comments:

"A show with Suicidal Tendencies?  Yes please!  Really looking forward to this one.  We have played a couple of festivals with ST, and watched on as they tear stages apart.  Such a great, influential and groundbreaking band.  We jumped at the chance to play with them at this only UK show."

Tickets for the show are available now from Alt Tickets at http://bit.ly/1219Juu

EVILE's new album, SKULL, 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).

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

Two songs from SKULL are available to listen to now online.  Check them out below:

"Underworld" - http://youtu.be/gckfqefea_0
"Head of the Demon" - http://youtu.be/Yt-0OOWH9Uo

See EVILE live at the following shows:

Jun. 14 - Wervik, Belgium - SkullFest
Jun. 28 - Lesmahagow, UK - Les Fest
Jul. 07 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom (w/ SUICIDAL TENDENCIES)
Aug. 24 - Werrington, UK - Scar Fest
Sep. 26 - Cardiff, UK - Cardiff University
Sep. 27 - Dublin, Ireland - Button Factory
Sep. 28 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2
Sep. 29 - Glasgow, UK - Audio

View the SKULL UK tour flyer at http://earacherecords.com/myspace/evile_uk_sep13.jpg

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

SAVAGE MESSIAH ANNOUNCE UK MINI-TOUR

SAVAGE MESSIAH have confirmed dates for a UK mini-tour, which is due to kick off on October 29th at Sound Control in Manchester.

The band will be playing four headlining shows around the UK with support from RSJ, finishing up with a show in London on November 1st.  SAVAGE MESSIAH have also confirmed a show with NEKROGOBLIKON in London on June 14th.

SAVAGE MESSIAH frontman DAVID SILVER comments:

"Seeing as we're going to be cooped up in the studio for pretty much all of this summer recording the follow-up to 'Plague of Conscience', we thought we'd organise a few dates before the end of the year.  Even though the new album won't be out until early 2014, we can't wait to get out and play new songs, and just generally live it up on the road!  So we hope you'll come out and join us for some drunken heavy metal madness!!!"

See SAVAGE MESSIAH live at the following shows:

Jun. 14 - London, UK - Garage (w/ NEKROGOBLIKON)
Oct. 29 - Manchester, UK - Sound Control
Oct. 30 - York, UK - Fibbers
Oct. 31 - Birmingham, UK - The Temple
Nov. 01 - London, UK - Borderline

SAVAGE MESSIAH's latest album, PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE, is available now on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl LP.  Get the album now from the Earache Webstore in Europe at http://bit.ly/A9ClhQ or in North America at http://bit.ly/AgH8Dc

PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE is also available on iTunes, including an exclusive bonus track, at http://bit.ly/zqbuz3

Watch SAVAGE MESSIAH's music video for the track, "All Seeing I", at http://youtu.be/H65BFopVO_0

Get more SAVAGE MESSIAH news and info at:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SavageMessiahMetal
Twitter - http://twitter.com/savagemessiah

13 on the 11th

   So today's the day folks, either the day you've been waiting for since Never Say Die or you're the naysayer who shouts from the rooftops that it's not the same without Bill pounding away and now here's the proof. Those new songs on Reunion I don't count cause they were crap.

   I'm looking at all these versions you can get today. The bog standard one, the Best Buy exclusive one with 4 extra tracks, the deluxe version with 3 extra tracks (how can this be deluxe if the other has 4?), vinyl, the super deluxe version that has the cd/vinyl/dvd/t-shirt/photos. But to top it all off there's the super duper deluxe version that has everything and one of the band members comes to your house and makes you tea and biscuits. I got that one, hang on a second there's someone at the door........aw bollocks it's Brad Wilk.

Richie.

http://www.blacksabbath.com/

AGE OF TAURUS stream "Rush of Power" via New Noise Magazine

London's AGE OF TAURUS will release their new album, Desperate Souls of Tortured Times on May 28^th in North America. In anticipation of this release, the band has unveiled a second track from the album, Rush of Power, on newnoisemagazine.com. Fans can stream the song, which is the opening track on the album, as well as read an interview with vocalist/guitarist Toby Wright now at newnoisemagazine.com.

About AGE OF TAURUS:

Welcome to the Taurean Empire; a decaying land where disease, war and corruption is rife. A wretched place of man and beast, where deception, fear and despair fills every dank alleyway and the stench of suffering drifts across endless, sun-scorched plains. As way of ensuring safe passage through this hellish hour, let us introduce your guides for the journey; four road-hardened mortals, brought together by luck, power and coincidence. Ladies and Gentlemen, take up arms and go safely as Age of Taurus show you a world inhabited by the Desperate Souls of Tortured Times…

The debut single, "Embrace the Stone," from Desperate Souls of Tortured Times is streaming now at metalblade.com/ageoftaurus.

Formed in 2009 by vocalist/guitarist Toby Wright, Age of Taurus was initially a one-man doom metal mission. Inspired by masters of the craft like Candlemass, Trouble and Revelation, the project was intended more as a studio affair rather than something more alive. However, after increasing interest in the band and a succession of glowing reviews of debut demo 'In the Days of the Taurean Empire', Toby decided that there was no turning back and duly put together a fully working line up; enter bassist Richard Bruce, lead guitarist Alastair Riddell and drummer Darius Claydon.

The band quickly began writing together and started to develop and define a sound that suited their combined musical direction. With their feet still firmly planted in the doom metal field, the group were able to explore other paths of influence, particularly bass-driven seventies hard rock and the oh-so-punishing twin guitar attacks that ruled the speakers during NWOBHM's golden years.

Produced by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Angel Witch, Hexvessel, Ghost), Desperate Souls of Tortured Times is a 42 minute collection of material written during their transition over the past three years. It's an unashamedly heavy voyage down a road less travelled, where each of the seven songs acts as a chapter from an altogether longer tale. Monstrous, mountain-shaking riffs are order of the day in the Empire, stepping aside only for Riddell's searing leads to take hold, whilst the lock-tight Bruce/Claydon rhythm section underpins all. Heading the charge from centre stage, Wright's lyrics act as a vivid narrative, painting pictures of ancient ritual and sprawling landscapes, somewhat reminiscent of Manilla Road and Brocas Helm in their prime. Some might assume that DSOTT is a concept album, however in reality, Age of Taurus is more like a 'concept band', intent on delivering undiluted and intriguing heavy metal to all that will listen.

So come one, come all and let your eyes and mind be open to a long-forgotten era; the Age of Taurus...

Desperate Souls of Tortured Times will be released via Metal Blade Records/Rise Above Records on May 28^th in North America.

Toby Wright - Vocals/Guitar

Alastair Riddell - Guitar

Richard Bruce - Bass

Darius Claydon - Drums

http://www.metalblade.com/ageoftaurus

http://www.facebook.com/AgeOfTaurus

Thunder and Lightning release their "The Unborn Truth" video

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING released special studio video clip to their new song "The Unborn Truth", taken from their forthcoming studio album "In Charge Of The Scythe", which will be released on August 23, 2013.

"In Charge Of The Scythe" is a twisted concept album about Mary, a girl who kills The Grim Reaper and takes over his duties. The album will with no doubt satisfy the most demanding fans of high quality Heavy Metal - if you like bands such as DREAM EVIL, GAMMA RAY, BRAINSTORM or ORDEN OGAN, then better remember this name: THUNDER AND LIGHTNING! 

Listen / watch video to "The Unborn Truth" @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTkGinvMadQ

https://www.facebook.com/tnlmetal

BATTLECROSS post "War of Will" behind the scenes studio video

Last week, Detroit, MI's BATTLECROSS unveiled the title, cover art, and first single from their upcoming new album, War of Will. This week, the guys have posted the first of two studio videos. The clips were filmed entirely by the band as they were holed-up at Audio Hammer Studios in Florida. In this first installment, fans will be treated to raw video of session drummer Shannon Lucas tracking songs for the album, as well as other candid clips from throughout their time in the studio. Watch clip #1 at metalblade.com/battlecross. At that page, fans can also stream "Force Fed Lies”  and pre-order the album.

BATTLECROSS triumphantly return as one of the true champions of American Heavy Metal with their devastating sophomore release, War of Will. Co-produced at Audio Hammer Studios with famed producers Mark Lewis and Eyal Levi, the sophomore effort from Detroit's newest soldiers of steel will soon prove as one of the most impressive follow-up releases, destined to become a heavy metal classic for fans of all sub-genres. "War of Will triggers a strange Déjà Vu while feeling completely brand new" says Levi.

After a fist-pumping debut, impressive breakout tours in 2012, BATTLECROSS will continue their climb as one of metal's most impressive new bands with appearances at Orion Music +More with Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Deftones and Suicidal Tendencies in the band's hometown of Detroit and the 4^th Annual Gwar-BQ with Municipal Waste and Corrosion of Conformity.

War of Will releases July 9^th, 2013 just as the band heads out for the summer on the Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Tour with Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Machine Head, Behemoth, Mastodon and more. For tickets and details, head to rockstarmayhemfest.com.

BATTLECROSS

06/08    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

07/01    Lake Tahoe, CA                        Whiskey Dick's w/ Huntress

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://www.battlecrossmetal.com

http://www.facebook.com/battlecrossmetal

https://twitter.com/battlecross

http://www.youtube.com/battlecrossmetal