Swedish hard rockers IMPERA will celebrate the release of their new album "Pieces Of Eden", with an October 16 free release party

Swedish hard rockers IMPERA will celebrate the release of their new album "Pieces Of Eden", with an October 16 party and performance at ROQ on Gyldéngatan 2 in Stockholm, Sweden. The doors open at 18.00 (6:00PM), and there is no entry fee.

IMPERA will release their sophomore studio album, "Pieces Of Eden", on October 18 via Escape Music. The CD was produced by Johan "Impera" Kihlberg and was mixed by Lars Chriss (LION'S SHARE), who also plays guest guitar on the song "Goodbye" a cover of the track that originally appeared on Paul Stanley's (KISS) 1978 album. "Goodbye" features an additional guest appearance by Bob Kulick, who was also the guitarist on the song's original version. Artwork by Carl-André Beckston and mastering by Mike Lind.

"Pieces Of Eden" track listing:

01. Beast Within
02. These Chains
03. All Alone
04. Smalltown Blues
05. Since You've Been Gone
06. Goodbye
07. Easy Come
08. You And I
09. This Is War
10. Fire And The Flame

The song "Beast Within" can now be streamed at: https://soundcloud.com/impera-official/beast-within

IMPERA is:

* Tommy Denander (TOTO, PAUL STANLEY, MICHAEL JACKSON, ALICE COOPER) - Guitar
* Matti Alfonzetti (JAGGED EDGE, SCOTT GORHAM, SKINTRADE, ROAD TO RUIN, RED WHITE & BLUES) - Vocals
* J.K. Impera (BRUCE KULICK, GRAHAM BONNET, VINNIE VINCENT, JOHN CORABI, BRIAN ROBERTSON) - Drums
* Mats Vassfjord (VINNIE VINCENT, JOHN CORABI, SCAAR, GRAND DESIGN, LANEY'S LEGION) - Bass

IMPERA released its critically acclaimed debut album, "Legacy Of Life", last year through the U.K. label Escape Music.

IMPERA is described as "the perfect amalgamation of everything that makes rock roll with the punches. A guitar player who, seemingly effortlessly, delivers stunning solos and riffs of that classic, timeless grit you thought were killed off by grunge. Pounding bass that will put you through the wall. Blistering drumming that's as solid as it is technically challenging. And on top of all that, add a vocalist that sings circles around the competition."

JACKAL "Cry Of The Jackal" Rerelease on CD and first time on vinyl

On October 18th Pure Steel imprint Pure Underground will rerelease Cry of The Jackal.

Bands like PICTURE, EMERALD, EAR DANGER and also the recently reunited JACKAL were very popular in the Netherlands in the 80s because of their unique sound. JACKAL’s only release “Cry of the Jackal” of 1989 came out in a time when Heavy Metal was already declining. This album comprises six tracks (about 30 minutes) and is dominated by very catchy high class Heavy Metal of the old school, concise guitar melody lines and driving drums. Until now, the album was released only as a CD self-pressing with 500 copies, but now 24 years later we present a new, remastered Vinyl-Edition. It is also limited to 250 copies and includes five bonus tracks from the 1987 second demo (both tracks) and the 1991 “The secret inside”-demo (three of five tracks). Finally, one more forgotten classic is available again on “black gold”

TRACKLIST CD: 1. Pain in the Ass 2. Pharaoh 3. The Law 4. Nightmare 5. Cry of the Jackal 6. Lost and Found 7. Dinosaur Invasion 8. Out of Sight, Out of Mind 9. Solution 10. Dream Review 11. Enchantress Total Playing Time: 51:11 min TRACKLIST LP: Side A 1. Pain in the Ass 2. Pharaoh 3. The Law 4. Nightmare 5. Cry of the Jackal 6. Lost and Found Side B 1. Dinosaur Invasion 2. Out of Sight, Out of Mind 3. Solution 4. Dream Review 5. Enchantress limited edition to 250 black vinyl copies Total Playing Time: 51:11 min

ROYAL HUNT set to release their Symphonic Masterpiece “A Life to Die For” this fall on Frontiers

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release on ROYAL HUNT’s brand new studio album “A Life to Die For” on November 29th in Europe and December 3rd in North America.

“A Life to Die For” - ROYAL HUNT’s 12th studio release - is a concept album not in the lyrical sense but musically, which sees the band expand their musical boundaries and bring their symphonic and grandiose musical element to the max employing a large number of classical/orchestra players in the studio as well as a large choir !

Once again the US singer DC Cooper sees his trademark vocals shine throughout the songs penned by keyboard maestro Andre Andersen. The song writing and performances are absolutely top notch and this is ROYAL HUNT at their Symphonic best ! In short “A Life to Die For” is another trademark release from Royal Hunt and truly an essential addition to any fan of Progressive Metal.

Andre Andersen said: “This album is all that any fan of this kind of music might dream about: strong songs with huge choruses, infectious riffs, technical yet memorable instrumental parts, stellar production this time mighty reinforced by classical instruments and – of course - instantly recognizable style.”

“A Life to Die For” will be released in a lavish digipak edition including an exclusive bonus DVD shot during the band’s last tour.

The album tracklisting includes:

Hell Comes Down From Heaven; A Bullet’s Tale; Running Out of Tears; One Minute Left to Live; Sign of Yesterday; Won’t Trust, Won’t Fear, Won’t Beg; A Life to Die For.

Follow the band in the studio via the links below:

Studio diary #1: http://youtu.be/iM6GZfHKDJo

Studio diary #2: http://youtu.be/svEygcKHDDI

ROYAL HUNT

Andre Andersen - Keyboards

DC Cooper – Lead Vocals

Allan Sorensen – Drums

Andreas Passmark – Bass Guitar

Jonas Larsen – Lead Guitars

Produced and mixed by Andre Andersen

DOGBANE Confirmed For Ragnarokkr 2014

North Carolina traditional metallers DOGBANE will be appearing at the fourth annual Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse Festival in Chicago, IL, which is set to for April 4 -5, 2014.

In late 2011 Heaven and Hell Records released DOGBANE's debut Residual Alcatraz. The ten track album, which featured a cover of 'Fire and Brimstone' by rock legend and pioneer Link Wray, was well received both at home and abroad. The band's fine blend of Thin Lizzy/UFO dueling guitars, and Halford-esque vocal, with hints of doom metal was often cited by reviewers worldwide. A buzz was starting to grow at the beginning of 2012 through several interviews and glowing reviews. As the band began to play out in support of the release, things looked promising. However, tragedy struck the band in June of last year with the untimely passing of guitarist and songwriter David Ellenburg (R.I.P).

After a short down time Dogbane began the search for a new guitarist but this proved to be no easy task. Eventually they found the right man for the job named Jeff Rinehart. This latest addition has already proven to bring something new to the band with Rinehart's more classical and technical playing style. Currently DOGBANE is working on their second full-length and is beginning to play out again. The band is ecstatic about performing at Ragnarokkr to a real metal audience.

The band recently filmed and  released a video for the song 'Ride the Serpent,' taken off  Residual Alcatraz.The video, directed and produced by TJ Webb and starring actress Valaria Sweet, is now playing at this location. 

Residual Alcatraz is available for streaming and purchase at www.dogbaneband.com and www.soundsofpurgatory.com.

"Bottom line: if you have an appreciation for old school heavy metal, emphasis on the heavy, you need to own this album." - Hardrock Haven

www.dogbaneband.com

www.facebook.com/dogbane

www.heavenandhellrecords.com

www.facebook.com/heavenandhellrecords

STONECAST join Pitch Black Records

French epic/heavy power metallers STONECAST have joined Pitch Black Records and their album “Heroikos” will mark the label’s last release for 2013.

STONECAST were formed in 2002 and after several demo releases, they issued their debut album in 2009. Following a number of shows – including an appearance at the French edition of Sonisphere, where they closed the festival after the “Big Four” – the band is now back with their sophomore effort, “Heroikos”.

Their new album is just pure Heavy Metal and to further add to its relentless pounding sound the band has enlisted the help of legendary drummer Kenny Earl “RHINO” (ex MANOWAR and JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR among others) whose handling of a drum set needs no further introduction.

Mixed and mastered by Mariusz Pietka of MP Studio, Poland (known from his work with CRYSTAL VIPER and SACRED STEEL among others) “Heroikos” is an album of epic proportions that is full of adrenalin pumping steel!

The band is currently working on a number of live shows, including a support slot at the upcoming Blaze Baley concert in France in March 2014. “Heroikos” is scheduled for release worldwide on November 12th, 2013 on CD and digital while a track is now available for streaming and free at www.pitchblackrecords.com.

STONECAST are:

• Franck “Kanon” Ghirardi: vocals
• Seb “Cazu” Casula: rhythm guitars
• Bob “Flying” Saliba: lead guitars
• Lionel “Beev” Antonorsi: bass
• Kenny Earl “Rhino”: drums

Album track listing:

1. Jakuta (cult of the bolthrower)
2. The Barbaric Rhyme
3. Elysean Winds
4. Triumph
5. Substance
6. Of Fire and Ice
7. Kings Unborn
8. Gods of Dust
9. The Place
10. Savage Princes

Review - Siren's Cry - Scattered Horizons (Nightmare/ Sony/ RED)

Once thing I can always count on in regards to the releases from Nightmare Records is the quality of the musicianship. The debut release from Sirens' Cry is no exception.

Listening to the nine tracks on Scattered Horizons it's easy to forget that this is their first release. This album sounds like it's from a band well into their recording career.

Siren's Cry is a female fronted five piece from Austria. Yes we've seen female fronted symphonic metal bands before but I think that this band has found a way to go to a new place with their music. Their influences are pretty diverse in terms of metal including Metallica, Dream Theater and Symphony X.
There's a palpable distinction with this group that you really need to hear to fully appreciate and understand.

The disc opens with Introitus a 1:39 noisescape that takes you nicely into the album. That one leads to S3V3N a nice driving track reminiscent of Dream Theater.

You get a nice taste of how all the players contribute the overall sound. I should point out that this disc is self produced. Listening to the beginning of this track I got a real appreciation for the restraint this band had in recording this disc. A lesser band would have heaped on all kinds of stuff but this is so well done and everything just sits nicely and balances each other out. About a minute in you finally get to hear vocalist Katie Joanne. She comes innate in a high pitied diva mode but in a middle register voice that just sounds amazing against the musical backdrop. She slowly builds up the register getting subtly higher as the song continues. Extremely well done. A nice middle eastern vibe keyboard and guitar solo hits around the four minute mark. Think Petrucci and Rudess here and you get the idea.

Track three Oratory & Sins ratchets up the tempo with nice staccato guitar work from Phillip R Porter (ala Hetfield) and tight tom work from Fredric Brunner. They couple that with nice proggy twists and breakdowns. This one is five minute of excellence. There's a breakdown at the 3:30 mark that is so simple and powerful it will raise the hair on your arms.

The best way to describe the next one Elegy of R'lyeh is a twisting turning road. Usually symphonic metal bands will toss the slow one in at four. Instead Siren's Cry turns in this monster track. Half bizarre tempos coupled with 4/4 sections it's a track that will appeal to musicians. Maybe not the average listener but definitely musicians.

Well the slow one hits at five. It does however come branded with the coolest name, Cold Amber & Scalding Tears. Again restraint is shown in that this one clocks in at under four minutes. While it's slow there some tasty work done by all on it.

Then we hit a beast of a track clocking in at over nine minutes Sahara Sagas Pt 1is actually broken down into five separate parts. Brought me back to the early days of Rush with their multi part songs. In my humble opinion I would have liked to have this just cut down to the one part "Beyond The Veil" and leave room for tenth album track instead. Again just my thought. There's nothing bad about the other parts they are all well done and I know they are all part of the whole. If they were perhaps even more varied than they are it might have worked more for me but they are just too close in overall sound and feel.

Then we hit my favorite track, Serpents of War. I like this one so much it was the track of the week on episode 145 of FoM. If you haven't checked that one out head to focusonmetal.net and download the episode and you'll see why I'm really liking this one. This one might well be the best representation of all their influences coming together and it has something for every metal taste. Insane guitar work, grooving bass by Soren Skupien , unrelenting drums, creative keyboard parts from Michael Siskov and some killer vocals.

Lastly there's Controversial Mind. This is another one with many twists and time changes. The difference here is that there is a vibe here that can only be described as sinister. I could see this being the backing music for the finale of some action thriller.

So there you have it. Scattered Horizons from Sirens' Cry. If you like Symphonic Metal or Dream Theater with a twist then take your metal dollars and get this one. Top notch players and untouchable vocals. A thumbs up for almost all the tracks save for one. All this from a debut release. I can't wait to hear where they take this next. For now I will enjoy this one. For those of you in Europe you can also see them live with Masterplan and Mystic Prophecy. The tour runs from Oct 1st through Oct 21st. See the tour page at focusonmetal.net for all the dates. There's also a tour trailer on YouTube

For info on the band you can head to:

Official Website: www.sirenscry.com

Official Facebook:www.facebook.com/sirenscryband

Official Myspace: www.myspace.com/thesirenscry

Official Reverbnation:www.reverbnation.com/sirenscry

Official Youtube:www.youtube.com/OFFICIALSirensCry

Here's what's going through my ears lately

1. James La Brie- Impermanent Resonance (2013)
    Title just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it. Concise four to five minute heavy songs with less of the widdly widdly noodling of his other bigger band. Would have to stay on stage for the whole set which would be a first but that's if they tour this which of course they won't. Stupid move by the label to release this so close to the new Dream Theater album as it's bound to get buried. That's a shame cause it's really really good.

2. Annihilator-Feast (2013)
   One of the best metal/thrash sounding releases of the year. Already reviewed on the blog.

3. Loudness- Lightning Strikes (1986)
   Love Akira Takasaki's guitar sound on this. Big and beefy with top notch solos. 1000 Eyes, Ashes In The Sky, Street Life Dream. Brilliant.

4 Primal Fear- 16.6 Before The Devil Knows You're Dead (2009)
   Ok I'm a recent convert. I like this a lot. All been done before but...... Dumb album title though.

5. Black 'N' Blue- In Heat (1988)
   Very underrated band who coulda shoulda woulda. Had the songs and the look and everything. Gene Simmons producing too. Oh maybe that's why.

6. Black Sabbath- 13 (2013)
   I like this but I'm not gushing the way some folk are. It's good but I find some of it a tad boring. I've heard folk say some of it sounds like bits of Sabotage, Master Of Reality et al but does it sound better? Back to the vinyl drawing board for me. 

Richie.

K.K comes out

   The worst kept secret in Priestland is finally out there. K.K Downing quit and didn't retire. He states that he was sick of playing old stuff night after night, the band were not as creative now as he would have liked and the music industry blows. Fine reasons all. He also added that there were multiple other reasons and here's my two cents on what some of them might be:

1. Nostradamus: a blot on the Priest landscape and a fucking huge one at that. The majority of fans hated it and with good reason. I wish Rob Halford would drop the façade of ever playing this piece of shit in it's entirety.

2. The band's "retirement" tour: K.K knew the band would continue, if they genuinely wanted to retire he probably would have bit the bullet and done the tour.

3. It's Glenn Tipton's band now. Everything starts and ends with him and K.K was pushed aside little by little.

4. Deep down he never wanted Rob back. He did say that Rob didn't deserve to come back when Ripper was in the band. The dollars only cover up the underlying shit for so long.

All true, none true. Maybe.

Richie

Michael Kiske returns to PLACE VENDOME with another Melodic Rock masterpiece "Thunder in the Distance" due for release in November on Frontiers

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the much anticipated third album from PLACE VENDOME entitled “Thunder in the Distance” on November 1st in Europe and November 5th in North America.

PLACE VENDOME is the Melodic Rock project featuring UNISONIC and former HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske on all lead vocals and production from Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69).

PLACE VENDOME started in 2004 when Kiske, following a self imposed exile from the rock and metal scene which lasted a few years after his departure from HELLOWEEN and solo career, accepted in 2004 to be part of a Melodic Rock oriented concept put together by Frontiers Records’ President Serafino Perugino.

The resulting PLACE VENDOME debut album brought Kiske back to a more straight ahead and Rock sound, still very accessible and melodic and far from the Heavy Metal stereotypes of blood, violence and hate which Kiske never had anything to do with. He collaborated for the first time with PINK CREAM 69’s Dennis Ward, Kosta Zafiriou and Uwe Reitenauer with Gunther Werno (VANDENPLAS) on keyboards. In a quite ironic twist of fate Michael found himself to work with members of PINK CREAM 69, when the band’s original singer Andy Deris took his place in HELLOWEEN when he left.

The very favorable acceptance of the first PLACE VENDOME album planted the seeds for a second recording entitled “Streets of Fire”, which was produced during 2008. The concept was slightly changed, with some outside writers such as Robert Säll (Work of Art), Ronny Milianowicz (Saint Deamon) and Torsti Spoof (Leverage) handling the bulk of the songwriting, with Dennis Ward still handling the recording and production sessions.

Following his stint with the band UNISONIC, Kiske decided to go back once again to the PLACE VENDOME concept with more melodic rock oriented songs which - once again - have been selected by Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino from outside writers including: Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear), Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline), Roberto Tiranti and Andrea Cantarelli (Labyrinth, A Perfect Day), Tommy Denander (Radioactive), Sören Kronqvist (Sunstorm, Issa), and Brett Jones.

“I am having a very open mind in terms of music anyway, and the Place Vendome vibe is a pretty different approach than Unisonic” says Kiske. “I like many tracks off the Place Vendome albums, but especially Guardian Angel, Streets Of Fire, I Will Be Waiting, Set Me Free from the previous albums or now Maybe Tomorrow. For me the vocals are the most important part of a song of course”. 

Dennis Ward once again produced and mixed the whole affair with such musicians as Dirk Bruineberg (Consortium Project), Gunter Werno (Vandenplas) and Uwe Reitenauer (Pink Cream 69) completing the lineup. Another total masterpiece from Kiske and Place Vendome is about to hit the market. A true must for all Melodic Rock fans !

Tracklisting includes:  Talk To Me; Power of Music; Broken Wings; Lost in Paradise; It Can’t Rain Forever; Fragile Ground; Hold Your Love; Never Too Late; Heaven Lost; My Heart is Dying; Breakout; Maybe Tomorrow; Thunder in the Distance.

Samples of some of the album songs can be listened following this link: http://youtu.be/s-Bfyv6LXZc

PLACE VENDOME:

Michael Kiske – Lead Vocals

Dennis Ward – Bass, vocals, rhythm guitars

Dirk Bruineberg– Drums

Gunter Werno – Keyboards

Uwe Reitenauer – Lead guitars

MORTAL DECAY To Release 'The Blueprint for Blood Spatter' November 26; GunShyAssassin.com Streaming New Track

Underground death metal gurus Mortal Decay have returned to melt any faces left unliquified after 2005's Cadaver Art. After signing to Comatose Music earlier this year, the band entered the studio to record what would become their long-awaited fourth studio full-length, The Blueprint for Blood Spatter. Set to be unleashed on November 26th, The Blueprint for Blood Spatter threatens to be one of this year's most relentless death metal releases. To give fans a little taste of the blood they've been thirsting for, Mortal Decay and Comatose Music have teamed with GunShyAssassin.com for the exclusive world premier of album track "Jugular Gurgle." Check it out at this location. 

For over twenty years Mortal Decay has astonished the death metal community with their very unique style of technical and innovative song writing that sets them apart from others. Now this South Jersey powerhouse are poised to release their first album in over eight years! 'The Blueprint for Blood Spatter' is a punishing release full of substance and musical composition that exceeds the standard without any limits. Vocal performance on this album is spewed forth by the mighty Danny Nelson of Malignancy. Brace yourself for total death metal destruction!

Here is what Mortal Decay says about the new album, "In believing that this is our most solid material to date, and that we are individually at our best, it can be summed as a definitive collection of songs. Ranging through every era of the band, and including newer experiments, our collective energy and creativity was reborn and still exploding at a level beyond what we could have imagined. True Mortal Decay fans will get a taste of all levels of our musical direction at its finest."

A promo video for The Blueprint for Blood Spatter is now playing HERE.

For more on MORTAL DECAY visit www.facebook.com/mortaldecayusa

www.comatosemusic.com 

 www.facebook.com/comatosemusiclabel 

 www.myspace.com/comatosemusiclabel

COLDSTEEL North American Tour with HELLOWEEN Starts Tonight

NYC Underground Thrashers COLDSTEEL will hook up with the legendary  HELLOWEEN tonight for the kick-off of the 10-date North American  Hellish Rock tour. The action starts tonight at New York's Stage 48 with  COLDSTEEL serving as direct support. Dates are as follows: COLDSTEEL on Tour with HELLOWEEN - North American Hellish  Rock Tour 2013    Sep. 24 - New York, NY - Stage 48   Sep. 25 - Montreal, QUE - Club Soda   Sep. 26 - Quebec City, QUE - Theater Imperial   Sep. 28 - Toronto, OT - The Opera House   Sep. 29 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall   Sep. 30 - Joliet, IL - Mojoes   Oct. 02 - Engelwood, CO - Gothic Theater   Oct. 03 - Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue   Oct. 05 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon   Oct. 07 - Anaheim, CA - The Grove COLDSTEEL recently debuted the video for the title track to their  America Idle EP, which was released early this year by Stormspell Records.    The video was filmed on location at President Grant's Tomb in Harlem, NYC.  Directed by Patrick Kendall and featuring yet another prime example of  COLDSTEEL's scorching riffs and unforgettable hooks, "America Idle"  represents the kick in the ass the U.S. citizenry so desperately needed. The video for "America Idle" is now playing at this location.   Purchase America Idle at any of the following links:    COLDSTEEL's Website iTunes Amazon CD Baby  "A ripping stompfest through mosh-ready riffs and rhythms that doesn't  relent for even a split second." - Wormwood Chronicles "Coldsteel are American Thrash Metal in the vein of Anthrax, Annihilator,  and Testament.  They capture the best of all worlds."  -  November 24th Spawned a Monster "Groovy, crunchy, not forgetting melodies and harmonies, versatile  vocals, intriguing riffages, top notch soloing and the works." (8/10)  - Metal Temple "Welcome back, COLD STEEL!" (9/10) - Metal.de "If Coldsteel had promise 20 years ago, then they've lost none of that  promise and power today. Recommended." (4/5) -  Dangerdog Music Reviews  www.coldsteelny.com  www.facebook.com/coldsteelny  twitter.com/coldsteelny  www.stormspell.com

THE BROWNING KICK OFF U.S. HEADLINING TOUR

THE BROWNING kicked off a headlining US tour  Friday, September 20th - in support of their upcoming new album, HYPERNOVA.

The seven-week HYPERNOVA tour starts in Portage, Indiana, and features support from THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE, HONOUR CREST, TEAR OUT THE HEART and MYKA RELOCATE.

See THE BROWNING live at the following shows:

Sep. 20 - Portage, IN - Camelot Hall
Sep. 21 - Indianapolis, IN - Old National Centre
Sep. 22 - Muskegon, MI - Club Envy
Sep. 24 - Flint, MI - The Machine Shop
Sep. 27 - Providence, RI - Loft 71
Sep. 28 - Lemoyne, PA - Championship
Sep. 29 - New York, NY - Tobacco Road
Oct. 01 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
Oct. 02 - Jeannette, PA - Gators
Oct. 03 - Stanhope, NJ - Stanhope House
Oct. 04 - Trenton, NJ - Championships
Oct. 05 - Richmond, VA - Kingdom
Oct. 06 - Frederick, MD - Cafe 611
Oct. 08 - Fayetteville, NC - The Drunken Horse Pub
Oct. 09 - Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggy's Winston Inc.
Oct. 10 - Spartanburg, SC - Ground Zero
Oct. 11 - Orlando, FL - The Backbooth
Oct. 12 - Ybor City, FL - Orpheum
Oct. 13 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbit
Oct. 17 - Little Rock, AZ - Downtown Music Hall
Oct. 19 - St. Louis, MO - The Mag Magician
Oct. 20 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Chameleon Room
Oct. 22 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog Bar
Oct. 23 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
Oct. 25 - Corpus Christi, TX - Zero's Hard Rock Club
Oct. 26 - Grand Prairie, TX - Quik Trip Park
Oct. 27 - Farmington, NM - Top Deck
Oct. 28 - Tempe, AZ - Club Red
Oct. 29 - Lancaster, CA - Industry Theater
Oct. 30 - Orangevale, CA - The Boardwalk
Oct. 31 - Klamath Falls, OR - Klamath County Fair
Nov. 01 - Richland, WA - Ray's Golden Lion
Nov. 02 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
Nov. 03 - Missoula, MT - Palace
Nov. 04 - Billings, MT - Railyard
Nov. 05 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
Nov. 06 - Kansas City, MO - Czar
Nov. 08 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
Nov. 09 - Sauk Rapids, MN - Bubba's
Nov. 10 - Burnsville, MN - The Garage

View the tour flyer at http://earacherecords.com/myspace/thebrowning_us2013.jpg

HYPERNOVA is due to be released on October 1st in the USA via Century Media/Earache Records, and on October 7th in Europe via Earache Records.  The album was recorded at Planet Red Studios in Richmond, Virginia with producer ANDREAS MAGNUSSON (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, IMPENDING DOOM).

Pre-order HYPERNOVA now from the Earache Webstore in North America at http://uswebstore.earache.com/the-browning or in Europe at http://webstore.earache.com/the-browning

HYPERNOVA is also available to pre-order now on iTunes including two exclusive bonus tracks, plus an instant grat track which you can download as soon as you pre-order the album, at http://bit.ly/16w079n

Get more news and info from THE BROWNING at:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TheBrowningOfficial
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/thebrowningproject

WARRION to release "Awakening The Hydra" Via PURE STEEL

The release date of the WARRION album "Awakening The Hydra" is September 27th, 2013. The preorder phase will start on September 13th, 2013 in the webshop. Never heard of WARRION? Doesn’t matter, because this LP is in fact the first life sign of this band. Band founder Ron Ravi Warrion has collected famous people of diverse cult bands to form a band. The vocalist is Mike Viscera, exceptionally gifted singer of OBSESSION (and Ex-LOUDNESS singer). There’s also guitarist Tim Thomas (ABATTOIR, Ex-AGENT STEEL, Ex- STEEL PROPHET), bassist Keith Knight (ASKA) and drummer Rob Brug (HALLOWEEN). Furthermore, George Call (ASKA, Ex-OMEN) is guest-vocalist on two tracks. The sound of the debut album “Awakening the Hydra” is not far from the sound of the musicians main bands, but you can hear some European influences in the songwriting; melody lines and heaviness are well balanced. There are very catchy songs like the opener “Awakening the Hydra”, refined with a good chorus, the straight sounding “Savage”, the quietly starting “Adversary”, the brisk “Victim of Religion” and the dark sounding “Serpent’s Fire”: all are classic Power Metal with expressive, charismatic vocals and a sophisticated guitar work which never follows the trends. The production is modern but not at all soulless or undifferentiated. WARRION is a chip from the old block: US-Metal for connoisseurs and enthusiasts! TRACKLIST: 1. Creations of the Mind 2. Awakening the Hydra 3. Carnage 4. Adversary 5. Invocation 6. Victim of Religion 7. Serpent’s Fire 8. Savage 9. Lucifer My Guide 10. Earth Fire Water Spirit 11. Hydra Reprise LINE-UP: Mike Vescera – vocals Dave Hermien Dufort - Keyboards Tim Thomas – leadguitar Ron Ravi Warrion – guitar Keith Knight – bass Rob Brug – drums Guest Musicians: George Call Vocals on Victim Of Religion and Serpents Fire Chris Bennett Solos on Victim Of Religion

MORGENGRAU Signs with Unspeakable Axe Records

Unspeakable Axe Records will join forces with Austin death metal outfit  MORGENGRAU next year for their second, currently untitled full-length  album.  MORGENGRAU formed in 2010 and self-released their debut,  Extrinsic Pathway, earlier this year. The album has received great reviews  for its vicious death metal blending European and American influences from  classic '90s bands, including Morbid Angel, Slayer, Pestilence, Asphyx,  with original songwriting and a voice purely the band's own.  MORGENGRAU has been entirely self-distributed and self-promoted  thus far; entering into the Unspeakable Axe/Dark Descent Records fold,  they are now poised to inflict vastly greater damage worldwide. Vocalist/guitarist Erika Morgengrau has this to say about the signing:  "We are very pleased and honored to be working with such a  professional and respected label. This will allow us to move to the next level with our music and shall certainly inspire us to produce a second album that buries the first!" The second MORGENGRAU album is expected to begin recording  next summer for release in mid to late 2014. Extrinsic Pathway is  available at morgengrau.bandcamp.com.  For more on Unspeakable Axe Records, visit:  www.unspeakableaxerecords.com www.facebook.com/unspeakableaxerecords "Into the Abyss, into the Non, where everything and nothing exists Shades await birth or destruction Standing baffled, the penitent wail while the unrepentant take up swords Over all, He prevails..." Come walk the Extrinsic Pathway with Morgengrau. Hailing from Austin,  Texas, Morgengrau is dedicated to the craft of classic death metal. Since  the band's inception in 2010, they quickly established themselves as a  formidable live act, garnering particular attention due to being fronted by  ex-Ignitor frontwoman, Erika Tandy, and former Manifestation drummer,  Reba Carls. Both women are well known in the Texas scene for their fierce  performances, with Tandy having fronted several other well known bands  of various genres, including Autumn Tears. The band focuses conceptually  on death worship in all its forms: war, occultism, horror and science.  Their debut album, Extrinsic Pathway was recorded at Amplitude Media  and mixed and mastered at Endarker Studios in Sweden by the mighty  Devo from Marduk.  Erika Tandy - vocals and guitars  Nick Norris - guitars  Jacob Holmes - bass   Reba Carls - drums. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Morgengrau/112541632142818?ref=hl http://www.reverbnation.com/morgengrau

CAULDRON ANNOUNCE BRAZILIAN HEADLINING TOUR

CAULDRON have announced a headlining Brazilian tour in support of their latest album, TOMORROW'S LOST.

The band will be kicking off the "Brazil's Lost" tour on November 26th in Belo Horizonte, with a further six shows scheduled throughout the country, including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.  The band have also recently announced a show supporting US progressive metallers FATES WARNING in CAULDRON's hometown of Toronto.

CAULDRON vocalist and bassist JASON DECAY comments:

"Looking forward to hitting Brazil for the first time and getting the fuck out of work here at home.  The weather's going to be pretty shitty here by then too, so the Brazilian weather will be a real treat.  I also heard the fans there are crazy, so this should be fun!  Thank you Brazil, looking forward to a good time!"

See CAULDRON on tour at the following shows:

Nov. 20 - Toronto, Canada - Mod Club (w/ FATES WARNING)

Nov. 26 - Belo Horizonte, Brazil - Matriz
Nov. 27 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Teatro Odisseia
Nov. 28 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Manifesto
Nov. 29 - Curitiba, Brazil - Hangar Music Hall
Nov. 30 - Porto Alegre, Brazil - Beco 203
Dec. 01 - Hortolandia, Brazil - Barka-Mada

View the Brazilian tour flyer at http://earacherecords.com/myspace/cauldron_brazil2013.jpg

CAULDRON's latest album, TOMORROW'S LOST, is available now on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl LP.  Get the album now in North America at http://uswebstore.earache.com/cauldron or in Europe at http://webstore.earache.com/cauldron

TOMORROW'S LOST is also available now on iTunes at http://bit.ly/MFZT9G

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
Twitter - http://twitter.com/cauldronmetal

SAVAGE MESSIAH ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN TOUR WITH HAVOK

SAVAGE MESSIAH have announced a European tour with US thrashers HAVOK.

The "Unnatural Selection" European tour is due to kick off on November 23rd in Edegem, Belgium, shortly after SAVAGE MESSIAH's headlining UK mini tour.  The European trek also features support from ANGELUS APATRIDA.

SAVAGE MESSIAH guitarist JOFF BAILEY comments:

"We're really excited to announce the news that we'll be hitting the road across Europe this November/December with Havok!  We really can't wait to hit European shores again and tear it up with all the Savages over there!  We've been shut away in the studio all summer working on the new record (which is sounding absolutely brutal by the way!) so when they finally let us loose for our headline tour in October and now across Europe a couple of weeks later with Havok, well, needless to say, we'll burst out fuckin' swinging!  I may even put in place a strict diet of Maiden, Metallica and Rocky montage scenes to fire us up even more!  See you on the road!  STAY SAVAGE!!"

See SAVAGE MESSIAH live on tour at the following shows:

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

SAVAGE MESSIAH w/ HAVOK, ANGELUS APATRIDA
Nov. 23 - Edegem, Belgium - JH Nootuitgang
Nov. 25 - London, UK - Underworld
Nov. 26 - Cardiff, UK - Clwb Ifor Bach
Nov. 27 - Norwich, UK - Epic Studios
Nov. 28 - Glasgow, UK - Cathouse
Nov. 29 - Plymouth, UK - White Rabbit
Nov. 30 - Châlons-en-Champagne, France - Contre Point
Dec. 01 - Nantes, France - Le Ferrailleur
Dec. 02 - Toulouse, France - Le Saint des Seins
Dec. 03 - Bilbao, Spain - Kafe Antzokia
Dec. 04 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Caracol
Dec. 05 - Valencia, Spain - Rock City
Dec. 06 - Barcelona, Spain - Music Hall
Dec. 07 - Zurich, Switzerland - TBA
Dec. 08 - Munich, Germany - Feierwerk
Dec. 09 - Vienna, Austria - Arena
Dec. 10 - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse
Dec. 11 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Orto Bar
Dec. 12 - Borkovany, Czech Republic - Republica San Bonigo
Dec. 13 - Leipzig, Germany - Conne Island
Dec. 14 - Essen, Germany - Cafe Nova
Dec. 15 - Berlin, Germany - Magnet

View the Unnatural Selection European tour flyer at FocusOnMetal.net

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://webstore.earache.com/savage-messiah or in North America at http://uswebstore.earache.com/savage-messiah

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

THE MORE I SEE ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN TOUR WITH KOBRA AND THE LOTUS

UK metallers THE MORE I SEE have announced a European tour with Canadian heavy metal band KOBRA AND THE LOTUS.

THE MORE I SEE will be touring in support of their new album, THE DISAPPEARING HUMANS, which is out now in Europe.  The tour kicks off on October 20th at the Underground in Cologne, Germany.

THE MORE I SEE frontman JAMES CLUER comments:

"We're all really excited to be supporting Kobra and the Lotus as we really dig the band and the music.  We can't wait to return to Germany, our second home, and do four great gigs there, as well as some countries we've not had the chance to play before.  These shows will be awesome, so we hope to see you all on the road!"

See THE MORE I SEE on tour with KOBRA AND THE LOTUS at the following shows:

Oct. 20 - Cologne, Germany - Underground
Oct. 21 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013
Oct. 22 - Berlin, Germany - White Trash
Oct. 24 - Hamburg, Germany - St. Pauli Rock Cafe
Oct. 26 - Milan, Italy - Milan Factory
Oct. 27 - Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich Club
Oct. 28 - Paris, France - Le Batofar

THE MORE I SEE have just released a video through VEVO about the making of their music video, "The Eye That Offends", which was filmed on the actual set of Star Wars in the Tunisian desert.  Watch the making of video now at http://youtu.be/3-G8dMgzda4 and watch the actual music video at http://youtu.be/5KkkiHYp6nY

THE DISAPPEARING HUMANS is available now on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl LP.  Get the album now in Europe at http://webstore.earache.com/The-More-I-See or get the European import in North America at http://uswebstore.earache.com/The-More-I-See

Get the album on iTunes in Europe with an exclusive bonus track at http://bit.ly/152BqxD

The album is also available now on Spotify, including four exclusive bonus tracks, along with an exclusive track-by-track commentary.  Listen to the album now on Spotify at http://spoti.fi/15ejoiR

THE DISAPPEARING HUMANS is due to be released on October 1st in the USA via Century Media/Earache Records.

Get more TMIS news and info at:

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

SUTURE: Re-recording of Debut Coming Next Month via Comatose Music

Comatose Music has announced the release of the re-recording of long out-of-print debut Carnivorous Urge to Kill from Louisiana brutal deathsters SUTURE on October 29th. 

Originally released in 2002, the re-recording coincides with renewed interest in the band and a growing interest in the early material. SUTURE recently assembled their original lineup and entered the studio to re-record this entire album, along with a couple bonus tracks from the band's early years. The new recording of SUTURE's debut album will allow death metal fans to now fully appreciate these songs and hear them how they were meant to be heard in the first place. The album now features amazing guest guitar solos by James Murphy (DEATH, OBITUARY, DISINCARNATE), Rick Rozz (DEATH, MASSACRE) and Jim Nickles (ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION), plus all new artwork that more closely conveys the imagery that SUTURE originally conceived for this release. Carnivorous Urge to Kill will finally be presented in its full glory, and is a "must have" for everyone's brutal death metal collection. Recommended for fans of SUFFOCATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE, and DEVOURMENT. 

Album track "Carcinoma Contagion" is now streaming at www.comatosemusic.com.

Pre-order the re-recording of Carnivorous Urge to Kill at this location. 

www.facebook.com/suturedeathmetal 

www.comatosemusic.com 

 www.facebook.com/comatosemusiclabel 

 www.myspace.com/comatosemusiclabel

Trailer for Inside Metal: Pioneers of L.A. Rock and Metal: Thearly Years Part 1 posted on YouTube

Another great metal documentary is on it's way and they have posted the first trailer for it on YouTube. Ya really gotta check this out. Even if friend of the show Bob Nalbandian wasn't involved I would still be psyched about this one. Knowing how hard Bob has been been busting his ass on this I know it's gonna be killer.

Fixed

   Any of you guys following this Sebastian Bach v Nikki Sixx he said she said. It's laughable isn't it. For those out there not in the know it goes something like this: Bach claims he rehearsed and was asked to join Motley Crue before John Corabi joined for the Motley Crue record in '94. Sixx claims it wasn't true, Bach comes back with an excerpt from a Sixx interview saying Bach used to come down and rehearse after Vince Neil was fired because they needed a singer.

   What's laughable is even if it's true or not the story is from 20 years ago. What the fuck does that have to do with what both parties are doing today? That's right, nothing. Want to know my spin on this: both parties are in on it. Bach because he wants to sell his book, a fact he alluded to when stating all the details would be in it. Sixx because he is a media whore and any publicity is good publicity in his mind. Motley Crue with support from Sebastian Bach coming to a town near you in 2014. The busom buddies tour.

Richie.

Pure Steel to re-release IKLWA, the rare 2nd disc from Skinflint this month.

The release date of the  SKINFLINT album "IKLWA" is September 27th, 2013. The preorder phase will start on September 13th, 2013 in their webshop. The third longplayer „Dipoko“ of the African Heavy/Epic Metalheads SKINFLINT was already released by Pure Steel Records recently. Now their 2nd album “IKLWA” is going to be re-released, since this was only available in minimal quantities up to now. Again cranky Epic Metal is ruling the album, which causes slight memories to bands like Manilla Road or Cirith Ungol. However, the old heroes aren’t only copied at any time, cause the band got an own independent, bone dry and warm retro sound. Catchy riffs are hitting expansive rhythmic structures and the gnarly guitar sound is calling also bands like Realm Builder in the mind. Together with the more rough vocals and the genre-typical hand-drawn cover this is another gem for any true metal maniac. TRACKLIST: 1. Intro 2. Iron Pierced King 3. Mbube The Great 4. Burning the Soul with Diesel 5. Iklwa 6. The Fallen 09. Army Of The Dead (Bonus Track) 10. Gauna Live (Bonus Track) Total Playing Time: 53:50 min LINE-UP: Giuseppe "Juice" Sbrana – vocals, guitars Kebonye "Raskebo" Nkoloso – bass Mothusi "Cool" Mahuri – drums