March | 2014 | Valkyrian Music

Archive for March, 2014

Agnostic Front announce UK tour dates for August

Posted in News with tags Agnostic Front, Blackpool, London, New York, Nuclear Blast, UK Subs on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

New York’s hardcore royals Agnostic Front are set to return to the UK this summer for a handful of live shows, including Rebellion Festival in Blackpool and City Invasion in London. Tour dates are as follow:

Aug 10th – Rebellion Festival, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
^{w/ Killing Joke, UK Subs, Subhumans and more}Aug 11th – Dundee, Non Zeros
Aug 13th – Buckley, Tivoli
Aug 14th – Newcastle, Think Tank
Aug 15th – Edinburgh, Bannermans
Aug 16th – York, Fibbers
Aug 17th– City Invasion 2014, Forum, London
^{w/ Conflict, Poison Idea, The Business and more}

Agnostic Front released their tenth studio album My Life My Way in 2011 via Nuclear Blast. Order your copy here.

Agnostic Front online:

http://agnosticfront.com
http://facebook.com/agnosticfront

Leave a comment »

Arch Enemy unveil artwork and tracklist for War Eternal

Posted in News with tags Angela Gossow, Arch Enemy, Century Media, Chioreanu Costin, Michael Amott, War Eternal on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Following the recent replacement of Angela Gossow with Alissa White-Gluz (ex-The Agonist), Arch Enemy has become a hot topic on the metal scene. The band will be releasing their ninth studio album, War Eternal, via Century Media in June later this year. The band have now officially unveiled the artwork, as seen above, for the album. The artwork for War Eternal was created by Costin Chioreanu, who previously worked with Michael Amott on Spiritual Beggars’ re-issue of their self-titled debut. Chief song-writer, guitarist and band leader Michael Amott comments:

I was looking for a hand-drawn feel with a unique atmosphere, something that would complement the music that we’ve been working so hard on these last couple of years. In the end my choice fell upon Romanian artist Chioreanu Costin, who’s work I’ve admired for some time. Costin really grasped my vision for the artwork and layout, he’s delivered some of the coolest artwork elements we’ve ever had with Arch Enemy!

Arch Enemy’s upcoming album, War Eternal, was recorded in various studios during winter 2013/2014 and produced by the band themselves with Jens Bogren (Opeth, Paradise Lost, Kreator) mixing and mastering the album at Fascination Street Studio. For a preview of War Eternal, be sure to check out the official video for the album’s title track down below, created by Patric Ullaeus.

The tracklisting for war Eternal is as follows:

1. Tempore Nihil Sanat (Prelude in F minor)
2. Never Forgive, Never Forget
3. War Eternal
4. As The Pages Burn
5. No More Regrets
6. You Will Know My Name
7. Graveyard Of Dreams
8. Stolen Life
9. Time Is Black
10. On And On
11. Avalanche
12. Down To Nothing
13. Not Long For This World

Arch Enemy will start their War Eternal world tour in May with an extensive run through Europe. A US tour is planned for fall 2014. Tour dates are as follow:

23.05.2014 Turbohalle, Bucharest, Romania
24.05.2014 Metal Summer Festival, Istanbul, Turkey
25.05.2014 Mixtape 5, Sofia, Bulgaria
27.05.2014 Majestic Music Club, Bratislava, Slovakia
29.05.2014 Rock and Roll Arena, Romagnano Sesia (Novara), Italy
30.05.2014 New Age Club, Roncade, Italy
02.06.2014 L’Etage, Rennes, France
03.06.2014 Le 106, Rouen, France
04.06.2014 La Laiterie, Strasbourg, France
05.06.2014 Rosenhof, Osnabruck, Germany
07.06.2014 Sweden Rock Festival, Solvesborg, Sweden
09.06.2014 Studio USF, Bergen, Norway
10.06.2014 John Dee, Oslo, Norway
11.06.2014 Copenhell, Copenhagen, Denmark
13.06.2014 Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
14.06.2014 Conrad Sohm, Dornbirn, Austria
15.06.2014 Nova Rock – Nickelsdorf, Austria
27.06.2014 Rock am Hartsfeldsee, Dischingen, Germany
09.07.2014 RockMaraton, Pecs, Hungary
11.07.2014 Rock Harz Open Air, Ballenstedt, Germany
12.07.2014 Masters Of Rock, Vizovice, Czech Republic
13.07.2014 Seven Festival, Wegorzewo, Poland
19.07.2014 Dong Open Air, Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany
02.08.2014 Wacken Open Air, Wacken, Germany
07.08.2014 Getaway Rock, G�vle, Sweden
08.08.2014 Leyendas Del Rock, Alicante, Spain
09.08.2014 Alcatraz Metal Festival, Kortrijk, Belgium
14.08.2014 Summer Breeze, Dinkelsbuhl, Germany
17.08.2014 Alt-Fest, Kettering, UK
22.09.2014 Re:Republic, Minsk, Belarus
23.09.2014 Yunost’, Kiev, Ukraine
25.09.2014 Arena Hall, Krasnodar, Russia
27.09.2014 Glav Club, Moscow, Russia
28.09.2014 Zal Ozhidaniya, Saint Petersburg, Russia
30.09.2014 Otdykh Club, Novosibirsk, Russia
01.10.2014 Angar Club, Omsk, Russia
03.10.2014 Tele Club, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Arch Enemy online:

http://archenemy.net
http://facebook.com/archenemyofficial
http://youtube.com/user/archenemyofficial
http://twitter.com/archenemymetal

Leave a comment »

Martyr Defiled unleash new video and announce album launch show

Posted in News with tags APRIL, Black Dahlia Murder, Black Tongue, Century Media, Despised Icon, Hope No Morality, Lamb Of God, London, Martyr Defiled, The Mist (film) on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

The heavy hitting Martyr Defiled are set to release their new album, No Hope No Morality, on 28th April, via Siege Of Armada Records and Century Media, and to celebrate its release, the band will be playing an intimate FREE entry show at The Garage in London on 23rd April.

The band have also just unleashed a brutal video for new single 616, which is the second track to come from the forthcoming release. The video can be viewed down below.

The tracklisting for No Hope No Morality is as follows:

1. LVCIFER
2. Demons In The Mist
3. Sineater
4. 616
5. No Hope
6. Neverender
7. Under The Influence
8. The Taste Of Iron
9. Of Sheep & Swine
10. Deathstare
11. No Morality
12. BONUS – Infidels
13. BONUS – Redneck (Lamb Of God Cover)

Martyr Defiled online:

http://facebook.com/martyrdefiled
http://martyrdefiled.tumblr.com

Leave a comment »

40 Watt Sun announce new album plans

Posted in News with tags 40 Watt Sun, Roadburn Festival, Sun, The Inside Room, Tilburg, Watt Sun on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

40 Watt Sun have confirmed that writing for their next album – which will be the follow-up to their 2011 release The Inside Room – is now complete and that they have begun recording this month. Recording will take place in Wales throughout the spring and summer, and will be once again self-produced by the band. 40 Watt Sun have played a handful of intimate shows over the past six months, showcasing tracks that will appear on the new album, as well as playing older favourites. Vocalist and guitarist, Patrick Walker, commented:

The tracks for this album have been written over the course of the past twelve months. Though a natural progression from the last record, this time the music is more texturally varied and I’ve tried to allow an even greater spontaneity to the songwriting.

40 Watt Sun will also be playing the following events in April:

10^th April – Roadburn Festival, Het Patronaat – Tilburg, NL
11^th April – Doom Over Leipzig – Leipzig, DE
12^th April – Decadence Club – Ghent, BE

40 Watt Sun online:

http://40wattsun.com/
http://facebook.com/40wattsun
http://soundcloud.com/40wattsun
http://twitter.com/40WattSun

Leave a comment »

Seprevation announce new album Consumed and reveal details

Posted in News with tags Bristol, Cannabis Corpse, Consumed, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Gorguts, Rome, Seprevation, Wormrot on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

UK thrash bandits Seprevation recently announced plans for their new album Consumed along side the album’s details. The album will be released 10th May this year independently.

Formed in 2011 in Bristol, England; since their inception Seprevation have been campaigning across the UK, laying siege with a battery of hate filled lyrics and a sound to kick your pearly whites to dust, Seprevation are here for a reason and one reason only… To shatter and utterly destroy!

2012 saw the band supporting underground heavyweights Gorguts, Wormrot, Onslaught, Cannabis Corpse and many more which eventually earned the band a place at Bloodstock Festival. 2012 also marked the release of the Seprevation debut record, an EP entitled Ritual Abuse.

In 2013 the band picked up the pace signing a deal with Chaotic Tapestry Management before hitting the road with Californian Gods of gore Exhumed. That same year Seprevation jetted out to 16th Cellar Studios in Rome, Italy with acclaimed producer Stefano Morabito (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hour Of Penance, Eyeconoclast, Acrania, Bloodshot Dawn) to lay down tracks for the debut full-length album.

A near year has dawned. Bigger, stronger and more devastating than ever, Seprevation are set to unleash hell armed with their brand new album Consumed.

Guitarist Joss Farrington comments on Consumed:

I think fans of Ritual Abuse will really like it, its more of the same in many ways, plenty of shred and old school worship but its definitely steering in our own direction, as the writing process went on the songs became more and more diverse, songs like Between Two Worlds and Dreams were written last and you can really hear the difference.

If you thought Ritual Abuse was pretty great then buy this because it’s 100 times better, 3 words – Old School Worship.

Raul Gonzalez is the mastermind behind the Consumed artwork. Guitarist Joss Farrington also commented on the artwork:

He did the Ritual Abuse art too. I suppose if there was to be a concept or theme, it would be about death, and all the bullshit that follows with it, depression, loss, escape etc. the idea of being consumed by something you cannot control.

The tracklisting for Consumed is as follows:

1. Divine Devastation
2. Servants of Suffering
3. Ascension of Agony
4. Sarcophagal Chamber
5. Dreams
6. Slave To The Grave
7. In Torment They Burn
8. Sea Of Thoughts
9. Postmortem Lividity
10. Between Two Worlds

Consumed is out May 10th 2014. Pre-Order the album at this location.

Seprevation online:

http://facebook.com/seprevation

1 Comment »

French experimentalists Dot Legacy release debut video

Posted in News with tags Dot Legacy, John F Kennedy, Kennedy, Pop rock on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Rising French expermentalists Dot Legacy recently released the video for Kennedy, the lead single taken from their self-titled debut album. The video can be viewed below. The band had this to say:

We chose Kennedy as the track’s title because we are all inspired by the path of mankind towards the stars, progress and technology. It’s a mixture of pop, rock and stoner altogether.

Kennedy is based on a speech of the US president before the congress and that says that within the decade they should land a man on the moon. The structure of the song and the clip is done in a way where you feel mankind running towards an objective, the lifting off (the psychedelic solo) and finally reaching this new state or era (the ending with the “white lady”) in exploding circumstances.

The intention was to alternate fast rhythms with some pop rock feelings and stoner breaks and then go to a psychedelic tunnel to emerge with some good old rock.

The band will release their debut record through German label Setalight Records in June 2014.

Dot Legacy online:

http://dotlegacyband.com
http://facebook.com/dotlegacy

Leave a comment »

Tombs reveal title, artwork and tracklist for new album

Posted in News with tags Cannibal Corpse, Decibel, Erik Rutan, Goatwhore, Hate Eternal, New York, Relapse Records, Tombs on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Hailing from Brooklyn, in the state of New York, America, Tombs have confirmed Savage Gold as the title of the band’s third album to be released through Relapse Records. The album is set for release in June and the artwork (as seen above) and track listing have been revealed. The stunning artwork was created by renowned tattooist Thomas Hooper who has created the band’s previous album covers.

Savage Gold will be focusing on the awesome strength of Tombs‘ previous works into one brilliantly dark post-punk and extreme black-metal masterpiece. Recorded and produced by Hate Eternal‘s Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore), Savage Gold both expands upon the moody post-punk foundations that Tombs‘ prior albums explored while also bringing out the band’s most traditionally metal moments yet. Once every few years a record comes along that sets a new benchmark for what can be done in heavy music. This is that moment and this is that record. The Savage Gold Track Listing is as follows:

1. Thanatos
2. Portraits
3. Seance
4. Echoes
5. Deathtripper
6. Edge of Darkness
7. Ashes
8. Legacy
9. Severed Lives
10. Spiral

Savage Gold is one the most anticipated underground metal album of 2014 as stated by Decibel Magazine, Revolver Magazine, Noisecreep and numerous other outlets. The band’s sophomore LP Path Of Totality unanimously topped 2011 end of the year metal lists (everyone from Decibel to Pitchfork to NPR, and more, dubbed it their top album of that year).

Tombs online:

http://facebook.com/TombsBklyn
http://tombsbklyn.bandcamp.com

Leave a comment »

Nile announce UK tour in June

Posted in News with tags At The Gate Of Sethu, Death Metal, Egypt, London, nile, Valley of Kings, Wolverhampton on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

US death metal pharaohs Nile have announced a UK tour for June. Legendary US power metallers Vicious Rumors are confirmed as special guests for the tour.

Tour dates are as follow:

Sun 22nd June – Southampton, The Brook
Mon 23rd June – London, The Underworld

With Vicious Rumors

Wed 25th June – Sheffield, Corporation
Thurs 26th June – Bilston (Wolverhampton) The Robin 2

Nile online:

http://nile-catacombs.net
http://facebook.com/nilecatacombs

Leave a comment »

Bonded By Blood announce headline UK tour

Posted in News with tags Aftermath, Bonded by Blood, Earache Records, Flayed Disciple, Machine Head, Soulfly, Southern California, The Aftermath on 29th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Chaotic Tapestry Management, who are one of the UK’s leading booking and management agencies for extreme metal, are proud to announce that they will be bringing back Southern California’ thrash metal merchants Bonded By Blood for a UK tour in May. The band comments:

We’re very excited to announce that we will be returning to the UK for a short headlining tour. Our fans over seas never disappoint and we want to express our thanks by giving them a new set with a few surprises. This is going to be a tour you won’t want to miss and it’s an exclusive treat to our fans in the UK. See you in the pit!!!

Bonded By Blood will be touring the UK in support of their third studio album The Aftermath, having last made appearances across the UK on Vader’s Back To The Black European Tour which took place January and February 2013.

The Aftermath was released July 2012 via Earache Records and was produced by Logan Mader (Machine Head, Soulfly). The album was also the first to feature new vocalist Mauro Gonzales, who joined the band in 2010 and new bass player, Jessie Sanchez. Joining Bonded By Blood will be the UK’s very own Flayed Disciple who also appeared on part of Vader’s Back To The Black European Tour and Seprevation who have been making waves across the UK and beyond over the last two years.

Bonded By Blood’s UK tour dates are as follow:

18th Boston Music Rooms, London
19th Exchange, Bristol
20th Full Moon, Cardiff
21st Audio, Glasgow
22nd Star & Garter, Manchester
23rd Queens Hall, Nuneaton
24th The Lecturn, Brighton*
^{*No Flayed Disciple}

Bonded By Blood online:

http://facebook.com/officialbondedbyblood

Leave a comment »

The Agonist launch lyric video for Disconnect Me

Posted in News with tags Agonist, Alissa White-Gluz, Arch Enemy, Century Media, Disconnect Me, The Agonist, Vicky Psarakis, Von Wong on 27th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Canadian death metallers The Agonist have released their first band photo with new vocalist Vicky Psarakis, who has replaced Alissa White-Gluz, who departed from the band to focus on her new duties as the vocalist for Swedish death metal band Arch Enemy. The band tapped acclaimed photographer Von Wong to bring their new single Disconnect Me to life. The Agonist guitarist Danny Marino says:

After working with Von Wong on our Prisoners photo shoot we knew he was the only one that could realise our vision for Disconnect Me. It was an 18 hour shoot but at the end of the day it was more than we could have hoped for.

With a new album in the works, The Agonist have launched the official lyric video for their latest single Disconnect Me. The video can be viewed below.

The agonist online:

http://facebook.com/theagonistofficial
http://youtube.com/theagonistofficial
http://myspace.com/theagonist
http://twitter.com/theagonist

Leave a comment »

Doom legends Saint Vitus confirmed to celebrate 35th anniversary at Damnation

Posted in News with tags Bolt Thrower, Born Too Late, Damnation, damnation festival, Leeds, leeds university, Raging Speedhorn, Saint Vitus, SaintVitus on 27th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

This year, 1st November will be a very special date as it’s the 10th anniversary of the UK’s darkest festival Damnation which brings us onto the second reason why it will be such a special date. The legendary doom metallers Saint Vitus have been confirmed to not only celebrate their 35th anniversay at Damnation Festival in Leeds, but they’ll also be playing their entire album Born Too Late in full.

The Los Angeles-based doom quartet will air the seminal album with other classic tracks on the Jagermeister stage at Leeds University on 1st November, later this year. Saint Vitus join headliners Bolt Thrower and the recently reformed sludge unit Raging Speedhorn on the bill with another 24 bands to be confirmed across four differing stages. Saint Vitus’ guitarist Dave Chandler said:

We are very excited to be performing at the Damnation Festival for the first time and it’s even cooler because we are doing it on our 35th Anniversary tour. Two very kick ass things.

Festival director Gavin McInally added:

Saint Vitus playing Born Too Late, Bolt Thrower playing their only UK show, Raging Speedhorn back with the original singers to play tracks from their two best albums and record ticket sales with only a fraction of the bill announced… To say our 10th birthday bash preparations are coming along nicely would be a massive understatement!

And with one of the planet’s biggest death metal bands and another 23 acts to announce, I think it’s safe to say that Damnation Festival 2014 will not only be the best line-up of the year, but overshadow our previous efforts too.

With the continued support of the fans, we’re going to sell this year out and mark our tenth Damnation in style.

Tickets are available from the following locations for a mere £36 which is an absolute bargain:

http://damnationfestival.co.uk
http://facebook.com/damnationfestival
http://leedstickets.com

Saint Vitus online:

http://saintvitusband.com
http://facebook.com/saintvitusofficial

Leave a comment »

Whitechapel announce ‘Mono’ YouTube vocal cover contest

Posted in News with tags Aaron Marsh, Knoxville Tennessee, Mark Lewis, Metal Blade Records, Our Endless War, Skype, whitechapel on 27th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Returning with their fifth studio album which is only a part of the band’s ongoing and domineering career, Whitechapel are virtually unstoppable. Our Endless War is described as the culmination of everything the Knoxville, Tennessee sextet have worked toward since their inception. A ruthlessly honed album that refuses to compromise on brutality, it is also by far their most streamlined, atmospheric, and emotionally powerful release, pushing every aspect of their sound to the next level.

In conjunction with the release of Our Endless War, Whitechapel have created an online contest with their new single Mono. Vocalist Phil Bozeman has a video message for fans that are interested and would like to enter the contest, which can be viewed below.

The object of the contest is that fans will film themselves doing a vocal cover of the new song Mono and then upload their videos to YouTube. The contest ends 21st April and the winner will be announced on 22nd April and will receive a grand prize package that consists of: 1 Deluxe CD Bundle of Our Endless War, a 30 minute vocal coaching lesson with Phil Bozeman via Skype and their video will be featured on Phil’s YouTube Channel.

Our Endless War will be released 28th April in the UK via Metal Blade Records. Listen to the first two singles Mono and The Saw is the Law and pre-order Our Endless War in exclusive bundle packages at this location.

When it came to tracking the album the band considered no one beyond Mark Lewis, who helmed Whitechapel. For the artwork, the band turned again to Aaron Marsh, who supplied Whitechapel with its stark, arresting imagery, but again they wanted to push things to the next level. With the sound maturing the band felt like the artwork needed to reflect that. A new logo was introduced (the old logo is classic Whitechapel, and that’s not something the band plans on getting rid of) however as the band grows and changes they felt like they needed the logo to represent the maturity of Whitechapel.

Whitechapel online:

http://whitechapelband.com
http://metalblade.com/whitechapel
http://facebook.com/whitechapelmetal
https://twitter.com/whitechapelband
http://instagram.com/whitechapelband
http://youtube.com/user/WhitechapelTV

Leave a comment »

Darkest Era reveal artwork and tracklist for new album Severance

Posted in News with tags Ballyheigue, Classic Grand, Cruz Del Sur, Cruz Del Sur Music, Darkest Era, Glasgow, Northern Ireland, Severance, Toledo Steel on 27th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Northern Ireland’s own Celtic warriors of metal, Darkest Era, have recently revealed the artwork and tracklisting for their forthcoming album Severance. The new album is set for release in June via Cruz Del Sur. The album was recorded at Data Recording Studios in Ballyheigue, Ireland and produced by Chris Fielding and Darkest Era. The artwork was created by Costin Chioreanu. Guitarist Ade Mulgrew comments:

We are really pleased with the artwork which totally captures the atmosphere of this album. Costin has a unique style and immediately got what we were looking for. Severance was recorded during what was a pretty stormy time in the band and against the backdrop of some very atmospheric natural scenery in one of the remotest parts of the west of Ireland. I think all that certainly comes across in the music and we are looking forward to finally unleashing it this summer!

The tracklisting for Severance is as follows:

Sorrow’s Boundless Realm
Songs Of Gods And Men
The Serpent And The Shadow
Beyond The Grey Veil
Trapped In The Hourglass
The Scavenger
A Thousand Screaming Souls
Blood, Sand And Stone

Darkest Era will headline North Of The Wall which takes place at The Classic Grand in Glasgow on Saturday 29th March 2014. Also on the bill are Dread Sovereign, Toledo Steel, Bonesaw, Firebrand Super Rock, Amok, Plague Rider, Storm Of Embers, Bacchus Barecus, Norderobring, Nolti Nan Gana Nan Nolta and Disaster Area. For tickets and more info, head to this location.

Darkest Era online:

http://darkestera.net
http://facebook.com/darkestera
http://twitter.com/darkestera
http://youtube.com/darkesteraofficial

Leave a comment »

Brother Firetribe stream new single For Better Or For Worse

Posted in News with tags Brother Firetribe, Diamond In The Firepit, Emppu Vuorinen, Finland, Nightwish, Pekka Ansio Heino, Pekka Heino (singer), Spinefarm Records on 27th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Finnish melodic rock maestros Brother Firetribe, who boast Nightwish guitarist Emppu Vuorinen amongst their ranks, have made their brand new single, titled For better Or For Worse, available for streaming via Soundcloud for a limited time only. The song is taken from their third and upcoming album Diamond In The Firepit which is set for release through Spinefarm Records in May for the UK, Finland and Europe and in June for North America. Singer Pekka Ansio Heino spoke about the band’s upcoming release:

We’re thrilled to be back in action after 5 years which seems like a life time! We wouldn’t be THIS thrilled if the new album hadn’t turned out be exactly how we wanted it to be. It’s just as bold, big, polished, hooky and sticky as we pictured it. A lot of hard work was spent making it happen and now it’s time for the best part of making music; taking it out and playing it live. We can’t wait to meet our old friends again and hopefully make some new ones along the way. Hope you enjoy Diamond In The Firepit. Thanks for still being there and sorry for the delay, let’s have some serious fun!

Brother Firetribe online:

http://facebook.com/brotherfiretribeofficial

Leave a comment »

UK prog metallers Threshold reveal details of upcoming album

Posted in News with tags England, For The Journey, Germany, Holland, Karl Groom, March Of Progress, Nuclear Blast, Rheine, Richard West, Surrey, Threshold (band) on 27th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

British progressive metallers Threshold have recently revealed the details of their upcoming album, which will be titled For The Journey. The album is set for release at the end of September through Nuclear Blast and is the successor to the band’s highly successful 2012 release March Of Progress.

The album is currently being produced at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey, England, by band members Karl Groom (guitars) and Richard West (keyboards). Richard West comments:

Our recording sessions have been wonderful, we’ve really enjoyed making this record. All the basic parts are recorded so now it’s just a case of finishing our solos, compiling the vocals and adding more production moments. I think we’ve made a solid record, we’re really looking forward to putting it out there!

The band will take a short break from the studio in April to perform shows in Germany and Holland before commencing the final mixing at Thin Ice Studios in May. Dates are as follow:

11.04 – NL – Ittervoort – Rock Ittervoort
12 04 – D – Rheine – Hypothalamus

Threshold online:

http://thresh.net
http://facebook.com/threshold

Leave a comment »

Nonpoint ink worldwide deal with Metal Blade Records

Posted in News with tags Brian Slagel, Metal Blade, Metal Blade Records, Nonpoint, Record label, United States on 27th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Metal Blade Records have excitedly announced the signing of a worldwide deal with Nonpoint, thus meaning that Metal Blade will not only act as the label home for the band worldwide but as a partner to the band’s label in North America as well. Since their debut album, Statement, was unleashed on the world, Nonpoint have done nothing but prove, record after record, they can still dominate stages and radio airwaves everywhere. Their most current “self-titled” release was their most critically-acclaimed and landed them their two highest charting singles. Now, with their recent signing to label powerhouse, Metal Blade Records, they are making the biggest statement of their careers. Elias Soriano, the band’s vocalist, comments:

This is a dream situation for us. Just getting an offer from Metal Blade. We’ve always needed a team behind us outside of the U.S. It’s a great feeling knowing you now have the best team possible.

Drummer Robb Rivera comments:

We are excited to not only get THE worldwide label of labels to release our album outside of the US, but to be part of a family now that has pretty much set the bar for metal releases for 30 plus years. Needless to say, extremely excited to be able to get our music to the fans outside of the US through the team that helped launch Metallica.

Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records adds:

All of us at Metal Blade are happy to welcome Nonpoint to the Metal Blade family. We are excited to work with them and the bit of new material I heard sounds great!

Nonpoint online:

http://nonpoint.com/
http://facebook.com/nonpointworld
http://twitter.com/nonpoint
http://youtube.com/nonpointworld

Leave a comment »

Ranger set date for new Ektro Records 7” release

Posted in News with tags Ektro Records, Ranger, Skull Shock on 27th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Recently, Ektro Records set 16th May as the date for the international release of Ranger’s upcoming 7” release Shock Skull. Following up on their hot debut with Knights Of Darkness last year, the band are ready to release the next part of their discography.

The next release, Skull Shock, will consist of two tracks which the band describe as your one-way ticket to heavy metal. Track listing is as follows:

1. Shock Skull
2. Omen of Doom

Ranger online:

http://facebook.com/rangerheavymetal
http://rangerheavymetal.bandcamp.com

Leave a comment »

Helloween return home with Nuclear Blast

Posted in News with tags Dark Ride, Germany, Hamburg, Helloween, Nuclear Blast, Power Metal, Rabbit Don't Come Easy, Straight out of Hell on 25th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Hailing from Germany, Helloween have been an influential driving force on the power metal scene for 30 years, as well as one of the most internationally successful acts. This year, the Hamburg-based quintet celebrate their 30th anniversary. The band’s latest studio album Straight Out Of Hell, charted at a sensational #4 in Germany, and held their position for five weeks. Additionally they made another five top ten entries in Europe and also cracked the US Billboard Charts.

Now the Teutonic power metal force have returned to their old label home, Nuclear Blast, where the band released 2000’s The Dark Ride and 2003’s Rabbit Don’t Come Easy. Both of these albums have been recently reissued with additional bonus content. Label owner Markus Staiger comments:

We are more than proud, that Helloween is part of the Nuclear Blast family again. All those years we had a friendship-like connection and ways crossed on a regular basis at concerts and festivals. Helloween to us is a matter of the heart, there’s not only the two records to mention, but an act that influenced me and many of our employees. Together there are big plans and we are looking forward to having another productive and successful cooperation.

Helloween’s vocalist Andy Deris also adds:

As a label, Nuclear Blast is “heavy metal to the bone”, and we are really looking forward to working together with a lot of familiar faces.

Helloween online:

http://helloween.org I
http://facebook.com/helloweenofficial

Leave a comment »

Inquisition announce UK & Eire tour dates

Posted in News with tags Belfast, Black Metal, Boston, British Isles, Dublin, Inquisition, Ireland, London, Scotland, Season of Mist on 25th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

The darkening stars of black metal, Inquisition have announced the dates of their unholy conquest around the UK and Ireland. The blasphemous conquest around the British Isles will begin on 23th July at The Boston Arms in London before the sinister plague of black metal spreads to Scotland and Ireland before the final battle at Manchester’s Sound Control on 17th July. The full tour schedule is as follows:

13th July – London (UK) Boston Arms
14th July – Glasgow (UK) Audio
15th July – Belfast (UK) Voodoo
16th July – Dublin (IE) Voodoo Lounge
17th July – Manchester (UK) Sound Control

Inquisition online:

http://facebook.com/inquisition.official

Leave a comment »

Enthroned stream new song via MetalSucks.net

Posted in News with tags Agonia Records, Belgium, Black Metal, Enthroned, The Edge Of Agony on 25th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Belgian metallers Enthroned have recently began streaming their new track, The Edge Of Agony, which is taken from their third studio album Sovereigns which set for worldwide release on 15th April through Agonia Records. The track is being streamed exclusively by MetalSucks.net at this location.