Metallian Heavy

Canada’s EDGE OF ATTACK is issuing its debut self-titled album on Spread The Metal Records.

Belgium’s ABORTED will commemorate the tenth anniversary of its 2003 album, Goremageddon: The Saw And The Carnage Done, by playing the entire album at several shows.

Tenses Collide is the name of the second album by Slovenian thrash metal band ERUPTION. It has been released through Xtreem Music. The song Celestial God features a solo by Brad Hull from FORCED ENTRY and the reformed SANCTUARY.

Danish death metal act CROCELL has signed a deal with Metal Hell Records. The band’s next album will be released this year. The album will be recorded at Death Island Studios in Nykøbing Mors with producer Marco Angioni.

Switzerland’s ARCTURON will release an album, called An Old Storm Brewing, on January 19th through Supreme Chaos Records. The album features eleven tracks, which were recorded at Abyss Studio in Sweden by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY).

In 2013 CANNIBAL CORPSE will mark its 25th years in music through special merchandise and more.

SUPURATION will release a new album, called Cube 3, on February 25th through Listenable Records. The album was mastered by Dan Swano.

Inspired by KEEL? Svart Records will release a new EP by CONVULSE. It is called Inner Evil.

Keith Deen, former singer of 1980s Los Angeles thrashers HOLY TERROR, died on Thursday, December 13th after a three-month battle with cancer. He was 56 years old.

Australian black metal band DENOUNCEMENT PYRE will release its second album, Almighty Alcanum, on January 22nd, 2013 through Hells Headbanger. It is the follow-up to 2010’s World Cremation.

Los Angeles black metal band LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH will release its third full-length album, Baphometic Chaosium, on January 22nd through Metal Blade Records.

Austin, Texas death metal band VEX will release its next album, Memorious, on January 1st, 2013 through Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.

Steamhammer has announced April 29th as the release date for the as-yet-untitled new album by SODOM. The band is currently recording songs with producer Waldemar Sorychta.

Finland’s DAMNATION PLAN has signed a deal with Coroner Records. The band’s next album, The Wakening, will be released in March.

Brazilian death metal band NERVOCHAOS will release a new album, To The Death, on January 22nd through Greyhaze Records.

Swedish grindcore band EXHALE has signed with Pulverised Records. When Worlds Collide full-length is due this month.

HYPOCRISY has a new album, called End Of Disclosure, due for a March release through Nuclear Blast Records.

Here I go again on my own…After leaving ARCH ENEMY due to a lack of interest in metal CHRISTOPHER AMOTT has reformed ARMAGEDDON With GOD FORBID (Matthew Wicklund) and Ex-NEVERMORE Member Van Williams. The band is based in the US of A. In the meantime, ARCH ENEMY’s Astro Khaos 2012 – Official Live Bootleg, a band CD+DVD has been released in Japan.

The reformed CHANNEL ZERO has been forced to cancel its previously announced January 2013 European dates “due to personal family reasons.”

MISERY INDEX will release a live album, Live In Munich, on February 19th through Season Of Mist. The album was recorded at Backstage in Munich, Germany on February 18, 2012

Crossover band HIRAX has signed a worldwide deal with SPV/Steamhammer. The band’s next album will be released in September of 2013 and will ostensibly be followed by a world tour.

CENTURIAN will release a new album, Contra Rationem, on January 28th, 2013 through Listenable Records. This is considered a comeback for the band.

Southern Lord will issue the new full-length from Midwestern death squad WARTORN on CD this January 22nd.

Norwegian black ‘n’ roll band VREID recently completed work on its latest long player. Titled Welcome Farewell, the follow-up to 2011’s V was recorded at bassist Hváll’s own Studio 1184 is set for North American release through Indie Recordings March th5, 2013.

Selfmadegod Records has signed TERMINATE from Morton Grove, Illinois. A full-length is expected this year.

Two Bay Area black metal bands are releasing a split EP. DEAFHEAVEN contributes a cover of the MOGWAI tracks Punk Rock/Cody and BOSSE-DE-NAGE contributes a new song titled A Mimesis Of Purpose. It is on 12-inch vinyl mastered at 45 RPM. The split comes on a number of different colors.

Angels’ Necropolis, the debut album from Östergötland/Norrköping, Sweden-based quintet YEAR OF THE GOAT, is available now worldwide through Ván Records.

French brutal death metallers LIVARKAHIL have announced the start of the writing process for its third full-length album, once again in the form of a concept-album.

Technical thrash metal band ATHEIST’s first three albums, namely Piece Of Time (1989), Unquestionable Presence (1991) and Elements (1993), will be reissued on Season Of Mist.

To record a new album Italy’s SCHIZO is entering the studio under the guidance of Tommy Vetterli (CORONER).

CARCASS, with Mike Amott, is working on a studio album with long-time producer Colin Richardson. The band is looking for a record deal. Joining guitarist Bill Steer and singer and bassist Jeff Walker in the studio for the recording session is drummer Daniel Wilding of TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED. The band will also recruit a second guitarist.

Swedish band ENFORCER will release a new album, Death By Fire, on February 1st through Nuclear Blast Records. ENFORCER will release a seven-inch single, Mesmerized By Fire, on January 18th.

After three albums on Roadrunner white metal act MEGADETH has left the label. Band leader Dave Mustaine had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the label’s efforts.

TESTAMENT has scheduled two shows in Japan alongside DESTRUCTION and DEATH ANGEL. The shows will take place on March 9-10, 2013 at Club Citta in Kawasak-Shi, Japan.

New Jersey death metal band COGNITIVE has signed a deal with Torture Music Records. The band’s next full-length album will be released in late 2013.

Money making machine: After his performance at the London Garage show last month, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has announced a spoken-word tour for the spring in the UK. It is sponsored by Metal Hammer U.K.

Australian black/death metal band DENOUNCEMENT PYRE will release an album, Almighty Alcanum, on January 22nd through Hells Headbangers on both CD and LP formats. The label has also signed BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY and PERDITION TEMPLE. Both bands are led by guitarist Gene Palubicki of ANGELCORPSE.

HECATE ENTHRONED has asked singer Dean Seddon and drummer Robert Kendrick to leave the band. The band picked Virulent Rapture as the title for a new album, tentatively due this year.

Criminal charges against former CRO-MAGS member Harley Flanagan related to an assault of several members of the band in NYC have been dismissed.

Yet another disposable project: UNITED FORCES is a reunion of two S.O.D. members: bassist Danny Lilker (BRUTAL TRUTH, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, NUNFUCKRITUAL, LOCK UP, GOD BALLS, EXIT 13, HOLY MOSES, CRUCIFIST, EXTRA HOT SAUCE, VENOMOUS CONCEPT, OVERLORD EXTERMINATOR, ANTHRAX, MALFORMED EARTBORN, etc.) and right-wing xenophobe (redundant?) Billy Milano have recruited two guys, namely guitarist Anton Reisenegger and drummer Nick Barker (LOCK UP) on percussive duties, and (CRIMINAL, PENTAGRAM (Chile) for their new act.

DEMONICAL has postponed its recording sessions for its new album from this month to June. No specific reason was given. The band is signed to Cyclone Empire.

German grindcore band MILKING THE GOATMACHINE will release a concept album, Stallzeit, on March 1st 2013 through NoiseArt Records.

Norway’s FESTER is working on another album, which is due later this year.

One-time NILE and DIVINE HERESY bassist Joseph Payne was arrested regarding the distribution of more than 2,900 grams of marijuana in the USA.

DARKTHRONE will release a new album, The Underground Resistance, on February 25th through Peaceville Records.


Metallian Hard

BENEDICTUM has added bassist Aric Avina (TYNATOR) as it continues working on a new album.

Greece’s CRYSTAL TEARS has recruited singer Søren Adamsen (ex-ARTILLERY) and Hungarian guitarist Matt Nagy. The band has recorded a new album with producer Roberto Dimitri Liapakis (MYSTIC PROPHECY, etc.) for an early 2013 release. The album is being mixed and mastered at Prophecy and Music Factory Studios in Germany.

Michael Sweet of STRYPER has joined T&N (featuring former members of DOKKEN). Sweet will front the band for Upcoming shows.

ASTRAL DOORS recruited SABATON drummer Robban Bäck for their show at Xmas Metal Fest in December in Valencia, Spain.

EDENBRIDGE has picked The Bonding as the title for its next album, which is scheduled for release in early 2013.

German heavy metal band ALPHA TIGER will release a new album, Beneath The Surface, through Century Media Records this month.

THIN LIZZY has followed up on its announcement that, respecting the memory of Phil Lynott, would not be recording new material under the monicker. A new line-up now also has a new name: BLACK STAR RIDERS. THIN LIZZY members Ricky Warwick (singers), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) and new drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (DAVID LEE ROTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, etc.) on drums are in studio. Brian Downey has left the act. The band is recording an album for Nuclear Blast. It is due in May.

Singer Martin Steene of IRON FIRE will record a solo album with a "cool band."

Gates Of Dalhalla, the HAMMERFALL DVD, has entered the Swedish chart at position number 4 and the German one at number 6.

Guitarist Michael Denner (MERCYFUL FATE and KING DIAMOND) has launched a new heavy rock project called DENNERS TRICKBAG.

CATHEDRAL is putting the finishing touches on its supposed last album. The Last Spire is being produced by the band's own Lee Dorrian and Garry Jennings and is scheduled for an April release the band's own Rise Above Records.

FLYLEAF will tour with DROWNING POOL beginning in February.

CRADLE OF FILTH will participate in a North American headlining tour in February with support from with THE FACELESS, DECAPITATED and THE AGONIST.

Finnish rock performers LORDI have signed a deal with AFM Records. The label will release the band's new album, To Beast Or Not To Beast, on March 8th.

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET has officially thrown in the towel due to a lack of success and lack of enthusiasm.

And no Chuck! After a long hiatus work has resumed on a second CONTROL DENIED album contractually owed to Relapse Records. Guitarist Shannon Hamm and producer Jim Morris of Morrisound Recording in Florida are digging through material recorded by the band before CONTROL DENIED's Chuck Schuldiner's died of cancer.

There will be several guest drummers playing for KROKUS on tour. For the time being, it is Kosta Zafiriou of PINK CREAM 69 who also drummed on the band's forthcoming release, 2013's Dirty Dynamite. Freddy Steady left the band in 2011.

The debut album by Ukrainian sleaze band JOHN GÄLT, called Served Hot, will be published by Street Symphonies Records on January 29th 2013.

The progressive metal label Sensory Records has announced the pending release of the newest album from Italy's KINGCROW, In Crescendo.

Canadian hard rockers FAMOUS UNDERGROUND have just signed a world-wide two album deal with German label Dust On The Tracks Records (DOTT). The debut album is slated for April 2013.

Antstreet Records has signed SIXTY MILES AHEAD and the release of the first full length Millions Of Burning Flames, which is scheduled for the end of January 2013.

ICED EARTH's August 19th concert at the ancient Kourion Amphitheater, outside Limassol in Cyprus was filmed for an upcoming CD and DVD release. The Live In Ancient Kourion DVD will be released in April.

Guitarist Stacey Blades has left L.A. GUNS due to personal and musical differences with the rest of the band. L.A. GUNS has recruited guitarist Frankie Wilsey, formerly of SEA HAGS and ARCADE, to the band. He replaces Stacey Blades.

Norwegian hard rockers AVENTYR have signed a deal with Mighty Music. The band's album, Driven, will be released on January 28th. The album was recorded between January and August 2012 in the band's hometown of Førde and mixed by Beau Hill. The band was previously on Casket Music.

Sweden’s DESTINY has recruited drummer Roger Christiansson of GRINGOS and OVERNIGHT SENSATION.

MELIAH RAGE founding guitarist Anthony Nichols has joined punk singer Jon Hardy of THE BAGS to form a band called MEXICAN APE-LORD. An album is due in 2013.

ENEMY OF THE SUN, featuring guitarist Waldemar Sorychta, has announced the recruitment of bassist Reina Schauff.

UK’s CODE OF SILENCE, which is fronted by Brazilian singer Gus Monsanto (REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, ADAGIO, LORD OF MUSHROOMS and SYMBOLICA), has signed with Mausoleum Records and Rubicon Music.

HAWKWIND guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton died of cancer at age 61. Bassist john Harrison also died this year.

Italian heavy metal pioneers ASTAROTH have released a full-length album, The End Of Silence, on December 21st through She Wolf Records.

Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project has announced The Mystery Of Time as the title for its new album, which is due in March.

IN FLAMES will embark on a U.S. tour in February with white metal act DEMON HUNTER, ALL SHALL PERISH and BATTLECROSS. Guitarist Ben Orum has left ALL SHALL PERISH. He did join OBLIVION. Rob Maramonte from Bay Area band FALLUJAH has joined ALL SHALL PERISH.

Frontiers Records will release an orchestral remix album of JORN entitled Symphonic on January 25th.

LED ZEPPELIN was awarded America's greatest cultural award, the Kennedy Award, by President Barack Obama at The White House in Washington on Sunday, December 2. The band appeared on the David Letterman show the next day.

DREAM THEATER has re-signed with Roadrunner Records. A live DVD and a record are expected in 2013.

Spanish hard rockers AIRLESS will release an album, called Changes, on February 15th through Lion Music. The album features 11 tracks. The title track features a guest appearance by Danny Vaughn (TYKETTO).

The progressive metal label Sensory Records, a division of The Laser’s Edge Group, has confirmed the release of the debut studio record, called THE INTERPRETER, from British prog outfit MY SOLILOQUY in North America on January 29th, 2013.

Jolly Roger Records has announced the release of STRIKE’s Back In Flames. It features the self-titled album of the band, originally released in 1981, plus four bonus tracks all remastered.

After illness and a hiatus KING DIAMOND has returned and signed a three-album worldwide deal with Metal Blade Records.

Argentina’s HELKER has signed a deal with AFM Records. The band's new album, Somewhere In The Circle, will be released on February 15th. The album includes eleven tracks and was produced and co-written by Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER, etc.) and mixed by Achim Köhler at Indiscreet Audio Studio. Tim "Ripper" Owens and Ralf Scheepers of PRIMAL FEAR make guest appearances on the album.


Metallian Demos

ADRENECHROME – HIDEOUS APPETITE
Judging by the band’s image including a publicity photograph of goofy boys amidst balloons and bubbles wearing shorts and baseball caps, a not so funny title and a clichéd cover artwork this band is not serious, a part-time flash in the pan and safely ignored. The music speaks otherwise however.
It is hardly that Hideous Appetite is a revelation unto itself. This is not the latest coming of metal, but the music is surprising, is loaded, is somewhat different and, one supposes, a pleasant surprise – especially after the band deliberately lurches one in the nethers of lowered expectation. Canadian bands – outside French Canada that is – have consistently managed to under-represent themselves on the image front, but back to the music and the meat of the matter where the quartet does better. The group’s basis is predicated on a bed of thrash metal, and much of it is heavy and harsh as the gods ordained, but the group has a love for heavy rock and psychedelia that keeps popping through. Impure for sure, but when was the last time one heard a thrash tune infused with heavy rock riffery and it (begrudgingly) worked? One second the band does Exodus, the next the group sounds as if Mountain (look it up) went heavy metal. The vocals are apropos although barely genial or anything. Kudos to the guitars for their mix of heaviness and catchiness, as well as inventive rhythms.
Adrenechrome does have a few things to say, but should be on guard against any further expansion of the silliness or the musical diversions. Get hold of the band through its publicist ashermedia@gmail.com or visit www.www.adrenechrome.com. - Ali “The Metallian”

A COURSE OF ACTION - DARK BEFORE THE DAWN
The picture of a white bride on a black and white cover shot in a forest foretells a copycat black metal band supreme, but in the realm of guitar-oriented music A Course Of Action could not be any more different than the music of Satan. A Course Of Action is a North Carolina-based rock band whose opening track Tell Me Why could well be on modern radio. The following songs are not that far off from that mark either. The singer has a monotonous drone to himself that suits the Nickleback demographic, while the drummer's precise beats and guitarist's slightly more adventurous sense add more of a twist to the proceedings. Shadow and Dark Before Dawn slow things down and might be more blatantly commercial attempts. It is not metallic or hard, but the band does what it does well and moreover gets better with each listen. The band is managed by one Sheree Byrd and could be reached at shereebyrd@acourseofaction.com. The band's website is also there for you to find out more. - Ali "The Metallian"

SCARECROWZ – UPRISING
Scarecrowz is a band from Ottawa and the digipak looks professionally done and sounds professionally recorded. Every time the CD goes into the player though so many sounds blare out that it is likely the band members are carrying different influences. Creepsmoke is an instrumental, but after that the multiple sound sources come into play. With many exceptions, the songs are generally comprised of competent guitars, undesirable vocals and the steady beat of the drums, but without notice each mentioned element can transform into the opposite of that description. The songs have variation and distinct elements. Let me demonstrate.
Troubles begins with a Bolt Thrower riff. Scarecrowz actually has a pattern of starting heavy and crushing, but the lyrics of troubles then sing about rock and roll. Right Hand of God begins with a cutting heavy metal riff and some distinct percussion. The vocals suffer or struggle at first before picking up the pace and melody, which suits the singer more. The melodic soloing shows the guitarist is adept. Strange, look at these guys and they look like they drink at the pub and stand around all week doing nothing. That cannot be since these songs are arranged and varied and the disc is a full-length of 46 minutes! Scared Inside has definite commercial potential. It is melancholy but heavy, has a skilled arrangement and backing vocals. For even more sounds, there is D.U.I. which ahs a Guns & Roses start and is a regular hard rock tune. The sound makes sense since the song is the band’s tribute to Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil. The next one is called Alter Of Life. Could it be about a New Year’s resolution? Coffee & Cocaine is probably a great business idea. Its start is like a Rush strum before becoming Poison! Big Black & Beautiful is back to GNR and is presumably about the singer’s old black Chrysler a.k.a. pimpmobile. One For The Road doesn’t exactly end the disc. It could be a Pink Floyd song from circa 1974 before turning before GNR once again. Told you it is all here. Here is more: www.scarecrowz.com and scarecrowzband@hotmail.com. - Anna Tergel