sUIDaKRa

SuidAkrA to release new album, announce North American tour

With the rise in popularity in the Pagan/Celtic Metal Scene, one of the true pioneers of the Genre is ready to take the United States scene by storm. Over their fourteen year history, SuidAkrA have stayed true to their roots and the sound that they have become known for. The German Celtic metallers are returning full steam with their ninth studio album; Crógacht Combining fast melodic death metal, Irish folk music, and a torrent of harmonies, SuidAkrA proves yet again that they possess the ability to blend several different influences into their unique sound. To put a spin on things, new elements have been introduced, like traditional instruments (bagpipes, banjo, tin whistles), a sixteen member choir and epic orchestral arrangements.

Recorded at Gernart Studios with producer Martin Muchwalter, Crógacht delivers an aural assault. In addition to that, the eyes and mind of the listener will also be pleased, as famous Belgian graphic artists Kris Verwimp is responsible not only for the magnificent artwork in the digipack and 16-page booklet, but also for the lyrics of this fascinating concept album. Crógacht, meaning bravery, is based on one of the most dramatic tales in Irish mythology. It tells the story of the hero Cuchulainn’s epic journey to the Isle of Skye, where he seeks to learn the arts of war from the Scythian warrior woman Scathach. The decisions he then has to make set the events in motion that will lead up to his son Conlaoch’s tragic fate…

With overwhelming reactions to their 2006 release, Caledonia, and their November 2008 DVD/Best of CD, 13 Years of Celtic Wartunes, SuidAkrA have performed at over 200 live shows (including the Wacken Open Air Festival five times), and successfully completed several tours in Europe, Russia, and a first-ever American tour. SuidAkrA will take part in the four week Pagan Knights North American tour starting in February 2009 before rocking stages all over Europe and beyond.

Crógacht will be released on March 3rd, 2009. Press copies are available now; interviews available on the tour and otherwise.

Pagan Knights Tour 2009 - SuidAkrA w/TYR, Alestorm:
02/28/2009 The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA

03/01/2009 The Backbooth - Orlando, FL

03/02/2009 The Engine Room - Tallahassee, FL

03/04/2009 Walter’s - Houston, TX
03/05/2009 Red 7 - Austin, TX
03/06/2009 Ridglea Theater - Dallas, TX
03/07/2009 The Marquee - Tusla, OK
03/09/2009 The Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM
03/10/2009 The Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ
03/11/2009 Jumping Turtle - San Marcos, CA
03/12/2009 Knitting Factory - Hollywood, CA
03/13/2009 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA
03/14/2009 Satyricon - Portland, OR
03/15/2009 Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
03/16/2009 Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT
03/17/2009 Cervantes Ballroom - Denver, CO
03/18/2009 Riot Room - Kansas City, MO
03/19/2009 Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
03/20/2009 Pearl Room - Mokena, IL
03/21/2009 Peabody’s - Cleveland, OH
03/22/2009 Blondie’s - Detroit, MI
03/23/2009 The Opera House - Toronto
03/24/2009 Club Soda - Montreal
03/25/2009 Penny Arcade - Rochester, NY
03/26/2009 31st St. Pub - Pittsburgh, PA
03/27/2009 Sonar - Baltimore, MD
03/28/2009 Sterling Hotel - Allentown, PA
03/29/2009 Highline Ballroom - New York, NY
03/30/2009 Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC



http://www.suidakra.com

http://www.myspace.com/suidakra

http://www.wackenrecords.com

http://www.spvusa.com

http://www.myspace.com/spvusa

ABSU!!!

Absu premiere track from new album

Texas-based mythological occult metal band Absu have posted the song “Girra’s Temple” from their self-titled new album due in stores February 24 on their official MySpace page. The song offers fans the first listen to material on the anxiously awaited new album that features an all-star array of guest musicians. Bring your browser to www.myspace.com/absu.

Absu is the first new recording from the trio since their highly acclaimed album Tara released in 2001. Produced by the band with mixing assistance from J.T. Longoria (King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus), the album features artwork from Belgian artist Kris Verwimp. Drummer/vocalist Proscriptor says of the album’s lyrical concepts, "I am concentrating more on Sumerian-based occult themes of magick and mythology versus the Celtic aspect of my previous writings, which was heavily expressed on the last few Absu studio albums. Musically speaking, the material will be quite similar to Tara, but with more of a '70s progressive/psychedelic texture within it.”

Absu came to international prominence with the release of their debut, Barathrum: VITRIOL in 1992. Originally released via Gothic Records, the label later licensed the record to France’s Osmose Productions (Immortal, Enslaved, Marduk). Absu would establish a solid relationship with the label and thus release all later recordings via the renowned independent, including the highly regarded Tara (2001). In 2007 the band would announce a new partnership with London-based Candlelight Records.

Track listing for Absu is: 1. Between The Absu Of Eridu & Erech, 2. Night Fire Canonization, 3. Amy, 4. Nunbarshegunu, 5. 13 Globes, 6. …Of The Dead Who Never Rest In Their Tombs Are The Attendance Of Familiar Spirits…Including: A.) Diversified Signs Inscribed, B.) Our Earth Of Black, C.) Voor, 7. Magic(k) Square Cipher, 8. In The Name Of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee, 9. Girra's Temple, 10. Those Of The Void Will Re-Enter, 11. Sceptre Command, 12. Ye Uttuku Spells, 13. Twix Yesterday, The Day & The Morrow.

For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com).
European media contact Darren Toms (d.toms@plastichead.com).

http://www.absu.us
http://www.myspace.com/absu
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightusa

ARCHGOAT!!!

The title, artwork and full tracklisting of ARCHGOAT's forthcoming second album are finally disclosed. Revelling in pure, untrammelled hatred and blasphemy, “The Light-Devouring Darkness” is uncompromising in its devotion to the barbaric traditions of the primitive Black Metal underground.

Tracklisting is as follows:
1. Intro: 3rd Invocation
2. Apotheosis of Lucifer
3. Tribulation of the King of Worms
4. Goat and the Moon
5. Sodomator of the Doomed Venus
6. The Light-Devouring Darkness
7. Blessed in Beast´s Blood
8. Worms born of Martyrdom
9. Fornicated Messiah
10. The Dawn of the Antichrist

The song "Apotheosis of Lucifer" is available on the band's Myspace.
To be released early February via Blasphemous Underground Productions.

Furthermore, as Blasphemous Underground Productions will cease its activities after the release/promotion of “The Light-Devouring Darkness”, an unholy alliance has been forged between Finnish Black Crusaders ARCHGOAT and French label Debemur Morti Productions. The infernal pact will commence after the release of the new album via Blasphemous Underground Productions.


Small cover : http://www.blasphemous-underground.com/img/bup_23_archgoat_tldd_small.jpg
Big cover : http://www.blasphemous-underground.com/img/bup_23_archgoat_tldd.jpg
Tracks : http://www.myspace.com/104017504

NEW-CLEAR WAR NOW!

NUCLEAR WAR NOW! PRESENTS:

Bone Awl “Night’s Middle” 7″
ANTI-GOTH 119
(Split release with Klaxon)

New songs from Bone Awl. Comes packaged in 12 page booklet cover. All copies on
black vinyl. http://www.nwnprod.com/catalog/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deathevokation / Graveyard Split 7″
ANTI-GOTH 115

“GRAVEYARD Finally, after their acclaimed MCD “Into the Mausoleum” released back
in 2008, spanish Death Metal masters GRAVEYARD are back with brand new stuff!.
Waiting for his debut full length, soon to be released, the Spaniards join the
Nuclear War Now! Horde and release a Split vinyl together with the amazing
german/American Death Metal combo DEATHEVOKATION. GRAVEYARD don’t give a shit
about what has happened in the extreme metal scene in the last 15 years, they
just focus on the legendary bands that forged in fire the Death Metal signature
on the extreme metal music. Acts like ASPHYX, CARNAGE, ENTOMBED, FUNEBRE, CELTIC
FROST, AUTOPSY, BOLT THROWER or EDGE OF SANITY would be proud to notice about
how influential they have been on GRAVEYARD’s development and way of thinking.
Death Metal was supposed to be raw, brutal, dark, gloomy and evil. Basically,
that’s what GRAVEYARD is about, ¡That’s what REAL Death Metal should be!.
DEATHEVOKATION Being around since 2005, California ’s best kept secret
DEATHEVOKATION represents the real meaning of Death Metal, the Old School Way .
After a few underground releases, DEATHEVOKATION released back in 2007 one of
the most solid Ancient Death Metal albums released on the last 15 years, “The
Chalices of Ages”, an instant classic. No matter what you think about high class
productions, DEATHEVOKATION with its first full length delivered an amazing
album with a brilliant production full of mid tempos and dark passages all
around. With such a monicker, cult names like CARNAGE or DISMEMBER will come
immediately to your mind, but nobody can’t denied how a big influence Death
Metal masters like BOLT THROWER, MORGOTH or MASSACRE have been as well in the
DEATHEVOKATION’s development. Enjoy their brilliant contribution to this Split
with GRAVEYARD until they release their second full length!”

First 100 orders gets red vinyl. http://www.nwnprod.com/catalog/

THE HOWLING VOID CD DELAYED.

A PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE CDS, THE RELEASE DATE WILL NOW BE A BIT DELAYED. MORE INFO AS SOON AS WE HAVE IT.
SORRY FOR THE DELAY, ALL ORDERS AND PRE-ORDERS WILL SHIP AS SOON AS WE HAVE THE NEW BATCH OF CDS IN STOCK!

MIKE/BPR


BPR releases are now available via MP3 format at - www.metalhit.com - Extreme Black / Death Metal digital underground label.

Here you can get NEW BPR releases not yet out on CD format, as well as one out of print HELLVETO CD release! http://www.klicktrack.com/metalhit/search?l=Black+Plague+Records

~ BLACK PLAGUE RECORDS ~

SPREADING THE UNDERGROUND PLAGUE WORLDWIDE!!!

http://www.blackplaguerecords.com

http://www.myspace.com/blackplaguerecords

Address:
BLACK PLAGUE RECORDS
PMB 187
17602 17th Street #102
Tustin, CA 92780 - USA

GOT THIS EMAIL LAST WEEK, GIVE IT A SHOT!

Greetings from The End!! It's been a while since we've seen you around, and we would like to offer you a one-time 12% discount on your first order back. Simply head over to www.theomegaorder.com and enter coupon code OLD12 upon checkout to take advantage.

Thanks!
The Omega Order
www.theomegaorder.com

THE HOWLING VOID - MEGALITHS OF THE ABYSS
Here we have some highly emotional, slow creepy-crawly black doom with plenty of piano and grim nuances. An effort by Tiberius of Hordes of the Morning Star and Intestinal Disgorge, we get four four songs but each is plenty long and deliver a swift cut across the wrists. Low vocals are generally expected of music of this nature and there's no lack of those, fortunately! Fans of this style of music will be pleased that it is presented here in it's true and pure form without any frills. Worth pursuing! (FA)
BLACK PLAGUE RECORDS
www.blackplaguerecords.com, blackplagueorders@socal.rr.com, evolutionatgunpoint@hotmail.com, www.myspace.com/thehowlingvoid

THE KULT IS ALIVE!

The release date for Destroying The Sacred has been delayed until June. We were informed from Arctic Music that the North American distributor has refused to distribute the album due to the cover art. This is the not the first time we have encountered problems likes this with our releases be it the graphic or lyrical content. We have already remedied the situation with a slip insert that will go over the cover art and the only real setback is that the original release date has been pushed back.

The good news however is we have streamed another new track on the Kult ov Azazel Myspace page. The song is Storm The Gates and is track 4 on the forthcoming album. We have also confirmed participation on a Venom tribute split with Teratism. This split vinyl release will be titled In League With Satan and released through Negativity Records with a limited run of 666 copies. We are also working on putting together a CD/DVD release to be released later in the year through Arctic Music.

We are now taking offers from labels interested in working with us now that our contract with Arctic Music is done. Labels interested in working with Kult ov Azazel can contact the band by email at triplesixmanagement@kultovazazel.com.

Magazines, radio programs and web based publications which are interested in interviews and other media/press related requests can contact the band at press@kultovazazel.com.

HAIL MITHRAS!

MITHRAS ANNOUNCE NEW FRONTMAN

Following the departure of long time Mithras frontman Rayner Coss from the band in December, Mithras would like to welcome Sam Bean (The Senseless / ex-The Berzerker) into the fold as their new vocalist / bassist. Sam was the only person asked to audition for the spot and dominated the tracks chosen for the audition with his brutal vocal delivery and deft basswork.

Founder/guitarist Leon Macey commented: "Since joining Sam in his band The Senseless back in 2007 (as drummer) we've been working together closely on the new The Senseless record 'The Floating World', so I know we gel extremely well musically and have a similar attitude and vision. This combined with the huge amount of band/live/industry experience he has from all the work he's done with The Berzerker makes him the perfect guy to take the role and help lift Mithras to the next level. We're going to get gig ready asap then simultaneously start slaying audiences while working some more on the new Mithras record."

Sam commented "I'm a long-time Mithras fan, so this is pretty sweet. I've always seen Mithras as being one of the top UK death metal bands and have listened to them often, wondering how amazing the material would sound live. Looks like I get to find out now! Rayner's shoes are big ones to fill - figuratively, literally, - and I hope to do justice to his great work. It's also good to be working with Leon and Ben, two powerhouse dudes who share the same taste in brutal, freaky, evil music. I want to get out onto stage, throw down, and bring in a new era for the band and death metal in general. This year, we're going to rock you." Sam continued "The audition was great, third song in I blew up the bass cab. I take this as an auspicious sign."

Drummer Ben said "so after a relaxed but blasting audition with Sam it seems that he is bursting with enthusiasm to fuel the fire! I reckon working with Sam will be great and that Mithras can now progress even further into the torrent of atmospheric blasting! So Mithras troops, prepare yourselves! Cap'n Mithras and co are brewing up a shit storm of big gigs and a new record that will blow your socks off!"

Sam rounds out the Mithras lineup, which is currently Leon Macey (guitars), Ben White (drums) and Sam Bean (vocals/bass). Mithras' third album 'Behind The Shadows Lie Madness' was released worldwide by Candlelight Records in April 2007.

IN DEPTH INTERVIEW ONLINE NOW

"...I couldn't say whether I was actually communing with divine powers, but that's definitely the intention, to reference or tap into something greater than myself and represent that musically, if only for a short specific moment."

Leon Macey delivers some frank insight into the Mithras project; thought-processes, spirituality, dreams and the the ancient practice of Theurgy are all discussed in this in-depth interview with Stephen Logos. Read the full interview at this location

www.mithras.org.uk
www.mithras.org.uk/phpBB3
www.myspace.com/domainofmithras
www.youtube.com/user/mithrasuk

Full press information, including band logo, hi-res images and biography is available from the press area on their site.

Meantime, all press enquiries for advance promo copies / band pictures and interview slots with Mithras can be made directly to pr@galacticrecords.co.uk.

Please check out all the Galactic artists at www.myspace.com/galacticrecords

Current releases:
Sarpanitum - 'Despoilment Of Origin' -GR001
Sepia Dreamer - 'The Sublime' - GR002
Mithras - 'Sands Of Time' - GR003 (release date tba)

--

Galactic Records
www.galacticrecords.co.uk

The contents of this e-mail and any attachments are confidential and copying / distributing or otherwise disseminating this e-mail without prior consent is strictly prohibited. Should this email reach anyone other than the intended recipient, to preserve its confidentiality please contact the sender and return immediately to admin@galacticrecords.co.uk and delete the message and any attachments from your system. You must not copy this message or attachments nor disclose the contents thereof to any other person. Thank you

A MATCH MADE IN SPACE (THAT WHOLE "HELL" THING IS SOOOO 19TH CENTURY!).

BATTLE KOMMAND AND CANDLELIGHT RECORDS UNITE

Candlelight Records today confirms the extension of their cooperation with Chicago-based Battle Kommand Records. Founded by Nachtmystium vocalist/guitarist Blake Judd in 2004, Candlelight will now look after the noted underground label’s catalog around the globe; previously the deal was in place for only England and the European continent. Nachtmystium’s highly regarded catalog will be the first to find reissue under the new deal. In stores April 21, each of the band’s early recordings, namely Reign of the Malicious, Nachtmystium, The First Attacks, Demise and the highly acclaimed Instinct: Decay, will again be available for the band’s growing stateside fanbase. Reissues from Krieg, Obscurus Advocam and Glorior Belli among others will follow shortly thereafter. Bonus material is planned on many of the reissues with specifics to be confirmed at a later date.

Judd says of the cooperation, “it is with much honor that we can announce this collaboration. Music fans worldwide will now have much easier access to older BKR releases.” In addition to the reissue series, the cooperation will see new signings that Judd notes, “will maintain the unique brand identity of Battle Kommand Records.” Judd will retain control of the label’s A&R while Candlelight’s worldwide team will handle marketing and distribution. "With Candlelight's funding behind BKR's new signees,” says Judd, “I anticipate that more of our artists will be touring here and abroad. A more major push for all of our artists marks a major step for the label, and we intend to push-forward with full force."

Since its launch in 2004, Battle Kommand Records has released nearly 30 albums. The roster’s artists span black, doom, death, experimental noise and ambient rock. The label has seen cooperation in the US previously with Los Angeles-based Southern Lord Records as well direct relationships with numerous indie and underground distributors. Candlelight Records with offices in London and Philadelphia has a worldwide catalog containing over 400 titles including recordings from Emperor, Opeth, 1349, Blut Aus Nord, Crowbar, Abigail Williams, Obituary and many more. Candlelight is distributed in the United States via Caroline Distribution, EMI Music is the label’s new distributor for Canada with England and European distribution handled by Plastic Head Music.

For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com). European media contact Darren Toms (d.toms@plastichead.com).

http://www.battlekommand.com
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa

DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT.

New artists and titles available for press coverage from Candlelight USA...

Ross The Boss - New Metal Leader

Twenty years after the release of Manowar’s classic Kings Of Metal album, Ross continues his legacy with an album that displays his charismatic writing style. Fist-pounding, foot-stomping metal a-la "Battle Hymns" and "Hail To England," New Metal Leaders is a record that will satisfy old and new fans alike. Album was produced by Tarek Maghary (Majesty) and mixed and mastered by Achim Köhler (Primal Fear).

Performing since the early 70’s Ross has seen music through its changing cycles. Originally as a member of The Dictators, he is best known for his work as co-founder of Manowar. As the band’s main songwriter and guitarist, his work can be found on the band’s first six albums. While New Metal Leaders does feature his name in the billing, Ross confirms it is a full band and one that is dedicated and determined to satisfy their immediate fan base.

http://www.rosstheboss.com

Sinner - Crash & Burn

Its been a few years since this popular German metal band have released new material. A staple on the scene going back to 1983, with the release of their debut Fast Decision, the quartet have established a sizeable and loyal worldwide audience. Band leader Mat Sinner calls the album “pure energy with real hard rock roots.” Album engineered by Dennis Ward (Angra) & mixed by Achim Köhler (Amon Amarth).

Sinner have shared the stage with Deep Purple, Savatage, Mr. Big. The band have had European chart entries (The Nature of Evil debuting on the German charts at position 63). Already available in Europe, Crash & Burn has found much support and positive reaction. The band, currently featuring guitarists Henny Wolter and Christof Leim, drummer Klaus Sperling with vocalist/bassist Mat Sinner, have already hit the road in Europe in support of the record.

http://www.myspace.com/sinnerofficial

Dimension Zero - He Who Shall Not Bleed

Its not merely the pedigree or experience of the members that makes Dimension Zero a stand out in the metal world. With this, their fourth album, the band continues to challenge themselves musically all while delivering the quality songwriting their fans have to expect. Additional guitar work coming from Annihilator’s Jeff Waters, the album contains 11 new blistering tunes that will appeal to their core audience as well those of the band members other projects.

Formed in 1996 as a side project between In Flames Jesper Stromblad & Glenn Ljungstrom, from the get-go Dimension Zero wanted to take a more aggressive lean with their songwriting. The band would record their first three records for Sweden’s Regain Records (with licenses for the US). He Who Shall Not Bleed was recorded at In Flames Studio (formerly Studio Fredmann). While less thrasier then their previous albums it is another metal gem from this regarded and diverse band.

http://www.dimensionzero.se

Lethargy - Purification

The second release from the newly formed Powerage Rock label, Purification is a great example of solid riff-driven hard rock and impeccable musicianship. The Wales-based quartet take classic as well modern musical influences to craft eleven catchy and melodic songs that are sure to quickly find a passionate US fan base. Produced by David Prater (Dream Theater), it is an impressive start for a promising band.

A brief chat with the members of Lethargy will reveal influences as far ranging as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Manic Street Preachers, Dream Theater, Radiohead and Alice In Chains, to name but a few of the diverse sounds the band take into creating their own material. Far ahead of their years (with all members in their late teens/early twenties), when noted journalist Geoff Barton (Classic Rock Magazine) got a hold of their self-financed 2005 album he was immediately impressed; the album later went on land in the magazine’s Top 20 albums of the year.

http://www.myspace.com/lethargymusic

Other releases on the way from Candlelight USA include new Absu, Throne of Katarsis, Blut Aus Nord, IXXI and more. Get in touch with Earsplit with any press requests.

http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa

OH ABIGAIL AGAIN!

Abigail Williams have confirmed a string of headline dates beginning January 30 as they continue to tour in support of their recently released full-length debut, In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns. Produced by James Murphy and featuring contributions from Trym Torson (Emperor/Zyklon), the album topped the CMJ charts the week ending December 5. MTV2/Headbangers Ball world premiered the sextet’s video for the song “Into the Ashes” online December 4 with the broadcast premiere on December 6.

"Response to our album from our fans has been awesome and we are very grateful for the support our fans have given us on tour. We are stoked on Trym's drumming on the album and James Murphy’s mix really brought the whole project to life. We are really looking forward to getting back on the road in support of the new record."

A year-long recording project that utilized studios in the US and abroad, In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns features ten songs showcasing the young band’s dynamic songwriting. Metal Maniacs calls the album, “an unholy alliance between the beauty of the keyboards and the beast of speed. There’s an impressive level of musicianship that crackles with a blazing metal heart.” Orange County-based Mean Street Magazine asserts, “In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns is an epic feast of shrill, feverish riffs, luxurious keyboards and caterwauling vocals. It recalls Emperor’s landmark In The Nightside Eclipse but with more sheer muscle.” The album sold over 1,200 units according to Nielsen Soundscan its first week of release and is a consistent weekly seller with over 20,000 units now shipped globally.

Abigail Williams have been a focus of attention for both fan and critics since their formation several years back. Popular news portal Blabbermouth, noted of the band’s 2007 EP, “Legend lays a firm foundation for greatness to come.” The band have had to endure numerous line up changes and public scrutiny fighting back from a near collapse in late 2007. Vocalist/founder Sorceron says of the band’s shaky beginnings, "things started out rough finding a solid lineup for the band but our current lineup is much stronger then what we started out with. This is not the same band that people witnessed on tour from May 2007. This is something much more focused and we are determined to conquer any obstacles we may face. It’s been a long, bumpy road full of unexpected trials and tribulations but we are in it for the long haul."

Currently featuring guitarists Mike Wilson and Bjornthor, keyboardist Ellyllon, bassist Plaguehammer, and drummer Samus with Sorceron, Abigail Williams have toured the US and Europe several times including their most recent tour with The Faceless completed in November. The band were hand-picked to open for Emperor at their sold-out performance in Los Angeles (House of Blues) in July of 2006. In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns is available in stores now via Candlelight Records.

Abigail Williams, with Rose Funeral, Burning the Masses, The Breathing Process in support:
1/30/2009 Mac's Bar - Lansing, MI
1/31/2009 The Attic - Dayton, OH
2/01/2009 The Jukebox - Rochester, NY
2/02/2009 The Haunt - Yonkers, NY
2/03/2009 Crocodile Rock - Allentown, PA
2/04/2009 Jaxx - W. Springfield, VA
2/05/2009 Peppermint Club - Virginia Beach, VA
2/06/2009 Brewery - Raleigh, NC
2/07/2009 Sector 7G - Augusta, GA
2/08/2009 Fuel Coffehouse - Jacksonville, FL
2/09/2009 Orpheum - Tampa, FL
2/12/2009 Java Jazz - Houston, TX
2/13/2009 White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX
2/14/2009 Rose Park Activity Bldg - Abilene, TX
2/15/2009 Plano Centre - Plano, TX
2/16/2009 Lonestar Event Center - Lubbock, TX
2/17/2009 Chic's - El Pazo, TX
2/19/2009 Karma - Victorville, CA

For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com). European media contact Darren Toms (d.toms@plastichead.com).

http://www.myspace.com/abigailwilliams
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa

ASSAULTER AND BATTERY (OLD NEWS BUT TOO KICKASS AN ALBUM TO NEGLECT!)

The first album by Assaulter, 'Salvation Like Destruction' is out now on heavy black fuckin' vinyl through High Roller Records and Iron Bonehead.

http://www.hho-records.de/high_roller/releases/assaulter.html

The CD will be unleashed by Pulverised Records in mid October.

The opener, 'Talon and Teeth' is now online!

Metal to the bone..........................

.

VIKING ROCK!

British rockers and sometime troublemakers Viking Skull returned to England earlier this week after a successful post-Christmas showcase tour alongside Clutch. The sold out performances put the band on US soil for their first major shows with seasonably happy audiences taking to the band’s gritty, hard rocking, drinking tunes. Their 30-minute set included material from their recently released third album Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey.

"What a fantastic opportunity it was to play with Clutch on their home turf," says bassist Waldie. "The crowds were very cool and welcoming. We made a lot of new friends. Our new material went down great and there were even people singing along to the old stuff which was nice! There were a lot of parties but don’t worry - no hairy babies!"

Viking Skull concluded the US trek with two headline shows just after New Year’s celebrations. The Note in West Chester, Pennsylvania served as the final stop and the location for the band’s video shoot for album track "Hair of the Dog." The footage is currently being edited by Jackass creator/mastermind Bam Margera and is expected to be completed early February.

Released November 25, Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey is the band’s first album with proper US distribution and promotion. The album is set to impact college and commercial specialty radio on January 19. Over 300 stations across the country are planned to receive the disc that Kerrang! recently called "a genuinely fantastic rock 'n roll album." Getting an early jump on the impact, weekly radio tip sheet FMQB interviewed the band in late December. During the interview drummer Jess Margera said, "this record is the epitome of every good rock band smashed into one."

As the lone American in the band, Margera remembers his initial introduction to the ‘Skull. "I think five years ago was the first time I heard Viking Skull get played on the jukebox at the Crobar in London. The whole place went insane. It was kind of like when I was a kid hearing Back in Black for the first time. I bought everyone there a shot of Makers mark and a beer."

With limited support and resources, Viking Skull have single-handedly created their own early opportunities. Independently recording their first release for a whopping $500, their 2003 mini-album titled Chapter One remains the only album to score 11 out of 10 in England’s Metal Hammer. The band’s full length debut, Born in Hell, was released in 2005. While finding limited stateside exposure in Europe the band continued to build on a growing fanbase and profile. Tours with Clutch and cKy would see them through the year setting up the recording of their second album. Chapter Two would be released in early 2007 and featured guest appearances from members of Fireball Ministry. It would also feature the first contributions from Margera (also a member of cKy and stoner super-group The Company Band).

Already looking forward to their return to the states in the near future, vocalist Roddy Stone shares, "Ice cold beer actually exists when you tour the US unlike the lukewarm beer you get off promoters in the UK. So bring it on..."

Viking Skull is vocalist/founder Roddy Stone, bassist Waldie, guitarist Dom and drummer Jess Margera. Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey is available in stores now via Powerage/Candlelight Records.

For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com).

European media contact Darren Toms (d.toms@plastichead.com)

http://www.myspace.com/vikingskull
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa
http://www.eastworldrecordings.com
http://www.poweragerecords.com

YOU GO TO HELEL!

The title, artwork and full tracklisting of HELEL's debut mini-album are finally revealed. The four tracks of "A Sigil Burnt Deep Into The Flesh" present a concerted and resolute assault on mundane and shallow perceptions of reality, revealing the dark and treacherous path towards the Absolute.

Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Mass Destruction / Mass Alienation
2. A Sigil Burnt Deep Into The Flesh
3. This Is Hel(e)l
4. Cosmos Is Out Of Order


A track is available on the band's Myspace.
To be released on January 30th via Debemur Morti Productions.

Small cover : http://www.debemur-morti.com/img/dmp0046-07_1.jpg
Big cover : http://www.debemur-morti.com/img/dmp0046-07_4.jpg
Track : http://www.myspace.com/masslucifercorporation

MEN AMONG THE RUINS

The title, artwork and full tracklisting of RUINS's forthcoming second album are finally disclosed. Incubated in the bleak Tasmanian winter, the seven songs of “Cauldron” personify the savage yet romantic landscapes of that remote island; enshrouded in shadow and drama, yet incisive as a razor to the eyeball.

Tracklisting is as follows:
1. Where Time Is Left Behind (Echoes Of Ghosts)
2. Threshold Forms
3. Cauldron
4. Hanged After Being Blinded
5. Genesis
6. Upon These Skeletons (Bury The Dead)
7. Suicidal Pulse

Two tracks are available on the band's Myspace.
To be released on January 30th via Debemur Morti Productions.

Small cover : http://www.debemur-morti.com/img/dmp0047-07_1.jpg
Big cover : http://www.debemur-morti.com/img/dmp0047-07_4.jpg
Tracks : http://www.myspace.com/ruinsblackmetal

WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM?

In February Southern Lord will proudly release the vinyl only version of the new Wolves In The Throne Room EP entitled Malevolent Grain, featuring two brand new tracks from the Pacific Northwest organic black metallers. Conspiracy Records will offer a limited edition picture disc of the 12" for Europe, while Southern Lord will release a black 180-gram version worldwide. Additionally the band will press a limited CD version for tour purposes only. The EP features the band's newly designed logo crafted by renowned artist Christophe Szpajdel, designer of black metal band logos for Kult Ov Azazel, Emperor, Moonspell and other international acts.

The third WITTR full-length Black Cascade will follow, to be released on March 31st on Southern Lord Records. More info will follow soon on this wholly organic black-drone masterwork. Both the EP and the full-length were recorded to 2-inch tape by Randall Dunn and Mell Dettmer in Seattle this Winter. The new recordings are the first to feature their new guitar player Will Lindsay (Middian) who had previously served as the band's touring bass player, in addition to longtime members, brothers Nathan and Aaron Weaver.

The band will tour Europe beginning in late January, along with three select US dates. More extensive touring through 2009 is also imminent. In addition to the new EP, other new merch for this tour includes a Live At Roadburn 2008 12" record, which also includes a DVD and is being released by Burning World Records.

1/16/2009 The Underground Events Center (benefit for victims of the Green Scare) - Seattle, WA
1/17/2009 The Big Room - Olympia, WA w/Mt. Eerie
1/22/2009 Vera Groningen (Net)
1/23/2009 Jaz Rostock (Ger)
1/24/2009 Loppen Copenhagen (Den)
1/25/2009 Cassiopeia Berlin (Ger)
1/27/2009 Dna Brussels (Bel)
1/28/2009 Underworld London (Uk)
1/29/2009 The Croft Bristol (Uk)
1/30/2009 Busk Birmingham (Uk)
2/02/2009 Engine Rooms Brighton (Uk)
2/03/2009 Boule Noir Paris (Fra)
2/04/2009 Heretic Club Bordeaux (Fra)
2/05/2009 El Balcon De La Lola Bilbao (Spa)
2/06/2009 Sala Whippoorwill Oviedo (Spa)
2/07/2009 Porto-rio Porto (Por)
2/08/2009 Ritmo Y Compas Madrid (Spa)
2/11/2009 Magnolia Milan (Ita)
2/12/2009 Circolo Degli Artisti Rome (Ita)
2/13/2009 Cage Club Livorno (Ita)
2/15/2009 Kunstverein Nurnberg (Ger)
2/16/2009 Klub 007 Prague (Cze)
2/17/2009 Arena Vienna (Aus)
2/18/2009 Beatpol Dresden (Ger)
2/19/2009 Scheldapen Antwerp (Bel)
2/20/2009 W2 Den Bosch (Net)
2/21/2009 Festung Bitterfeld (Ger)
2/28/2009 Masquerade @ Atlanta Metal Festival - Atlanta, GA

http://www.wittr.com
http://www.myspace.com/wolvesinthethroneroom
http://www.southernlord.com
http://blog.southernlord.com
http://www.myspace.com/southernlordrecordings

THE END IS NIGH!

The Omega Mailorder at The End Records is having a 20% off sale on albums from Vendlus Records, Scarlet Records, Dragonheart, Think Tank Media, Northern Silence Productions, Old School Metal Records, Brutal Planet Distribution and Leviathan Records for a limited time. Check outwww.theendrecords.com and www.theomegaorder.com for more details. Groovy!

SELFMADE IN THE SHADE

Selfmadegod Records is proud to announce the signing of one-man alternative metal band Egoist from Bielsko-Biala, Poland.

Egoist was founded and lead by the very young and enormously talented musician Stanislaw Wolonciej (guitars, bass, drums, vocals, synthesizers, production, artwork). The artist was born in 1986 in Bielsko-Biala, Poland. In his 20s, Stanislaw’s father was a bass player in the band Fatum. Music has always been present in Stan’s home. Everything began when he was eight, though. His parents wanted him to take piano lessons, which he did for about four years.

One of the really cool things that he could have done, but never did, was take part in the makings of the debut album from C-187, together with Patrick Mameli (ex-Pestilence), who is his old-time hero. Patrick wanted him to appear on the album, but in the end Sean Reinert (Cynic, Death) performed the drums.

In the summer of 2008 Stan decided to make a new piece of art. After months of changing equipment, customizing his guitar and drums, and recording ideas on pocket PCs he started the sessions for Ultra-Selfish Revolution. It took about a month and a half. In the late phase of the recordings, Patrick Mameli recorded solos for , “These Strange Things” and “/Not/ The End” at Stan’s request.

The music is a little more aggressive, much more alternative, and less progressive than what Stan worked on before. A Polish label from Biala Podlaska called Selfmadegod contacted Stan, and told him that they are interested in releasing the material.

Stan is constantly musically active. And there will be much more collaborations and new projects with really fresh music in the future. Stay tuned, and explore his musical point of view.

Ultra-Selfish Revolution will be released in the Spring of 2009.

Audio samples from the forthcoming album can be heard now via the band’s MySpace: www.myspace.com/egoistpoland

Discography:

DeAD eGG CD (Magikart 2005)

Ultra-Selfish Revolution CD (Selfmadegod Records 2009)

----------

Selfmadegod Records is proud to announce the signing of mathcore/metal band Mothra from Opole, Poland.

Mothra has been destroying stages since 2000 with Piotr Koryzma (vocals), Daniel Szwed (drums), Andrzej Burzynski (bass) and Pawel Stefan Rosiak (guitar) on board. After first few months of existence, band recorded their first promo single, entitled "Sugar ‘01." After that, the musicians focused on touring and writing new songs, which appeared on 2004's demo CD - a six-track EP, recorded by the band. It wasn’t awesome-sounding material with killing production work, but even still, listeners found energy rarely presented in the same way, joined with mathematicly combined yet still melodic playing. The following years were filled with a lot of gigs and meeting a lot of interesting and inspiring people, which helped the band to realize some of their ideas. It was Mothra's breakout period, as they composed material for their full-length debut album. Planet Decibelian was released by the young polish label Red Swallow in May of 2006. It contained 11 brutal-sounding, math-combined songs and got enthusiastic reviews.

The band is touring nationwide constantly with recognized and appreciated bands like Modern Life is War, Maroon, Born From Pain, Omission, First Blood, Napalm Death, Suffocation, Sunrise, and Nyia to name few.

In September 2008 the band recorded seven tracks with renowned producer Szymon Czech (Antigama, Blindead, Third Degree, Nyia, Unsun) for their second full-length Dyes to be released in the Spring of 2009 via Selfmadegod Records. The music of Mothra will definitely appeal for fans of Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge and Burnt By The Sun.

Audio samples from the forthcoming album can be heard now via the band’s MySpace: www.myspace.com/mothra

Discography:

Demo CD (2004)

Planet Decibelian CD (Red Swallow 2006)

Dyes CD (Selfmadegod Records 2009)

- - - - -

www.selfmadegod.com
www.selfmadegod-USA.com
www.myspace.com/selfmadegodrecords

BLACK PLAGUE RECORDS UPDATE

COMING SOON!!!

BPR015 THE HOWLING VOID (USA) "Megaliths Of The Abyss" CD (Symphonic Funeral Doom. Meditations on Nothingness, Chaos and Death. AVAILABLE in 1 week!

Back of shirt reads:

"The world itself is the will to power and nothing else! And you yourself are the will to power and nothing else!" ...Friedrich Nietzsche

MOONTOWER two sided logo t-shirt. - AVAILABLE in 2 weeks, Pre-Order NOW!!! Available in size – M, L & XL. $14.00 US & Canada / Rest Of The World $20.00 (both prices include shipping charge)

BPR releases are now available via MP3 format at - www.metalhit.com - Extreme Black / Death Metal digital underground label.

Here you can get NEW BPR releases not yet out on CD format, as well as one out of print HELLVETO CD release! http://www.klicktrack.com/metalhit/search?l=Black+Plague+Records

~ BLACK PLAGUE RECORDS ~

SPREADING THE UNDERGROUND PLAGUE WORLDWIDE!!!

http://www.blackplaguerecords.com

http://www.myspace.com/blackplaguerecords

Address:
BLACK PLAGUE RECORDS
PMB 187
17602 17th Street #102
Tustin, CA 92780 - USA

TURANIAN HONOR PRODUCTIONS UPDATE

Please send all your requests to :
thp.distro@gmail.com

:: OUT NOW ::

TEMLPE BELOW (Chl/Swe/Hol) - "Temple" Demo Tape
Limited to 333 handnumbered copies with pro factory tape
and professional printed cover.European edition!
6 Hymns and Invocations from the Darkest Draconian current.
A Manifestation of the most sinister occult fanaticism known within
the vaults of the Death/Black Metal temple.
Must for Bestial Mockery fans!
http://www.myspace.com/templebelow

:: STILL AVAILABLE ::

XASTHUR (Usa) / BLACK CIRCLE (Swe) - "A Living Hell" 7"EP
Limited to 888 handnumbered copies & first 244 copies in colour vinyl.
The first 200 copies together limited both side printed Tshirt.
http://xasthur.net

MARBLEBOG (Hun) / LASCOWIEC (Usa) / VÉRZIVATAR (Hun) - "Deep Horizons Of Eternity" CD
Limited to 666 handnumbered copies.
http://www.myspace.com/marblebog
http://www.myspace.com/verzivatar

CELESTIA (Fra) - "Evanescence" 7"EP
Limited to 555 handnumbered copies & first 111 together embroidered patch.
http://www.apparitia.net
http://www.myspace.com/celestiaofficial

SADOMATOR (Den) " Logo & Bullets" Official Patch
High quality embroidered patch with logo and bullets.
Limited to only 111 copies.
http://sadomator.com

SATANIC WARMASTER (Fin) - "A New Black Order" Official Tshirt
High quality 220 gramm shirt & both side printed.
Look the shirt's design on the site!
(Only few copies left)

BLACK CIRCLE (Swe) - "The Distant Wind ... " 12"LP
White vinyl version is available,only 111 copies.
Just for Judas Iscariot and Darkthrone fans.
(Only few copies left)

:: FUTURE PLANS ::

LYRINX (UK) - Official Tshirt
ABYSSMAL SORROW (Aus) - Official Tshirt
HORNA (Fin) / NEFARIOUS (Hun) - Split 7"EP
MARBLEBOG (Hun) / BILSKIRNIR (Ger) - Split 7"EP
MORBOSIDAD (Usa) / SADOMATOR (Den) - Split 7" EP
XASTHUR (Usa) - 7" EP with official embroidered patch
WALKNUT (Rus) - Logo official embroidered patch + HSW
FUNERAL MOURNING (Aus) / KILTE (Bel) - "Emission through self infiction" Digipack CD

You can see the topical Distro & Available Releases for a short time on:
http://thpdistro.blogspot.com

TURANIAN HONOUR PRODUCTIONS
http://thpdistro.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/turanian_honour_prods
thp.distro@gmail.com (order)
thp.label@gmail.com (for labels only)
turanian.honour@gmail.com (newsletter)

Regards,
K;

RE-TO-THE-VIEWS!

JOHN WILKES BOOTH

SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

BUKKAKE ORANGE

Long Island unit John Wilkes Booth create a mountainous yet delectable wall of sonic overload on their latest 15-track affair, the viscous SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS. Heavy and crushing yet never remiss to keep their excessive slabs of doom-laden boogie rock memorable ("The Inner Workings"), tracks like "Eye Rack" and "Hey Girl" simultaneously stomp you in the gut and stick in your head for days thanks to the infectious guitar hooks and unique vocal delivery over the dastardly rhythm section's voluminous exhibitions. This is an album chock full of desert rock dynamic shifts, stoner rock subtleties, and hard rock harangue with an attention to detail and a keen sense of musicianship steering the ship, as these titans of tinnitis take their self-professed style known as dirt rock for an unbridled journey through the timelines of underground metal's elite noise mongering squads. If you dig the likes of bands that still set the benchmark for left of center metal excellence such as Clutch, Kyuss, and Jesus Lizard, John Wilkes Booth will be your new favorite band. www.jwbooth.net -Mike SOS

THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE

MONUMENTS

LIFEFORCE

Pennsylvania metalcore troupe This or The Apocalypse transcend the genre's mundane monotonies with an abundance of nimble guitarwork and clever juxtapositions of brutality and melody on their 10-track debut MONUMENTS. This unit's lineage is easily traced to bands such as Misery Signals and fellow statesmen This Day Forward thanks to a common bond forged from similar composition devices and non-linear structural nuances, yet This or the Apocalypse manage to bring fresh perspectives to otherwise burly breakdowns ("Elegiac", "This is Debt"), slam with sinewy riffs and tech-like rhythmic patterns ("Two Wars") and even go so far as to include a calm and atmospheric feedback-laden jam in for added texture ("Memento Mori"). Some may complain that this squad follow the blueprint of August Burns Red a bit too closely, but if it's a kick in the ass from a stale style that you're looking for that takes enough chances and left turns without falling too far off the path, then this quintet is worth a spin. www.lifeforcerecords.com -Mike SOS

THE HEADIE BERRIE

MORNING TOAST

SELF-RELEASED

Taking rock 'n roll back to its blues-based smoky backroom roots, the Long Island quintet The Headie Berrie unfurl their colorful guitar rock flag on the quintet's four-song EP MORNING TOAST. This act's no-frills approach to the basics comes complete with a hard rock yowl yielding to tasty bits of harmonica strewn in for good measure and trippy bell-bottom musical jams infused with a bevy of wah-wah guitar bravado ("Blank Tablature"), melding the attitudes of arena rock heroes from the '70s through the grunge era "(Musician"). Capable of making their large than life retro rock sound convincing thanks to their monster chops and durable riffs ("Mushroom T"), this throwback troupe turns the burners up for a raucous ride bursting with badass boogie that folks who like to kick out the freedom rock will totally latch onto. www.myspace.com/theheadieberrie -Mike SOS

DEADLOCK

MANIFESTO

LIFEFORCE

Deadlock return with another dose of bludgeoning metalcore with dual male/ female vocal on MANIFESTO, this German outfit's latest offering. The 11-track affair maintains the crush employed by many of the new wave of European metal acts, yet this sextet continuously throws musical curveballs which definitely makes their music stand out, but not always for the right reasons. The thumping techno opener "The Moribund Choir vs. The Trumpets of Armageddon" and the over the top street hip-hop performance that winds down "Deathrace" are prime examples of some creative moments that most metal fans will write off as miscues, despite their dead-on accuracy and attention to detail. However, if you can deal with this eclectic band's unorthodox leanings, jittery creative flashes, and solid yet tired beauty and the beast call and response vocals, the sonic battering applied to cuts like the Children of Bodom-esque "Fire At Will" and "Seal Slayer" stand up alongside any of the current crop's most notable, making MANIFESTO an album that dares to take chances yet holds its ground to keep it heavy. www.lifeforcerecords.com -Mike SOS

THE MELVINS

NUDE WITH BOOTS

IPECAC

The Melvins are an iconic underground band by all accounts, constantly evolving despite chronic cases of band member fallout. Combining their wares once again with the duo Big Business (which gives the band 2 drummers in addition to a new bassist), The Melvins can now add swagger to their long list of attributes according to their latest 11-track disc NUDE WITH BOOTS. Melding a savage blend of Led Zeppelin and Nirvana into shards of ZZ Top-like boogie for a good portion of this veteran unit's most accessible work, this disc reveals yet another facet of this Bay Area band's vast musical repertoire. Longtime fans will be taken aback from the arena rock shake and the unusual strips of brightness permeating through the camaro-rock of the title cut, as well as the big rock sound employed on "The Kicking Machine" and "Suicide in Progress", but can rest easy knowing that there are trademark moments of menace and malice lurking through tracks like the spiraling "It Tastes Better Than The Truth", the drone interpretation of "Dies Iraea" and the wickedly sludgy kick of "The Smiling Cobra" to round out the overall experience. The Melvins never fail to push past the point of no return while teetering between the experimental and the brink of the mainstream, and NUDE WITH BOOTS displays this band acting as a fully intact entity while fully enjoying their well-earned right to perpetually bend the rules, even within their own context.

www.ipecac.com -Mike SOS

THE PSYKE PROJECT

APNEA

LIFEFORCE

Menacing Danish quintet The Psyke Project deconstruct the notions of modern hardcore into shards of blissful post-metal meltdown on APNEA, this unit's latest 10-track affair. With influences spanning Converge to Neurosis to Gojira to Refused all rearing their heads at some point across this disc, all bases are covered as this group throws down the debilitating sonic crush audible on the panoramic "Jugganata" or the viscous yet melodically pummeling "I Get Paralyzed". Chock full of challenging musical movements and complex switches keeping ears on constant alert , this group's hardcore depth is wrought with an abjectly off-kilter fervor, allowing their out of the box tendencies showcased on the multi-layered hypnotic vibe of "Creating Landscapes" to truly shine. Rest assured, this band stands out amongst the crowded pack thanks to the chilling and hardhearted batterings APNEA doles out. www.lifeforcerecords.com -Mike SOS

COPREMESIS

MUAY THAI LADYBOYS

PARAGON

NY goregrind collective Copremesis are an acquired taste for certain judging on their latest affair, MUAY THAI LADYBOYS. Employing vocals of the most guttural nature that come out sounding akin to the cacophony caused by a barnyard of sick animals while featuring, you guessed it, Muay Thai Ladyboys, to adorn their artwork in full transsexual splendor, this disc renders an unsettling feeling right from the onset. But that's where the shock wears off and the reality settles in of what this band is all about. Musically-speaking, you get what you'd expect from a band of this ilk: blast beats a plenty, signifying harmonic squeals, and sudden bursts of insanity all take turns on a demented tilt-a-ride through depravity, as songs like "Mustache", "Tetsuo", and "Zombie" take this unit's durable slabs of pornogrind through the meat grinder and beyond, complete with torturous explosiveness and at some points, a surprising sense of groove. If you can stomach the imagery and get past the vacuous and unintelligible vocals scraped from the pits of despair, then this troupe's brand of sick humor and technical prowess should suit you well. Word to the wise, though, keep this one away from the easily offended. www.paragonrecords.net -Mike SOS

SYNASTRY

BLIND EYES BLEED

YEAR OF THE SUN

Montreal-based metal maulers Synastry play a brutal yet groovy style of death metal with fringes of industrial that recall bands such as Fear Factory and Killing Joke with the savagery of acts like Kataklysm. While this quartet's sturdy formula of adding futuristic studio elements to accentuate their streamlined death metal chug has been done already, this band seems to have a firm handle on presenting the best parts of the movement without sounding overtly similar to any other particular group. Instead, songs like "As The Dust Settles" clings tight to the growling death metal barks as bleak electronic blips dispersed between the mid-tempo rhythmic crush add a well-roundedness to the entire affair. Imagine Static X colliding with Cannibal Corpse ("Precious Time Bomb") for an idea of mechanical malevolence this unit unveils on BLIND EYES BLEED. www.synastry.com -Mike SOS

DYNAMITE CLUB

FUSION ERA

CAMINANTE

Japan and New York team up for a noise rock jamboree courtesy of Dynamite Club and their latest 12-track sojourn FUSION ERA. Channeling a slew of System of a Down, Frank Zappa and Mike Patton's finest moments while blessed with the capacity to turn delightful pop melodies into near death metal experiences at the drop of a dime without sounding forced , FUSION ERA embraces the chaotic spirit of hardcore punk while remaining heavily steeped in the freewheeling nature of the theatre of the absurd. Lyrics such as the ones found on "Eye Like to Look" and "Besame My Love" are borderline disturbing when read, but add the calculated cacophony and disjointed delivery audible from such gems as "12 Questions for the Psychedelically Impaired" to the equation and the ridiculousness not only matches beautifully but actually begins to make sense. Those not inclined to take a trip to the more adventurous side will loathe this disc's entire 19:33 runtime, but for those in need for a quick fix of crazy, you can't go wrong with the madness associated with FUSION ERA. www.dynamiteclub.com -Mike SOS

SINALOA

OCEANS OF ISLANDS

LEVEL PLANE

DIY ethics and a true passion for the music that continues to be important to them drives the Massachusetts trio known as Sinaloa, gracefully shown on the unit's latest 10-track offering OCEANS OF ISLANDS. Post-hardcore and indie rock do battle within the confines of this act's rehearsal space often according to these songs, as this band is well-versed at whipping up noisy jolts of dissonance such as "Name Names". Sincere in their approach and refined in their delivery, tracks like "What We Could Not Move" exhibits the band's rousing output, boasting an unexpectedly intrusive shot of melody (complete with trumpet no less) while tasteful percussion propels "Ashes of Giants" and "No Bearing" captures this squad in full-on moody math rock mode, sounding like a cross between Snapcase and Rites of Spring. Everyone sings, everyone writes, and everyone pours their heart out here, making this band of buddies a bunch to behold as remainders of the early days when emo wasn't a maligned moniker but in fact still a groundbreaking form of music on the cusp on bigger things. www.level-plane.com -Mike SOS

DAWN OF DEMISE

HATE TAKES ITS FORM

DEEPSEND

Danish death metal mavens Dawn of Demise unleash a sinister assault on your senses with the release of the 10-track affair titled HATE TAKES IT S FORM. Spawned from a template of acts ranging from Suffocation to Cannibal Corpse, this quintet pounds you into submission with a bevy of tortured growls, thunderous drums, and machine gun turret guitarwork on cuts like "...And Blood Will Flow" and the blistering "Impurity". Injecting a modern edge to their sturdy old school foundation only adds to this squad's general sense of malice, as cuts like "Beyond Murder" and the undeniable death groove on "Intent to Kill" display studio enhancements which assist this troupe's malevolent mid-paced chunk to really pack a punch. Sporting death metal that respectfully demonstrates the genre's core values with a decisive modern slant, Dawn of Demise will appeal to all death metal mongers looking for another carcass to feast on. www.deepsend.com -Mike SOS

METAL CHURCH

THIS PRESENT WASTELAND

SPV

The latest installment from Metal Church is the 10-track THIS PRESENT WASTELAND. Retaining the group's traditional metal sounds, don't expect anything new or different from these scene vets, but do expect some powerful and killer vocals courtesy of latest throat Ronny Munroe ("Deeds of a Dead Soul") in addition to a smattering of mid-paced metal assaults such as "Breathe Again" and "A War Never Won". If you dig the band's early days and also like the works of Savatage and Iced Earth, there's enough classic metal goodness and solid straight-ahead metal available from the latest incarnation of this metal giant's affair to spark the senses. www.spvusa.com -Mike SOS

MOUTH OF THE ARCHITECT

QUIETLY

TRANSLATION LOSS

The latest endeavor by Ohio's Mouth of the Architect marks a continuation of this unit's post-hardcore sludgy sojourn, as QUIETLY runs just shy of an hour within an eight-track span. Dense rhythms and suffocating guitars immerse your eardrums in a tantalizing go-round of sound on the oppressive menace "A Beautiful Corpse" and the undulating "Rocking Chairs and Shotguns" while "Guilt and the Like" and "Hate and Heartache" surpass typecast loud-soft dynamic shifts with bursts of bombastic guitars and distressed vocal roars while constructing an impenetrable wall of sound courtesy of a cavernous bottom end heard across the duration of the disc. Emitting a creepy tension throughout not unlike Isis or Neurosis, this beautiful yet discordant affair contains a barrage of burly buildups and constantly changing rhythmic patterns which do the service of paying homage to genre leaders while carving out MOTA's very own spot on the avant garde metal totem pole. www.translationlossrecords.com -Mike SOS

36 CRAZYFISTS

THE TIDE AND ITS TAKERS

FERRET

36 Crazyfists has been a mainstay in the metalcore genre for over a decade with good reason, as this Alaskan outfit manages to perpetually release quality music that illuminates both their heavy and harmonic side . The latest 11-track endeavor THE TIDE AND ITS TAKERS is no exception, continuing this venerable squad's soaring melodic metal style with solid results. Armed with a versatile vocalist in Brock Lindow who can go from clean singing to jugular-grabbing screaming at the drop of a dime and led by the grossly underrated guitar assault of Steve Holt, songs like the ferocious opener "The All Night Lights" and the jagged "Clear The Coast" (with guest vocals by Twelve Tribes' Adam Jackson) set moshpits ablaze with bludgeoning force while the airtight low end bassline locking in with the flurry of fearless drums and perfectly aligned guitar fills and rhythms on "Northern November" display the group's superb chops and the haunting "The Back Harlow Road" and "When Distance is the Closest Reminder" render the wicked infectious hooks and crushing groove melding this unit specializes in. Transcending metalcore limitations with clever compositions and expert musicianship (especially guitar-wise), 36 Crazyfists come through yet again with a powerful combination of grace and savagery fully intact and polished to a shine. www.ferretstyle.com -Mike SOS

CANVAS SOLARIS

THE ATOMIZED DREAM

SENSORY

Georgia-based Canvas Solaris ditch one member, pick up 3(!) more and take their instrumental interludes to another level in the process according to the findings audible on THE ATOMIZED DREAM. This eight-track offering still remains steeped with progressive metal grandeur, yet thanks to a larger quantity of quieter moments such as "Photovoltaic", this disc just as well relishes in its grace. While it takes more than a few listens to truly wrap your head around the arduously audacious affair, fans from the far-reaching metal sect will surely embrace the new sounds of the group's multi-layered musicianship thanks to the new blood injected into complex soundscapes such as "Solar Droid". www.lasersedgegroup.com -Mike SOS

RAUNCHY

WASTELAND DISCOTHEQUE

LIFEFORCE

Raunchy stretch the modern sounds of Euro-metal to their limits on the 12-track WASTELAND DISCOTHEQUE. Spitting out nuances from In Flames and Soilwork to Scar Symmetry in succession with traces of Rammstein weaving in and out of the upbeat tempos, there's a sufficient amount of poppy death metal present to keep the head bobbing for a while, but don't count on this disc for staying power, as the entire entity blurs into one giant metallic gallop with predictably placed Mr. Potatohead musical parts to stifle the masses. www.lifeforce-america.com -Mike SOS

SCAR SYMMETRY

HOLOGRAPHIC UNIVERSE

NUCLEAR BLAST

Following in the fine tradition of the multitude of Swedish metal bands that came before them, Scar Symmetry's third release HOLOGRAPHIC UNIVERSE pays homage to the heroes of the Gothenburg sound yet at the same time helps this quintet establish its own identity. While it's easy pickings to point out the In Flames chorus or the Dark Tranquility breakdown, the arrangements are what keep this band high amongst the new crop of emerging metal artists, not to mention the twin guitar tandem whose crushing riff into sweet solo formula lifts tracks like "Artificial Sun Projection" and the coarse "The Three-Dimensional Shadow" to the next level. While the pristinely polished production job may render a sterile listen to some, those who love all things Swedish metal will have no qualms with the latest from this expansive metal squad. www.nuclearblastusa.com -Mike SOS

THE UNSTOPPABLE DEATH MACHINES

THE UNSTOPPABLE DEATH MACHINES

SELF-RELEASED

NYC hipster noise rockers The Unstoppable Death Machines take the listener on a robotic rock 'n roll joyride on their eponymous four-track affair. Distorted guitars meet dance rock rhythms with a slew of industrial overtones with a strangely constructed pop sense is the style this trio employs on cuts like "Body Bop" and the body-moving "Not So Ninja", opting many times throughout the duration of this EP to replace traditional sounds with electronic blips and bleeps with walls of feedback to give off the vibe of being locked inside the dark realm of a video game as a pervasive post-grunge rock point of view propels their version of the Williamsburg world tour. www.myspace.com/theunstoppabledeathmachines -Mike SOS

TAUK

TAUK

POPCORE

Long Island rock troupe Tauk take their advanced college rock sensibilities and dress them up with a mature platter of jazz and funk on their five-track self-titled offering. Referencing everything from Steely Dan to Phish on cuts like "Roll With the Punches", this band's assassin-like solid chops, expert musical interplay between instruments and wonderfully composed songs such as the rousing "All Ears" evoke a deeper shade of soul than the usual tie-dyed contingent can muster. Tauk produces timeless music that truly containing something that virtually everyone who can call themselves a fan of rock music can dig into and groove with. www.taukrocks.com -Mike SOS

OUTLAW ORDER

DRAGGING DOWN THE ENFORCER

SEASON OF MIST

Made up entirely from past members of underground metal stalwarts Eyehategod and formed while all were on probation for various crimes, expect a sinewy and sinister sludgefest courtesy of the NOLA quintet Outlaw Order and their 13-track full-length debut DRAGGING DOWN THE ENFORCER. Pummeling your speakers with a sometimes lethargic but always lethal low end crunch, cuts like the blunt "Double Barrel Solves Everything" and the bluesy "Alcohol Tobacco Firearms" truly encompass the uniqueness when quicksand grooves meet snarling anarchistic rants while molten rhythms chug in odd times ("Siege Mentality", "Walking Papers"). Make no mistake, this is New Orleans metal at its most volatile, sounding like a culmination of the city's fury that still struggles with post-Katrina wreckage long after impact was initiated. www.season-of-mist.com -Mike SOS

THE ACACIA STRAIN

CONTINENT

PROSTHETIC

Perennially pissed off Massachusetts quartet The Acacia Strain returns with a crippling shot to the throat on the devastating CONTINENT. This 11-track collection is punishingly heavy from end to end, and is relentless in the pursuit to level anything standing in this unmistakably vitriolic outfit's way. Brazen with hate-filled heft, despite the barrage of cliche tough guy posturings and profane revenge lyrical topics dumbing down the entire affair, everything else heard from the left of center breakdowns to the brutal vocals on this jaded juggernaut oozes angst in ways that make songs such as "Baby Buster" and "Dr. Doom" perfect aggressive anthems for disenchanted youth to go insane to. And stick around for the album's closer, the atmospheric instrumental "The Behemoth" for a different side to this frothing beast's dastardly delivery . www.prostheticrecords.com -Mike SOS

DEICIDE

TILL DEATH DO US PART

EARACHE

Glen Benton and company return with another brutal blast of blasphemy on TILL DEATH DO US PART, the Florida squad's latest installment of malicious metal. This 10-track offering picks up where THE STENCH OF REDEMPTION left off, with the guitar tandem of Ralph Santolla and Jack Owens returning to shred their way to Satan and back with unforeseen imminence. "Horror in the Halls of Stone" takes the non-linear Nile-esque approach to death metal while "Not As Long As We Both Shall Live" contains some of the most hate-filled and personal lyrics Benton has ever spat out. The road taken by this controversial band has always been intriguing, and this album yields no exception, showcasing the group's returning to old school form with blistering drumbeats, gruesome growls, and fearsome fretwork all in tow. www.earache.com -Mike SOS

INHALE/EXHALE

I SWEAR...

SOLID STATE

Ohio Christian metalcore troupe Inhale/Exhale exhibit an admirable strain of Underoath meets tough guy hardcore on their latest 11-track disc I SWEAR.... Tracks like "The Impatient Will Suffer" benefits from a smorgasbord of strong guitar parts even though the hook is blatant and generic, "I Live the Bad Life" keeps a menacing pace that wouldn't sound out of place on a Terror album before throwing in melodic singing and an Unearth-like gallop while"The Words We Have Chosen" comes across as Thrice when heavy before token angsty metalcore choruses overcome. While this unit has undergone a flurry of lineup changes, they've managed to step up their musical prowess and still can wield the explosiveness necessary for songs like "I Needed A Spaceship" to make knees buckle, yet ultimately fall prey to relying on the genre's basics too much, hampering Inhale/Exhale in their quest to resonate (sans a few great moments) with anything that you haven't heard before. www.solidstaterecords.com -Mike SOS

EVERGREY

TORN

SPV

Swedish melodic metal machine Evergrey re-emerge with TORN, a solid 11-track affair that finds the group rediscovering their progressive roots while keeping subtle hints from the mainstream metal style found on their last few offerings intact. Tracks like "When Kingdoms Fall" and the In Flames-esque "Nothing is Erased" showcases this squad's prowess to nimbly straddle the line between genres without irking the diehards, while "Numb" and "Fail" showcase this unit's ability to create tracks that are perfectly balanced between brooding and heavy . While the amount of truly memorable songs found here is a bit low, the superior quality of the songwriting, the sterling musicianship displayed across the board, and the rekindling of their early sound makes TORN a surefooted step in the right direction for Evergrey. www.spv.de -Mike SOS

CYNIC

TRACED IN AIR

SEASON OF MIST

After a 15-year layover, the seminal Florida metal troupe Cynic have triumphantly returned with TRACED IN AIR. This stunning eight-track endeavor picks up where the cult outfit's 1993 release FOCUS left off, as this disc reassures that Cynic's mindblowingly technical assault is not only firmly intact but sounding fresher than ever ("The Space For This", "Integral Birth"). Remaining at the forefront of the progressive end of the metal spectrum, whirlwind time signature switches, jazzy fretwork, complex percussion, and bevy of vocoder-laden vocals (with a good portion of death metal growls strewn in) are conscientiously woven together to create a rich musical tapestry which truly embodies fusion metal at its finest, rendering a welcomed comeback for Cynic. www.season-of-mist.com -Mike SOS

THE CLASSIC STRUGGLE

BRING BACK THE GLORY

IRONCLAD

South Carolina metalcore crew The Classic Struggle merge Euro thrash, hardcore, and metal for a blistering 10-track offering in the form of BRING BACK THE GLORY. While this unit's infernal heft is sure to leave quite the impression, tactics like implementing the sludgy breakdown before the beatdown on "Beyond the Walls" and the dramatic tempo drop-off from "Wish Me Hell" keep this band in the thick of things, even though tracks such as "You've Got to Die of Something" redundantly tread traditional metalcore waters. Solid yet unspectacular, The Classic Struggle provides the skull-bashing good time which stays the course with a sledgehammered delivery that is bound to appease throngs of shirtless pit-goers everywhere. www.ironcladrecordings.com -Mike SOS

RUDIMENTARY PENI

NO MORE PAIN

SOUTHERN

Enigmatic UK anarcho punk rock veterans Rudimetary Peni have made a lasting mark on the punk rock genre with their no holds barred and intense music and their latest release NO MORE PAIN furthers the unit's underground legacy. Buzzing guitars, sneering vocals, punchy basslines and bashing drums all collide with the fervor of a '77 punk rock riot on cuts like "Eyes of the Dead" and "Sublime Fantasy No. 1", while this trio's steadfast musical style gives off realistic vibes of discord without sounding rehashed for a second. Crusty and raw throughout its entire 20-minute span, this short and sharp offering proudly exudes the true spirit of punk rock . www.southern.net -Mike SOS

THE HUMAN ABSTRACT

MIDHEAVEN

HOPELESS

The Human Abstract return with their sophomore effort, the conceptual 10-track release titled MIDHEAVEN. Chock full of prog-rock excess, poppy hooks, and flashy instrumental flourishes, this California outfit, now a quintet thanks to the addition of an omnipresent keyboardist, merge screamy Warped Tour punk rock pretense with odd-metered time signatures and spots of metallic musical chaos filtered in for a scattershot listening experience. Tracks like "Calm in the Chaos" could have come from old school Dream Theater archives, while cuts like the schizophrenic "Breathing Life Into Devices" and "Metanoia" showcases glimpses of this group's past direction rounded out with a mainstream sound that could have come from bands such as Avenged Sevenfold or Between the Buried and Me. Despite parts of this disc shining (especially guitar-wise), the overall vibe radiated by this slipshod affair seems a bit too self-absorbed and muddled to make a lasting impression, as the band's lineup changes and stylistic shiftings seemingly still need some time to sink in. www.hopelessrecords.com -Mike SOS

A KISS FOR JERSEY

VICTIMS

TRAGIC HERO

Christian rock troupe A Kiss for Jersey hail from North Carolina, not the Garden State as you'd assume by their moniker. On this quintet's latest 11-track excursion, a familiar strain of screamo, post-hardcore, and tech metal is served, kind of like an amalgamation of Saosin, Chiodos, Coheed and Cambria, and Protest the Hero. Progressive to a degree but never enough to allow a chance for the strong display of vocal histrionics to pass by ("Believe", "The Evidence"), this unit succeeds at exuding passion through their songs, yet much of their sound runs a bit too close to their influences in order for this group to make a dent in the oversaturated genre they are associated with. Nonetheless, VICTIMS is a cut above the rest when it comes to delivering a solid slab of emotionally-charged guitar driven music such as "Devices" and "Parallels". www.tragicherorecords.com -Mike SOS

EMBRYONIC DEVOURMENT

FEAR OF REALITY EXCEEDS FANTASY

DEEP SEND

Overpowering and blisteringly brutal yet masterfully musical, California death metal squad Embryonic Devourment release a ferocious blend of technical prowess and unadulterated goregrind goodness on their 10-track debut FEAR OF REALITY EXCEEDS FANTASY. Fortified with massive rounds of explosive percussion yielding incessant double bass and dizzying tempos, relentless guitar assaults ranging from dastardly death metal runs to eerie interludes ,and grotesque lyrical content that keeps them amongst the most vile in the realm ("Self-Inflicted Cesarean"), this explorative unit pushes the envelope to the max on this endeavor with a strong sense of purpose and volatility leading the charge. If you dig Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal, this will be an album you need to acquire, as Embryonic Devourment really do a fine job of exhibiting crippling extreme metal at its finest. www.deepsend.com -Mike SOS

DAGOBA

FACE THE COLOSSUS

SEASON OF MIST

French modern metal outfit Dagoba incorporate a smorgasbord of sounds into their brand of metal ranging from In Flames-esque riffs to industrial-tinged keyboards to a wealth of melodic death metal nuances on their latest release, the 11-track FACE THE COLOSSUS. Despite everything but the kitchen sink being thrown at you courtesy of this overzealous act, the overall aura given off by this a bit too slick for its own good affair is exhaustive and radiates a heard it all before feel that is devoid of any real sense of cohesion, almost as if haphazardly slapping numerous influences together for the sake of being different. If you've heard any European metal in the last five years, there's no need to check out Dagoba, as they basically combine all of the elements together to develop their bland blend of metal. www.season-of-mist.com -Mike SOS