Nemški heavy/power metalci Hammer King predstavljajo video za komad The Devil Will I Do. Komad bo na prihajajočem albumu König und Kaiser, ki izide 22. marca pri Napalm Records.

Sylvaine predstavlja nov single s prihajajočega EP-ja. Tokrat gre za naslovno skladbo Eg Er Framand, multiinstrumentalistka pa jo je podkrepila tudi z vizualizerjem, ki ga je ustvaril William Lacalmontie. EP izide 22. marca pri Season Of Mist.

Lloyd Hektoen, bolj poznan pod psevdonimom Mannevond (Koldbrann), se je pridružil švedski black metal zasedbi Craft.

»Today we officially welcome Mannevond as the new lead vocalist of Craft! Mannevond should be a familiar face to most, as he is the devestating voice for our brothers in Koldbrann as well – and we are extremely satisfied that he has agreed to join the chaos and destruction that is Craft. Mannevond will make his live debut with us in July at Metal Theatre Festival in Kalmar and has already begun recording vocals for the new album.

The next era has begun…«

Iz tabora finskih metal čelistov Apocalyptica je odjeknila vest, da se je band razšel z dolgoletnim bobnarjem Mikkom Sirénom. Spodaj lahko preberete celotno izjavo banda:

»Some of you may have already seen us playing without our drummer Mikko Siren in Brasil and Mexico earlier this year...or have heard rumors to this effect. We are very sorry to have to inform you that we have amicably parted ways with Mikko after 20 years. Recording our forthcoming album was our last collective achievement. Also, we want to reassure all of you that we – Eicca, Perttu and Paavo – will continue as APOCALYPTICA. We wish Mikko happiness and success in everything he aims for in all his future endeavors!!«

Pred dnevi pa smo tudi poročali, da se Apocalyptica septembra odpravljajo na turnejo po Evropi.

Avtorica fotografije je Saša Krajnc.

Poljska death metalca Dormant Ordeal sta podpisala z Willowtip Records. V prihajajočih tednih se bo duo odpravil v studio, že letošnje leto pa lahko pričakujemo nov studijski album.

Finski eksperimentalni hardcoraši Rats Will Feast so podpisali s Time To Kill Records, kjer bo izšel njihov tretji studijski album Hellhole.

Ukrajinski enočlanski ambientalno atmosferični black metal band Severoth bo 22. marca pri Avantgarde Music izdal šesti studijski album z naslovom By the Way of Light. V posluh ponuja video za komad Sunrise Will Come.

Ameriška progresivna black metal skupina Amiensus je z videospotom za komad Vermillion Fog of War napovedala album Reclamation: Part 1, ki bo izšel 26. aprila pri M-Theory Audio. Tracklista:

Blink of the Moment
Reverie
Senses Amplified
Sun and Moon
Consciousness Throughout Time
Vermillion Fog of War
Spoken into Will
Transcendence Through Grief

Lansko leto je enočlanska black metal zasedba Blackbraid, ki svojo inspiracijo išče v zgodbah ameriških staroselcev, izdala album Blackbraid II. Po krajšem premoru pa zdaj idejni vodja Sgah’gahsowáh sporoča, da je že začel delo z novim albumom, ki bo nosil ime Blackbraid III. Podrobnosti za zdaj še ostajajo skrivnost. Celotno izjavo Sgah’gahsowáha pa lahko preberete spodaj:

»I realize it has been several weeks since I posted on this account which is unusual for me. Rest assured the silence is a temporary but necessary one. The solitude of winter has always been an integral part of my writing and this year is no different.

That being said it should not surprise you that I have recently begun work on a third full length, Blackbraid III. The details of this release are still largely unknown and there is much work to be done in the coming months, just know that my lack of social media presence during the writing process is a necessary one.

As the winter wanes on I will make more updates on the new album as the process progresses. As always, thank you all for your endless support, I promise this is only the beginning.«

Ameriški death metalci Vitriol so prejšnji petek pri Century Media Records izdali drugi celovečerec z naslovom Suffer & Become. S tega albuma pa so posneli svoj najbolj intenzivni video v karieri, in sicer za komad He Will Fight Savagely.

Legendarni Mercyful Fate so se razšli z basistom Joeyjem Vero. Zamenjava zanj še ni znana. Spodaj si lahko preberete izjavo Kinga Diamonda:

»Our friendship and respect for each other will always remain the same, and we all sincerely wish each other the absolut best for the future.«

Nemški heavy metalci The Night Eternal sporočajo, da je band iz osebnih razlogov zapustil Jones Nühlen.

»Unfortunately we have to inform you that Jones decided to part ways with The Night Eternal due to personal reasons. We‘re still good friends, so there‘s no bad blood and we respect his decision. Being a founding member, Jones was notorious for his catchy bass lines through all of our releases so far and we want to thank him sincerely for the great times we had.
There‘s a last chance to catch The Night Eternal with its original line-up on stage at Endzeit Festival on January 27th, so give Jones the honor and get your tickets!
For THE SATANIC PANIC TOUR starting on February 1st, our good friend Jannik will take over the bass duties.«

Nemški heavy/power metalci Hammer King so posneli videospot za skladbo Hailed by the Hammer s prihajajočega albuma König und Kaiser, ki ga bodo 22. marca izdali pri Napalm Records. To bo njihov šesti studijski album po vrsti, obsega pa te naslove:

Hailed by the Hammer
The Devil Will I Do
König und Kaiser
Future King
Kingdom of Hammers and Kings
War Hammer
Divided We Shall Fall
Kings of Arabia
I Want Chaos
Gates of Atlantia
The Last of the 7 Wars*
König und Kaiser - Titan*
König und Kaiser - The Tribune*

Nemška zasedba Paradox se vrača z napovedjo novega albuma Mysterium. Album naj bi izšel še letos pri založbi AFM Records, točen datum izida pa še ni znan. Spodaj pa si lahko preberete izjavo Charlyja Steinhauerja:

»Friends and fans,
I had a dream. I wanted to start together with AXEL BLAHA, with whom I founded PARADOX in 1981, and end together again at some point. Unfortunately, that is no longer possible because he has said goodbye to this world.
In all these years, AXEL was the only musician who worked with me the way you have to, to achieve a goal. We never danced around at multiple weddings and were always loyal to one band. PARADOX! This was the only way the two classics “PRODUCT OF IMAGINATION” and “HERESY” were possible.
I miss him very much and it is very difficult for me to move on without him, but anyone who knows me knows that giving up is not an option for me.
Not even after 43 years and that's why I can tell you, that I have composed a new PARADOX album, which will hopefully be released worldwide this year via AFM RECORDS. The album will be called “MYSTERIUM” and will contain all the trademarks a Paradox fan wants.
The special thing about “MYSTERIUM” is that I composed all the songs and played all the instruments myself, because I will never again work with project-hungry musician whores who play a few notes on an album but otherwise have nothing to do with PARADOX, or none maintain contact with his colleagues. Unfortunately, this runs like a common thread through the entire career and is the main reason why PARADOX was never able to really get off the ground. To do this you need musicians who work together and pursue a common goal.
It should also be a warning to all young musicians and new bands who want to achieve something with their band. You can find out more about this in the numerous interviews for the new album. You should definitely read this!
I will also be responsible for the mix and the entire production.
The lyrics are written by ACHIM “DAXX” HOEMERLEIN (ex-Vendetta), who also wrote the lyrics for “TALES OF THE WEIRD” and “PANGEA”.
TRAVIS SMITH (Opeth/Nevermore etc) is currently working on the artwork.
“MYSTERIUM” is a very heavy album and contains 10 songs with a playing time of 51 minutes. Dedicated to AXEL BLAHA, my best friend and co-founder of PARADOX!
Cheerz!
Charly«

Angleški tehnični melodeath metal band Cognizance je objavil visualizer za komad A Brain Dead Memoir s prihajajočega albuma Phantazein, ki ga bo izdal 21. januarja pri Willowtip Records.