Among the various promos that we receive each & every day, there are some bands that catch our attention at once, while others need a few spins so as to get them. I do not think that a good album must necessarily get your attention from the very first listen neither that it must always require lots of spins. Good albums are among all the categories no matter what. This time it was the newest, fourth, full length album by Masterstroke that struck me from the moment I played it.
 

Leaving aside any kind of fanaticism about the band, while trying to be objective, none can tell that this Canadian band hasn’t offered or achieved things so as to be considered a cult band from the 80s. Considering the fact that this is the first album without their original guitarist Denis D’Amour, who was replaced by Daniel Mongrain, and that’s the first album since “Angel Rat” with the bassist Jean-Yves Thériault, I’m sure the fans were sorta anxious about the result.
 

Paul Allender, lead guitarist for acclaimed British heavy metal act, Cradle of Filth, has announced via his Facebook page the start of his one on one online guitar lessons over Skype. Fans can write to Allender at: paul@winterlandstudios.com for further details.

 

In Vain is back and ready to release their 3rd attack of progressive extreme metal!

 

“Ænigma” is their most extreme work to date, mixed and produced by the legendary Jens Bogren (Opeth, Soilwork, Borknagar ++). The album will be released March 11th in Europe, March 8th in Norway and March 15th in Germany and Austria. Check out In Vain's tour dates for 2013 below!

 

Arizona thrashers HEMOPTYSIS have launched an IndieGoGo.com campaign to help fund the band's follow-up to 2011's widely-praised "Misanthropic Slaughter".

 

The band has penned five new songs for the release and plans to re-record two tracks which originally appeared on the 2008 "Who Needs A Shepard" EP. Funds are being sought to help cover recording, production, layout and pressing costs, with perks such as drum heads, cymbals HEMOPTYSIS merch, private shows, jam sessions and more being offered to contributors. 

 

Heavy metal band Nightglow inked a deal with logic(il)logic Records to publish its debut album "We Rise", scheduled for release on March 2013. Born as cover band in 2003, Nightglow has been touring Northern Italy and Europe since 2006 as a well-known and appreciated cover band of Manowar; later on, the band started working on its own music and recorded "We Rise", eight tracks of pure old school heavy metal.

 

A short video teaser by Michael Gardenia can be viewed below.

 

I believe that it’s crucial for every band to evolve through the course of time instead of being trapped inside its own ego & keep repeating itself on and on. Obviously, the fans are skeptical when they are about to experience something that they are not aware of… but then again here comes the everlasting question… who does a band make music for? Do they do so to satisfy their fans or express their creativity, huh?
 

The band was formed in the summer of 2010 by lead vocalist Brian O'Connor (Consfearacy, ex-Vicious Rumors), lead guitarist Michael J. Gardner (The Council), lead guitarist Kevin Rohr (Spectre), bassist extraordinaire Steve "Dedbass" Northam and drummer Danny Sablan (HateFX, The Council).

 

Their intention was to write and produce their own brand of heavy metal, while utilizing their past and present influences as a foundation and inspiration for their musical direction.

 

The guardians of the Gothenburg Sound, Dark Tranquillity, released their first album 20 years ago and are still one of the most exciting bands in Melodic Death Metal. New and old fans will be happy to hear that they are ready to announce their 10th album. 

 

SOILWORK vocalist Bjorn "Speed" Strid has commented the ten tracks of CD-1 from the upcoming double album "The Living Infinite".

 

01. "Spectrum Of Eternity": A fast and thrashy, yet melodic opener bringing you straight to the "core of existence".

 

02. "Memories Confined": An epic song with Sven's signature.