Metal

Skeletoon’s first album (The Curse Of The Avenger) repress in standard jewel box, after being sold out from previous label!

Old-School Thrash Metal -, straight, aggressive and without compromise. If you don't feel directly transported back to the 80s here, you never loved thrash! Without any experiments the trio also goes to the point on their second album. Already with their debut, the band managed to gain a kind of cult factor within a very short time, and extensively demonstrated their kind of music live at the Summer Breeze Open Air and several shows. On "Lust To Lynch" the band has developed in terms of aggressiveness, depth and also lyrically, without losing a trace of agility and power. The three guys from Aalen simply have thrash in their blood, which brings tears of joy to the eyes of the denim cut-off and high top sneaker wearer. "Lust To Lynch" was recorded by themselves and mixed and mastered by Marcel Kühn at Clydefrog Studio. The famous cover artwork was created by Arda Taner.

Sign Of The Wicked", (...) is one of those - almost forgotten - speed metal grenades, which you can't get out of your head easily because of the melody and the hymn-like compositions. On this record, S.D.I. sounds similar to very early RUNNING WILD, HELLOWEEN or BLIND GUARDIAN on their first releases...

PULSE conquer the earth with the Cyber Future Metal adventure "Adjusting The Space Put your seats in an upright position and switch to warp speed, because with "Adjusting The Space" PULSE raise the interstellar Cyber Future Metal bar. With futuristic drum sounds, hard guitars and a scratchy diabolical voice that fits well with the Alien Overlord image, the Austrians create a brute yet incredibly danceable Industrial Electro Metal sound that is well suited to the alien conquerors. The second PULSE studio album "Adjusting The Space" with its 13 songs and the artwork by Richard Touzimsky, which has been long awaited by fans, will be released on 06.11.2020 via NRT-Records. With "Black Knight", the first single appetizer including lyric video was already released at the end of May and this gives a first foretaste of what all friends of extragalactic cyber metal can look forward to in autumn.

digipak.Inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, Prometheus’ sophomore full-length ‘Resonant Echoes From Cosmos Of Old’ is perhaps one of the least-Greek-sounding Greek Black Metal albums you are going to hear. Aimed somewhere between Morbid Angel, Absu and the symphonic leanings of Limbonic Art or Emperor, this is a diverse album which ends up falling haplessly between too many stools. There are six tracks in total, clocking in at 43 minutes, opening with ‘Gravitons Passing Through Yog-Sothoth’, merging aggression and melody, adept instrumentation to the fore throughout, tidy drums and chants rolling across the surface of ‘Azathoth’ before a scorching Venetian riff and monstrous (Death Metal styled) vocals usher in ‘Astrophobos’, an accomplished, lengthy mid-paced offering exploring the cosmic void, many of the riffs reminiscent of Morbid Angel but painted onto a Black Metal canvas. The album is not flawless, however – far from it, in fact. Indeed, any sense of genuine ferocity seems to be front-loaded and the ambient passage that interrupts proceedings towards the climax of the third track is superfluous in the extreme as the slow, melodic guitar solo serves no purpose whatsoever other than breaking up momentum. Somehow, ‘Resonant Echoes From Cosmos Of Old’ never recovers as soaring, gushing melodies take over completely and any notions of this being an actual Black Metal or Death Metal album drift away into the ether.

digipak. Established in 2007, POWERSTROKE began to rise in the underground as a thrash / old school hardcore star. Quickly they gained attention from acts like Death Angel, Pro‐Pain, Agent Steel, and yes, they all invited the band to join them on their shows as main support. In 2020 POWERSTROKE is taking us on ‘The Path Against All Others’, an ode to the divinity that lives inside of you. Composed as a soundtrack to travel to the beautiful dark parts of the soul. Sometimes brutally energetic and at other times like a bad ass pop song, always keeping the Cainian spirit in mind. Leaders amongst men who go against the grain.

PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS, the band featuring MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell alongside his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla, plus vocalist Neil Starr, will release its new album, "We're The Bastards", on November 13 via Nuclear Blast. Starr says: "It's definitely great to know that we have an audience now. We know there are people that want to hear it, but the truth is that we just had fun with it. Once again, we made the record we wanted to make and it's been really exciting. It was awesome to take our minds off everything and just concentrate on recording a kick ass album for the fans to enjoy" Phil Campbell states: "We're really excited to announce the release of our new single, 'Son Of A Gun'. It will blow your head off!" The album is available as CD, limited digipack including four bonus tracks, 2 LP orange/black splatter and 2LP black.

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Nuclear’s sixth studio album and most extreme proposal to date. Obliterating all boundaries, Nuclear’s new music ingrains the vicious cutting-edge guitars of thrash and the sonic brutality inherent to the death metal’s golden years. With unyielding tones feeding a display of unhinged savagery, “Murder Of Crows” is set to become one of thrash’s uttermost deliveries of 2020. Skull fracturing dementias such as “No light After All” and violent onslaughts like “Useless To Mankind”, are just a hint of this furious album which will supply enough aggression to fulfil the expectations of all extreme metalheads worldwide. Without a doubt, this South American thrash outfit will embark you all in a journey back to the 90s yet with the refreshing and powerful sound of 2020. Be prepared for a metal decimation! 1. Pitchblack (Intro) 2. Murder Of Crows 3. No Light After All 4. When Water Thickens Blood 5. Friendly Sociopath 6. Abusados 7. Misery Inc. 8. Facing Towards You 9. Hatetrend 10. Blood To Spare 11.. Useless To Mankind

digipak.The fourth studio album from Italian progressive doom metallers, Novembre! 'Novembrine Waltz' was an even more melodic, clean and more experimental record than its predecessor. NOVEMBRE were evolving fast and the word 'prog' defined everything the band were trying to achieve on every record they put out. Includes a cover of Kate Bush's 'Cloudbusting', featuring Ann-Mari Edwardsen (The 3rd And The Mortal).

digipak. How did 'Dreams D'Azur' become one of the best prog-death-doom metal albums ever created? At that time, NOVEMBERE were looking for the next move towards the next album after 'Novembrine Waltz' but the ever-evolving composition was not allowing the band to deliver something new in a short space of time. In order to buy more time and offer something new in the meantime for label and fans, the band decided to re-mix their debut album 'Wish I Could Dream it Again' - but the task was not as simple as they had hoped. A vast, extensive amount of work went into the effort, and Novembre eventually decided to go in for a re-recording session that would transform the album into something entirely new: the progressive classic that is “Dreams D’Azur! Initially, Novembre wanted to be as loyal as possible to the original songs, but then the album became even more prog and death metal than the original, with the help of original members Antonio Poletti (guitars) and Thomas Negrini (keyboards) plus the help of additional guest musicians like Fabio Fraschini, to attend to bass parts.

digipak. After 2 albums released on Polyphemus Records and wondering what the next step would be for the band, NOVEMBRE signed to Century Media to debut on the German label with 'Classica'. An album title that properly defines the new prog-metal music direction the band had taken. Lots of tragedy, mourning, sadness and melancholy poured out of the new tracks, and the record was a giant step forward in terms of songrwriting and lyricism that inaugurated a new era for the band and their new label. Includes classic tunes such as 'Nostalgiaplatz' and 'L'Epoque Noire'. Mixed by Andy L'aroque (King Diamond) at Los Angered studios.

THIS IS JUST NOT ANOTHER SWEDISH METAL BAND…THIS IS SWEDISH MAJESTIC STEEL!!! Neptune, is an 80s melodic metal band that has built up a loyal fanbase over time. They are now finally releasing their debut album, only 35 years after they pulled the plug from the band and restarted the engine with three original members once again. The band was completely unaware that some of their old recordings leaked online early 2000s which later found its way to different metal forums and they got new fans around the globe which culminated in the release of the compilation "Land of Northern" back in 2018. After the release of the compilation album Land of Northern, the band decided to start write new material in the old school 80´s style and release a full-length album. But life wanted otherwise. Their long-time member and vocalist Ray Alex passed away early 2019 and the band retreated once again to make a decision on how to proceed. The band had a couple of gigs booked and chose to full fill them with Ray Alex brother Row Alex on vocal. This gave them new energy and they decided to take it to the next level and release what will be the band's first real full-length album - Northern Steel.

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present MEGATON SWORD’s highly anticipated debut album, Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire, on CD, cassette and vinyl LP formats. It was but November of last year when MEGATON SWORD unleashed their glorious debut EP, Niralet, via DYING VICTIMS. Arriving fully formed, virtually without warning – no prior demo recordings existed, at least not publicly – this Swiss quartet evinced an ages-old sound that was wise (and wizened) well beyond their young years. Already, MEGATON SWORD knew the mystery of steel…and wielded it with a startling confidence. And no one knew just how high they could fly, only that they were just getting started. Now, with the arrival of their imminent debut album, Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire, MEGATON SWORD are marching into the halls of greatness, with no one to stop them. Retaining the same, well-named lineup – vocalist Uzzy Unchained, guitarist Chris the Axe, bassist Simon the Sorcerer, and drummer Dan Thundersteel – MEGATON SWORD maximize the strengths of the EP and then some, revealing new twists to that mystery of steel whilst retaining the charisma and crunch that endeared them to the true-metal underground the first time around. Indeed, Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire is aptly titled, almost ridiculously so: this is true-as-steel HEAVY METAL drunk on high fantasy and the enduring themes of conquest and valor, triumph and tragedy, but rendered in a form even bloodier and possessing more bravado. It’s also more dynamic, maximizing drama between notes and from one passage to the next, each movement a narrative crucial to their conquest. Those notes are suitably wrapped in a production that’s powerful in its clarity and pure in its intention, revealing MEGATON SWORD as both craftsmen and warriors, and never sacrificing grit on the altar of perfection (or vice versa)

Come one! Come all, to the demented, heinous bloodbath of a murder metal circus that declares MACABRE’s return; Carnival of Killers. As MACABRE’s first full length album in almost 10 years since the release of Grim’s Scary Tales in 2011, and just in time for their 35th anniversary as a band, this latest installment to the catalogue will butcher your ears and derange your psyche as to be expected! Judging by the title, one can positively assume Carnival of Killers contains stories of your favorite murderous psychos: Bundy, Speck, Gacy, Ramirez, and a slew of heinous killers never sung about by MACABRE, before now. The album artwork, designed by Corporate Death (Lead Singer Lance Lencioni) and artist Laz Gein presents a “Where’s Waldo” style illustration of a colorful carnival filled with jovial children on rides, all amidst a slew of the album’s most memorable references: Bundy waving a woman over to his Beetle with his cast, H.H. Holmes displaying medical skeletons to passers by, Bittaker and Norris hammering their latest victim in the face in public instead of in front of a camera… a touching, family oriented, thrill filled weekend!

Veteran French metallers LOUDBLAST will release their new album, "Manifesto", in early November via Listenable Records. The disc was recorded at Vamacara Studio in France. It was produced by HK Krauss and band leader Stéphane Buriez. The cover art was created by Eliran Kantor. Buriez comments: "This album has a particular feel for me. The themes refer to the chaos of life as such, to the chaos of society, the darkness of man revealed through his everyday actions. In 'Manifesto', there's the unhealthy side of our previous album, 'Burial Ground', the atmospheres of 'Disincarnate', 'Sublime Dementia' and 'Cross The Threshold' — just a real LOUDBLAST album." LOUDBLAST's latest addition, bassist Frédéric Leclercq (KREATOR, ex-DRAGONFORCE), says: "While we kept certain elements of 'Burial Ground', especially in terms of darkness, there was also common goal to go back to the roots of LOUDBLAST. Stylistically, a balance between the brutality of 'Disincarnate' and the technicity and melodicity of 'Sublime Dementia'." Kantor said about the artwork: "Stéphane told me about the album title, and I came up with the idea for the cover late at night while I was trying to fall asleep. I pictured a book that instead of bringing enlightenment (usually portrayed by rays of light) is emanating shadows. A dark cast revealing the evil nature bubbling in black tar beneath those who read it."

Lords Of Black is a metal band originally formed by the artistic union between two world class Spanish musicians, vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Vandenberg) and renowned guitarist Tony Hernando. Their new album, “Alchemy Of Souls” showcases the band’s fondness for the legendary artists and albums that are the blueprint of the genre, while also highlighting their songwriting that incorporates modernity into the overall sound. “Alchemy Of Souls” also represents a reunion of sorts as Romero took a hiatus from the band during 2019. Hernando auditioned several new singers and even appeared live with a lineup featuring two well respected singers, Diego Valdes (Dream Child) and Dino Jelusick (Animal Drive). Simultaneously, Hernando kept working on new songs for the next LOB album, working incredibly hard to create music that pushed him past the boundaries of anything the band had done in the past. In 2020, Hernando decided to send the music he was working on to Romero and such was the quality of the material that he immediately wanted to be part of it and agreed to come back and front LOB once again. “Alchemy Of Souls” represents a rejuvenated, inspired, and hungry Lords Of Black, who are ready to ascend to the upper tiers of European melodic metal. “Alchemy Of Souls” is an album not to be missed if you love bands like Masterplan and Symphony X and also love the legends of genre like Iron Maiden. An absolute delight for the ears and another classic in the making! Upon their formation, Lords Of Black’s vision was to form a metal band with a modern approach blended with catchy, melodic, and progressive elements. After months of intense hard work on the songs, the band independently released their acclaimed self-titled debut in 2014, which was co-produced by Roland Grapow. The band supported the release with a series of successful live shows, some of them as “very special guest” for high profile international acts. Legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore became aware of Romero and invited him to front his, at the time, newly reformed Rainbow. This brought the band to the attention of international music media and in particular, the words from Blackmore describing Romero’s voice like “a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury” piqued the curiosity of journalists and fans alike. While enjoying this new found attention, Romero and Hernando continued work on Lords Of Black and signed a worldwide deal with the Frontiers label. The first global release from the partnership was "II", an album which did and continues to blow the minds of fans of modern melodic metal! Once again co-produced, mixed, and mastered by Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween), the album created a stri in the scene and is still regarded as a true classic. The band played several European shows in support of the release and then headed back to the studio to create the follow up album, "Icons of the New Days". Upon it’s release, the album once again set a new standard for melodic metal with outstanding epic tracks mixed with glorious power/progressive metal songs. “Alchemy Of Souls” somehow manages to best the seemingly unbeatable predecessors it follows and is a new gold standard for melodic metal.

Double CD with banderole The Epic Metal high-flyers from the USA celebrated their first successes outside the underground scene with their third album „The Wizard And The Tower Keep“ (2019). The EP „Heavy Metal Adventure“ being recently released on Golden Core is keeping the band’s name on top of Epic Metal fans‘ lists. However, the trio‘s first two albums have already demonstrated the qualities for which Legendry are known and celebrated today. The problem: They were released on a label from Portugal, which could not show a wide distribution and showed only little activity since 2018. Now Golden Core fills this gap for fans of the band (and those who have recently become fans) and releases both albums combined on a double CD. „Mists Of Time“ has been tonally reworked. In addition we present a new cover artwork (of course, the booklet includes the originals) and liner notes, as well as photos. Already on these first two releases you can hear that Legendry could become the long-term successors of the mighty Manilla Road.

digipak. Ferd means “journey”, “travel”, and “to explore”. The album's primary focus is to honour those who travelled the world, thus expanding knowledge and facilitating cultural exchange. This aspect is highlighted through working with music in a historical sense, as most of the travelers’ instruments were brought back from far away cultures – bringing with them musical inspiration as well. The inspiration is drawn from a wide range of sounds from all over the world, particularly from North Africa, America, and the East. The lead single "Østavind" is an old Norwegian term for the wind that blows from east, about which Kjell comments, "I use the word in the expanded sense, pointing at the fact that much of our culture (as many musical instruments) was brought back from the far east. It is a hymn to those who traveled there, but also to those who came here. There is endless evidence of how vital part this trade has played in Scandinavia's cultural development. To underline the cultural exchange, I have used only instruments based on accepted finds from around Scandinavia, some with its origin in the middle east. The rhythms and scales used in this composition are from both cultures." Ferd started out as a collection of pieces initially composed for short movies, documentaries and plays, performed on old Norse instruments. It soon evolved far beyond that. Reworked with the help of talented fellow Nordic musicians and brought together to give life to Ferd, the songs unveil a great journey with a common focus, while still telling each their own stories. Kjell invited visual artists to illustrate each song of the album, which you can find in the extensive booklet together with their corresponding stories.

KILLER BE KILLED will release its sophomore album, "Reluctant Hero", on November 20 via Nuclear Blast. The supergroup, which is comprised of Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, ex-SEPULTURA), Troy Sanders (MASTODON) Greg Puciato (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN), and drummer Ben Koller (CONVERGE, ALL PIGS MUST DIE, MUTOID MAN), released its self-titled debut album in 2014 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. "Deconstructing Self-Destruction" highlights the outfit's unique approach to vocals, with Cavalera, Puciato and Sanders all lending their voices to not only the single but all of the tracks on "Reluctant Hero".