ONSLAUGHT FINDS NEW SINGER

Thrash metal masters ONSLAUGHT have found a new singer after Sy Keeler´s departure. The chosen one is David Garnett who has played with BULL-RIFF STAMPEDE and PLAGUE and has also played with ONSLAUGHT in 2019 in some live shows. The band will release their new album "Generation Antichrist" in August. 

CULTURAL WARFARE ADDS SECOND GUITARIST TO THE LINE UP

ENGLISH

Californian thrash metal band CULTURAL WARFARE have added Shawn Bozarth who played in classic thrash metal band DEFIANCE. CULTURAL WARFARE´s latest release is "Future Kill" EP released in January 2017. You can check links to the band below.

ESPAÑOL

La banda californiana de thrash metal CULTURAL WARFARE acaban de agregar a su formación a l ex guitarrista de la banda clasica de thrash metal DEFIANCE, Shawn Bozarth. La más reciente producción de los CULTURAL WARFARE es el EP "Future Kill" lanzado en enero 2017. Pueden ver enlaces a la banda debajo.

Cultural Warfare Facebook

Cultural Warfare Bandcamp

XENTRIX INTRODUCES NEW VOCALIST / GUITARIST

 

ENGLISH

British thrashers XENTRIX have introduced Jay Walsh from Bull Riff Stampede as their new vocalist / guitarist. Walsh replaces original vocalist Chris Astley who left the band at the end of 2015. 

ESPAÑOL

Los thrashers británicos XENTRIX han presentado a su nuevo vocalista /guitarrista Jay Walsh que proviene de la banda Bull Riff Stampede. Walsh remplaza al vocalista original Chris Astley que dejó la banda a fines de 2015.

GUITARIST ANDERS BJÖRLER QUITS AT THE GATES / EL GUITARRISTA ANDERS BJÖRLER DEJA AT THE GATES

ENGLISH

Swedish melodic death metal pioneers At The Gates have issued a statement telling that guitarist Anders Björler is no longer part of the band. The rest of the band has started work on the follow up to their "At War With Reality" album. The band is seeking raplecement for Björler.

ESPAÑOL

Los pioneros suecos del death metal melódico At The Gates han emitido un comunicado diciendo que el guitarrista Anders Björler ha dejado la banda. El resto de los At The Gates han comenzado a trabajar en el sucesor de su álbum "At War With Reality".La banda está buscando remplzao para Björler.

At The Gates Facebook

EX CANNIBAL CORPSE / DEICIDE JOINS SIX FEET UNDER / EX CANNIBAL CORPSE / DEICIDE SE UNE A SIX FEET UNDER

ENGLISH

Jack Owen, former guitarist for Cannibal Corpse and Deicide has joined Florida death metallers Six Feet Under. This is the first time in 22 years that Jack Owen will be on stage with Chris Barnes (also ex Cannibal Corpse). Owen is joining Six Feet Under for the tour supporting the band´s latest album "Torment" and also as a permanent member.

You can read the official band statement here: https://www.facebook.com/sixfeetunder/posts/10154437319687496

ENGLISH

Jack Owen, ex guitarrista de Cannibal Corpse y Deicide se ha unido a los death metaleros de Florida, Six Feet Under. Esta es la primera vez en 22 años en que Jack Owen compartirá el escenario con Chris Barnes (también ex Cannibal Corpse). Owen se unirá a la banda para el tour de promoción del más reciente álbum "Torment"  y también como miembro permanente .

Pueden leer lo que dice oficialmente la banda aquí: https://www.facebook.com/sixfeetunder/posts/10154437319687496

WARLOCK REUNITES FOR EUROPEAN SHOWS / WARLOCK SE REUNE PARA SHOWS EUROPEOS

ENGLISH

German classic heavy metal band Warlock will reunite for European festivals. The band, featuring Doro Pesch on vocals, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their "Triumph and Agony" album. The band will feature Tommy Bolan on guitars who played on the album.

ENGLISH

La banda clásica alemana de heavy metal Warlock se reunirá para unas fechas en festivales europeos. La banda, que contiene obviamente a Doro Pesch en voces, celebrará el 30° aniversario de su álbum "Triumph and Agony". En la banda estará Tommy Bolan en guitarras quién tocó en el álbum.

POSSESSED GUITARIST JOINS HELSOTT / EL GUITARRISTA DE POSSESSED SE UNE A HELSOTT

ENGLISH

Mike Pardi, guitarist for Possessed and Draconis, and former Xasthur guitarist, has joined Californian pagan folk thrash metal band Helsótt. Pardi will join the band for their tour with Primal Fear and Luca Turilli´s Rhapsody and also for the recording of the band´s new album, the follow up to their "Woven" debut album released in 2014. 

ESPAÑOL

Mike Pardi, guitarrista de Possessed y Draconis, y ex guitarrista de Xasthur, Se ha unido a la bnada californiana de pagan folk thrash metal, Helsótt. Pardi participará en el tour de la banda junto a Primal Fear y Luca Turilli´s Rhapsody y también en la grabación del nuevo álbum de la banda que será el sucesor de su debut "Woven" lanzado en 2014.

BASSIST OSCAR RANGEL RETURNS TO ANNIHILATOR

Canadian thrash metal masters Annihilator have made the following announcement:

"ANNIHILATOR Update: Hi all.... J. Waters here in lovely Hannover, Germany once again and just finished up shooting 2 videos for a few songs from the new SUICIDE SOCIETY record (out Sept. 18!). Lots going on but I will fill you in on all the awesome things going on very soon... but I have some sad news that I need to share. Our new bassist Cam Dixon informed us all (Tuesday night, in Germany/after shooting the 2nd video) that his fiancée had just recently been diagnosed with terminal lung and breast cancer... Cam hid this the best he could during the video shoots and none of us know how he even got through them; but he did! All at UDR Records, all of us in and working with Annihilator and BuntMetal (the video company) give her, Cam and their families/friends our deepest best-wishes, thoughts and some prayers... Cam is back home from Germany & with her. After hearing this news, our bassist for the last few years, Oscar Rangel offered to come back for the summer festival run we have soon and possibly for the rest of the touring cycle, if needed... very cool of him, too. Oscar had briefly left us in February to work on his metal project OPERUS. Talk to you all soon about what is coming quick in the Annihilator world but, for now, thoughts to them."

MIKE HOWE RETURNS TO METAL CHURCH

Vocalist Mike Howe has returned to Metal Church. The vocalist that replaced original singer David Wayne has returned to the thrash metal band. Below is the band´s press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] LEGENDARY METAL CHURCH SINGER MIKE HOWE RETURNS TO THE BAND!

Legendary front-man Mike Howe returns to Metal Church! In the summer of 2014 the band suddenly found themselves in need of a new singer. As fate would have it, Kurdt was already in talks with Mike for another project that he was working on with Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler, so he decided to ask Mike to rejoin Metal Church. Mike agreed, but true to form, didn’t want to make it official until he knew for sure that the integrity of the new material was there. In Mike’s own words, " I didn't want to come back to Metal Church just for nostalgia, it had to be for the right reasons, it had to be the best stuff we’ve ever written together or it just wouldn't be worth it to anyone, especially the fans.” Soon after, Kurdt and Mike began exchanging ideas and writing new material with the band. The end result sounds like “Classic Mike Howe era Metal Church, it’s both heavy and melodic” says guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and further states “Mike sounds the same as he did 20 years ago, this is going to be truly epic!!” Drummer Jeff Plate comments, “Mike Howe is the ONLY singer for Metal Church. He has a reputation of complete honor and respect. We can now take Metal Church to the next level!”

Mike Howe originally joined Metal Church in the late 80’s and released 3 albums with the band: “The Human Factor”, “Blessing In Disguise” and “Hanging in the Balance”. Mike was also the face of popular music videos “Date With Poverty” and “Badlands” that aired during MTV’s heyday like”.

The band is currently in the process of working on their new album, which will be released later this year via Rat Pak Records. Metal Church is: Mike Howe (Vocals), Kurdt Vanderhoof (Guitars) Jeff Plate (Drums), Steve Unger (Bass) and Rick VanZandt (Guitars).

CRIMSON FALLS: GUITARIST KRISTOF DAMEN DEPARTS

Kristof Damen, guitarist for melodic death metal band Crimson Falls, has left the band. Here is Kristof´s statement:

"Hello everyone,

A while ago, after almost 13 years, I decided it’s time for me to step back from Crimson Falls. I will still play the last four shows we’ve got planned for this year (Groesbeek, Roeselare, Antwerp & Gent). Afterwards, it’s over.

Those of you who are close to me know that Crimson Falls was never just ‘my hobby.’ It was my passion and for more than a decade of my life I invested loads of time, energy, money, sweat and tears in this band. Composing music, writing lyrics, rehearsing, playing out live and spending countless hours behind the computer screen trying to get things arranged, paving a way up for my band.

Even though I still enjoy all of this, I can only admit that over the last year I lost this will to conquer the world with the band. The power to keep battling and break through walls disappeared. Instead, at this point, I just want to be a good dad for my boy and girl who I love more than anything. I want to be a good man for my wife and family. I want some time off, some rest, a few free weekends. And I want to be able to chase some other dreams I have and do some stuff I hardly had time for while being in the band.

Crimson Falls brought me lots of joy, meaning & satisfaction and I’m very proud of everything we could achieve with the band. I mean, what the fuck?

· We played 275 shows spread over 12 countries!

· We played Graspop, Ieperfest, Deathcrusade Fest, Day Of Decay, Massdeathtruction Fest…

· We shared the stage with big names such as Volbeat, Machine Head, Hatesphere, Textures, Samael… but also with a lot of my own personal heroes like All Shall Perish, Whitechapel, Carnifex, The Faceless, Despised Icon, The Black Dahlia Murder, Aborted, And Hell Followed With… and there were a lot of amazing smaller headline shows.

· We released 3 full CDs and 2 EPs; recorded in professional studios and worked with some of the biggest names.

Yes, indeed, dreams do come true. Now it’s time to move on.

Thank you, not only Wim, Tom, Jay & Youri; but also Mitch, Friso, Sigi, Ringo and Maarten for all the good times and making all this possible. Thank you Kim for always supporting me in this adventure. Thank you Filip Clompen, Kris CCR, Henny Guitar & Sound, Geert Kuyken & N-E-L, David Damen, Bart Steyaert, Genet Records, Split Second Sound, Metalzone/Shiver Records, Bjorn Samyn, Barbara Bulens… for your unforgettable & crucial support along the way. Thanks to all bookers, clubs and zines for the support. And thanks to all of you banging your head, moshing it up or just checking us out with a beer in your hands.

As for Crimson Falls; it looks like the band will continue without me. The guys are still checking how they can work everything out, but a new guitar player seems to be found, so I guess you can expect a statement about that pretty soon.

As for me, I’m planning to keep on writing new music. As a matter of fact, I already am. But if, when and in what form this will see the light of day… time will tell. For now, the journey ends."

Kristof

FINAL DEPRAVITY REPLACES BASS PLAYER

German thrash groove metal band Final Depravity have replaced bass player Alex Voss, who left the band recently, with Matthias Vatter. The band recently released a lyric video for the track "Garden Hate" (check it below). Regarding the bass player change, the band issued the following statement:

"Please welcome our new Bass player Matthias Vatter! / Bitte begrüßt unseren neuen Bassisten Matthias Vatter!
Yes, we have a new bass player!You have probably noticed a new face on our live pics and in our videos in the past months. Today's the time to officially introduce our new bass player to you: please welcome Matthias Vatter to the Final Depravity family!

Although Alex Voss is no longer in our band, we are still friends and that's why we wish him all the best for his future!"

EXORCISM ANNOUNCES NEW DRUMMER + DRUMS VIDEO

International heavy doom metal band Exorcism, featuring guitar virtuoso Joe Stump, have announced the addition of drummer Alexis Von Kraven to the line up. To present the new drummer, the band has made a drums video for the track "Higher" available for the public (you can check the video below). "Higher" comes from the band´s debut album "I am God", released in April 2014 through Golden Core Records.

HATE ETERNAL ANNOUNCES NEW DRUMMER

Death metal masters Hate Eternal have announced Chason Westmoreland as their new drummer. Here is the band´s statement:

"Please give a warm welcome to our new drummer Chason Westmoreland!!! We are extremely excited to have Chason join Hate Eternal and add his monstrous style to the band! Chason is an incredibly dynamic drummer and has really added a powerful and beastly element to the band and our new record. Chason has finished all of his drum tracking and did an amazing job!! We cannot wait to finish and release the new Hate Eternal album for a 2015 release!! Lots of touring to follow! There is a brief interview with Chason and I as well as some RAW audio/video footage from a GoPro in Mana Recording Studios!! Enjoy!"

CORONATUS STREAMS TRACK FROM NEW ALBUM

Gothic metal band from Stuttgart, Germany have made one track "Schnee & Rosen" available for streaming (check below). The tune is part of the band´s new album "Cantus Lucidus" that will be released on December 5th. The new album will be released through Massacre Records and was recorded, mixed and mastered by Markus Stock at Klangschmiede Studio E. The band has suffered some changes in the lineup with vocalists Ada Flechtner and Mareike Makosch leaving the band. The band now features vocalist Anny Maleyes and also new guitarist Oliver. 

WARLORD UK ANNOUNCES NEW DRUMMER

Birmingham death metal band Warlord UK have announced that they have added James Murphy as their new drummer. Murphy replaces Ben Dunn who played in the band from 2009 to 2013, recording the album "Evil Within" in 2010. The band has made the following statement:

"WARLORD ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE ..... JAMES MURPHY AS WARLORDS NEW DRUMMER !!! 

James auditioned last night and produced some awesome drumming. Its been a long slog finding a full time drummer but the wait has been worth it as James is beast on the kit !! WARLOOOOOOORD !!!!! James will be unleashed for his first Warlord gig in February 2015".

SPLIT HEAVEN PART WAYS WITH VOCALIST AND BASSIST

Heavy speed metal band from Mexico, Split Heaven has announced that vocalist Giancarlo Farjat and bassist Pablo Ollervides . The band has issued the following statement:

"Through the following statement we want to thank Giancarlo Farjat (vocals) and Pablo Ollervides (bass) for their dedication and professionalism during the time they were part of Split Heaven. Without you, among other things, the release of the third album “The Devil's Bandit” and the third successful European Tour would not have been possible; certainly, you guys are part of our history. Carlo, Armand and Tomas, are composing the 4th Split Heaven album and we keep the door open for new members who want to be part of the tough but always gratifying, road of heavy metal. From this moment we are receiving demos for bassists and vocalists who might be interested on joining us, please send your email to: management@splitheaven.net

New challenges, new roads, forever heavy metal!

Sincerely, 

Split Heaven."

GHOST MACHINERY CHANGES VOCALIST . BASS PLAYER RETURNS TO BAND

Finland´s power metal band Ghost Machinery has replaced vocalist Tapio "Taage" Laiho with Pete Ahonen who up to now was playing the guitars in the band. Also bassist Sami Nyman who had previously left the band has returned to the lineup. The band has issued the following statement:

“As previously reported, lead vocalist Taage Laiho isn't in the band anymore. His work can be heard on GM's second album Out For Blood and he also did a miniature tour with the band at the time of release. His signing out doesn't involve any drama; it was only due to schedule and distance problems.

After seriously considering all the possibilities, the guys came up with a solution. The new lead vocalist for the band is Pete Ahonen, who is also the songwriter and guitarist in the band. This decision is natural because the band's debut Haunting Remains had Mr. Ahonen on the lead vocals as well.

Bass player Sami Nyman made a decision to leave the band last winter. The guys did look for a new bassist among other things but the right kind of axe man wasn't found easily. Mr. Nyman managed to do a comeback after a band meeting this fall. He explains: ‘Sometimes life throws you around and you have to make a decision. That's only to find out later on that it was a big mistake. I'm lucky as hell to have such amazing band comrades, such as the guys in Ghost Machinery. Now's the time to concentrate on our third album.’

Their third album is titled Evil Undertow. Cover artwork looks amazingly good and the recordings are nearly done. After finishing a few guitar parts and solos and wrapping up the vocals it's a done deal. The release date is somewhere in the near future but it unfortunately won't be this year. The album will be released via German label Limb Music.”

FRONTMAN JANTO LEAVES HADES ALMIGHTY

Bassist and vocalist Janto Garmanslund has left norwegian progressive black metal band Hades Almighty after 22 years in the band. The band has issued the following statement: "Janto, The lead singer/bass player of Hades Almighty, has, after 22 years by our side, decided to leave the band permanently! There is no bad blood between us, as we still are best of friends, and will continue being friends. This is a decision he made completely by himself. Janto has been, and still is, a brilliant musician, bass player and composer, both musically and lyrically! It has been 22 years of great times, many, many inspirations in many ways. We salute you our brother in arms! More than two decades of dedication in The Horde Of Hades is something to be proud of, and we salute the raven of war and crimes in music and friendship! HAIL! We will continue working on the new album as planned and it is due to be finished in 2015. The EP, which was due to be released at the end of 2014 will suffer some delay because of this matter, but nothing significant! All shows are hereby cancelled, but we will of course return as soon as we have the opportunity!

This means that Hades Almighty is entering a new era, starting from this day forward! We would like to reach out to our followers, fans, promoters, record label, booking agencies, and crew, for a  little understanding that our already booked shows, and future plans, will be delayed! We are honestly sorry for that, and we are already in the process of finding a replacement for Janto, but that alone is a long process, and surely not an easy one!!”

EXHUMED ADDS NEW BASS PLAYER

Death metal  / grindcore band Exhumed have added Matt "Slime" Ferri to their line up. "Slime" is replacing Rob Babcock who left the band early this year. "Slime" has been playing guitars and doing the vocals in death thrash metal Coffin Dust since 2010. Here is the band´s statement

"A quick announcement before our Fall / Winter tour season gets started... We'd like to extend a very morbid and maggot-filled welcome to our new bassist / vocalist Matt 'Slime' Ferri, who will be meeting all of you mutants on the road shortly. Matt replaces our good friend Rob 'Bodybag' Babcock, who we wish all the best for in the future. We're sure you'll all make Matt feel welcome onstage (read: buy him beers) and all the guys in the band are psyched to bring you the latest and greatest version of Exhumed. Cheers from Harvey and the usual gang of idiots!"

SKULL FIST ANNOUNCES NEW DRUMMER

Canadian speed metal band Skull Fist have confirmed drummer JJ Tartaglia as a full time band member. Tartaglia has been playing live with Skull Fist for awhile and now he is playing permanently with them in their Southamerican Tour to support their latest album "Chasing the Dream". You can check JJ´s drumming on this video from their show in Buenos Aires, below: