I have always had a soft spot for W.A.S.P. as the Crimson Idol is my second favorite metal album of all time after Faith No More's Angel Dust. They're a legendary name in metal circles since 1984, W.A.S.P. to this day still manage to put out quality heavy metal while many of their 80s peers have stagnated or worse. Thankfully, W.A.S.P. are still to... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Act of Destruction is a local technical death/thrash band from Chicago Illinois. I had the opportunity to see them play live at the Bottom Lounge with an Israeli metal band known as Orphaned Land, and at the Pearl Ballroom in Moneka Illinois with folk Metal?s Alestorm and Tyr. Lead guitarist John Bravo got it right when he said that no two songs by... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Guns N Roses has now confirmed that they will be performing at Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. Axl comments "Our shows in these countries were originally announced without our knowledge n' dates were put up for sale that weren't confirmed. We're also attempting to reschedule Rio for Apr 4. We'll let you know asap when th... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Mayhem has announced a European tour with the Slovenian band Noctiferia. The tour dates are as follows: 23-05 - Music Pub - Cluj Napoca - Romania 24-05 - Szene - Vienna - Austria 25-05 - Exit - Praha - Czech Rep 26-05 - Progresja - Warsaw - Poland 27-05 - Loch Ness - Krakow - Poland 28-05 - Coloseum - Kosice - Slovakia 29-05 - TBA 30-05 -... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

ANATHEMA has announced the release of their 8th studio album, "We?re Here Because We?re Here," which will be released on May 31st via Kscope Records. Danny Cavanagh comments on the new album, "'We?re Here Because We?re Here' is Anathema?s most expansive album to date and by the far best thing we?ve ever done. Not only have we improved as writers... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Despite Killswitch Engage continuing to their tour with All That Remains vocalist Phil Labonte in light of Howard's unexpected departure, the band was joined onstage this week by former frontman Jesse Leach during a performance at The Filmore New York at Irving Plaza. Some footage was caught of the show by a photographer: Photographer Wil... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Hard partying rock icons Keel have come back together for a 25th anniversary reunion to rock the world again in a string of festival appearances. Not content to simply rehash the past however, the band has also put out an entirely new album "Streets of Rock and Roll." Front man Ron Keel commented on the creation of the album, "Immediately after the... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

California's Ancestors will embark on a European tour this April alongside Night Horse. The details of the nine date trek are as follows: 4/9 2010 Cafe Nova w/ Night Horse Essen, Germany 4/10 2010 L?Entrepot w/ Night Horse Arlon, Belgium 4/11 2010 Circolo Arci Q w/ Night Horse Fidenza (PR), Italy 4/12 2010 Orto Bar w/ Night Horse Ljubljana, S... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Canada's Bloodshoteye has issued the following update about streaming a new song online: "We have uploaded the 3rd new track from Expect the Unexpected entitled 'The Slaughterhouse Romance.' It is the last song on the album and starts off with a long, slow, creepy intro and then... BANG one of the most brutal tracks on the album. Tell us what yo... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Boston's Cave In have announced they will be performing two upcoming shows in support of Isis on their North American tour. The details of the tour dates are as follows: 6/22 @ Port City Music Hall, Portland, Maine 6/23 @ Club Soda, Montreal, Quebec You can also check out several sample Cave In tracks via the band's official MySpace page. Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Pittsburgh's Crown the Lost has issued the following update about recruiting a new drummer and vocalist: "In a move that was a long time coming, we'd like to welcome Argel Marchelletta into the CTL fold as our full-time drummer. Argel's initial capacity was that of a fill-in to help us prepare for album #3, but he was so impressive that we had n... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

German metallers Varg have issued the following announcement about canceling their previously announced appearance at the Ragnarok Festival: "After Ragnarök Festival announced in a statement that Varg will perform there with a different line, is the refusal of the performance, the only acceptable result for us. We are a band together and stand, ... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

New Brunswick's RUSTED DAWN have just announced their six week cross-Canada tour in support of their upcoming release, "The Black Tides of War," which is scheduled for release in North America by the east coast metal label, Diminished Fifth Records on March 30th. "After having to cancel our Canadian tour last year, it's time for sweet, sweet red... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Over the past couple of weeks, we've reported on numerous free label samplers and compilations, not realizing that most have been in appreciation of March Is Metal Month. EMI Music?s Label Services is bringing metal to the masses with their ?March is Metal? campaign with retailers across the US. The retail campaign includes promotions from such ... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

UK's Tygers Of Pan Tang has announced the following European tour dates: Apr 24 - Keep it True 13 Festival Konigshofen - Germany May 01 - Classic Rock Festival @ Farnborough Football Club - Farnborough, UK May 08 - Champions - Bournemouth, UK May 12 - Fibbers - York, UK May 14 - Asylum - Birmingham, UK May 15 - The Diamond Rock Club - Ahogh... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Amberian Dawn has issued the following announcement about their guitarist joining Gamma Ray for a string of tour dates: "Guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen has been asked to join Gamma Ray as the temporary replacement for guitarist/keyboardist Henjo Richter, who underwent surgery on Tuesday, March 16th for a 'retinal detachment.' Kasperi agreed and it ... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Germany's Grind Inc. has issued the following update about releasing a new album: "Dear Grind Inc. community, we proudly declare the upcoming birth of our long awaited and highly anticipated fourth effort of brutality entitled 'Lynch and Dissect' Check out the brand-new track 'Praise the light' at this location. This is for you crazy death metal... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Swedish metallers Inmoria, who recently parted ways with Massacre Records, have announced their new album will be titled "A Farewell to Nothing - The Diary Part 1." The track listing for the album will be as follows: 1. Blinded 2. My Shadow Fall 3. The Mirror 4. End of the Line 5. In My Dreams 6. Just Another Lie 7. Save Me 8. Hear My Pra... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Gotham O.D released their new album "Disbeliever" on March 3rd, 2010. The band is now currently streaming the second half of the album online at the official Gotham O.D. MySpace page. The track listing for the album is as follows: The track listing is as follows: A-side: 1. Into the Light 2. Glowing Goodbyes 3. Brave? 4. Change (Home/Late... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Dutch pagan metal band HEIDEVOLK has posted a new song, entitled "Ostara," on their MySpace page. The song comes off their upcoming new album, "Uit Oude Grond (From Old Soil)," which will be released on March 26th via Napalm Records. Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

UK metal band Sacred Mother Tongue has issued the following update: "It?s been a hell of a long time since our last video release, and after our mis-fortune with the last attempt we have been planning it carefully. Of course when Two Thousand Eight Hundred was made we really had no money or in fact no idea what we were doing, so it was a small m... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

New Jersey black metal band Mortum has issued the following update regarding the completion of their new album "Beyond Which Darkness Holds Secret:" "FINALLY! Our upcoming EP 'Beyond Which Darkness Holds Secret' is now complete! You can stream the entire thing on our myspace page! We hope to have the EP out by or in June if all things run smooth... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Serbian death metal band INFEST has debuted a new music video for the song "Onward To Destroy" online. Watch it below: Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Detroit death metal band AND HELL FOLLOWED WITH has launched a fully redesigned MySpace page>MySpace page featuring artwork (created by GodMachine) from their upcoming EARACHE debut, PROPRIOCEPTION. Guitarist, Kyle Mcilmurray comments, "We're extremely pleased with how GodMachine's artwork came together with the MySpace Layout that Daniel Mcbride m... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Denver metal band Havok has issued the following new album update: "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this Sun of ours. After over a year of tensions, ruptures, struggles, and a staggering amount of intense work, time has now come to reveal the title of HAVOK's sophomore full-length album." "STATUES OF SISYPHUS repre... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Australian metal band Lycanthia has issued the following update: "Unfortunately we have bad news. The Paradise Lost and Sirenia Australian Tour has been cancelled." "Lycanthia will be playing @ The Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney, 10 April 2010 (free entry) @ Club Carnage, Kings X, 2 July 2010..." Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

HellYeah has announced the following tour dates: May 11 - Madison, WI - Alliant Energy Center w/ Seether, Five Finger Death Punch, Drowning Pool and Lacuna Coil May 18 - La Crosse, WI - La Crosse Center Arena w/ Seether, Five Finger Death Punch, Drowning Pool and Lacuna Coil May 19 - Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center w/ Seether, Five Finger Dea... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Greek extreme symphonic black metallers Unholy Ritual are currently recording new material for the successor of their debut album ?Rex Mundi.? An EP release is in process while the end result is expected in May or June 2010. Mixing and mastering will be done by Andy Classen at Stage One Studios (Belphegor , Rotting Christ , Graveworm , Krisium) in ... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Quartered have been officially confirmed for the Pulp Summer Slam Festival 10, the largest metal festival in the Philippines, on April 17th. The festival is being headlined by Lamb Of God and Testament. Quartered, their good friends Slapshock, and thirty other bands fill out the rest of the day's lineup. Testament front man Chuck Billy commen... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

On March 6, 2010 I went to see Kreator perform at the Nokia Theater in New York City. I was very eager to see Evile, Voivod, and Kreator. I have been a fan of Kreator for some time now, but have only heard one album, ?Extreme Aggression.? Evile is a band I was interested in seeing because I have their demo, but have yet to explore much outside of w... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

The Atticus Metal Tour II, featuring Unearth, Stick To Your Guns, The Ghost Inside, Your Demise, Veil of Maya, and Carnifex, will have their Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Rave webcast live. The show, which takes place on Wednesday, March 24, starts at 6:15 CT (7:15 ET), and can be streamed free here. Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Bay Area thrash metal legends Death Angel has posted a new video blog online, documenting the recording of their brand new studio album. You can check it out below. This will be the bands sixth studio album and their first with new drummer Will Carrol. Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Cairns, Australia thrashers Canniblast, who won the Best Local Band category of the inaugural timeOUT Awards, have decided to split. They cite artistic, personal and financial reasons and play two more shows next month. They released one album, titled "Blasticide." Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Superfly and A.C. Entertainment recently announced that the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has added several artists to the 2010 event, but I thought I'd highlight the few heavier bands on the line-up: Clutch GWAR Isis Baroness Circa Survive Rise Against Les Claypool You really have to be a general music fan to appreciate a festival l... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Facedown Records is the latest label to offer a free spring sampler, offering their own 13 track compilation. You can download it for free here (enter code "FACEDOWN"). Here's the tracklisting for the Facedown spring sampler: 1. War Of Ages - "Desire" 2. Onward To Olympas - "Sink Or Swim" 3. A Hope For Home - "The Machine Stops" 4. Wrench ... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

The producers of indie movie "Glory Days" invite real rock fans to join them in recreating a classic rock scene from LA's Sunset Strip heyday (circa 1989) on Wednesday, March 24th, at Downtown LA's 740 Club. To entice and incite the most real re-creation of a full house concert at the Palladium, Palace or the Palomino "back in the day," they?re inv... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Seether has issued the following update about a string of U.S. tour dates: "Hey Everyone, Johnny here... How long has it been? Almost a year? That's crazy and far too long for us to go without playing some shows. If you've been a fan of Seether for awhile, you know this band does not take vacations!! We are a touring band and we love being on th... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Even as they move to annihilate the city of Austin at this years SXSW music festival, Antarctic beast-lords Gwar are setting their sights on an event that is destined to go down as one of the most insane experiences in their long and obtuse career: The Crack-a-thon is on! Gwar is staging the first Crack-a-thon April 16th and 17th at the MF Galle... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Baltimore's Misery Index has issued the following update about playing a memorial show for Eternal Ruin bassist Ryan Engle, who passed away on March 14th: "Tonight, Friday March 19th we are playing Krugs in Frederick, this will also be the memorial show for Eternal Ruin's Ryan Engle, RIP brother... Sunday March 21st we are playing the Talking He... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

U.S. black metal act Twilight, which then consisted of members of Nachtmystium, Leviathan, Kreig, Xasthur and Drautran, released its self-titled debut album in 2005. Due to personal differences within the unit, Twilight officially disbanded a year later, with no plans of a new record on the horizon. Yet in early 2009 several members resurrected a m... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Swedish heavy metal act Enforcer have confirmed dates for a European tour this May. Enforcer recently signed a European deal with Earache Records and are due to release their new album "Diamonds" on May 24th. The band will be touring Europe with Suicidal Angels, Steelwing, and Canadian heavy metal trio and label mates Cauldron on the Power of Metal... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Canadian thrash metal pioneers Annihilator have revealed the artwork for their upcoming new self-titled album. The album is set to be released in Europe via Earache Record on May 17th. Annihilator guitarist and main man Jeff Waters discusses the artwork: "The new Annihilator CD cover art was, again, done by the great Gyula Havancsák. He has done... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Century Media has posted a new video clip online of Thomas G. Fischer discussing the story behind the making of the upcoming Triptykon album "Eparistera Daimones," which can be viewed below. The album will be released through Century Media Records on March 22nd in Europe and March 23rd in North America, and features artwork from H.R. Giger and Vinc... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Swedish folk metallers King of Asgard, who recently inked a deal with Metal Blade Records, entered the Sonic Train Studios today. The band will be recording their upcoming full-length album with engineer Andy LaRocque. So far two drum tracks have been recorded for the album's projected twelve songs. Two King of Asgard demo tracks are also currently... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Gorgoroth has issued the following announcement about releasing their latest album on vinyl: "Gorgoroth's latest album 'Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt' is now finally available on vinyl, in two different versions! The regular vinyl edition, which includes a poster, is released by Regain Records, whereas the picture disc version is releas... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Sweden's Iron Lamb has issued the following statement about streaming the new song "I Don't Like You" via the band's official MySpace page: "New song up! We uploaded the brand new song 'I don´t like you,' taken from the upcoming split 7" with Motörbreath, due out on Hellrocker Records in May. Also higher quality versions of the songs from the fi... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Florida power metallers Kamelot have issued the following update about an after show party at the Hard Rock Cafe: "Once again the good people at Hard Rock Cafe in Cologne Germany will be hosting a very special after show party following Kamelot's Live Concert in Cologne on April 8th, 2010. After the show at Cologne's Live Music Hall simply prese... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Fantasy metallers Kivimetsan Druidi recently finished recording their new album ?Betrayal, Justice, Revenge," which will be released via Century Media Records. The band has now posted the following track-by-track break down of the album: "Aesis Lilim: Lilim are a people of female warriors living secluded in their stone castle. They do travel out... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Leave's Eyes vocalist Liv Kristine has issued the following update about releasing a new solo album: "Dear Fans & Friends, my up-coming album 'Skintight' is on its way to you! In January, the production at Mastersound Studio was completed and the artwork finished by Stefan Heilemann. It has been a fantastic experience to evolve during the record... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis has announced he will be releasing a new instructional DVD set entitled "Extreme Lead Guitar: Dissonant Scales and Arpeggios." A teaser trailer for the release, which goes on pre-sale on April 15th, can be viewed below. The 2-DVD set will include interviews and live performances in addition to 40 guitar lessons. Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com