Combining both annihilating metal and emotional melodies, CALLEJON prove their uniqueness by writing straight-forward yet very catchy music. Being far away from the stereotype that is Metalcore, copy cats and clichés of today's metal scene, the band creates an independent, self-contained sound with German lyrics that are going to turn the music business inside out. It is not just music, it is way more.

A conceptual work of art that takes all listeners on an infamous trip through harebrained artworks and layouts, lyrics and music that won't stop until the very last note.

It certainly broke the heart of many Doom Metal fanatics to see CANDLEMASS split up not once, but twice. But the time of mourning is finally over – Sweden`s finest slow-motion outfit has returned stronger than ever!

Messiah, Leif and Co. are back to show their fellow Doomsters who the real masters of Epic Doom hymns are. Many listeners might be unaware that on CANDLEMASS` groundbreaking debut album “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” (which gave a name to a whole subgenera) the vocal duties were not covered by Messiah but by Johan Langquist. Messiah joined Black Sabbath enthusiast Leif Edling and the rest of the crew in time for their second effort, the immortal and epic “Nightfall”. The density of all-time favourites such as “Dark Are The Veils Of Death”, “Bewitched” or “The Well Of Souls” on the 1987 album was, and still remains, breathtaking.

After the release of 1989`s concept album “Tales Of Creation”, Messiah left the band. The two “comeback” albums “Dactylis Glomerata” and “From The 13th Sun” were recorded with a different vocalist and saw the band experimenting with different moods and styles. But for diehard CANDLEMASS fans, there was of course only one true possible reunion: with Messiah, who rejoined the band in 2002 for a legendary tour and more memorable shows. Shock and dismay hit the scene once again in 2004 when the band split once again – but thankfully the bad news didn’t last too long: CANDLEMASS reformed with renewed strength to sign with Nuclear Blast. Produced by CANDLEMASS bass player and songwriter genius Leif Edling, the new self-titled “Candlemass” opus embraces both a heavy, modern sound and the timeless CANDLEMASS trademarks that has won legions of fans since the bands early days in the mid eighties. Outweighing even the classic “Nightfall” album, “Candlemass” sees the band at their personal best: catchy melodies courtesy of Leif Edling, beautiful guitar work by Mappe Björkman and Lasse Johansson, and on top of it all soars Messiah`s unique voice, sounding stronger and more majestic than ever! “Candlemass” covers all the different facets of the doom metal style: “Black Dwarf” and “Witches” are pure mid-tempo neck-breakers blessed with strong melodic hooks which will prove very popular in the upcoming summer shows.

While the achingly beautiful “Seven Silver Keys” – a masterpiece of unheard intensity - approaches territories covered in the past by such timeless classics as “Solitude” or “At The Gallows` End”. More traditional slow motion Doom fanatics will indulge in the über-heavy “Assassin Of The Light” and “Copernicus”. Doom shall rise? Most definitely. Long live CANDLEMASS, long live Doom? Hell yeah!

"This is the best album we have recorded since "Nightfall"!" Leif Edling / CANDLEMASS One of the fastest (hehe) and busiest bands in the whole Doom Metal and Metal scene, CANDLEMASS didn`t hesitate to deliver a full-length studio album as a follow-up to last year`s massive "Lucifer rising" EP. And it is as sensational and striking as its title! "Death magic doom" breaks the chains of genre restrictions and serves the listener an album of monumental, breathtaking (Doom) Metal formed to perfection.

Many listeners might be unaware that on CANDLEMASS` groundbreaking debut album “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” (which gave a name to a whole subgenera) the vocal duties were not covered by Messiah, but by a certain Johan Langquist. Messiah joined Black Sabbath enthusiast Leif Edling and the rest of the crew in time for their second effort, the immortal and epic “Nightfall”. The density of all-time favourites such as “Dark Are The Veils Of Death”, “Bewitched” or “The Well Of Souls” on the 1987 album was, and still remains, breathtaking. After the release of 1989`s concept album “Tales Of Creation”, Messiah left the band for the first time. The two “comeback” albums “Dactylis Glomerata” and “From The 13th Sun” were recorded with different vocalists and saw the band experimenting with new moods and styles.

The reunion with Messiah, who rejoined the band in 2002 for a legendary tour and more memorable shows, didn`t last long: shock and dismay hit the scene once again in 2004 as the next split occurred. Marcolin returned for the self-titled, massive “Candlemass” album which marked the band`s debut with Nuclear Blast. This opus embraced both a heavy, modern sound and the timeless CANDLEMASS trademarks that has won legions of fans since the bands early days in the mid eighties. After the monk had left for good during the recording sessions for “King Of The Grey Islands”, Robert Lowe (SOLITUDE AETURNUS) picked up the microphone in 2007 and delivered a hauntingly great job on this sombre concept album.

The CANDLEMASS fans gave Robert a warm welcome on their following European tour – just listen to the live cuts on the "Lucifer rising" EP (2008)! Now the Swedish/Texan fivepiece has returned with an album that deserves the title "classic" right from the start – because "Death Magic Doom" has it all! Uptempo Metal madness ('If I ever die'), grinding Doom ('Hammer of Doom', which the record was initially supposed to be called) and – most of all – those immortal hymns with achingly addictive and beautiful melody lines (just check out 'Dead angel' or 'The bleeding baroness')! Recorded once more at the famous Swedish Polar Studios, "Death Magic Doom" captures CANDLEMASS at their personal best: immortal songwriting, incredible guitar solos and Robert`s brilliant vocals...Colossal, epic, heavy, doomy, you gotta love this one!!!

After years of repeated break-ups and reformations Swedish doom lords Candlemass return once more with KING OF THE GREY ISLANDS. New vocalist Robert Lowe (also of Solitude Aeternus) worked virtually with Leffe Edling (founding member and principal ... Full Descriptionsongwriter) and company, tracking vocals in his home state of Texas.

Despite the thousands of miles that now separate the band members, GREY ISLANDS continues in the doomy, melodic style fans have come to expect.

Prepare yourself for a true epic doom classic! Candlemass: Robert Lowe (vocals); Lasse Johansson, Mappe Bjorkman (guitar); Leffe Edling (bass instrument); Janne Lindh (drum). Kerrang (Magazine) (p.47) - "Lowe is the stuff of doom legend, his pipes perfect for Candlemass' low-slung heavy metal..."

The ultimate Doom Metal supergroup strikes back! Enforced by Texan vocal god Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus) since the last album ‘King of the Grey Islands’ (2007), songwriting genius Leif Edling and his Swedish Doom gang return with their latest treasure chest filled with gems of depression and slow motion–hymns: ‘Lucifer Rising’ truly rings the bells of hope and faith for all Epic Doom gourmets out there! ‘Lucifer Rising’ is further proof for the newfound power and enthusiasm of the 2008 Candlemass line up.

Features 2 killer new tunes, a re-recorded song and 9 live tracks from their 2007 European tour. For fans of: Solitude Aeturnus, Nevermore, Trouble, Paradise Lost, Black Sabbath & Cathedral.

Returning with the ceaselessly hostile ‘’Torture’’, CANNIBAL CORPSE prove that when it comes to combining unrestrained maliciousness, involving song writing and technical precision they still have no equal, once again fortifying their position at the forefront of death metal. The twelfth full-length of their inspiring twenty-four year career, the Floridian quintet have never sounded so vital, the album building upon the wealth of powerful, dark, and memorable songs comprising 2006's ‘’Kill’’ and 2009's ‘’Evisceration Plague’’ and pointedly upping the ante at every turn. While this marks the latest progression in the band's sound, Torture also witnesses a return to what drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz accurately terms "the frenzied attack of ‘’Butchered At Birth’’ (1991) or ‘’Tomb Of The Mutilated (1992)", infusing the band's advanced musicianship with the raw savagery that haunted their earlier releases, and in the process conceiving the definitive CANNIBAL CORPSE record.

For fans of: SIX FEET UNDER, DEICIDE, SUFFOCATION,OBITUARY & MORBID ANGEL

2010’s highly-praised ‘’Hell Chose Me’’ was a dark and nasty vehicle which CARNIFEX used to spread their intensity across dozens of nations around the globe. CARNIFEX have played over 200 dates since its release and have toured non-stop over the last several years. After taking the time to record with Tim Lambesis (AS I LAY DYING), CARNIFEX have now resurfaced from hell with their latest and most brutal release to date, ‘’Until I Feel Nothing’’.

CARNIFEX have mastered the unique combination of varying facets of extreme metal including crushing death metal grooves, fast-paced trash metal guitar work, and alternating raspy black metal vocals with guttural death metal growls. ‘’Until I Feel Nothing’’ is an unrelenting and intense piece of work with dense galloping riffs, sharp pinch harmonics, fierce blast beats, and devastating breakdowns. Guaranteed to be one of the most touted metal releases of the year, ‘’Until I Feel Nothing’’ will cement CARNIFEX as the reigning leaders of brutal death metal. Touring Australia very soon!

For fans of: JOB FOR A COWBOY, ALL SHALL PERISH, WHITECHAPEL, PARKWAY DRIVE, EMMURE & THE ACACIA STRAIN!

Mighty Doom icons CATHEDRAL from Coventry, England for sure are one of the most unique and unpredictable acts around. These legendary merchants of slow-motion sound could care less about redundant genre restrictions and have so far incorporated everything from Doom, Psych, Folk up to Funk in their works.

With their eighth album „The Garden Of Unearthly Delights“ CATHEDRAL have achieved much more than simply living up to that reputation – the guys created timeless songs that couldn`t be farther away from standardisation, stagnation and convention.

Produced by Warren Ryker (DOWN, CROWBAR), „The Garden Of Unearthly Delights“ is probably the most varied effort of the band so far. While a song like ’North Berwick Witch Trials’ will bring back memories of such immortal riffs`n`groove as in ’Hopkins’ or ’Ride’, ’Tree Of Life And Death’ simply tears everything to pieces with its ultra-heavy guitar sound and fierce vocals courtesy of Lee Dorrian. The centerpiece of it all certainly is the 27-minute-long mammoth epos ’The Garden’ that almost bursts with such a wealth of ideas and changes in atmosphere that other bands probably couldn`t come up with on a whole album.

Using every stylistic device from female vocals up to violins and embedding it all in that typical CATHEDRAL brand of Doom, „The Garden Of Unearthly Delights“ is a treat for every fan of the band, old and new alike.

Starting with quite sinister and ultra-slow songs on the 1990 EP „In Memorium“ and the full-length album „Forest Of Equilibrium“, CATHEDRAL quickly gained cult status. The 1992 follow-up EP „Soul Sacrifice“ brought changes soundwise and saw the band mixing traditional Doom with 70s – Hardrock and showed a first glimpse of the trademarks CATHEDRAL still represent nowadays. After having previously toured with MORBID ANGEL and SAINT VITUS, the band embarked on the legendary „Gods Of Grind“ – Tour with ENTOMBED, CARCASS and CONFESSOR. „The Ethereal Mirror“ featured alltime faves like ’Ride’ and ’Midnight Mountain’ and suddenly gave CATHEDRAL the reputation as „the next big thing in Metal“. Struggling with this label, the band started to experiment on the EP „Statik Majik“ and probably tried out every single instrument they could lay their hands on to churn out a 20-minute-track like ’Voyage Of The Homeless Sapien’. After touring with BLACK SABBATH, the guys went on to record the landmark „The Carnival Bizarre“ in 1996 that brought us immortal tunes such as ’Hopkins (The Witchfinder General)’ and ’Utopian Blaster’ – the latter featuring Tony Iommi on guitar. „Supernatural Birth Machine“ was released in 1996 after touring in South America, Europe and Japan amongst others. The catchy songwriting on that album echoed on „Caravan Beyond Redemption“ in 1998, but with a heavier twist to it. The next serious change in style occurred on the gloomy and sludgy „Endtyme“ that went almost completely without sound experiments and concentrated on ultra-grim riffing. 2002`s „The VIIth Coming“ combined catchiness with heaviness to form a well-balanced mixture between old and new CATHEDRAL. Now that the English fourpiece has returned with „The Garden Of Unearthly Delights“ it`s time to follow them for new adventures in sound…

British Doom Metal legends CATHEDRAL make all categories, genre boundaries and conventional approaches to metal seem redundant. Each one of their past albums showed a different face of CATHEDRAL, and ‘The Guessing Game’ stays true to this tradition: guess what they came up with this time around!

‘The Guessing Game’ is one wild and unpredictable ride with one of the most unique and exciting acts the metal genre has got to offer! For the first time in the band’s history, they have recorded a double album that boasts thirteen tracks offering a colourful variety of musical styles and lyrical themes whilst sticking to their Doom roots: 'Requiem for the Voiceless' for example is pure, down ‘n’ out crawling doom – and the first animal rights song in doom metal history! CATHEDRAL proves once again that they belong to sit on the Doom Metal Olympus alongside other genre gods like Candlemass.

For fans of: Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Orange Goblin, Paradise Lost & Trouble.

British Doom Metal legends CATHEDRAL make all categories, genre boundaries and conventional approaches to metal seem redundant. Each one of their past albums showed a different face of CATHEDRAL, and ‘The Guessing Game’ stays true to this tradition: guess what they came up with this time around!

‘The Guessing Game’ is one wild and unpredictable ride with one of the most unique and exciting acts the metal genre has got to offer! For the first time in the band’s history, they have recorded a double album that boasts thirteen tracks offering a colourful variety of musical styles and lyrical themes whilst sticking to their Doom roots: 'Requiem for the Voiceless' for example is pure, down ‘n’ out crawling doom – and the first animal rights song in doom metal history! CATHEDRAL proves once again that they belong to sit on the Doom Metal Olympus alongside other genre gods like Candlemass.

For fans of: Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Orange Goblin, Paradise Lost & Trouble.

Release Date: 28/10/2011

Formed in Denver, Colorado, CEPHALIC CARNAGE has set out to break down musical barriers by raising both the expectations and standards of extremity in heavy music. A unique musical hybrid, CEPHALIC CARNAGE thrives on integrating experimental aspects into their unique, forward-thinking style.
CEPHALIC CARNAGE’s ‘’Lucid Interval’’ is a unique, high-impact blast combining various styles of heavy music with extreme grindcore and a keen sense of progression. ‘’Lucid Interval’’ was a thought-provoking, eye-opening step forward for CEPHALIC CARNAGE upon its initial release. Now repackaged and featuring a bonus track.

For fans of: ORIGIN, PIG DESTROYER, MISERY INDEX, DYING FETUS & NASUM.

Cephalic Carnage returns with the explosive new album ‘Misled by Certainty’, the longawaited follow-up to their critically-acclaimed ‘Xenosapien’. ‘Misled by Certainty’ heaps spasms of unpredictability onto their signature grinding death metal madness.

The 50+ minute journey into metals most extreme realms see these veterans takes it to edge before pulling it back with 'Repangea,' perhaps their most sprawling and epic work to date.

For fans of: Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Pig Destroyer, Napalm Death & Brutal Truth.

We are proud to bring to the world Richard Christy’s (former drummer for Death and Iced Earth) new project, CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED! This all-star metal outfit features some of the most talented musicians in the world of metal. Their collective experience is colossal and their musical pedigrees speak louder than any verbal or written praise.

On vocals for Charred Walls of the Damned is none other than Tim "Ripper" Owens. Richard and Tim played together in Iced Earth and of course he fronted metal legends Judas Priest and Yngwie Malmsteen. Included in this musical collective is famed producer and guitarist Jason Suecof. Suecof has produced and/or mixed some of the most prominent albums from metal’s leading bands, including: Trivium, All That Remains, Bury Your Dead, August Burns Red, The Black Dahlia Murder, Daath, Chimaira, DevilDriver, God Forbid and many, many more. On bass guitar will be one of metal’s most heralded bassists, Steve Digiorgio. DiGiorgio has also performed with Death, Autopsy, Control Denied, Testament, Sebastian Bach, Sadus & Iced Earth, He is widely renowned for his technical skills, and is one of the very few bass players in the metal scene that plays fretless bass. Comes with a bonus DVD featuring the making of……

This is pure metal for fans of: Iced Earth, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Death & Symphony X!

Release Date: 07/10/2011

The Metal SUPERGROUP, CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED returns with the follow up to their critically acclaimed self-titled debut! Richard Christy, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Jason Suecof and Steve DiGiorgio once again join forces to bring to life Christy's latest body of work, ‘’Cold Winds on Timeless Days’’. The writing process for the new album, ‘’Cold Winds on Timeless Days’’, actually began while the band was mixing their 2010 debut. Richard Christy used his experience on the first album to write songs that catered not only to each member's playing style, but to Jason Suecof's production style. The result: demos that turned out nearly identical to what ended up on the album.

‘’Cold Winds on Timeless Days’’ is a natural progression for the band and was written and demoed by Richard Christy with additional music by Jason Suecof. This album clocks in at 58 minutes across 12 tracks, which is a conscious effort by Christy to give fans more music this time around.

For Fans of: ICED EARTH, JUDAS PRIEST, NEVERMORE, BLIND GUARDIAN & MEGADETH!

Finland’s finest melodic death metal band are back with their third chapter of torrid tales from the merky depths of the murderous Lake Bodom.

„Follow The Reaper“ is the follow up to thier highly successful 1999 albums, „Hatebreeder“ and the limited edition live set, „Tokyo Warhearts“. Their latest CD- single „ Hate Me !“ sold platinum in Finland , and all their previous singles have reached gold also. „Hatebreeder“ not only set standarts for others in their genre to try and match, but the live album indicated just how far Children of Bodom had come in such a short time, proving that they have become a tight unit and a killer live act. They have already toured Europe four times and in spring next year you have the opportunity to have a look at them on the co-headlining tour with Primal Fear.

In between these releases, guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho found time to write songs and play on the Sinergy album „ To Hell And Back“, while keyboardist Janne Wirman recorded an extraordinairy solo project „Unknown Soldier“, under the guise of Warmen, proving that Children Of Bodom are no one man show, with every member contributing to their unique sound.

„Follow The Reaper“ also marks a radical change in recording surroundings. The band decided to venture into unknown territory and this time to record outside of Finland and chose Sweden’s legendary Abyss Studio’s , with the famed producer Peter Tägtgren ( Hypocrisy/Pain).

„Follow The Reaper“ is a glorious mixture of their debut album’s heavy riffing raw sound, combined with „Hatebreeder’s“ monsterous technical metal acrobatics.

The most noticable thing is how much the band have improved not only as a unit, but also bringing the personal levels of musicianship to a new high.

The nine new songs on offer represent Children Of Bodom at their finest. Every song is a killer, there are no fillers, combining riffy and brutal, yet ,melodic songs, with an addictive hook, guaranteed to make you want to hear it over and over again.

The most noticable change is that of the vocals of Alexi Laiho, his raw and brutal style remain intact, but this time even he manages a hint of melody, to propell that distinctive Bodom sound to new heights.

It`s doubtful if anyone dreamed to think that the foundation stone for a band had been laid as a madman murdered a few campers, during the late 60`s, at Lake Bodom in Finland. Fascinated by this mysterious occurrence, which took place near their hometown Espoo, Alexi Laiho and Jaska Raatikainen thus found the name of their band: CHILDREN OF BODOM.

They immediately won the hearts of the fans and the press with their debut album "Something Wild" which was released in 1998 and they gave many a great live performance, too. The band completed two highly successful tours (including shows with Hypocrisy, Benediction and Dismember) and a fabulous gig at the legendary Wacken Open Air.

At the end of 1998 CHILDREN OF BODOM barricaded themselves together with producer Anssi Kippo in the Astia Studio in Lapppeeranta to record their second release "Hatebreeder". The album was then mixed by the Finish Metal guru Mikko Karmilla (Waltari) in the Finnvox Studios in Helsinki.

"Hatebreeder" includes the song `Children of Bodom´ which hit the number one spot in the official Finish charts and remained there for several weeks. The other songs also have all the makings of future hits and will rapidly worm their way in every ear canal - and stay there! CHILDREN OF BODOM`s new material is still very catchy but slightly more progressive.

CHILDREN OF BODOM hail from Espoo, Finland, and were orignally formed under a different name during spring 1993. In Espoo one can find the infamous Lake Bodom, where the rawest murders in the history of Finnish crime were committed in the late 60’s. The musical style of the band has gone through a lot of changes during the first years. They started as a Death/Thrash band, but after a while they started to play their current Black/Death with lots of classic Heavy Metal influences.

In August 1997 the lead guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho joined the kings of Finnish Dark/Black Metal, THY SERPENT, as a new lead guitarist. This was whole new start for Alexi’s own band too: The boss of THY SERPENT, Sami Tenetz, visited the Spinefarm offices one day with the raw mix of just recorded CHILDREN OF BODOM debut album, and the three-album deal was inked basically the next day!!!!

The band were also featured on Spinefarm’s quot;METALLILITTO"-compilation (released in October 1997), and got a great response with their track "Deadnight Warrior". The compilation has already sold over 5500 copies in Finland. The new THY SERPENT album, with Alexi Laiho on lead guitar, will be released in late spring’98. After their debut album "Something wild" was released in Finland (November 1997), things started to happen to the band pretty fast. They played a couple of really wild shows (they also supported DIMMU BORGIR in their Helsinki show in November’97) and were hailed as the new kings of finnish underground metal by both the radio and the press. Also, the licensing deal with NUCLEAR BLAST for central Europe was inked, and the debut album "Something wild" will be also released in Japan and in Thailand during early 1998.

After the highly successful album ‘The Infection’ in 2009, CHIMAIRA return with a huge new package. ‘Coming Alive’ is a 2 DVD + CD package that includes a whole DVD full of documentaries, a complete 17-song live-show Making Of, and the concert on CD. CHIMAIRA have always been a fucking great live band … and this DVD proves it perfectly.

And the documentaries grant you a big view into the band and the stuff that happens behind the scenes. This is a must-have for every fan of CHIMAIRA and Modern Metal … or in this case … it’s actually a must-have for every fan of great music!

For fans of: Machine Head, Panterta, Slipknot, Hatebreed & Kilswitch Engage.

Every song is jam packed with our heart and soul, and I know you're all going to feel it. Songs like "Worthless", "Needle", and "Empire" are sure to be crowd favorites.... mark my words.

There's something for everyone on this record... everyone that truly loves metal that is – Rob Arnold, Guitar When it comes to Modern Metal, there is ONE band who simply can’t be left out of the euation:The Mighty CHIMAIRA.

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. CHIMAIRA are back with their fourth album, "Resurrection"! The album is neckbreacking and ass-kicking. The stuff you can expect from CHIMAIRA. But with some little surprises, innovations and goddamn good ideas. After two or three rotations you´re part of this mighty resurrection.

Every song is jam packed with our heart and soul, and I know you're all going to feel it. Songs like "Worthless", "Needle", and "Empire" are sure to be crowd favorites.... mark my words.
There's something for everyone on this record... everyone that truly loves metal that is – Rob Arnold, Guitar When it comes to Modern Metal, there is ONE band who simply can’t be left out of the euation:The Mighty CHIMAIRA.
Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. CHIMAIRA are back with their fourth album, "Resurrection"! The album is neckbreacking and ass-kicking. The stuff you can expect from CHIMAIRA. But with some little surprises, innovations and goddamn good ideas. After two or three rotations you´re part of this mighty resurrection.

There’s an obscure Chinese proverb that roughly translates as “There is one thing greater than money and power: Enthusiasm.” While some of the more cynical bastards in the world would dismiss that statement as some kind of hollow fortune-cookie philosophy, that lesson is something the Cleveland-based metal outfit Chimaira have taken to heart.

With four records and a decade of service in the trenches behind them, the band have created The Infection, their second release for Nuclear Blast and their most ambitious recording yet. Sounds like typical record-company bio nonsense, right? Doesn’t every band tell you that their latest release surpasses everything they’ve done up to this point? How many times have you heard the words “maturing” or “progressing” as a rationale to deliver a crap album?

For their fifth album, Chimaira didn’t have any brushes with death, rehab memories or dalliances in musical genres that have nothing to do with “the rock” as we know it. Sounds crazy, but the truth is that the band have come around full circle, returning to the headspace that brought them together in the first place. “Every album we’ve ever made has a back-story that made the creation of that album a pain in the ass,” says Mark Hunter about his band’s evolution. “When we made our first album, we were thrown into the studio for two months with a huge budget, a big producer and no songs. We just rushed through it. When we got the record back, we thought, ‘this is not what we signed up for.’ When it came to do the next record, we felt like we had something to prove, so we were purposely writing songs that just put up a huge middle finger to everybody that steered us in the wrong direction.

Andols had quit, and for the third album, I hardly showed up to work on it. I’m usually working 12 hours a day in the studio; I went in, and did all my songs in four days and left. We got off of Roadrunner, got our old drummer back and signed to Nuclear Blast. Now people are questioning our stability and we’re thinking we have to make the best record we’ve ever done because it could be the last one. The touring cycle for Resurrection went well and we made tons of new fans. “ So it’s time to write the next album,” he continues. “We’re happy! Everything’s stable. So where’s the drama? How are we going to make an album? So we went back and did what we did 10 years ago—we went back to jamming. We just had fun.” This might be the only time you see the words “fun and “infection” in the same sentence, but we’re talking about a bunch of metal lifers from the not-quite Midwest doing what brings them joy.

The title of the new album implies multiple meanings: Instead of writing down lyrics, Hunter freestyled the words live in the studio, finding inspiration in favorite movies and revisiting moments in his life where he was in a dark place emotionally, “doing things I would never do. My cure was getting it out of my system. I grew up listening to records that got that across. Alice In Chains would have lyrics that would hit you in the gut and make you think, ‘I feel just like that.’ The second meaning is the amount of “infectious riffs that’ll get stuck in your head,” while the third focuses on the disc title. The band recently launched spread-the-infection.com as a site where fans can download various icons, avatars and stencils of the cover art as a way of “spreading the infection” prior to the disc’s April 24th release.

Team Chimaira’s fifth release isn’t for the faint of heart—or the casual heavy music fan. Produced by longtime producer Ben Schigel and mixed by the mighty Zeuss (Hatebreed, Shadows Fall), every downstroke feels like a bludgeon to the face, every snare hit a pistol shot to the chest. Topped off with Spicuzza’s dark electronics and Hunter’s this-means-war growl, The Infection clearly finds the band at the top of their powers. Hunter meets Herrick beat-for-beat on “Frozen In Time” for maximum in-tandem propulsion. “Coming Alive” is the aural equivalent of cracking open a crypt to find some real horror inside gritty processed guitars and Hunter’s roofing nails-n-molasses growl. The chiming guitar figure and textured keyboards in the introduction to “Secrets Of The Dead” create a feeling of dread while maintaining intensity. Charging riffs and noise-saturated harmonics conjure a steel-cage match between power-masters Pantera and doom-merchants Godflesh on “The Disappearing Sun.”

In addition to being Hunter’s favorite track on the album, “Impending Doom” proves that you can effectively convey menace with both a whisper and a scream. “On Broken Glass” is the soundtrack for a circle pit in a burning ballroom, with Andols’ precision time-keeping sounding more like an assault rifle than an actual drum kit. The shapeshifting “Destroy And Dominate” is downright punishing, with cinematic sonic discovery and time changes as tight as a mosquito’s ass. (Hunter describes the track as “being dragged through the mud with a 700-pound dude on top of you.”) The near 15-minute closing instrumental, “The Heart Of It All” offers prog-rock musicianship but not at the expense of an emotional core. (“Technical skill is good,” reminds Hunter. “but I don’t want to ‘count’ my music—I want to feel it.”) Given the amount of sonic territory The Infection covers, the band’s power and vision remain consistent. While the individual members will pledge allegiance to disparate-sounding bands ranging from Carcass, Slayer and Nine Inch Nails, the commonality they share is 100-percent Chimaira, a chemistry not lost on Hunter. That’s why when a waitress at a truck stop asks him what kind of music he plays, the singer says “metal” like it’s a badge of honor. “I think you can alienate people if you’re linked to a particular genre,” Hunter says. “We’re not in the death-metal scene, we’re not in the hardcore scene. I just tell people we’re metal, because that gives us carte blanche to do what we want. I’m glad we’re not some hip, scene-centered band, because we can make the decisions we want to make and not worry about backlash. Our fans have always come along for the ride with us, and we feel really blessed in that regard.” If Chimaira didn’t hold back anything for the making of The Infection, it’s obvious they sure as hell aren’t going to phone it in onstage. Don’t invite the members to any weddings, birthday parties or new bar openings this year: The band’s 2009 is slammed with a relentless touring campaign beginning with a slot supporting Disturbed this spring, followed by trips to Japan, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the band will visit Russia for the first time, and are also looking forward to appearing at the Desert Rock Festival in Dubai. With a decade of service to the metal masses behind them, Chimaira are embracing their future with an unwavering enthusiasm. Consider the number of bands who lose the plot entirely by making oh-so-grand “art statements” or stay together to rehash pale imitations of their glory days simply because they can’t do anything else. As a music fan, Hunter is well aware of the traps his heroes have fallen into, and instead of slapping the backs of his bandmates in a self-congratulatory mode, Hunter gives the credit to the people who encourage him: the fans. “ You can’t make a fly-by-night record anymore,” the singer warns. “As a musician you need to work your ass off; otherwise, your fans will see right through it. I am proud to say that as I speak, there is no bullshit on The Infection. It’s as honest as we’ve ever been.” Introducing The Infection: Ten doses of intensity and integrity to cleanse you of all the festering mediocrity happening in music today.

Roll up your sleeves, because this is going to leave a mark…

Release Date: 18/11/2011

Chris Connelly’s ‘’Artificial Madness’’ is a meticulously crafted album of deeply expressive pop-tinged rock. Connelly (ex Ministry, Revolting Cocks, etc) excels in making music running the gamut from stark to bombastic that is sincere and compelling. ‘’Artificial Madness’’, written by Connelly and recorded with current and former members of Nachtmystium, Wolves In The Throne Room, Minsk, Indian, and more, is an essential album amongst his vast body of work.

For fans of: MINISTRY, REVOLTING COCKS, THE CLASH, IGGY POP & RADIO BIRDMAN.

Us heavy metal voyagers CHRISTIAN MISTRESS deliver unto us their long-awaited Relapse debut Possession. The follow-up to 2010’s critically-acclaimed Agony & Opium, Possession mines deep from the same vein and sees the band standing on the shoulders of metal luminaries of the past. T

he quintet, lead by powerhouse vocalist Christine Davis and the twin-axe attack of Ryan McClain and Oscar Sparbel, distill traditional heavy metal into the sound of now.

For Fans Of: NWOBHM – Saxon, Iron Maiden, Diamond Head, Cathedral

Although attaining underground notoriety and rave reviews for their debut album ‘’Central Tunnel Eight’’ (2004), CIPHER SYSTEM is not a household name within the sphere of melodic death metal – not yet. What was a first full length shot at their very own take on progressive melodic death, lethally infused with electronics, has now grown into relentless, remorseless mechanical perfection ‘’Communicate the Storms’’ In May 2004 the time had finally come to enter the legendary Studio Fredman to record 10 songs for what would be an unsuspecting world’s first taste of the utter brutality and serene harmony that CIPHER SYSTEM produces – an album that sounds remarkably fresh even 7 years later, a rare thing in times when a year old album easily becomes stale. CIPHER SYSTEM returns with what has to be described as a masterpiece in a genre where innovation has become sparse, putting their murderous machinations on public display, forged with fearsome skill and precision ‘’Communicate the Storms’’. Packed in the rapturous art of a true genius of darkened visuals, Seth Siro Anton (Soilwork, Paradise Lost, SepticFlesh), and with a mix once again stemming from the hallowed grounds of Studio Fredman, this colossus of an album is sure to send tremors throughout the scene. Ltd. CD in slipcase incl. bonus track.

For fans of: SOILWORK, CHILDREN OF BODOM, IN FLAMES, SCAR SYMMETRY & KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.

ALBILENE, TX melodic-hardcore band, CLOSE YOUR EYES, opened the ears and hearts of fans and critics around the world with their debut album, ‘’We Will Overcome’’. This fall, CLOSE YOUR EYES will again deliver their inspiring message on their highly-anticipated sophomore release, Empty ‘’Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts’’ The dynamic anthems on ‘’Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts’’ are comprised of strong and honest vocals, ranging from vibrant hooks to pile-up worthy gang chants, monstrous guitar riffs, and powerhouse drums. CLOSE YOUR EYES vastly spread their uplifting and energizing live show across North America, performing over 150 dates in 2010, including a sold out tour with A DAY TO REMEMBER and UNDEROATH. CLOSE YOUR EYES and now they are ready to take over the world. We may just have another A DAY TO REMEMBER on our hands here! ‘’Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts’’ will be the catalyst to drive CLOSE YOUR EYES to the forefront of the hardcore elite. Look for the band to head to Australia in the near future.

For fans of: A DAY TO REMEMBER, UNDEROATH, ASKING ALEXANDRIA, PIERCE THE VEIL & THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA.

Release Date: 18/11/2011

‘’Give Them Rope’’, the first proper full-length from this wildly influential, trail-blazing hardcore band, blew minds upon its original 1997 release. The record took hardcore’s urgency into an altogether heavier, more angular and discordant direction than any of the bands progenitors before them. This repackaged, remastered edition of the original album comes complete with extensive liner notes from COALESCE guitarist Jes Steineger, as well as a 2nd disc with 2004’s ‘’Give Them Rope She Said V2.0’’ featuring an alternate mix and mastering job of the entire ‘’Give Them Rope’’album’.

For fans of: BOTCH, CAVE IN, CONVERGE, BURNT BY THE SUN & DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN

Release Date: 22/07/2011

If you like progressive metal, then you have to hear COMMUNIC. The music of the exceptional band from Norway includes many elements from various metal genres. Their grasp for variety of power, melody, and intelligent lyrics with a highly progressive musical approach made COMMUNIC one of the best newcomers for years! The Norwegian metallers are now back with “The Bottom Deep” which is simply breath-taking! Every time you listen to the album, the more you notice the complexity, and the more you appreciate the increased and well crafted heaviness of it! Close to an hour long, each of the nine songs will convince every fan and sceptic out there with a blend of harmony, power, complex structures and time changes.

For fans of: Dream Theater, Nevermore, Iced Earth, Candlemass & Blind Guardian.

Release Date: 22/07/2011

If you like progressive metal, then you have to hear COMMUNIC. The music of the exceptional band from Norway includes many elements from various metal genres. Their grasp for variety of power, melody, and intelligent lyrics with a highly progressive musical approach made COMMUNIC one of the best newcomers for years! The Norwegian metallers are now back with “The Bottom Deep” which is simply breath-taking! Every time you listen to the album, the more you notice the complexity, and the more you appreciate the increased and well crafted heaviness of it! Close to an hour long, each of the nine songs will convince every fan and sceptic out there with a blend of harmony, power, complex structures and time changes.

For fans of: Dream Theater, Nevermore, Iced Earth, Candlemass & Blind Guardian.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Complete Failure's sound is described as anthemic crust/hardcore and punishing grindcore

Complete Failure unleash a scathing assault of hardcore fury on ‘Heal No Evil.’ Grinding tempos fuse with crust-ridden riffs to create an all out aural assault. Unrelenting as it is memorable, there is no doubt ‘Heal No Evil’ represents endless violence and despair.

For fans of: Disfear, Converge, Coalesce, Trap Them, His Hero Is Gone

In a scene overwhelmed with underwhelming bands, COUNTERPARTS delivers head on with ‘’The
Current Will Carry Us’’. You’ll immediately recognize something special with this young Canadian hardcore outfit. COUNTERPARTS have already made a name for themselves in the underground hardcore scene by consistently touring with dozens of the genre’s biggest names. Now with Victory
Records, COUNTERPARTS is poised to take their passionate message and empowering music global.
‘’The Current Will Carry Us’’ boldly showcases COUNTERPARTS’ prevailing and positively-charged
lyrics, melodic riffs and chugging guitars, which is all backed by a tight and heavy rhythm section. With tours booked well into 2012 and the release for their refreshing debut on the horizon, the sky is truly the limit for COUNTERPARTS. ‘’A monument… a guideline for future bands to follow’’ ABSOLUTEPUNK.net

For fans of: COMEBACK KID, UNEARTH, TERROR, A DAY TO REMEMBER & STICK TO YOUR GUNS.

The UK’s premier extreme metal antagonists return with their new recording which
includes an accompanying DVD with a full live performance.

A companion piece to last year’s triumphant ‘Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa’ album, the ‘Evermore Darkly’ CD /DVD package features new tracks and rarities, and a full live set filmed live at this year’s Graspop Metal Meet in Belgium, as well as the video for ‘Lilith Immaculate’.

The CD features brand new tracks ‘Transmission From Hell’ & ‘Thank Your Lucky Scars’, plus a special remix of ‘Forgive Me Father’, courtesy of Rob C from Anthrax, an extended rendition of ‘Lilith Immaculate’, as well as tempered demo versions of three ‘Darkly, Darkly…’ songs. The mini-album closes with a special taster from Cradle of Filth’s impending orchestral project, in the form of a haunting, classic reworking of fan-favourite, ‘Summer Dying Fast’. A must have for all fans and is packaged in a deluxe rigid digi box!

For fans of: DIMMU BORGIR, OPETH, IMMORTAL, BEHEMOTH & SATYRICON.

Since the formation of south Sweden's hard rockers CRAZY LIXX back in 2002, the band has
worked hard to make it. No lucky breaks, no discovering by an agent, no right place
at the right time, just plain old willpower and hard work. The band is about to release their third and without a doubt, strongest album with ‘’Riot Avenue’’: an 11 track hard rocking release to appeal both to the old fans, as well as a new crowd with its faster tempo and riff-based approach. ‘’Riot Avenue’’ draws inspiration from Guns N' Roses, early Aerosmith and Kiss they've created a high-energy rock n' roll sound.

For fans of: CRASHDIET, SKID ROW, KISS, GUNS ‘N ROSES & L.A. GUNS.

Release Date: 18/11/2011

When CYNIC finally returned after 15 years of absence since the release of their legendary debut “Focus” (1993) with “Traced in Air” (2008) they did so with enormous success. Raving reviews and high sales catapulted the US band onto all major festivals and back to the forefront of progressive Metal music. Now CYNIC embarks on a musical journey that will considerably widen their audience with “Carbon-Based Anatomy”.

By moving carefully away from the Progressive Death Metal formula, which they helped to establish, the Americans create more open sounds that include 70s-inspired Prog Rock, Shoegaze, Tribal Folk and futuristic alien shapes. This development was heralded by the experimental EP “Re-Traced” (2010), which their huge fan-base eagerly adapted and praised. Primal and direct, haunting and hymnal, this is CYNIC's most immediate and urgent offering to date!

For fans of: OPETH, DREAM THEATER, PORCUPINE TREE, OSI & MESHUGGAH

DODECAHEDRON created a buzz in the Black Metal scene well in advance of the release of their self-titled debut album “Dodecahedron”. Under their previous moniker ORDER OF THE SOURCE BELOW the Dutch band already gave a taste of the brilliant dark things to come.

DODECAHEDRON execute their atonal and dissonant monstrosities, which are ultimate technical challenges, with a seeming ease that is simply jaw-dropping. Pure horror lurks in the Lovecraftian dimensions of inverted angles and escaping perspectives as black chaos is assembled into a sonic assault. Broken and torn structures born out of razor-like guitar riffs coagulate into melodies and patterns that constantly mutate and shape shift.

DODECAHEDRON explore the avant-garde spheres opened by MAYHEM with their groundbreaking release “Ordo Ad Chao” (2007) and further explored by brothers in spirit like DEATHSPELL OMEGA. Any adherent of Post-Black Metal will love “Dodecahedron”!

For fans of: Deathspell Omega, Mayhem And Blut Aus Nord

US Rock ‘n’ Roll/Garage/Glam band, The Chelsea Smiles release their new full length, self titled studio album ‘The Chelsea Smiles’. Produced by the legendary Howard Willing (Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, OK Go) ‘The Chelsea Smiles’ is destined to be a “rock Classic”.

Formed in 2004 the band features on guitar, ex-Danzig member, Todd Youth, bassist Johnny Martin and drummer Karl “Rockfist” Rosqvist. Having toured the world with rock legends like Social Distortion, The Backyard Babies and The New York Dolls, the band are ready to rock Europe for the first time in their short history. Miss them at your peril!

For fans of: New York Dolls, Hellacopters, Kiss, The Ramones, Motorhead, Hanoi Rocks and The Stooges!

While Hardcore-punk may be the sound that rules the day in The Contortionist’s hometown on Indianapolis it is the bands signature brand of forward thinking heavy metal that has made them stick out as local favourites.

The band worked hard to earn a loyal following beyond their local area through old fashioned touring, word of mouth and self released EP’s

Now with their Good Fight debut, produced by Unearth’s Ken Susi the guys look set to bring that forward thinking to a wider audienceWhile Hardcore-punk may be the sound that rules the day in The Contortionist’s hometown on Indianapolis it is the bands signature brand of forward thinking heavy metal that has made them stick out as local favourites.

The band worked hard to earn a loyal following beyond their local area through old fashioned touring, word of mouth and self released EP’s

Now with their Good Fight debut, produced by Unearth’s Ken Susi the guys look set to bring that forward thinking to a wider audience

Highly anticipated debut release for METAL BLADE and a PRIORITY ARTIST DEVELOPMENT project. While some argue that Heavy Metal is a sacrilegious and blasphemous lifestyle expressed in the form of art; The Crimson Armada have set out to prove otherwise.

Starting in early 2007, The Crimson Armada came together to go beyond just playing metal by paying tribute to various forms of the heavy style combining their diverse influences and their spiritual messages encrypted within the lyrics following in the footsteps of bands like As I Lay Dying and Underoath. Something that fans who choose to look into the deeper meaning of the lyrics will find uplifting all whilst experiencing The Crimson Armada’s truly heavy style of playing.

This does not deny the extremity and intensity of their sound! Over 3.5 Million myspace plays and 35,000 friends!

For fans of: As I Lay Dying, Underoath, The Black Dahlia Murder, Job For A Cowboy & Parkway Drive.