THE OCEAN
"PHANEROZOIC II: MESOZOIC | CENOZOIC"
Progressive Metal
Year:25.09.2020
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

•    New album from progressive metal behemoths THE OCEAN! •    In September 2020, The Ocean are poised to release the eagerly-awaited concluding parts of the Phanerozoic journey. •    In contrast with the compositional directness of Phanerozoic I, the new album – Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic - is a vastly more progressive and perverse piece of work. •    Divided into two sections – Mesozoic and Cenozoic – Phanerozoic II once again showcases the detail and depth that have become two of The Ocean’s most enduring trademarks. •    For fans of BREACH, ISIS, TOOL, MASTODON, KARNIVOOL, PINK FLOYD, CULT OF LUNA, RUSSIAN CIRCLES, MONO and OPE...

STRAY CATS
"ROCKED THIS TOWN: FROM L.A. TO LONDON"
Rock N Roll
Year:11.09.2020
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

•           Rocked This Town: From LA to London is recorded in during their critically acclaimed 40th anniversary tour in 2019.•             Featuring all the classic hits: Rock This Town, Stray Cat Strut, Runaway Boys & Rumble In Brighton and first live recordings of newest studio album, 40.The iconic American rock 'n roll trio the Stray Cats will release their new live album "Rocked This Town: From LA to London" on September 11, 2020 via Surfdog Records. Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker, and Slim Jim Phantom reunited in 2019 to celebrate their 40th Anniversary, released their first new studio album in 26 years called “40,” and toured Eu...

HEATHEN
"EMPIRE OF THE BLIND"
Thrash Metal
Year:18.09.2020
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

Bay Area thrash legends HEATHEN are back! New album, Empire of the Blind, picks up where the group’s vaunted trio of full-lengths—Breaking the Silence (1987), Victims of Deception (1991), and The Evolution of Chaos (2010)—left off, but pushes the limits of aggression, melody, and heaviness. Indeed, the idea behind Empire of the Blind was an all-eras full-length, one that had a distinct attitude complemented by shorter, more focused songwriting. Essentially, classic HEATHEN but with updated musical proficiency and economy. Penned by guitarist/songwriter Kragen Lum between 2012 and 2019 at the six-stringer’s studio, Empire of the Blind is a thrash metal tour de force.Conceptually, Empire of the Blind is a big metaphor for modern society, one run by soci...

AYREON
"TRANSITUS"
Symphonic/ Prog Metal
Year:29.09.2020
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

    Ayreon is the highly acclaimed project from singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist / record producer Arjen Lucassen    Transitus is the follow-up of 2017’s The Source that charted #1 in The Netherlands.    Featuring guest performances from; Tom Baker (Doctor Who), Simone Simons (Epica), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman + more    The release will be accompanied by a 28-page graphic novel which will be included in the Earbook as well as the 2LP‘Transitus’ is the new studio album of Ayreon. It builds around an entirely new story, not connected to the Ayreon universe although as always it does have some subtle links. The sci-fi th...

POWERWOLF
"BEST OF THE BLESSED"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:03.07.2020
(NAPALM RECORDS)

“Preachers of the Night“ (2013) chartete auf #01 der DE “Blessed & Possessed“ (2015) chartete auf #03 der DE “The Metal Mass - Live“ (2016) chartete auf #04 der DE “The Sacrament Of Sin” (2018) chartete auf #01 der DE2019 marked the 15th anniversary of the currently most successful modern heavy metal band in Germany: 15 years of POWERWOLF, 15 years of the one and only metal mass! Of course, the ultimate high priests of heavy metal are celebrating their triumphant history in glorious style. Best Of The Blessed isn't just another Best Of album. Featuring 16 metal anthems the band is known and loved for, Best Of The Blessed will include several brand new versions of hits such as We Drink Your Blood, Were...

FLYING COLORS
"THIRD STAGE: LIVE IN LONDON"
Hard Rock/ Progressive
Year:18.09.2020
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

    Flying Colors is a prog supergroup composed of Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs, Adrenaline Mob), Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band), Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev), Neal Morse (Transatlantic, Spock’s Beard), and Steve Morse (Deep Purple)    Ltd. Edition Earbook includes a 40 page book with 2CDs, 2DVDs and Blu-ray. First ever Earbook for Flying Colors.“Welcome to the rarest of all sightings, rarer than a UFO sighting, rarer than a sasquatch sighting. A Flying Colors sighting - here on stage, in London.” Mike Portnoy‘Third Stage: Live in London’ was filmed during their 2019 US and European tour and the footage captures the exhilarating sold-o...

MAD MAX
"STORMCHILD RISING"
Melodic Heavy Metal
Year:21.08.2020
(SPV)

 - Fourth studio album since 2010. 3 Original members, produced by Michael Voss (Vengeance, Michael Schenker,Gary Barden) . Guest musicians: Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt), Oz Fox (Stryper). Cover Artwork by Kai Brockschmidt (Royal Hunt, Pretty Maids, Pink Cream 69 etc..)The term experience almost inevitably raises the question: What’s the significance of the album title? After all, the name Stormchild has come up before: 1985 saw the arrival of Mad Max’s album Stormchild, which has fuelled their fans’ requests to resurrect this character ever since. “Stormchild is our warrior who battles for everything good in the world, not with weapons but with rock songs. We had Kai Brockschmidt (Pretty Maids, Pink Cream 69, among others) update ...

BLUES PILLS
"HOLY MOLY!"
Hard Rock/ Blues
Year:21.08.2020
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

The history of BLUES PILLS can seem simple. The rock quartet formed in the Midwest in late 2011 by the bands songwriters Zack Anderson and Elin Larsson went straight from playing at dirty, crowded bars to play at some of the biggest festivals such as Download, Rock am Ring and Wacken Open Air. A true success story. Or? Not really. Under the layers of heavy psychedelic blues rock and Elin Larsson's soulful and powerful voice, the core of BLUES PILLS has always been the restless search for change. Change in the human mind and the musical influences they embraced themselves with, from blackened soul to the trippy rides through 60s garage rock music and the devils blues. During their break BLUES PILLS has been through some kind of reincarnation. A reincarnation that lead to a new self ...

BPMD [BLITZ/ PORTNOY/ MENGHI/ DEMMEL]
"AMERICAN MADE"
Heavy Metal
Year:12.06.2020
(NAPALM RECORDS)

It’s evident within the initial seconds of BPMD’s American Made, as the legendary Bobby Blitz (Overkill) chants the introductory lyrics to Ted Nugent’s “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang” in his signature skyscraper-high howl, that he and his equally iconic bandmates — drummer Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, Sons of Apollo), bassist Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance) and guitarist Phil Demmel (Vio-lence, ex-Machine Head) — are here to have a damn good time. Featuring 10 unforgettable rock classics reimagined as heavy bangers, American Made is a party on wax.Tracks such as the raucous “Toys in the Attic” (Aerosmith) and rager-ready “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” (ZZ Top) prove that BPMD not only manages to capt...

JOE BONAMASSA
"A NEW DAY NOW - 20 ANNIVERSARY"
Rock/ Blues
Year:07.08.2020
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

 - 20th Anniversary re-issue album with all new vocals and 3 bonus tracks. Joe Bonamassa has sold well over 3 million records worldwide and has twenty #1 Billboard Blues Albums, more than any artist. - His most recent studio album, Redemption, released in 2018, charted in 15 European countries and has sold over 100.000 copies. His latest collaborative album with vocal ”powerhouse” Beth Hart called ‘Black Coffee’ debuted at #1 in the Dutch album charts. Other chart positions include a #4 in Germany and #7 in the UK.Joe Bonamassa has always talked with an incredible fondness for the late great legendary producer Tom Dowd, who has a stellar discography, which is a veritable who's who of Soul, Rock and Blues superstars. Joe was obviou...

IN FLAMES
"CLAYMAN 20 ANNIVERSARY EDIT."
Melodic Death Metal
Year:28.08.2020
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

* New cover art & 5 bonus tracks.* Original 11-song track-listing remastered. New instrumental track titled “Themes And Variations In D-Minor”. Re-recorded 2020 versions of: Bullet Ride, Pinball Map, Only For The Weak, Clayman.Celebrating 30 years of In Flames and 20 years of Clayman, this album was remastered and enhanced by Ted Jensen (PANTERA, DEFTONES, GOJIRA). The 20th Anniversary Edition features all new artwork and 5 new bonus tracks including a brand new instrumental medley and re-recorded versions of fan-favorites such as “Only For The Weak” and “Pinball Map”. Re-recorded songs were produced by Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, MOTÖRHEAD) and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge (GREEN DAY, ROB ZOMBIE).DIGI:...

VICIOUS RUMOURS
"CELEBRATION DECAY"
Heavy Metal
Year:21.08.2020
(SPV)

 - The awesome successor of 2016 “Concussion Protocol”. 11 brand new songs – US Metal at it`s best. First studio album with the brilliant new singer Nick Courtney. Produced by Juan Uteaga (Testament).Celebration Decay will be available from 21 August 2020; the first single ‘Death Eternal’ (including video) will see the light of day on 3 July 2020, followed by the second single ‘Pulse Of The Dead’ on 7 August 2020. Thorpe: “Look for a three part mini documentary of the making of Celebration Decay. The first episode airs 26 June.” The album was recorded and mixed between November 2019 and February 2020 at the Trident Studios in Pacheco, California, by Geoff Thorpe and Juan Urteaga. “There’s no other Vicious...

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
"ABYSS"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:21.08.2020
(NAPALM RECORDS)

Less than a year after the release of their covers EP Explorers, Canadian melodic power metal quartet UNLEASH THE ARCHERS have sharpened their arrows and hit the bullseye once again with their fifth full-length album, Abyss. Featuring 10 new tracks, this adventure is a concept album and sequel to 2017’s Apex, and was once again recorded with legendary producer Jacob Hansen of Hansen Studios in Denmark. Abyss succeeds in showcasing the mind-blowing technical craftmanship of the young four-piece with the perfect mix of highly complex, catchy bangers and moody, synth-infused power ballads. Pairing traditional heavy sounds in the vein of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest with fast-paced power metal, the album is once again accented by frontwoman Brittney Slayes' raw four octave mezzo-...

WARKINGS
"REVENGE"
Heavy Metal
Year:31.07.2020
(NAPALM RECORDS)

A new crusade arises from the sinister clutches of the underworld: The mighty WARKINGS enter the battleground and face ghoulish demons with a formidable weapon made of pure Heavy Metal. Join the clan of the reincarnated with the new full-length album, Revenge, to be released on July 31, 2020 via Napalm Records. The four ancient kings, a roman Tribune, a wild Viking, a noble Crusader and a martial Spartan, gathered in the golden halls of Valhalla, escaped from the realms of obscurity and stole their souls from the Lord of the abyss. In a bloodthirsty furor, the demons seek revenge on the WARKINGS, but Odins legates are more than ready to vanquish the Monarchs of the dusk with their hard-hitting anthems.The opener “Freedom“ initiates the valiant battle w...

WALTER TROUT
"ORDINAY MADNESS"
Rock/ Blues
Year:28.08.2020
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

    Walter is touring the world non-stop, doing over 150 shows a year. Walter has mesmerized guitar fans around the globe with his masterful phrases and unique style.    Walter Trout is a three-time winner of the Overseas Artist Of The Year title at the British Blues Awards, and a three-time Blues Music Awards nominee.    In 2015, he won the Sena European Guitar Award and also earned him the #6 slot in BBC Radio 1’s Top 20 Guitarist listeners’ poll.    In 2018 he won the Blues Music Award for Best Blues Rock Album with We’re All In This Together (2017).For Walter Trout, there is no ‘us’ and ‘them’. Across his five-decade career, the great US bluesman’...