IN FLAMES
"I, THE MASK"
Melodic Death Metal
Year:01.03.2019
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

At this point, IN FLAMES are less of a band than they are a musical institution in the heavy music world. Since helping create Sweden's legendary “Gothenburg Sound” three decades ago to their current status as melodic metal monoliths, the act have constantly eschewed trends in order to forge their own musical path. This is evident on their 13th full-length »I, The Mask«, which sees them reuniting with multi Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, MOTÖRHEAD), who also produced 2016's »Battles«, in order to further redefine their sound. “I think it's very difficult for IN FLAMES to be something we're not and that dichotomy of melody and aggression will always be at the core of our identity...

ERIC GALES
"THE BOOKENDS"
Rock/ Blues
Year:08.02.2019
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

On 8th February 2019, Eric Gales returns with his brand new album ‘The Bookends’ on Provogue/Mascot Label Group and it features collaborations with B. Slade and Provogue artists Doyle Bramhall II and Beth Hart.The challenge for making ‘The Bookends’ was for Gales to challenge himself. “As a guitar player it’s been established that I can play a little bit, just a little bit,” he smiles. But for this album he not only wanted to push himself as a musician, but also as a vocalist, to build up his vocal discography. “What spearheaded that was the artists that I have on the record,” he says. Written over a nine month period, the album was recorded at Studio Delux, Van Nuys (CA), The Dog House, Woodland Hills (CA), B...

OVERKILL
"THE WINGS OF WAR"
Thrash Metal
Year:22.02.2019
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

New frontiers aren’t often conquered in the modern world of heavy metal, yet OVERKILL remain unfazed by the growing presence of social media, modern internet, a demand for streaming services, and a general sense of competition between the sea of other metal bands trying to make a name for themselves, today.     It’s with over 30 years under their leather belts that these New Jersey natives are prepared to unveil their latest offering: »The Wings Of War«. With 10 tracks and fifty one minutes long, their 19th full length album is the ultimate combination of sickening brutality and addictive melody. It was yet another incredible album cover design by Travis Smith that sparked the idea of what to name this next album. With 5 of the iconic O...

ROTTING CHRIST
"THE HERETICS"
Black Metal
Year:15 Februar
(SEASON OF MIST)

- Simply the biggest Greek extreme metal band! With the participation of guests like Irina Zybina (GRAI) or Ashmedi (MELECHESH). Mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at his renowned Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, BORKNAGAR, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND) [!]ROTTING CHRIST have reached another peak in their long career that now spans over more than three decades. The Greeks have literally stood the test of time. With confidence and skills derived from experience, each song on 'The Heretics' represents its own sonic universe. This new album marks another step in the evolution of the Greek masters. Buckle up for a fascinating musical ride through the woes of religious wars, Zoroastrianism and the eternal war between good and evil. Metal at its b...

MISERY INDEX
"RITUALS OF POWER"
Death Metal
Year:08.03.2019
(SEASON OF MIST)

MISERY INDEX return furiously with their brand new album, 'Rituals of Power'! With their sixth full-length, the American icons of hard-hitting brutality display the strength of maturity grown out of the experience gained as a relentless touring machine. The general trend of their continuous evolution to incorporate less core elements and move towards classic death metal finds a new high-water mark.Recommended if you like: MORBID ANGEL, DYING FETUS, CANNIBAL CORPSE, DEICIDE, HATE ETERNAL, IMMOLATION, SIX FEET UNDER...TRACKLIST CD/ LP:1. Universal Untruths (2:35)2. Decline and Fall (4:36)3. The Choir Invisible (4:26)4. New Salem (3:24)5. Hammering the Nails (3:46)6. Rituals of Power (5:20)7. They Alway...

MYSTIFIER
"PROTOGONI MAVRI MAGIKI DYNASTEIA"
Blackened Death Metal
Year:08.03.2019
(SEASON OF MIST)

- Veterans in the ancient black Metal scene with nearly 30-year career. With the participation of the guests Prurient & Jim Mutilator (ex-ROTTING CHRIST and ex-VARATHRON) on “Protogoni Mavri Magiki Dynasteia” and Proscriptor McGovern (ABSU). Cover artwork by Paolo Girardi (INQUISITION, HOODED MENACE, MANILLA ROAD, NOCTURNAL GRAVES) [!]Upon its inception in 1989, Brazilian band MYSTIFIER created an aggressive, fast, and malignant sound within the classic black metal style which makes them veterans of their scene. MYSTIFIER's profane and primeval metal reigns true, and has outlasted three decades of trends and turmoil.  'Protogoni Mavri Magiki Dynasteia' is another spearhead in their renewed assault, with a cover art created by Paolo G...

RHAPSODY OF FIRE
"THE EIGHTH MOUNTAIN"
Symphonic Melodic Power Metal
Year:22.02.2019
(AFM RECORDS)

- Excellent new studio album by Italian symphonic metal-kings RHAPSODY OF FIRE and first studio album with very talented new singer Giacomo Voli. This new epic material is stilisticly close to their  late 90’s / early 2000’s masterpieces without marking that time. "The Eighth Mountain" starts a story concept that will stretch over three records in total.- Coverartwork by Alex Charleux (Rhapsody Of Fire, Ubisoft). Mix and Mastering by Sebastian "Seeb" Leevermann (Orden Ogan, Almanac) [!]Rhapsody Of Fire have now returned to the very strengths of those albums. Their latest studio recording The Eighth Mountain combines spirited songs and epic chorus parts with lavish orchestra arrangements. At the same time, the album marks the beginning of a new, excitin...

CANDLEMASS
"THE DOOR TO DOOM"
Doom Heavy Metal
Year:2019
(NAPALM RECORDS)

“Candlemass have come full circle: their first singer Johan Langquist (who left the band after singing on the legendary 1986 debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus) has returned! The Door To Doom unsurprisingly follows the plotline mastermind, songwriter and bass player Leif Edling established in the past years: epic world class doom metal that relies on slow mammoth riffing. With Johan Langquist`s highly dramatic vocal style and the love for details, the band made this album to the next “Epicus”. This masterpiece is rounded off by a beautiful guest appearance by none other than Black Sabbath`s Tony Iommi on ‘Astorolus – The Great Octopus‘."The manifestation of pure doom metal!TRACKLIST CD/ 2LP:1   Splendor Demo...

DELAIN
"HUNTER’S MOON"
Symphonic/ Gothic Metal
Year:22.02.2019
(NAPALM RECORDS)

New songs and breathtaking live footage from the golden spear head of Symphonic Metal!Without a doubt: Delain belong to the golden spear head of Symphonic Metal! After last year's release of their very first live album the Netherlanders present another live masterpiece – including four brand new studio tracks! Hunter's Moon consists of this fresh material, a live album and a live Blu-Ray disc. The catchy title track Hunter’s Moon and the larger than life orchestral Masters of Destiny offer a haunting preview of what Delain is working on for their next studio album, due 2019. The band’s guitarists step to the forefront in composing two tracks exclusive to this release in This Silence Is Mine (Timo Somers) and Art Kills (Merel Bechtold). The live po...

HERMAN FRANK
"FIGHT THE FEAR"
Heavy Metal
Year:08.02.2019
(AFM RECORDS)

"Fight The Fear” thrills with Herman's guitar attacks, killer riffs and outstanding, powerful vocals with good hook lines and catchy choruses. A Teutonic Metal fireworks as it could not be better!Introducing Heavy Metal veteran HERMAN FRANK to the crowd is just meaningless like carry coals to Newcastle. The guitarist has been an integral part of the German metal scene since the early 80s. From ACCEPT to VICTORY to his solo project started in 2009 and his work as a producer. With the first three albums "Loyal To None", "Right In The Guts" and "The Devils Ride Out", Frank and his comrades-in-arms are causing storms of enthusiasm in both the press and the fans. And the fourth album "Fight The Fear", cast in the same mold, will not change that....

AVANTASIA
"MOONGLOW"
Symphonic Melodic Power Metal
Year:15 Februar
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

AVANTASIA, the all-star rock opera spaceship piloted by EDGUY singer, songwriter and producer Tobias Sammet, release their eighth full-length album, 'Moonglow', via Nuclear Blast Records on February 15th 2019. This new 11-song record sees Sammet, among the most talented and popular names in German hard rock and metal, reunited with some familiar faces from previous AVANTASIA albums. These include original QUEENSRYCHE lead singer Geoff Tate, PRETTY MAIDS frontman Ronnie Atkins, Michael Kiske of HELLOWEEN, Jørn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), Eric Martin (MR BIG) and MAGNUM’s Bob Catley. 'Moonglow' also introduces new collaborators Hansi Kürsch of BLIND GUARDIAN, KREATOR’s Mille Petrozza and BLACKMORE’S NIGHT frontwo...

LEGION OF THE DAMNED
"SLAVES OF THE SHADOW REALM"
Thrash Metal
Year:04.02.2019
(NAPALM RECORDS)

NECKBREAKER SUPREMACY: LEGION OF THE DAMNED IS BACK!If there is a band that'll break your neck from the sheer force of their music, it must be be LEGION OF THE DAMNED! The Dutch thrash outfit, flirting with death and black metal, unleashes their seventh milestone Slaves of the Shadow Realm. This monster resembles a colossal, smooth and blackened monolith. Four years after the much-praised Ravenous Plague, the shredding four piece returns with “fifth band member” / producer Andy Classen and presents an album that merges the unadulterated fury of the early LOTD years with the sophistication of a veteran band. ‘Nocturnal Commando‘ is a typical old school rager, whereas the brilliant ‘Slaves of the Southern Cross’ is reminiscent of the ba...

BEAST IN BLACK
"FROM HELL WITH LOVE"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:08.02.2019
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

“The BEAST is back, the BEAST IN BLACK!” Haunting words recalling »Berserker«, BEAST IN BLACK’s debut album, which was finally released in November 2017. Although it never actually felt as if the BEAST had been away entirely. Right after the departure from his former band BATTLE BEAST, BEAST IN BLACK’s founder Anton Kabanen recruited new companions in the way of high-pitched vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos (WARDRUM), bassist Mate Molnar (WISDOM), guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen (U.D.O.) and last but not least drummer Atte Palokangas (THUNDERSTONE), who officially replaced Sami Hänninen in early 2018.The band secretly forged 11 hot new tracks which comprise their highly-anticipated sophomore record »From Hell With Love«. The album...

KING DIAMOND
"SONGS FOR THE DEAD LIVE"
Heavy Metal
Year:2019
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

On January 25th, King Diamond will release a new CD+DVD/Blu-ray, Songs For The Dead Live. Songs For The Dead Live captures 1987’s seminal Abigail album in its entirety - played twice, and in very different locations: Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting in June 2016 and Philadelphia's Fillmore in November 2015. Featuring a brace of classic King Diamond and Mercyful Fate tracks including "Welcome Home", "Halloween" and "Eye Of The Witch", before launching into Abigail, the show boasts an all-star line-up supporting King: guitarists Andy LaRocque and Mike Wead, bassist Pontus Egberg and drummer Matt Thompson. The performances are ferocious, hammering home every moment and ensuring all in attendance remain in their thrall.Captured on film by director Denise Korycki f...

WALTER TROUT
"SURVIVOR BLUES"
Rock/ Blues
Year:25 January
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

- Walter is touring the world non-stop, doing over 150 shows a year and 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) [!]No ordinary artist. No ordinary covers album. From the day he conceived the project to the moment he counted off the first song in the studio, Walter Trout had a bolder plan for Survivo...