HAMMER KING
"KONIG UND KAISER"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:22.03.2024
(NAPALM RECORDS)

German heavy metal/power metal unit HAMMER KING are back with a brand-new bombastic full-length full of true headbanger hits! The new offering, entitled König und Kaiser, continues the storyline of the band paying homage to the mighty Hammer King, and is set for release on March 22, 2024 via Napalm Records. HAMMER KING, led by ex-Ross The Boss vocalist Titan Fox, was formed in 2015 and has captured the scene with their five previous offerings and live performances, among others at Summer Breeze Open Air following their last album, the massive (?) 2022 release Kingdemonium. On König und Kaiser the band is joined by noteworthy guest features from the likes of The Tribune (of labelmates WARKINGS), with whom HAMMER KING is heading out on a huge European tour with in spring 2024. Hamm...

ROTTING CHRIST
"PRO XRISTOU"
Black Metal
Year:24.05.2024
(SEASON OF MIST)

For over three decades, Tolis brothers Sakis and Themis have carved a blackened path through the metal world. Architects of the Hellenic black metal, ROTTING CHRIST have been blending histrionic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements for 35 years.Now, the Greek metal legends present their 14th studio album: ‘Pro Xristou’. Translating to “Before Christ” in Greek, this album is a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who stood resilient against the Christian tide, safeguarding ancient values and knowledge. Dive deep into the legacies of figures like Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings through tracks such as "The Apostate" and "Ygdrassil".‘Pro Xristou’ encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ's signature...

D-A-D
"GREATEST HITS 1984 - 2024"
Hard Rock/ AOR/ Glam
Year:10.05.2024
(AFM RECORDS)

The biggest Danish rock band celebrates its birthday! D-A-D turns forty years old. Of course, it's time to celebrate. And how! A best-of release that's really something. All of the band's hits from four decades of music history, compiled on one album. The absolutely true greatest hits. And the icing on the cake? Of course, the strictly limited edition vinyl version with four alternative covers. Only while stocks last! And we'll go one better: for the CD lovers among you, a strictly limited version of the digipak is only available in the AFM Shop, with several surprises in store. That's all? Nonsense! In the AFM Shop you can also get the vinyl covers as a bundle at a lower price - so it's best to buy all four versions directly! Congratulations to the band and h...

LUCASSEN/ SOETERBOEKs PLAN NINE
"THE LONG-LOST SONGS"
Hard Rock/ Melodic Metal
Year:17.05.2024
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

- Lucassen & Soeterboek's Plan is released on the same date as Ayreon - 01011001 - Live Beneath The Waves, another project of Ayreon master mind Arjen Lucassen.It was the early nineties, and musical polymath Arjen Lucassen had begun working on several projects: a solo album, a progressive-rock opera and a rock album. Around this time, he watched singer Robert Soeterboek perform live with Bodine, his former early-eighties heavy metal band. "His vocals truly impressed me, a rarity!" Lucassen recalls. "He had the charisma and power of singers like David Coverdale and Robert Plant. Discovering that we really got along personally, we decided to collaborate on some songs, just for fun.""We started writing songs together and found a natural flow, leading to a wealth of ideas," remembers ...

SIX FEET UNDER
"KILLING FOR REVENGE"
Death Metal
Year:10.05.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

Killing for Revenge marks the second album that Barnes and guitarist Jack Owen (ex-Cannibal Corpse) have created together since reuniting for 2020’s Nightmares of the Decomposed, an album one critic praised an “often slow-ish and doomy yet crushing death metal” which offered an “uncompromising show of strength.” Owen also produced Killing for Revenge. “We worked well together in Cannibal Corpse,” Barnes says. “ I loved him to death as a friend and a musician, so I'm really comfortable giving him the reins because I just have such great respect for him as an artist.”Six Feet Under was initially formed as a side project for Barnes during his final years with the band that he co-founded, Cannibal Corpse. It became the frontman’s...

DVNE
"VOIDKIND"
Epic Progressive Metal
Year:12.04.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

Formed in Edinburgh in 2013 by displaced Frenchman Victor Vicart and native Scot Dudley Tait, progressive post-metal/sludge artisans DVNE have been building a powerful head of steam since their second album, 2021’s kaleidoscopically mesmerizing Etemen Ænka. Their first release for the legendary Metal Blade Records label, the LP was a concerted hike up the greasy pole for this enigmatic outfit, enabling DVNE to embark on UK and European headline tours and win spots at such discerning festivals as Hellfest, ArcTanGent, Desertfest, Damnation, and Resurrection.Now in 2024, stunning third album Voidkind looks set to propel this expanded five-piece line-up (welcoming Maxime Keller on keyboards) to the top of their game.Voidkind succeeds in finding new modes of expression for DVNE. Th...

TYR
"BATTLE BALLADS"
Folk Metal/ Viking Metal
Year:12.04.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

Týr returns with their ninth full-length studio album, Battle Ballads.Mixed and mastered by renowned producer and engineer, Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, The Black Dahlia Murder).Battle Ballads features stunning art by Gyula Havancsak.The follow-up to the band’s 2019’s powerful progressive folk-metal album Hel, the new Battle Ballads is aptly named – a crushing, soaring, batch of classical embellished songs that conjure images of galloping steeds, clashing swords, and hard-fought victories. And, as if it needs to be stated, the title Battle Ballads has nothing in common with the lighter-raising songs so prevalent in the 1980s.CD/ LP:01. Hammered02. Unwandered Ways03. Dragons Never Die04. Row05. Torkils Døtur06. Vælkomnir Føroyingar07. Hangman08. Axes09...

PESTILENCE
"LEVELS OF PERCEPTION"
Technical/ Progressive Death Metal
Year:26.04.2024
(Agonia Records)

• Pestilence is a progressive death metal phenom, labeled on the same genre-defying scale as Death, Cynic and Atheist.• Founded in 1986, the band blazed the trail for generations of progressive death metal artists.• Invariably guided by the long-established personality of founder, vocalist & guitarist, Patrick Mameli.• Last album "Exitivm" (2021) ranked on Billboard charts, most notably including Billboard 200.• 12 re-recorded, classic & distinctive Pestilence songs from their entire career.• Drums were re-recorded in 2021, during a live stream held in T Paard (The Hague, NL). • Guitars, bass & vocals were re-recorded at On Duty Studio (Mijdrecht, NL). • Fine-tuning and re-recordings were done with Reaper behind the console.• Enginee...

EXHORDER
"DEFECTUM OMNIUM"
Thrash/ Death Metal
Year:08.03.2024
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

EXHORDER is a legendary thrash band from New Orleans, Louisiana. Emerging from the late 80’s, EXHORDER quickly gained recognition for their aggressive and innovative approach.In fact, the band is also often credited for heavily influencing PANTERA and the groove metal genre. After an extremely successful comeback record in 2019, the band is back to solidify their place in thrash metal royalty. Joined by new lead guitarist Pat O’Brien (ex-CANNIBAL CORPSE).Produced by Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH).CD:1 Wrath of Prophecies2 Under the Gaslight3 Forever and Beyond Despair4 The Tale of Unsound Minds5 Divide and Conquer6 Year of the Goat7 Taken by Flames8 Defectum Omnium/Stolen Hope9 Three Stages of Truth/Lacing the Well10 Sedition11 Desensitized12 Your SixLINE UP:Kyle Thomas | Vocals, Gu...

LUTHARO
"CHASING EUPHORIA"
Melodic Death Metal
Year:24.03.2024
(ATOMIC FIRE)

Canada’s new heavy/melo death metal force LUTHARO with its Atomic Fire Records label debut!LUTHARO is a heavy/melo-death metal band from Hamilton, Canada. Formed in 2014, LUTHARO strive to form an epic sound that collides aspects of power and death, combining artfully crafted melodies, harmonies and precision with power.Following the self-released debut album "Hiraeth" in 2021, singer Krista Shipperbottom and her band are now presenting their official label debut on Atomic Fire Records - and it's a real treat. Enter: "Chasing Euphoria"! The Canadians, who have always been an active live band and have already toured with Unleash The Archers, Alestorm and The Agonist, among others, deliver an amazing piece of work that leaves a lasting impression with its perfect balance between p...

ABORTED
"VAULT OF HORRORS"
Death Metal
Year:15.03.2024
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

“Vault of Horrors” is the 12th studio album by modern death metal masters ABORTED and not only a tribute to several classic horror flicks but also filled to the brim with guest vocals from members of Shadow Of Intent, Cryptopsy, Ingested, Ov Sulfur, Archspire and many more. On release date, the band kicks off their European tour and presents the clip for “Condemned to Rot” featuring Francesco from Fleshgod Apocalypse. A bloodsoaked delicacy for all deathcore and extreme metal gourmets!DIGI/ LP:01 Dreadbringer(feat. Ben Duerr, Shadow Of Intent)02 Condemned To Rot(feat. Francesco Paoli, Fleshgod Apocalypse)03 Brotherhood Of Sleep(feat. Johnny Ciardullo, Angelmaker)04 Death Cult(feat. Alex Erian, Despised Icon)05 Hellbound(feat. Matt McGachy, Cryptopsy)06 Insect Politi...

MIDNIGHT
"HELLISH EXPECTATIONS"
Black Metal
Year:08.03.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

One-man-army, Athenar, has been churning out an ungodly racket, dropping countless demos, splits, and EPs for over two decades, ultimately slaying the metal/punk underground with his own, highly addictive brand of lust, grime, and sleaze. Filthy, belligerent, and unapologetically obnoxious, MIDNIGHT makes music to start fights to and in 2024 Athenar returns with Hellish Expectations, a ten-track sonic assault of blackened heavy metal nefariousness."It’s a knuckle dragger with a fat cutoff,” elaborates Athenar, “Pure testosterone meat. Probably the most concise and straight to the point MIDNIGHT album to date, and all written in a weekend. The album was written on pure reaction upon leaving the studio after listening to raw tracks from the previous album Let There Be Witch...

VLTIMAS
"EPIC"
Blackened Death Metal
Year:15.03.2024
(SEASON OF MIST)

VLTIMAS have been legends since the dawn of metal. Flo Mournier has been drumming for Cryptopsy since their earliest exhumations of the Canadian underground. Rune Eriksen took hold of axe-wielding duties for the second coming of Mayhem. And who could forget David Vincent, the larger-than-life vocalist for Morbid Angel.But these devils weren’t content with living amongst the gods. Instead, they’ve joined forces as the legendary heroes of the underworld. Their first album as VLTIMAS was greeted with a rapturous procession of devil horns. Something Wicked Marches In was voted album of the year by Zero Tolerance Magazine and BangerTV. “Likely to knock listeners asses to the ground with outlandish brute force”, praised Blabbermouth.With EPIC, VLTIMAS ascend to even great...

GOST
"PROPHECY"
Black Metal
Year:08.03.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

GOST exists in the dark crack between black metal and the most shadowy end of electronic music. Since the release of the Radio Macabre EP at the start of 2013, and the remorseless digital nightmare of their Skull debut album six months later, Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and main-brain James Lollar has become an increasingly singular force in music. Far more aggressive and sinister than the synthwave he’s often grouped with, GOST is a harsh and unique digital nightmare that takes the listener right into the heart of the abyss.Now GOST returns with their sixth album, Prophecy. Unquestionably their most exhilarating and dangerous sounding work to date, Prophecy is a record that perfectly reflects the horror and grim anxieties of a world beset with religious and politica...

JOE BONAMASSA
"LIVE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL WITH ORCHESTRA"
Blues/ Classic Rock
Year:17.05.2024
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

First time release of Joe Bonamassa with an orchestra. A 40 piece orchestra for an exclusive one-night-only event!!In August 2023, Joe Bonamassa made his historic, first-ever appearance at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in his hometown of Los Angeles, CA, where he was accompanied by a stellar ensemble of 40 orchestra members for an exclusive one-night-only event. Checking off another bucket list venue, Joe’s performance at the Bowl was the biggest production to date and is poised to elevate his already thriving career to new heights. Showcasing incredible orchestra arrangements from David Campbell, Trevor Rabin and Jeff Bova, the fan favorite songs are given new life on a much bigger scale.Salvation is an artistic milestone that has been part of a larger journey in artistic autonomy and r...