German thrashers DARKNESS premiere a brand new track, ‘Hate Is My Engine,’ online. You can listen to the song on the Soundcloud player below:
https://soundcloud.com/user970667763/darkness-hate-is-my-engine

German thrashers DARKNESS premiere a brand new track, ‘Hate Is My Engine,’ online. You can listen to the song on the Soundcloud player below:
https://soundcloud.com/user970667763/darkness-hate-is-my-engine

I AM HERESY, led by singer Nathan Gray, also of Boysetsfire, have released their first official music video for the song “March Of The Black Earth” from their Century Media debut album “Thy Will”, which will be out March 3 in Europe/Australia/NZ and March 4 in North America. Nathan had this to say about the song and video:
“’March Of Black Earth’, through symbolism and archetype, stands in defiance of the standard views of “good” and “evil”. It speaks of human exploration into a life without fear or reverence for imaginary deities, who are bent on suppressing our most natural desires. If those deities deem a lust for knowledge, freedom of our carnal self, and disobedience to be sinful, then let us become the best sinners we can be!” This is what Nathan Gray, singer, had to say about the song and video for “March Of The Black Earth.”
He went on to say, “Each suffering character in the video represents self-sacrifice, killing what is left of our self-expression. The ominous beast in the plague mask represents each character’s individual oppression. Their freedom is personified by the archetype Belial, or Baal, (“without a master”) who represents an infernal innocence, freedom, and mockery of self-imposed slavery. Hear the call… Free yourself from the bondage of self-denial, and accept the gift of sin!”
I AM HERESY have announced their return to European stages with Wolves Like Us in April. After a quick run in March of 2013 the upcoming dates will be the first European tour supporting I AM HERESY’s album “Thy Will”.
BLACK SOUL CHOIR TOUR 2014
I AM HERESY
on tour with Wolves Like Us
Visions, Fuze. Ox present:
08.04.14 (DK) Copenhagen – Beta
09.04.14 (D) Bremen – Tower
10.04.14 (NL) Amsterdam – Winston
11.04.14 (B) Antwerp – JC Kavka
12.04.14 (D) Essen – Cafe Nova
13.04.14 (D) Siegen – Vortex
14.04.14 (D) Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
15.04.14 (CH) St. Gallen – Grabenhalle
16.04.14 (D) Munich – Feierwerk w/ Norma Jean, Liferuiner, Night Verses
17.04.14 (SLO) Ljubljana – Gala Hala
18.04.14 (I) Bologna – Freakout Club
19.04.14 (HR) Zagreb – akc Attack
20.04.14 (H) Budapest – Dürer Kert
21.04.14 (CZ) Prague – 007
22.04.14 (D) Berlin – Cassiopeia
I AM HERESY is:

Guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in the Metal and Rock universe for his work as leader of his own group Firewind and also as member of Ozzy Osbourne’s band, has now launched an EPK online for his first, long overdue solo album solo album “I Am The Fire”. The album is set to be released on March 17th, 2014 in Europe and March 18th, 2014 in North America via longtime international partners Century Media Records. The album’s first commercial single, for the title-track “I Am The Fire (Feat. Devour The Day)”, will be released digitally on February 24th, 2014 in Europe and February 25th, 2014 in North America.
Most recently, Gus G. announce the first tourdates in support of the “I Am The Fire” album release in Europe. The dates are as follows:
Gus G. + Uli Jon Roth, Jorn Lande & Mats Levén / “Unity 1” Tour:
07.03.2014 Kerkyra (Greece) – Eptatehnon
08.03.2014 Thessaloniki (Greece) – Block 33 / http://www.ticketarena.gr
09.03.2014 Edessa (Greece) – Kanavourgeio
10.03.2014 Larnaca (Cyprus) – Savino Rock Bar
11.03.2014 Athens (Greece) – Kyttaro Live / http://www.ticketarena.gr
12.03.2014 Athens (Greece) – Kyttaro Live / http://www.ticketarena.gr
Gus G. + Marty Friedman / “Guitar Universe 2” Co-Headline Tour:
01.05.2014 Tampere (Finland) – Klubi
02.05.2014 Helsinki (Finland) – Nosturi
03.05.2014 Stockholm (Sweden) – Stockholm Rocks Festival
11.05.2014 Colmar (France) – Grillen
12.05.2014 Munich (Germany) – Backstage
15.05.2014 Essen (Germany) – Turock
16.05.2014 Zoetermeer (The Netherlands) – De Boerderij
18.05.2014 Uden (The Netherlands) – De Pul
20.05.2014 Savigny Le Temple (France) – L’ Impreinte
21.05.2014 London (UK) – O2 Islington Academy
22.05.2014 Nuneaton (UK) – Queens Hall
More dates will be announced soon…

Here is the complete track-listing for Gus G.’s “I Am The Fire” album:
Gus G. – “I Am The Fire”:
1. My Will Be Done (Feat. Mats Levén)
2. Blame It On Me (Feat. Mats Levén)
3. I Am The Fire (Feat. Devour The Day)
4. Vengeance (Feat. David Ellefson)
5. Long Way Down (Feat. Alexia Rodriguez)
6. Just Can’t Let Go (Feat. Jacob Bunton)
7. Terrified (Feat. Billy Sheehan)
8. Eyes Wide Open (Feat. Mats Levén)
9. Redemption (Feat. Michael Starr)
10. Summer Days (Feat. Jeff Scott Soto)
11. Dreamkeeper (Feat. Tom S. Englund)
12. End Of The Line (Feat. Mats Levén)
American metallers WHILE HEAVEN WEPT have entered the studio to begin recording the first of two brand new albums, entitled “Suspended At Aphelion” which will be released via Nuclear Blast Records in late 2014.
Founding guitarist and primary composer Tom Phillips provides more insight into what is clearly the single greatest work of the band’s career so far: “If (2011’s) »Fear Of Infinity« was our »Caress Of Steel«, »Suspended At Aphelion« is without question our »2112« – and anyone familiar with the stories behind those RUSH albums will understand that where we’re coming from is very similar both musically and circumstantially. »Suspended At Aphelion« is the culmination of 25 years and embodies everything that WHILE HEAVEN WEPT has ever represented – yet so much more; it’s everything we’ve got to give in our hearts and souls.”
He continues: “The album really is, quite simply, the greatest EPIC in our canon in that it is a single, 40+ minute monolith divided into 11 parts – in the tradition of the aforementioned »2112« and our own ‘The Furthest Shore’, ‘Finality’, and ‘Thus With A Kiss I Die’, amongst others. Yet, musically…while clearly this is WHILE HEAVEN WEPT …it’s very much beyond anything else we’ve ever done…VERY progressive, but in a harmonic sense more than the technical. The bottom line is, if you enjoyed those aforementioned “mini-epics” – or the »Vast Oceans Lachrymose« album for that matter – then this is the elevation and evolution several years beyond those. We’ve approached this one as if it were to be our last – so again, it’s everything we’ve got!”
The album will feature some additional highly-esteemed musicians including the extraordinary drummer Mark Zonder of FATES WARNING and WARLORD fame, as well as world-renowned classical guitarist Christopher Ladd, whom Tom has known since childhood. Both will be performing throughout the entire album and more details regarding their involvement will follow in forthcoming press releases.
WHILE HEAVEN WEPT have once again aligned with Gustavo Sazes for the cover art – the man responsible for the stunning “Fear Of Infinity” cover, and Kevin 131 – engineer and co-producer of the “Of Empires Forlorn” album from 2003.
Tom says: “The team we have assembled to realize this mammoth work is nothing short of incredible, and I cannot think of a better way to commemorate a quarter of a century of WHILE HEAVEN WEPT than to release the definitive statement of the band. Prepare yourselves for an epic journey far beyond anything you’ve ever known from us!”
Lead singer Rain Irving added: “Never before, have I been so proud to be associated with a musical endeavor. No disrespect to any of our works in the past, but this one is special and worth every ounce of excitement I feel inside. This is the kind of record that will allow me to “rest peacefully” if you will, the day I decide I’m done with my career.”

Swedish black metal masters DARK FUNERAL are currently rehearsing heavily for their upcoming anniversary show at Stockholm’s Klubben, Fryshuset on May 3, 2014. This show will also mark the first gig with Themgoroth as guest vocalist since almost two decades.
Lord Ahriman states:
“It’s really special for me to have so many guests from our darkest past joining forces again and the last time Themgoroth and I shared the same stage was back in the mid-90’s when we played Germany’s first Under The Black Sun Festival. Now, almost exactly 20 years after the release of our first MCD via Hellspawn Records, the label Blackmoon (RIP) and I originally formed together, it feels truly special to perform with all these guys again even though David will surely be missed on that occasion. Still, we’ll make sure this will be a show you will remember!”
Themgoroth adds:
“Although we have not had contact over the years, I have always been impressed with DARK FUNERAL ambition and determination. Through their hard work, they managed to become one of the most respected names in the genre. And I’m proud that I once have been a part of it. When Lord Ahriman called and asked me if I wanted to sing on this unique event, I had no doubts; this will be the perfect opportunity to show my appreciation to the fans and give a final farewell to the scene.”
On May 3rd, 2014, DARK FUNERAL will present you an unforgettable gig offering a very exclusive set spanning their entire catalogue yet with focus on older classics. The band will be fronted by Emperor Magus Caligula. On top of this, former members will make exclusive guest appearances, too. Thus you will see Themgoroth, Typhos, B-Force, Dominion and Gaahnfaust live and onstage for the first time since they left the band. This night will be an absolute must for both old and new fans, so make sure you will be there.
As support act DARK FUNERAL have picked country mates GR� to open the gates on this special night, Lord Ahriman explains this decision as follows:
“When we sat down to discuss what criteria we wanted on the support act for this special event, there were 2 options lying on the table; either to bring in a band that has been around for as long as we have, making it a purely old-scool event or offer the slot to a new & upcoming, interesting & professional band worthy a rare opportunity like this. We decided to go for the latter. It is with a great pleasure we welcome GR� to open the gates to our dark ceremony.”
Heljarma�r / GR� comments:
“To be invited to such an event like this, to support a band like DARK FUNERAL on their 20th anniversary is, of course, a great privilege and honour for us! We will do this with our heads held high and with pride! DARK FUNERAL is a band that I have personally followed since their debut album back in the mid 90’s when I was still just a teenager and they have never been followers, but leaders in the meaning of walking their own path with perseverance and determination, without ever bending. Gratitude and a big salute to DARK FUNERAL, congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for supporting GR�!”
This very special anniversary gig entitled 20 years of Satanic Symphonies will take place at Klubben, Fryshuset, Stockholm on May 3rd.

American metal warriors MANOWAR have recently posted that Concord Music Hall ‘s Building faced some issues with their ceiling at a concert last night. Check out our previous post here.
The band have just posted an update message and announced Logan Square Auditorium as the new place for their show tonight. Check the MANOWAR message below:
“The show is ON tonight, full blast at Logan Square Auditorium!
The new location is only a few blocks away from Concord Music Hall.
See you there.
Hail to the faithful Army Of Immortals!”
As we previously posted, MANOWAR were forced to cancel their show in Royal Oak, MI On February 7, 2014 due to the Detroit Promoter failing to fulfill contractual obligations. So, the band offered free Chicago tickets to all all the Detroit ticket holders. With this recent news, MANOWAR seem to be having a run of bad luck. We hope not though and Metal Shock Finland wish success and luck for the band and their Manowarriors fans.
On the video below; you can see Joey speaks with one of the many Manowarriors who stood tall and never lost faith.
