Oakland, California-based power trio HIGH ON FIRE has completed work on its long-awaited, fifth studio album, "Snakes for the Divine", for a February 23, 2010 release via E1 Music. The follow-up to 2007's "Death is This Communion" was recorded at The Pass Studios in Los Angeles with producer Greg Fidelman and is described in a press release as "HIGH ON FIRE's magnum opus, capturing every nuance of the legendary band's ongoing musical progression and evolution into one of heavy music's all-time greats. Sharper, faster and darker than anything the group has ever recorded, 'Snakes for the Divine' is an unrelenting tour de force, showcasing cult guitar hero Matt Pike's utterly unique and inventi ...

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RUDRA's video for the track "Hymns from the Blazing Chariot" can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Jacen Tan and was "filmed over a period of two months, using some cool 'green-screen' effects," according to the band. "The concept is based on the ancient battle of Kurukshetra, focusing on the dialogue between two warriors, Arjuna and Krishna."

"Hymns from the Blazing Chariot' comes off the Singaporean metallers' new album, "Brahmavidya: Transcendental I", which was released earlier in the year via Vic Records. The CD was produced by Joshua G. Nair and Sean Loo and features fourteen tracks with a total running time of about 70 minutes.

"Brahmavidya: Transcendenta ...

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Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST will release their new album, "Aealo", on February 15 in Europe and February 23 in the U.S. via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at Lunatach Studios in Katerini, Greece and will feature guest appearances by Greek-American vocalist Diamanda Galas and PRIMORDIAL frontman Alan A. Nemtheanga.

"Aealo" track listing:

01. Aealo
02. Eon Aenaos
03. Demonon Vrosis
04. Noctis Era
05. dub-sag-ta-ke
06. Fire Death and Fear
07. Nekron Iahes...
08. ...Pir Threontai
09. Thou Art Lord
10. Santa Muerte
11. Orders from the Dead

Check out the cover artwork below.

Commented fro ...

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"Dream Oblivion", a brand new song from Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's ninth album, "We Are The Void", which will be released via Century Media Records on the following dates:

* Sweden: February 24
* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy, Australia: February 26
* Spain, Portugal: March 2
* Finland, Hungary: March 3
* U.K., France, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Rest Of Europe: March 1
* North America: March 9

The drums for the CD were recorded at bassist Daniel Antonsson's studi ...

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The cover artwork for "The Underworld Regime", the forthcoming debut album from OV HELL, the new black metal project featuring DIMMU BORGIR vocalist Shagrath and ex-GORGOROTH bassist King, can be viewed below. The cover was created by the Brazilian graphic designer Marcelo Vasco, who has previously worked with such bands as SATYRICON, ENSLAVED, KEEP OF KALESSIN, BORKNAGAR, GORGOROTH, BELPHEGOR and JOB FOR A COWBOY.

"The Underworld Regime" is scheduled for a February 8, 2010 release via Indie Recordings. The CD was recorded at Earshot Studio and features Shagrath on vocals, King on bass, Frost (SATYRICON) on drums, Ice Dale (ENSLAVED) on guitar and Teloch (NIDINGR, GOD SEED) on gui ...

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Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of Swedish heavy rockers GRAND MAGUS.

GRAND MAGUS is a three-piece band featuring "JB" Christofferson (guitar, lead vocals), Fox Skinner (bass, backing vocals) and Sebastian "Seb" Sippola (drums).

During the band's 10-year history, GRAND MAGUS has released two demos, one split EP and four full-length albums, and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews throughout. Their last opus, "Iron Will", was voted "Album of The Month" in the German Metal Hammer and Rock Hard magazines.

Drawing hefty influences from the hand-on-heart grandeur of the NWOBHM and the inspirational mythology of their forbears, GRAND MAGUS i ...

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Veteran German metallers RAGE will release their new album, "Strings To A Web", on February 5, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Twilight Hall Studio and was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HAMMERFALL). The cover artwork was created by Thomas Ewerhard (AVANTASIA, THERION), and it shows the soundchaser as a spider, caught in a web.

"Strings To A Web" track listing:

01. The Edge Of Darkness
02. Hunter And Prey
03. Into The Light
04. The Beggar's Last Dime
05. Empty Hollow
06. Strings To A Web
07. Fatal Grace
08. Connected
09. Empty Hollow (Reprise)
10. Saviour Of The Dead
11. Hellgirl ...

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Finnish power metallers KIUAS have just entered Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki to begin recording their fourth album for an April 1, 2010 release via Spinefarm Records. The CD is being produced by Janne Joutsenniemi, who previously worked with the band on the pre-production of their last album, "The New Dark Age". Mikko Karmila will mix the CD at Finnvox studios while the mastering duties will be handled by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers.

A studio diary has been launched and can be found at this location.

KIUAS' video for the song "The Decaying Doctrine" can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Owe Lingvall ...

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Swedish metallers DREAM EVIL have signed a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The band's new studio album, entitled "In The Night", will be released on January 25, 2010 in Europe and January 26, 2010 in North America.

Commented the band in a statement: "Finally, after three long years it's time to release a new album and at the same time we have again signed with Century Media Records. It's good to work with friends and that's what DREAM EVIL and Century Media has become over the past eight years.

"The new album will be called 'In The Night' and is again in DREAM EVIL's very own vein.

"We're sure that this will become the strongest DREAM EVIL rel ...

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Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have issued the following update:

"Let's try and bring some clarity to the rumours that have been circulating lately.

"Although [SATYRICON's latest album] 'The Age Of Nero' is now a year old, the project is still very much alive to us as we've been working it more or less non-stop for almost three years.

"The last 12 months since release has been spent relentlessly touring and the fortunate success of the album has taken us to India, Australia, Japan, twice to America, across Europe and around Scandinavia and now we head out on the 'Finale In Black' tour, which will mark the end of the colossal 'The Age Of Nero' project. O ...

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