Sodom / Hirax Split-Single To Kick Off SPV's 30th Anniversary Celebrations

In 2014, SPV will celebrate its 30th anniversary with various campaigns and releases. The celebrations begin with this limited edition 7" single. Only 1.000 coloured and numbered vinyl copies will be pressed which will make this single a highly collectable item for all Thrash Metal maniacs.

The SODOM / HIRAX Split-Single vinyl wax record will be released in Germany January 24, Europe January 27 and North America February 4 via SPV / Steamhammer Records.

LEGION OF GOMORRA Premiere New Song Horizon on SoundCloud

German melodic death metallers LEGION OF GOMORRA have premiered an appetizer for the band’s next album on SoundCloud. Check the brand new song Horizon right here:

DARKNESS Present First New Song In 23 Years

No kidding, fellow thrashers! You can now listen to the first new song by German Ruhr Area thrash legends DARKNESS in more than 23 years on Soundcloud: DARKNESS had officially announced their reunion in August 2013, introducing Bony (guitar, ex-JAPANISCHE KAMPFHÖRSPIELE), Mike (guitar, TRAPPED INSANITY) and KREATOR bassist Christian “Speesy” Giesler as new members joining founding member Andreas “Lacky“ Lakaw (drums) and now vocalist Arnd Klink. Commented Speesy: “There’s just two bands I’d like to play music with - KREATOR and DARKNESS.”

Out of the three albums DARKNESS had released from 1987 to 1989, especially their debut Death Squad is commonly regarded as a genre classic and serves as a blueprint for Thrash Metal to the day.

DARKNESS celebrated their 25th anniversary at the cathedral of Teutonic Thrash, Essen-Altenessen’s Zeche Carl, in December 2012 and are in preparation of an extended tour schedule and new songs for 2014.

Pic by Jörg Litges | lautundinfarbe.de

FINAL DEPRAVITY Streaming Entire New Album Thrash Is Just The Beginning

The new album by German Ruhr Area thrashers FINAL DEPRAVITY, Thrash Is Just The Beginning, can now be streamed in its entirety using this Bandcamp widget: Thrash Is Just The Beginning will be released this Friday, December 13 via Nihilistic Empire / New Music Distribution. Check the FINAL DEPRAVITY webstore for special pre-order and merch offers.

Thrash Is Just The Beginning has been produced by Sascha Risseler and mastered by Dennis Koehne (a.o. Sodom, Exumer, The Very End). The artwork has been designed by renowned design studio Killustrations (a.o. Dew-Scented, Nervecell, Hackneyed, The Very End), run by German artist Bjoern Goosses.

FINAL DEPRAVITY - New Album Title Track Available For Streaming; Exclusive Pre-Order Special Offers Launched

German Ruhr Area thrashers FINAL DEPRAVITY have premiered the title track of their upcoming new album, Thrash Is Just The Beginning, on Bandcamp.

Thrash Is Just The Beginning will be released on December 13th via Nihilistic Empire Records / New Music Distribution, and FINAL DEPRAVITY have set up some exclusive special offers for you:

Pre-order Thrash Is Just The Beginning on CD / Vinyl or purchase a T-Shirt / Girlie / Tank Top, include your e-mail address in a message and get a free album download code prior to the release! Check the FINAL DEPRAVITY web store for details.
Thrash Is Just The Beginning has been produced by Sascha Risseler and mastered by Dennis Koehne (a.o. Sodom, Exumer, The Very End). The artwork has been designed by renowned design studio Killustrations (a.o. Dew-Scented, Nervecell, Hackneyed, The Very End), run by German artist Bjoern Goosses.

Two ‘Making of’ clips feat. previously unreleased audio samples of the album title track and Tale Of Woe plus behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions and can be seen on YouTube. The 'Making Of' video trailers have been created by Carsten Loer for Cyphers X.

BLACK MESSIAH - Release Show For New Album Heimweh in Oberhausen

Leading German pagan / viking metal band, BLACK MESSIAH, returns with their new studio album Heimweh today, November 29, via AFM Records. On November 30, BLACK MESSIAH will celebrate the album release with a special show at Oberhausen, Germany’s metal club Helvete. Support comes from Ruhr Area’s massive metallers THE VERY END and newcomers IN WEAK LIGHTS. The band is currently putting finishing touches on their new video clip, which was filmed for the song Wildsau. Check Jötunheim, a brand new BLACK MESSIAH track coming off the Heimweh album:

FINAL DEPRAVITY - Thrash Is Just The Beginning Album Cover Revealed; Release Date Announced

German Ruhr Area thrashers FINAL DEPRAVITY have revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming new album, Thrash Is Just The Beginning. The artwork has been designed by renowned design studio Killustrations (a.o. Dew-Scented, Nervecell, Hackneyed, The Very End), run by German artist Bjoern Goosses.

Thrash Is Just The Beginning will be released on December 13th via Nihilistic Empire Records / New Music Distribution. Two ‘Making of’ clips feat. previously unreleased audio samples of the album title track and Tale Of Woe plus behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions can be seen below.

Thrash Is Just The Beginning has been produced by Sascha Risseler and mastered by Dennis Koehne (a.o. Sodom, Exumer, The Very End). The 'Making Of' video trailers have been created by Carsten Loer for Cyphers X.

FINAL DEPRAVITY from the Ruhr Area of Germany (known as the homebase of legends like Kreator & Sodom and most vital center of today's German metal scene) have been founded in December 2007.

The band came up with a highly praised 3-track demo in 2008 and shared stages with acts like Sodom, Legion Of The Damned, Artillery and The Very End since then.

The debut album, Nightmare 13, has been released in October 2010. Due to the bankruptcy of Twilight Distribution the album download is currently not available, but Nightmare 13 can be streamed in its entirety via SoundCloud.

FINAL DEPRAVITY played more than 70 live shows since the album release with the likes of e.g. Arch Enemy, Accu§er and Warrant. The band supported Onslaught and Suidakra on the Scream For Violence European Tour (20 shows) and performed at Metalfest Germany in 2011.

In June 2012, FINAL DEPRAVITY have announced Jerome Reil (son of Kreator drummer Jürgen "Ventor" Reil) as their new drummer. 

Bandsintown
FINAL DEPRAVITY is:
Dennis 'Blaze' Baron - Vocals, Guitars
Oliver Hey - Guitars, Vocals
Alex Voss - Bass
Jerome Reil - Drums

Join FINAL DEPRAVITY on Facebook.

Contact / Booking:
Featured Artists Promotions
featuredartists@t-online.de

FINAL DEPRAVITY Present Second 'Making Of' Video For New Album

German Ruhr Area thrashers FINAL DEPRAVITY have presented the second part of the 'Making of' video trailer for their upcoming new album, Thrash Is Just The Beginning.

The clip features previously unreleased audio samples of the second album track, Tale Of Woe, behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions and can be seen below.

Thrash Is Just The Beginning has been produced by Sascha Risseler and mastered by Dennis Koehne (a.o. Sodom, Exumer, The Very End). The album artwork and band photography come from the renowned design studio Killustrations (a.o. Dew-Scented, Nervecell, Hackneyed, The Very End), run by German artist Bjoern Goosses.

The 'Making Of' video trailers have been created by Carsten Loer for Cyphers X.

FINAL DEPRAVITY from the Ruhr Area of Germany (known as the homebase of legends like Kreator & Sodom and most vital center of today's German metal scene) have been founded in December 2007.

The band came up with a highly praised 3-track demo in 2008 and shared stages with acts like Sodom, Legion Of The Damned, Artillery and The Very End since then.

The debut album, Nightmare 13, has been released in October 2010. Due to the bankruptcy of Twilight Distribution the album download is currently not available, but Nightmare 13 can be streamed in its entirety via SoundCloud.

FINAL DEPRAVITY played more than 70 live shows since the album release with the likes of e.g. Arch Enemy, Accu§er and Warrant. The band supported Onslaught and Suidakra on the Scream For Violence European Tour (20 shows) and performed at Metalfest Germany in 2011.

In June 2012, FINAL DEPRAVITY have announced Jerome Reil (son of Kreator drummer Jürgen "Ventor" Reil) as their new drummer. 

Bandsintown
FINAL DEPRAVITY is:
Dennis 'Blaze' Baron - Vocals, Guitars
Oliver Hey - Guitars, Vocals
Alex Voss - Bass
Jerome Reil - Drums

Join FINAL DEPRAVITY on Facebook.

Contact / Booking:
Featured Artists Promotions
featuredartists@t-online.de

CROSSPLANE Präsentieren Album Cover; Video Releaseparty Am 08.11. In Dortmund

Die Ruhrgebietsrocker CROSSPLANE haben das Cover ihres kommenden Debutalbums Class Of Hellhound High präsentiert, und kündigen die Premierenfeier ihres neuen Videos an:

“Ihr Lieben! Jetzt mal alles auf einem Blick: Am 08.11. findet im BlackEnd in Dortmund unsere Video Releaseparty statt. Dort wird das Video zur Single Take It Or Leave It, die am gleichen Tag erscheint, gezeigt und ein tolles Making Of. Uli Bechstein hat uns bei den Aufnahmen begleitet und eifrig gefilmt.

Am 29.11. wird unser Album Class Of Hellhound High erscheinen, und wir möchten den Release natürlich mit Euch gemeinsam am 30.11. in der Freak Show in Essen feiern. Das wird eine Hammerparty mit vielen Gästen, Livemusik und guter Laune. Wir wollen Euch alle sehen, denn IHR SEID ROCK ‘N' ROLL!”

Class Of Hellhound High wurde von Dennis Koehne (u.a. Sodom, Exumer, The Very End, Final Depravity) produziert. Das Cover könnt ihr oben sehen, und CROSSPLANE live on stage an folgenden Terminen:

19.10.13 Eisenhüttenstadt, Pestbaracke
26.10.13 Landshut, Alte Kaserne
15.11.13 Miltenberg, Beavers**
16.11.13 Lorsch, Rex**
06.12.13 Mülheim, Nikolaut Festival
** mit Gun Barrel

DIPSOMANIA - 25th Anniversary Show In Ruhr Area Hometown Tonight

Ruhr Area thrashers DIPSOMANIA (feat. EXUMER / CROSSPLANE drummer and House of Drums owner, Matthias Kassner) gonna celebrate their 25th anniversary at a show in their hometown of Dorsten, Germany tonight.

Support comes from grindcore old hands PROVOCATION, who’ll play their one and only show in 2013 on the occasion of their mates anniversary, and CAGE.

The entire show’s gonna be multi-tracked to be made available for streaming later on.

KREATOR’s Mille Petrozza On Dying Alive, Melody And Brutality - A Bravewords.com Special Report

By Maria Nayef for bravewords.com

After thirty years and thirteen studio albums, KREATOR is currently enjoying a career high. Having taken their tour showcasing the songs from last year’s acclaimed record Phantom Antichrist across Europe, they are still heating up the festival circuit before heading to China as well as North and South America.

They also have a new live CD/DVD called Dying Alive that recently had a royal-like premier at Germany’s historic Lichtburg cinema in Essen, before landing in the top 10 of the German charts upon its release. All befitting for a band that sits on the throne of Teutonic thrash metal.

Boasting a staggering selection of hits from Kreator’s extensive and influential career, Dying Alive was recorded during the last show of their European tour last December in Oberhausen. Despite being show number 45 of the tour, you won’t see any signs of fatigue from these thrash veterans, who execute each song with exceptional proficiency and intensity.

On stage, frontman Mille Petrozza is fierce. An embodiment of sheer aggression, his harsh riffs fuelled by lyrics vehemently expressing his rage at the atrocities and hardships plaguing humanity while standing before the ghastly figure of the Phantom Antichrist; a metaphor for that which manipulates the masses and steals their souls. It’s a very Orwellian view of a world where what was once considered fiction has become a grim reality.

Speaking from his home in Essen, Petrozza says he’s still feeling fresh despite a bevy of press calls. There’s contentment in his voice, one that stems from an evident and deep respect for metal and Kreator fans.

Read the entire interview at bravewords.com

FINAL DEPRAVITY - Studioreport Von The-Pit.de Zum Neuen Album Thrash Is Just The Beginning

"Thrash Is Just The Beginning?
Dat is dat, wat los is."
FINAL DEPRAVITY - im Studio besucht

Von Jörg Müller für The-Pit.de.

"Die Gelsenkirchener Thrasher FINAL DEPRAVITY sind ein gutes Beispiel dafür, wie sehr die Szene gerade im Pott pulsiert, sich verändert, wächst und nach oben strebt. Schon früh hatten sie diverse Erfolge zu feiern, wozu sicherlich auch damals Sodoms Tom ein wenig beigetragen hatte.

Überzeugender aber waren sie schon vom Fleck weg auf der Livebühne, denn bereits beim zweiten Gig ihrer noch jungen Karriere, kurz vor Weihnachten 2009, spielten sie vor SODOM in der ausverkauften Bochumer Matrix und konnten nicht nur sich selbst beweisen, sondern auch zahlreiche Fans überzeugen."

Mehr über den Weg vom ersten Demo zum Debutalbum Nightmare 13, von Besetzungswechseln bis hin zur Entstehung des neuen Albums Thrash Is Just The Beginning erfahrt ihr auf der Website von The-Pit.de.

Dort verraten euch Jörg Müller und FINAL DEPRAVITY Sänger und Gitarrist Dennis Baron darüber hinaus auch Einzelheiten zu allen 10 Songs der Aufnahme.

Den ersten Teil des 'Making Of' Videos zu Thrash Is Just The Beginning könnt ihr unten sehen. Der Clip enthält bisher unveröffentlichte Audio Samples des Titelsongs und Behind-The-Scenes Material der Aufnahmesessions.

Thrash Is Just The Beginning wurde von Sascha Risseler produziert und von Dennis Koehne (u.a. Sodom, Exumer, The Very End) gemastert. Das Artwork und die Bandfotos stammen vom renommierten Design Studio Killustrations (u.a. Nervecell, Dew-Scented, Hackneyed, The Very End) des deutschen Künstlers Björn Goosses. Der 'Making Of' Video Trailer wurde von Carsten Löer, Cyphers X kreiert. Ein Veröffentlichungsdatum für das Album steht noch nicht fest.

Turock Open Air 2013 | 13. - 15.09. | Essen, Viehofer Platz

Die Running Order:

Freitag, 13.09. Einlass: 16:00  | Beginn: 17:30

Insomnium 22:50 - 00:00

Dew Scented 21:35 - 22:25

Suicidal Angels 20:30 - 21:15

Mercenary 19:20 - 20:10

Omnium Gatherum 18:20 - 19:00

Essence 17:30 - 18:00

Samstag, 14.09. Einlass: 14:00  | Beginn: 15:00

Powerwolf 23:00 - 00:30

Orden Ogan 21:40 - 22:30

Mustasch 20:25 - 21:20

Obscurity 19:10 - 20:05

Bliksem 18:00 - 18:45

Wolfchant 17:00 - 17:40

My Dominion 16:00 - 16:40

Crosshead 15:00 - 15:40

Sonntag, 15.09. Einlass 13:00 | Beginn 14:00

Grand Magus 20:50 - 22:00

Hell 19:20 - 20:20

Steelwing 18:10 - 19:00

Enforcer 17:00 - 17:50

Blitzkrieg 16:00 - 16:40

Metrum 15:00 - 15:40 Ayscope 14:00 - 14:40 turock.de | Eintritt frei!

KREATOR's Dying Alive DVD Cracks German Top 10

Dying Alive, the new new concert DVD / Blu-ray from German / Finnish thrash metal veterans KREATOR, has entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 9.

Commented KREATOR mainman Mille Petrozza: "I've never expected Dying Alive to crack the Top Ten in Germany! This just shows again that you, our fans, are THE BEST! Thank you for your support! Let me close this with an Ozzy statement: I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!"

Dying Alive was released on August 30 via Nuclear Blast. The set features the band's sold-out homecoming show in Oberhausen, Germany on December 22, 2012 after an extensive 45-day European tour in support of KREATOR's Phantom Antichrist album. The packed and sweat-driven show was filmed by 24 cameras, as well as guitar and even mosh-pit cams.

The DVD/Blu-ray contains footage of the Oberhausen concert, a behind-the-scenes documentary as well as video clips. Approximate total running time: 115 minutes.

The United In Hate performance clip from Dying Alive can be seen here:

THE VERY END To Perform With Former Members At 100th Show

In the forefront of their 100th show, German massive metalers THE VERY END have announced special appearances:

"This Friday, September 6, we’re gonna play the 100th THE VERY END show at Summermeeting 2013 in Marl - the city where it all began. To duly celebrate this occasion especially with the fans who have been with us from the very beginning, we have invited two special guests:

We’re very much looking forward to not only presenting the current line-up, but also to playing several songs with our former members, Volker Rummel (guitars) and Lars Janosch (drums)!"

THE VERY END have released their latest album, Turn Off The World, in November 2012 via Steamhammer / SPV. Check out the lyric video for the track The Black Fix feat. guest vocalist LG Petrov of ENTOMBED:

KREATOR - Dying Alive Theatrical Premiere At Lichtburg Essen

FINAL DEPRAVITY Present First 'Making Of' Video For New Album

German Ruhr Area thrashers FINAL DEPRAVITY have presented the first part of the 'Making of' video trailer for their upcoming new album, Thrash Is Just The Beginning.

The clip features previously unreleased audio samples of the album title track, behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions and can be seen below.

Thrash Is Just The Beginning has been produced by Sascha Risseler and mastered by Dennis Koehne (a.o. Sodom, Exumer, The Very End). The album artwork and band photography come from the renowned design studio Killustrations (a.o. Dew-Scented, Nervecell, Hackneyed, The Very End), run by German artist Bjoern Goosses.

The 'Making Of' video trailer has been created by Carsten Loer for Cyphers X.

FINAL DEPRAVITY from the Ruhr Area of Germany (known as the homebase of legends like Kreator & Sodom and most vital center of today's German metal scene) have been founded in December 2007.

The band came up with a highly praised 3-track demo in 2008 and shared stages with acts like Sodom, Legion Of The Damned, Artillery and The Very End since then.

The debut album, Nightmare 13, has been released in October 2010. Due to the bankruptcy of Twilight Distribution the album download is currently not available, but Nightmare 13 can be streamed in its entirety via SoundCloud.

FINAL DEPRAVITY played more than 70 live shows since the album release with the likes of e.g. Arch Enemy, Accu§er and Warrant. The band supported Onslaught and Suidakra on the Scream For Violence European Tour (20 shows) and performed at Metalfest Germany in 2011.

In June 2012, FINAL DEPRAVITY have announced Jerome Reil (son of Kreator drummer Jürgen "Ventor" Reil) as their new drummer. 

Bandsintown
FINAL DEPRAVITY is:
Dennis 'Blaze' Baron - Vocals, Guitars
Oliver Hey - Guitars, Vocals
Alex Voss - Bass
Jerome Reil - Drums

Join FINAL DEPRAVITY on Facebook.

Contact / Booking:
Featured Artists Promotions
featuredartists@t-online.de

EXTREMEFEST 2013 - Further Bands Confirmed

"2012 marks the unholy birth of the one and only EXTREMEFEST – the first issue of the festival sated the bloodthirst of thousands of extreme metal fans over the course of three days!

We partied with big names of the scene and sweated in countless circle pits …over 70 bands with a stylistic variety ranging from black, death, thrash, grindcore all the way to modern deathcore sounds decided to drop by. Unbeatable, you say?

Fear not: bands like BEHEMOTH, KATAKLYSM, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, THYRFING, GRAVE, TANKARD, VADER, ENSLAVED and many more will make sure that you’ll get the most brutal party in this solar system at EXTREMEFEST 2013!"

Today the following further bands have been confirmed:

CARACH ANGREN
If you dig classic black metal mixed with symphonic elements, you surely will have come across Dutch band CARACH ANGREN! Their sound is often compared to that of early DIMMU BORGIR, and their sombre and majestic songwriting impressed an ever-growing fan base on albums such as Death Came Through A Phantom Ship (2010). CARACH ANGREN recently thrilled with Where The Corpses Sink Forever (2012).

DESCENDING
DESCENDING are hailing right from the heart of Greece – Athens! Founded in 2007, these guys indulge in modern death and thrash metal with melodic hooks guaranteed to get you addicted! After the release of their new opus magnum New Death Celebrity early 2013 and a planned tour with Greek comrades SEPTICFLESH, shooting stars DESCENDING will make an appearance at the EXTREMEFEST!

MALIGNANT TUMOUR
Czech act MALIGNANT TUMOUR was one of the first bands in their home country to belch out extreme sounds in the early 90s. The raw songwriting of their early years has now evolved to balls-out “Dirty Metallic Crust’n’Roll” – an infectious and groovy mixture! The brand new MALIGNANT TUMOUR album Overdose And Overdrive will be released early 2013.

VIBRION
VIBRION can proudly claim to be one of the first death metal acts ever to emerge from Argentina! Quite a while ago these guys relocated to Belgium though to indulge in their hefty brand of raw death and thrash metal. In 2012, the old school brigade unearthed the exhaustive box set The Contagion Decade – and now it’s time for their return on stage (and to the studio)!

KADAVERFICKER
KADAVERFICKER means CORPSEFUCKER – quite the subtle band name, right? These Germans have been dealing in death metal and grindcore since the early `90s, or as the band likes to call it: “Nekrokore”! Obviously their lyrics are more in the “City Of The Living Dead” vein than “Pretty Woman”, and after a long hiatus KADAVERFICKER finally returned in 2012 with Exploitation Nekronation!

Watch the latest EXTREMEFEST trailer:


Get your ticket or your Extreme Pack (special offer incl. ticket, T-Shirt and CD for 69,- €) at hardticket.eu.

EXTREMEFEST FOR EXTREME PEOPLE - 3 days, 2 stages!
May 23 - 25, 2013 / Schwarze Heide - Flugplatz Hünxe / Germany

extremefest.eu
hardticket.eu
facebook.com/Extremefest
Follow @extremefests

KREATOR - Phantom Antichrist Is Coming To Russia

After extensive North American and European tours in 2012, KREATOR continue to bring the Phantom Antichrist to thrashers worldwide and are about to enter Russia in March.

Commented vocalist/guitarist Mille Petrozza: "Only a few weeks left until we do our very first 16 dates russian tour. In the past we have played only up to four dates but this tour will bring the band to cities that we have never played before. 

We are so looking forward to meet new fans and friends. Be prepared for a night of torture, pain and violence! Будьте готовы к Kreator в России. Пойдем!!".

See dates, cities and locations below.

SODOM Reveal Details On New Album Epitome Of Torture

By Featured Artists

SODOM have announced the release of their new studio album Epitome Of Torture in Germany on April 26, 2013 (Europe April 29, North America May 7) via Steamhammer / SPV.

In recent months, vocalist / bassist Tom Angelripper, guitarist Bernemann and drummer Markus “Makka” Freiwald recorded a total of twelve new tracks (plus a Motörhead cover) which present Sodom as more diverse and multi-faceted than ever.

“Epitome Of Torture features not only your typical Sodom fare, but also two or three numbers which are slightly more moderate and melodic than what people have come to expect from us,” Tom Angelripper explains, “so wait and see!”

Epitome Of Torture was produced by Waldemar Sorychta, whose expertise as a sound engineer and audio magician thoroughly benefitted Sodom’s 2010 release In War And Pieces. Tom Angelripper: “Waldemar is a true authority. He doesn’t let you get away with anything, he knows all our weak spots. Which occasionally makes working at the studio a little demanding, but at the end of the day it’s all worthwhile, as the result shows.” The Sodom frontman describes the sound on Epitome Of Torture as “hard-as-nails and contemporary, without ignoring our tried-and-tested old-school attitude.”

The new album will be available in four different formats: as digital download, a limited-edition DigiPak CD incl. two bonus tracks and a poster, a regular jewel case CD and as double gatefold vinyl incl. three bonus tracks.

Sodom are about to start shooting a video for their new album song Stigmatized with ROAX team (e.g. Sodom: Lords of Depravity Vol 1+2) in Berlin. “Sodom haven’t had an official video clip for some time, so it’s about time we do one,” Tom Angelripper confesses. “That’s why it will be an uncompromising, shocking clip which our fans can look forward to!”

While all of this sounds very promising, the same question remains once more: why different release dates spread over almost two weeks?

Wake up labels and finally arrive in the 21st century! Maybe you don’t care about your employees becoming workless once reality has whiped you out, but it’s your damn duty to care about your artists.

If the web and ways to handle the demands of the current and future music business properly are still a mystery to you, get people on board who are 21st century men and don’t kill your artists with your stubborn, ignorant 80’s style!