Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic

All you fast-shredding, video-game-loving metalheads are in for some exciting news because DragonForce have revealed the details for their eighth studio album.  The follow-up to 2017's Reaching Into Infinity will be titled Extreme Power Metal, and it will be released on September 27th through Metal Blade Records.

Here's what I will say.  I find that title to be pretty cheesy.  It kind of feels like they didn't put any thought into the title.  Plus, they already have a song called "Extreme Power Metal" that was a Japanese bonus track on Ultra Beatdown.  At least the cover artwork looks pretty cool.  This is also the first DragonForce album that has the band members on the cover.  This will also be the band's first album without Vadim Pruzhanov, who left the band last year.  Handling keyboard duties on this album was Coen Janssen of Epica, but he wasn't announced as an official member.

Extreme Power Metal track listing:

01.  Highway To Oblivion
02.  Cosmic Power Of The Infinite Shred Machine
03.  The Last Dragonborn
04.  Heart Demolition
05.  Troopers Of The Stars
06.  Razorblade Meltdown
07.  Strangers
08.  In A Skyforged Dream
09.  Remembrance Day
10.  My Heart Will Go On

I'm pretty sure "My Heart Will Go On" is a cover of the Celine Dion song.  It kind of makes sense because DragonForce are known for doing odd covers and putting their spin on it.

Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic

Holy shit!  We're not even into 2020 yet, but the award for the best metal tour of 2020 seems like it's already ready to be given out.  The new decade is going to start out strong, because the lucky lucky people in Europe are getting the ultimate Bay Area thrash extravaganza with a tour dubbed The Bay Strikes Back, featuring Testament as the headliners, and special guests Exodus and Death Angel.  I know, that's a killer right there!  I'm almost tempted to buy a plane ticket and go to one of the stops on this tour to see this show.

Testament recently announced that they completed recording the follow-up album to Brotherhood Of The Snake, and is tentatively due out in January.  Death Angel recently released their new album Humanicide, and Exodus are working on the follow-up to Blood In, Blood Out, which is due for release in 2020.  Since Slayer is playing its very last show on November 30th in Los Angeles, that means Gary Holt will be able to return to Exodus full time, and the process on the new album will continue full steam ahead.

The Bay Strikes Back will begin on February 6th in Copenhagen, Denmark, and run for 25 shows before wrapping up on March 11th in Hannover, Germany.  If your city is included on this list, please do yourself a favour and buy a ticket to this show.  You never know if this is going to happen again.  Testament, Exodus and Death Angel: three of the best Bay Area thrash bands on the planet on one bill, is history in the making.


​Feb 22 - Filderstadt, Germany - Filharmonie
Feb 25 - Milan, Italy - Live Club
Feb 27 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz
Feb 28 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio Vistalegre
Feb 29 - Toulouse, France - Le Bikini
Mar 01 - Paris, France - Elysee Monmartre
Mar 03 - Bristol, England - Academy
Mar 04 - Dublin, Ireland - National Stadium
Mar 06 - London, England - Forum Kentish Town
Mar 07 - Manchester, England - Academy
Mar 08 - Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands
Mar 10 - Brussels, Belgium - AB Club
Mar 11 - Hannover, Germany - Capitol

Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic

Well, it's official.  After a year of uncertainty, Lamb Of God has parted ways with Chris Adler.  It definitely is surprising news, but in a way, I can't say I'm all that surprised because I'm pretty sure we all saw it coming.  It was last July when the band was about to head out on the second North American leg of Slayer's farewell tour that they announced that Chris would be sitting out the tour dates, and they expected him to return soon.  However, it wasn't sure why Chris was sitting out, until he shared the news that he was recovering from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash in late 2017.  It took him some time to get completely healed up, but he has been busy doing some other side projects, like his art exhibit.

Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic

Time to start your morning with some new music!  We're a couple of weeks away from the release of Volbeat's seventh studio album Rewind, Replay, Rebound (out August 2nd).  They've already released the singles "Parasite", "Leviathan" and "Last Day Under The Sun", but it's about time for a new song.  Down below, you can listen to the new track "Cheapside Sloggers".  This track is a little on the heavier side, with the triplet-y, bouncy rhythm, and Michael Poulsen goes slightly in the higher register of his vocals.  The track also features a guest guitar solo from Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer.

Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic

It's official!  Pretty Maids are set to release their sixteenth studio album this fall.  The album will be titled Undress Your Madness, and will be released on November 8th via Frontiers Music Srl.  The album was once again produced by Jacob Hansen.  See the full track listing and cover artwork below.

Undress Your Madness track listing:  

01.  Intro
02.  Serpentine
03.  Firesoul Fly
04.  Undress Your Madness
05.  Will You Still Kiss Me (If I See You In Heaven)
06.  Runaway World
07.  If You Want Peace (Prepare For War)
08.  Slavedriver
09.  Shadowlands
10.  Black Thunder
11.  Strength Of A Rose

Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic

As you may have heard earlier this year, the folks at BangerTV announced that they are bringing back their Shredders Of Metal competition series for season 2.  The details regarding the second season have been revealed.

There are some new elements this time around, but also some returning elements.  The new elements include seven new competitors from across the country coming in to showcase their shredding talents to the world, and there's also a new face in the judging panel, and that is Ben Weinman (Suicidal Tendencies / ex-Dillinger Escape Plan).

As far as the returning elements go, Blayne Smith returns to host the series, along with returning judges Sam Dunn (Banger Films founder) and Alex Skolnick (Testament).  There's also a returning competitor from the first season.  Our friend Ric Galvez of Astaroth Incarnate is back for redemption.  Click here to learn all about this year's contestants.

The series will kick off on Monday, August 12th on BangerTV's YouTube channel.  We will be posting re-caps of the episodes as they are released on the channel during that entire week, which will be dubbed Shredders Week.

The eight contestants will once again be put through an elimination bracket tournament for the chance to win a prize package courtesy of ESP Guitars and Marshall Amplification, and be crowned season 2's Ultimate Shredder.  Last year, Frankie Caracci of Vesperia won that title.  Who will join Frankie as this year's Ultimate Shredder  Let's wait and see.

Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic

Well folks, the end is near.  After criss-crossing the world for over a year, Slayer are officially bringing their farewell tour to a close this fall.  They've announced that the final leg of the tour will take place across the U.S in November, with the tour aptly being dubbed The Final Campaign.  Special guests on the tour will be Primus, Ministry and Phil Anselmo & The Illegals.  Phil and his band will be performing A Vulgar Display Of Pantera set.  The tour is set to begin on November 2nd in Asheville, North Carolina, and run for 18 shows before culminating in their hometown of Los Angeles on November 30th for what will without a doubt be a historical last show.

If you haven't had the chance to see Slayer at all on this farewell tour, and your city hasn't been announced on this leg, you are need to going to take a road trip, because this is it.

On behalf of all the fans, we say:  "Thank you Slayer for all the amazing music and memories.  Your music has stood and will continue to stand the test of time, and inspire many bands for years to come!  You shall forever REIGN IN BLOOD!"

The final countdown has officially begun.

Nov 02 - Asheville, NC - Explore Asheville Arena
Nov 03 - Raleigh, NC - PNC Arena
Nov 05 - Salem, VA - Civic Centre
Nov 06 - Hershey, PA - Giant Centre
Nov 08 - Springfield, MA - Mass Mutual Centre
​Nov ​09 - New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden
Nov 11 - Louisville, KY - KFC Yum! Centre
Nov 12 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
Nov 14 - Moline, IL - TaxSlayer Arena
Nov 15 - Sioux Falls, SD - Denny Sanford Centre
Nov 17 - Fargo, ND - Fargodome
​Nov ​​18 - Omaha, NE - CHI Health Centre
Nov 20 - Colorado Springs, CO - Broadmore Arena
Nov 22 - Bilings, MT - Rimrock Auto Arena
Nov 24 - Spokane, WA - Spokane Arena
Nov 26 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
Nov 27 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
​Nov ​30 - Los Angeles, CA - Inglewood Forum (Last-Ever Show)