Thursday 26 February 2015

HELLOWEEN – release album title & artwork



HELLOWEEN are one of the most influential and internationally successful acts of the global metal scene. With the release of their 14th studio album due on 1st June, the pumpkin heads are set to further cement their title as the founding fathers of German melodic speed metal. The band's first self-titled EP was released in 1985, making their new album My God-Given Right the celebratory marker for their impressive 30 year career. The forthcoming album is now available for pre-order exclusively via Nuclear Blast: http://smarturl.it/HELLOWEEN-GodgivenNB

My God-Given Right was recorded between October 2014 and February 2015 at the bands very own MiSueno Studio in Tenerife, with long term producer Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HAMMERFALL) handling production and recording duties.

The enchanting artwork was once again created by graphic guru Martin Häusler (BON JOVI, QUEEN, GOTTHARD) and will also be available as a 3D Lenticular print.

Martin Häusler comments his recent creation: “We tried to built a world of ideas, keeping the "classical HELLOWEEN" elements, like the pumpkins on the one hand and a complete new look on the other, just like we did it the years before, working on a HELLOWEEN artwork. A first inspiration came from the album title My God-Given Right and some of the song titles like ‘Swing Of A Fallen World’, ‘Lost In America’, ‘Battle´s Won’ etc. During my research I stumbled upon the Blockbuster "Day After Tomorrow" and the idea of just leaving the world to the “pumpkins” was born. The most challenging part of this artwork was to have both, the Limited Edition and the 11" Earbook provided with a 3D-Lenticular-cover (a full 3D cover, visible without 3D glasses). That’s the reason the entire artwork was done 'in one piece', using a 3D program…we did not want one of those 'cheap Lenticular-covers, done by converting a 2d-version', but the best possible real 3D result: So don’t get any other versions – this will be a true collector’s item!”

Frontman Andi Deris states: ”I never know how, but somehow we did it once again…the albums really rocks and kicks some major asses!!! We had the best folks with us to make this possible. Producer Charlie Bauerfeind and Martin Häusler, who made a massive 3D artwork this time, WITHOUT stressing the whole color range ;-)”

Adds guitarist Michael Weikath: ”... this proves what a bit of snow not only is able to, but really causes! I personally hate snow and the cover shows that too much of everything is never good. Just like Andi Deris, I’m very happy about the new album.”

Their most recent studio effort, Straight Out Of Hell saw HELLOWEEN entering the official German album charts on a sensational #4. Keeping this high position for five long weeks and charting several other European Top 10 ranking as well as the US Billboard Top 100, Straight Out Of Hell is the most successful HELLOWEEN so far.

DOPE - MAY UK Tour Dates With Coal Chamber Announced / New Album in September



American Industrial Metallers DOPE have signed to Steamhammer/ SPV to release their upcoming sixth studio album, ‘Bloodmoney Pt. 1’ in September, and have announced a slew of UK tour dates supporting the reactivated COAL CHAMBER alongside SOIL and AMERICAN HEADCHARGE in May.

“Finally, after more than 15 years, we will make our first ever trip to the UK!” says frontman Edsel Dope. “We've been patiently waiting for the perfect UK tour opportunity. This Coal Chamber reunion was undeniably the opportunity we've been waiting for. What an exciting time!”

Dates are:

May 20 – Leeds, (Uni Stylus) May 21 – Norwich, (UEA LCR) May 22 – Warwick, (Copper Rooms) May 23 – Nottingham, (Rock City) May 24 – Glasgow, (ABC) May 26 – Bristol, (Motion) May 27 – Exeter, (Lemon Grove) May 28 – Brighton, (Concorde 2) May 29 – Wolverhampton, (Wulfrun) May 30 – Manchester, (The Ritz) May 31 – London, (Koko)

RANGER to release Where Evil Dwells on March 16th via Spinefarm Records



‘Skull-splitting metal’ merchants RANGER will release their Spinefarm debut Where Evil Dwells on March 16th. True to old school form, the album is an analogue recording, featuring the sound of melting Marshall amps.

Where Evil Dwells will be out on CD, LP, cassette & digital.



Just voted among the most interesting new generation metal bands in Finland, Helsinki's RANGER will melt your face. Overloading all senses with a relentless onslaught of turbo-charged heavy/speed metal, RANGER'S torrid riffs, twin-guitar assault, intense rapid-fire drumming, pummeling bass attack and banshee-like vocal delivery thrashes you to oblivion.

We're talking heavy metal here, the sort that transcends generations: organic, authentic, classic and, blatantly put, crazy as a fucking shithouse rat. Contagious. Unstoppable.

Where Evil Dwells tracklist:

01. Defcon 1 02. Deadly Feast 03. Phantom Soldier 04. Dead Zone 05. Black Circle (S.Y.L.S.) 06. Where Evil Dwells 07. Storm Of Power

About RANGER: A true product of the Finnish underground, RANGER is a four-piece unit founded in 2008. Skyrocketing in success and popularity since the release of their debut Knights Of Darkness 12” EP (Ektro) in 2013, within two years they have laid waste to the stages of basically every major Finnish festival. Their rapidly energetic shows have wreaked havoc in a manner unprecedented in Finland, whipping punk and metal audiences alike into a riotous thrashing frenzy, leaving behind mangled armies of euphoric fans drenched in sweat, parched with thirst and smiling like morons.

After a couple of demos and EP releases (plus a compilation comprised of the aforementioned items), Where Evil Dwells is RANGER'S debut full-length album, proving that their frenzied output is every bit as effective in larger portions as EP-sized.