Amon Amarth: Three-Part Mini Documentary Trailer Revealed

Today melodic death metal legion AMON AMARTH reveals a trailer for their forthcoming mini documentary which can be viewed at http://www.metalblade.com/amonamarth . Fittingly titled Forging Mjölnir, the short film will appear as a three-part series with each official segment slated to premiere via the band’s microsite at http://deceiver.amonamarth.com.

The Forging Mjölnir documentary comes in anticipation of AMON AMARTH’s ninth studio offering, Deceiver of the Gods. Recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, UK, and produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (Opeth, Megadeth, Exodus, Arch Enemy, Killswitch Engage), the follow-up to the band’s critically acclaimed 2011 Surtur Rising full-length delivers ten fiery battle hymns made of buzzsaw riffs and epic harmonies all driven by vocalist Johan Hegg’s commanding Viking roar and absorbing accounts of Norse crusades and treachery. Deceiver of the Gods comes adorned with another outstanding Tom Thiel-created cover portraying a mythical battle between the Norse Gods Loki and Thor. As an added bonus, Messiah Marcolin (Candlemass) makes an appearance as guest vocalist on eighth track, “Hel.”

View the black and white Forging MjöLnir trailer where the band discusses their earliest musical influences,  as well as a stream of opening title track and first single, “Deceiver of the Gods” and special preorder info at this location: http://www.metalblade.com/amonamarth.

Deceiver of the Gods will be released in North America via Metal Blade Records June 25th, in Europe June 21st/24th and Japan on June 26th.

Following a run of European festival dates next month, AMON AMARTH will be opening the mainstage of this year’s edition of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest set to commence June 29 in San Bernardino. See confirmed dates below.

AMON AMARTH Summer 2013 European Festival Tour:
6/01/2013 Forta Rock Festival – Nijmegen, NL
6/06/2013 Sweden Rock Festival – Solvesborg, SE
6/07/2013 Rock Am Ring – Nurburgring, DE
6/08/2013 Sonisphere – Sonisphere, FR
6/09/2013 Rock Im Park – Nurenberg, DE
6/11/2013 MeetFactory – Prauge, CZ
6/12/2013 Eter Club – Wroclaw, PL
6/14/2013 Copenhell – Copenhagen, DK
6/15/2013 Noval Rock – Nickelsdorf, AT
6/16/2013 Download Festival – Donington, UK
6/21/2013 Nummirock – Nummijarvi, FI

AMON AMARTH
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest 2013
6/29/2013 San Manuel Amphitheater – San Bernardino, CA
6/30/2013 Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA
7/02/2013 Idaho Center Amphitheatre – Nampa, ID
7/03/2013 White River Amphitheatre – Auburn, WA
7/05/2013 Desert Sky Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ
7/06/2013 Isleta Amphitheatre – Albuquerque, NM
7/07/2013 Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre – Englewood, CO
7/09/2013 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI w/ Children of Bodom, Job for a Cowboy, Battlecross, Huntress
7/10/2013 Molson Canadian Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON
7/12/2013 First Niagara Pavilion – Burgettstown, PA
7/13/2013 Toyota Pavilion – Scranton, PA
7/14/2013 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center – Darien Center, NY
7/16/2013 Comcast Center – Mansfield, MA
7/17/2013 Bangor Waterfront – Bangor, ME
7/19/2013 Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden, NJ
7/20/2013 Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY
7/21/2013 The Comcast Theatre – Hartford, CT
7/23/2013 PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
7/24/2013 Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA
7/26/2013 Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, IN
7/27/2013 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre – Tinley Park, IL
7/28/2013 DTE Energy Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI
7/29/2013 Expo Five – Louisville, KY w/ Children of Bodom, Behemoth, Emmure, Motionless In White, Born of Osiris, Job for a Cowboy, Battlecross, Huntress
7/30/2013 Lakewood Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA
7/31/2013 Live Nation Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL
8/02/2013 Austin 360 Amphitheatre – Austin, TX
8/03/2013 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX
8/04/2013 Gexa Energy Pavilion – Dallas, TX
8/05/2013 Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre – Kansas City, MO w/ Rob Zombie, Machine Head, Children Of Bodom
8/07/2013 Pop’s – Sauget, IL w/ Children of Bodom, Battlecross, Huntress
8/08/2013 Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN w/ Children of Bodom, Battlecross, Huntress
8/09/2013 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH w/ Children of Bodom, Battlecross, Huntress
8/11/2013 Heavy MTL Festival – Montreal, QC

http://www.amonamarth.com
http://www.facebook.com/OfficialAmonAmarth
http://twitter.com/amonamarthband

Týr Recruits George Kollias To Track Drums On New Album

TÝR, hailing all the way from the Faroe Islands, are currently recording their new album with producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Aborted, Mercenary) at his studios in Denmark. For drum tracking on this album, TÝR has enlisted the services of George Kollias, one of metal's most accomplished drummers, primarily known for his work in Nile, as well as Nightfall. A video featuring drum tracking highlights, as well as a short message from Kollias, is streaming now on youtube HERE.

George Kollias comments on the experience: "Hey Týr fans, this is George Kollias and I hope you are ALL ready for a crushing new album from Týr!!! I had the pleasure to record the drums on the new album, we had an absolutely great time in the studio and I gotta tell you, the material is super strong and catchy, I'm 100% sure you will all love this new album!! Big thanks to Heri, Terji and Gunnar for the opportunity and to Jacob Hansen for his incredible work with the recordings!"

TÝR comments: "It was a pleasure to have George in studio. He's an amazing drummer and he certainly made an impact on this album. We're very excited to release this album" - Heri, Terji & Gunnar

A recent announcement on the TÝR facebook page has confirmed that the band has parted ways with drummer Kári Streymoy. The band commented on the amicable split:"We regret to inform you that Kári Streymoy and the rest of the band have parted ways. Kári suffered a back injury in 2008, and since then he has had some issues with his drumming. That is the main reason that the co-operation has been problematic for some time now, and we finally decided to part ways. We want to thank Kári for his time in the band. It's been great to have you with us, we wish you the best of luck in the future and we hope you recover fully some day."

This album will be the band's seventh full length effort. One of the new tracks, "The Lay of Our Love", will feature a duet with TÝR vocalist Heri Joensen and Liv Kristine from Leaves Eyes. In an update on facebook.com/leaveseyesofficial, Kristine announced:

"Dear Viking-Metal Fans & Friends,
I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Týr for the duet THE LAY OF OUR LOVE on their up-coming album (title still to be revealed), which is set to be released this Fall. Heri already joined Leaves' Eyes at our headliner show in Wacken Open Air 2012. This was an absolute highlight during our live performance, moreover, I really like his voice and I am grateful for the invitation. A superb track, with inspiring melodies and lyrics, proving the authenticity of Týr.
Love,

Liv"

More details will be unveiled in the forthcoming months as music and art are completed. The band has been posting images from the studio throughout the recording process, so make sure to follow them at facebook.com/tyrband for candid photos and personal updates from the band.

http://www.tyr.fo/
https://www.facebook.com/tyrband
http://twitter.com/tyrband

Whitechapel Debut "Devirgination Studies" Lyric Video

Whitechapel are currently on tour with Asking Alexandria in support of both their most recent self-titled full-length album, and the re-issue of their debut album, The Somatic Defilment. The band will be highlighting some of the album's fan favorites through a series of lyric videos. The first video to be released, Devirgination Studies, is making its worldwide debut today on MetalInsider.net. In addition to the video, fans can enter to win a signed ESP EC-10 guitar! Watch Devirgination Studies and enter to win now at metalinsider.net.

Whitechapel's debut full-length album, The Somatic Defilement, is the record that firmly planted the band on an upward trajectory that has carried them to the upper echelons of modern death metal. The band has taken The Somatic Defilement and placed it in the capable hands of Audiohammer Studios producer Mark Lewis for a complete re-mix, along with a re-master by Alan Douches of West Westside. The results are staggering and give The Somatic Defilementa modern luster up to the standards of the band's most recent recordings. Fans can listen and order now at metalblade.com/whitechapel.

The Somatic Defilement, originally released in 2007, is a concept album about Jack the Ripper's infamous murders of prostitutes in East London's Whitechapel district. This 2013 re-release sees the band tasking producer Mark Lewis to painstakingly bring the six year old recording to today's standard.

The band's latest effort, the self-titled album that dropped on June 19, 2012 in North America, debuted at #47 on the Top 200 Chart, #10 on the Top Independent Albums Chart, #3 on the Hard Music Albums Chart (Current), #2 on the Hard Music Albums Chart (Core Stores) and #64 on the Top Digital Album Chart.

Whitechapel was one of the most well-received albums of 2012, with critical acclaim from some of the most respected music outlets including The New York Times, Alternative Press, Metal Hammer. The album also claimed bragging rights as the iTunes UK Metal Album of the Year for 2012!

"They build unforgiving walls of riff, and unpleasant ones too. Pleasure's not the point, though. There is a militaristic certainty to Whitechapel's work, which activates the true thrills of masochism." New York Times

"The band's best album yet by a wide margin." 4/5, Alternative Press Magazine

WHITECHAPEL's video for their song "I, Dementia" can be viewed HERE. The video was shot by David Brodsky of MyGoodEye as part of the Scion AV Project.

WHITECHAPEL
w/ Asking Alexandria, Motionless In White, Chimaira, I Killed The Prom Queen
05/14 Omaha, NE Sokol Auditorium
05/15 Kansas City, MO Granada Theater
05/16 St Louis, MO Firebird * w/ Motionless In White
05/17 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection
* w/ I Killed The Prom Queen only
06/01 Memphis, TN Scion Rock Fest

For More Information Please Visit:
http://www.whitechapelband.com
http://www.youtube.com/whitechapeltv
http://www.metalblade.com/whitechapel
http://www.facebook.com/whitechapelmetal
https://twitter.com/whitechapelband

Battlecross Discuss Recording At Audiohammer Studios

Detroit, MI's BATTLECROSS has completed work on their second album for Metal Blade Records. The title, track-listing, as well as music and behind the scenes studio videos are being readied for public consumption. Until then, BATTLECROSS has shared a few photos from their time at Audiohammer Studios, as well as some thoughts on the recording process with famed producer Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Whitechapel, DevilDriver).

Since its inception in the early 2000's, Audiohammer Studios has grown to become one of the go-to studios for metal acts worldwide. The facilities and talent behind the production turned out to be the perfect fit for BATTLECROSS. Guitarist Hiran Deraniyagala explains: "I was extremely excited about recording our next album but I didn't know what to expect coming into Audiohammer. There was a lot of pressure on us, but we delivered! Our efforts would not have produced the same results without the masterminds of Mark and Eyal. I haven't stopped listening to it and I can't wait for the world to hear it!"

Guitarist Tony Asta adds:
"We really pushed ourselves on the new album. Working with Mark and Eyal at Audiohammer was learning experience for me, especially while honing my lead guitar parts. The album came out light years ahead of my expectations and I'm proud to say I had a part in it. The recording process was different than I was used to but I really like their approach. The laid back atmosphere, mixed with the deliver or be delivered expectations, really inspired me to do my best.

On the low end, over-the-top bass guitar phenom, Don Slater, offers up his thoughts on the process:
"What makes recording an album almost seem effortless is the environment and professionalism you are working with; Eyal Levi and Mark Lewis at Audiohammer are prime examples of this in top-notch form. As laid back as their approach is to their craft, it enables unbroken focus to the project by not fogging things up with unwanted stress. I simply couldn't have asked for a better team of gentlemen to work with, and the almost random cameos by Jason Suecof were a treat as well. These guys know exactly what they are doing, and it shows in their work, namely our upcoming release. Also, knowing the caliber of musicians they've worked with drove me to do the very best I could for this album, inspiring me to think outside the typical bass box. Our experience with Audiohammer not only pushed us to make the best damned album possible, but also made a better musician of myself. I can't thank them enough."

We are only a few weeks away from unveiling music and art, so stay tuned to metalblade.com and battlecrossmetal.com for the most recent updates.

BATTLECROSS has been confirmed for this year's GWAR BQ! Ring Dog Rescue and Slave Pit, Inc. are proud to present the sickest summer slaughter-fest of this or any Summer. Booze, bands, BBQ, events, water park, raffles, giveaways, guest celebrities, and more! Acts confirmed to perform include GWAR, Municipal Waste, Corrosion of Conformity, Pig Destoyer, Cannabis Corpse, and more! The event is scheduled to take place Saturday August 17th, 2013 at Hadad's Water Park in Richmond, VA, located at 7900 Osbourne Turnpike.  Doors will open at 10:00 AM and the first band will hit the stage at 11:00 AM. Tickets will be on sale June 6th. For more information and the complete lineup, be sure to visit: http://gwarbq.com.

BATTLECROSS
06/08 Detroit, MI Belle Isle Park - Orion Music + More Festival w/ Metallica
w/ Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest 2013
06/29 San Bernardino, CA San Manuel Amphitheater
06/30 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
07/01 Lake Tahoe, CA Whiskey Dick's w/ Huntress
07/02 Nampa, ID Idaho Center Amphitheatre
07/03 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheatre
07/05 Phoenix, AZ Desert Sky Pavilion
07/06 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheatre
07/07 Englewood, CO Fiddler's Green Ampitheatre
07/09 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection w/ Children of Bodom, Amon Amarth, Behemoth, Job for a Cowboy, Huntress
07/10 Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
07/12 Burgettstown, PA First Niagara Pavilion
07/13 Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion
07/14 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
07/16 Mansfield, MA Comcast Center
07/17 Bangor, ME Bangor Waterfront
07/19 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
07/20 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
07/21 Hartford, CT The Comcast Theatre
07/22 New York, NY Saint Vitus w/ Huntress
07/23 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
07/24 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
07/26 Noblesville, IN Klipsch Music Center
07/27 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre
07/28 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
07/29 Louisville, KY Expo Five w/ Children of Bodom, Amon Amarth, Emmure, Motionless In White, Born of Osiris, Job for a Cowboy, Huntress
07/30 Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheatre
07/31 Tampa, FL Live Nation Amphitheatre
08/02 Austin, TX TBA
08/03 The Woodlands, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
08/04 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
End Tour
08/07 Sauget, IL Pop's w/ Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Huntress
08/08 Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works w/ Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Huntress
08/09 Cleveland, OH Peabody's w/ Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Huntress

http://battlecrossmetal.com
http://www.facebook.com/battlecrossmetal
http://twitter.com/battlecross
http://www.metalblade.com/battlecross

Eldkraft Debut "Patterns"

Sweden's ELDKRAFT have launched a new song from their debut album, Shaman, exclusively via LastRit.es! The site, which was formerly known as metalreview.com, is streaming Patterns now HERE.

Poison Tongue founder/PRIMORDIAL singer A.A. Nemtheanga on his latest signing: "I was turned on to Eldkraft by Mortuus from Marduk and instantly recognized even in its raw demo form, here was something genuine, and it had the potential to be a massive pagan metal album. Not the cartoon stuff but the real deal, immersed in ancient shamanism and traditions with the spirit of Bathory somewhere deep in its bones…Eldkraft!"

ELDKRAFT is a musical constellation whose primary foundation rests on epic metal while drawing experimental influences from ancestral musical traditions of the North and spiritual guidance of its hermetic crafts. Shaman, the debut album, is a psychedelic trip gazed upon through contemporary elements, circumnavigating journeys of knowledge, growth and the ecstasy of the soul.

2011 was the year when J. Sandin and H. Karlsson chose to embark on a different path, having reached the end of the line with previous projects and bands. After hearing demo recordings, Metal Blade saw the potential of ELDKRAFT and expressed immediate interest.

With a record deal firmly in place, ELDKRAFT immortalized ten songs for their debut album in their own studio Epidemic, while N. Fjellström recorded the drums in studio Necromorbus. Mixing and mastering was completed under the watchful eye of Magnus Devo Andersson of Endarker Studio Sweden.

ELDKRAFT's debut album, Shaman, will be released the 24th /27th of May, 2013 in Europe and on May 28th in North America via Metal Blade Records.

Shamantrack listing:
1. Gammal krigare
2. Undrets tid
3. Fate's door
4. Moder liv till grav
5. Ursprungskällan
6. Patterns
7. Gränslös gräns
8. Grey man
9. I dödens famn
10. Rimthurs

ELDKRAFT:
J.Sandin - all vocals & keys
H. Carlsson – all guitars & bass
N. Fjellström – drums

https://www.facebook.com/Eldkraftband
http://www.metalblade.com/eldkraft