With the new album "Rise And Shine" recently released (27th of January 2017) and with the band having recently finished a major North American Tour with multi-platinum selling band Amaranthe, Smash Into Pieces now return to tour Scandinavia and Europe. 
 

Rise And Shine is now also available on Vinyl!
Order here: http://bit.ly/2lqLcwF

It's only been 4 months since the band finished their last European Tour and now Germany, UK, Norway, Sweden And Denmark awaits.
 
All Dates
 
April 29 – Nya Kupolen, KARLSKOGA SE
April 30 – HardRock Café, NO

May 12 – Östgöta Rockfestival, NORRKÖPING SE
May 13 – Warwick Music Hall, MARKNEUKIRCHEN DE
May 14 – Maze, BERLIN DE
May 15 – Marx, HAMBURG DE
May 16 – MTC, KÖLN DE
May 17 – Underworld, LONDON UK
May 18 – Sputnik Caré, MUNSTER DE
May 19 – Uni-festival, LUBECK DE

May 25 - Adrenaline Cruise, STOCKHOLM SE
May 26 – Bomber Bar, MOTALA SE
May 27 – Lygten Station, COPENHAGEN DK

June 09 – Midnight Sun Festival, ÖVERTORNEÅ, SE
June 18 – Dreamhack, JÖNKÖPING, SE
July 08 – Peace and Love, BORLÄNGE, SE
July 22 – Uddeholmsladan, HAGFORS SE
Aug 04 – Skogsröjet, REJMYRE SE
Aug 05 – Övik kalaset, ÖVIK, SE
Aug 19 – VOX-Festivalen, ÖREBRO SE
Aug 26 – Eksjö Stadsfest, EKSJÖ SE
Sep 01 – Oscars Nite Club, VARBERG SE


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Stone Sour is excited to announce the band’s return to the live stage, with an exclusive performance at the Rock On The Range official festival Kick-Off Party on Thursday, May 18 at Express Live! in Columbus, OH.  

An exclusive pre-sale for Rock On The Range ticket purchasers will start on Tuesday, March 7 at 10:00 AM EST. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, March 10 at Noon EST at www.RockOnTheRange.com and via Ticketmaster. To celebrate the 11th annual ROTR, tickets will be available for only $11 + service fees.

The exclusive set will mark Stone Sour’s first show in support of Hydrograd, the brand new album coming this summer. Hydrograd, which the band just completed work on, will be the band's first studio album since the House Of Gold & Bones double album set in 2013.  The band is thrilled to be storming back to the live stage with this intimate show. 
   
The Rock On The Range Kick-Off Party will launch the weekend for America’s premier rock festival, May 19, 20 and 21 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, OH. Tickets for the 11th annual Rock On The Range sold out in record time, just over one month after going on sale, marking the fifth consecutive advance sell-out for the festival.

The unprecedented Rock On The Range music line-up includes rock legends Metallica, Soundgarden and Korn each headlining one night of America’s largest and most-acclaimed rock festival, along with performances from The Offspring, Volbeat, Primus, Bush, +LIVE+, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Seether, Coheed and Cambria, Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, Taking Back Sunday, Of Mice & Men, and many more. The ROTR Rolling Rock Comedy Tent will feature sets from nationally known comedians plus Columbus’s top comedy talent. For more information, visit www.RockOnTheRange.com.
Stone Sour is known as a truly incendiary live act, appearing on main stages across the world

Rock On The Range is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, AEG Presents, and MAPFRE Stadium. The festival is supported by rockin’ sponsors: Monster Energy, Bud Light, Jack Daniel’s and Zippo. These partners, along with many others, will feature interactive experiences, artist meet & greets, and other unique fan engagement opportunities throughout the festival.

www.RockOnTheRange.com
www.facebook.com/rockontherange
www.twitter.com/rockontherange
www.instagram.com/rockontherange
Hashtag: #RockOnTheRange

http://www.stonesour.com/
https://www.facebook.com/stonesour
https://twitter.com/stonesour
https://www.instagram.com/stonesour/

Alternative Metal band Mercy Brown are pleased to reveal that they will be embarking on a tour of the west coast of the USA this week. The tour will consist of 14 dates from March 10th to the 25th.

Frontwoman Sera Hatchett commented: "We're looking forward to getting on the road again and making our way to Southern California for the first time, and back up to Boise to play Treefort Music Fest. Hope to see you soon!"

In addition to embarking on the tour, the band have also recently released an amazing video for their track "Codependent" which is taken from their self-titled 2015 album.

Watch "Codependent" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hKc9MVM4YQ

Listen to Mercy Brown here: http://mercy-brown.com/

Following a long radio silence, Finnish rock giants HIM have announced a farewell tour, closing the final chapter on their 26 year career.
 
     "After quarter of a century of Love and Metal intertwined we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored. We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you." says frontman Ville Valo
 
Formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo, guitarist Mikko “Linde” Lindström and bassist Mikko "Migé" Paananen, HIM truly stand out as one of the rock world’s most unique acts. Beautifully blending metal, goth and hard rock with deep, thoughtful and moving lyrics, HIM offered the world a new take on the metal genre, which became known as Love Metal (also the title of their fourth album).
 
Over the course of eight studio albums, HIM captured the hearts and minds of fans across the globe, drawn by their irresistible and inimitable style. Under the banner of their Heartagram logo – a potent symbol encapsulating the juxtaposition of the light and dark, the fierce and forlorn, and the evil and love found in their music - HIM filled venues and crashed charts the world over, collecting numerous awards, gracing countless magazine covers and becoming the first Finnish act to achieve Gold status in the USA.
 
Now, four years after the release of their last studio album ‘Tears On Tape’, HIM are saying farewell, taking in 14 countries across 35 shows for their final goodbye.
 
"At the end of 2017 we will be released into the wild.” says bassist Mige. “Before this event of great transformation we would love to offer you one last chance to experience our live performances in His Majesty's service. It shall not be a weep-fest but a celebration of love metal in all its lovecraftian glory! See you there!"
 
 
Catch HIM for the last time at one of the following shows:
 
JUNE

WED 14      SPAIN         BARCELONA        RAZZMATAZZ
THU 15       SPAIN         MADRID               LA RIVIERA
FRI 16        SPAIN         SANTANDER         SALA ESCENRIO
SAT 17       PORTUGAL  PORTO                HARD CLUB
 

JULY

SAT 01       FINLAND     HELSINKI            TUSKA FESTIVAL
THU 13       FINLAND     TUURI                  MILJOONAROCK
 

NOVEMBER   
                      
FRI 24        RUSSIA       ST PETERSBURG           DK LENSOVETA
SUN 26       RUSSIA                MOSCOW            CLUB STADIUM LIVE
TUE 28       POLAND              WARSAW             STODOLA
WED 29      GERMANY            HAMBURG            DOCKS
 

DECEMBER     
                     
FRI 01        GERMANY            BERLIN                COLUMBIAHALLE
SAT 02       CZECH REP.        PRAGUE               FORUM KARLIN
MON 04      GERMANY            LEIPZIG               HAUS AUENSEE
TUE 05       GERMANY            MUNCHEN           TONHALLE
WED 06      SWITZ.                ZURICH               X-TRA
THU 07       ITALY                   MILAN                 ALCATRAZ
FRI 08        GERMANY            KOLN                   PALLADIUM
SAT 09       LUX.                    ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE      ROCKHAL  
MON 11      HOLLAND            AMSTERDAM        PARADISO
TUE 12       HOLLAND            TILBURG              013  
THU 14       SCOTLAND          GLASGOW           BARROWLAND
FRI 15        ENGLAND            NOTTINGHAM      ROCK CITY
SAT 16       ENGLAND            MANCHESTER      ACADEMY
SUN 17       ENGLAND            LONDON              ROUNDHOUSE
 
Tickets go on general sale 9am Wednesday 8th March.
 
U.S. and FINNISH DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
 
https://www.facebook.com/theheartagram/

It's always a special occasion when a band decides to do an album launch concert, gig, party, however you wish to term it. The truth of the matter is that not only are album launch parties great for showcasing a wide variety of bands, in this case metal bands, but also the nationalities drawn it from it. With Epica's EpicMetalFest II, people from far and wide came to the 013 Poppodium in Tilburg to witness bands from Europe and as far away as Tunisia and Canada.

(This was my first time at a concert abroad and first time flying alone having come from the UK)

Sadly despite best efforts, due to some rather annoying maintenance works going on the Dutch railway and highway between Arnhem and Tilburg, I missed Off The Cross (BE), For I Am King (NL) and Myrath (FR / TN) and so cannot really report on either band. However, by chatting to some punters who said all three bands were on the ball, I'll take their word for it and give all three bands a 7.50/10.

Dutch Modern Metal outfit Textures certainly had their A-game in check as they carried off where Tunisian Oriental Metallers Myrath had finished. By unleashing a charismatic on-stage presence with some rather tight and malicious sounding music, there was no reason why the crowd couldn't have matched the intensity radiating from Textures performance. Underrated at times, Textures have shown during this evening why they're worthy of a Bloodstock slot next year. Ballistic at all angels, Textures were simply raising the bar for the evening, was there anyone capable of stealing the show (besides Epica)?

[8/10]

Having only made their Napalm Records debut last year, Belgian Speed Metallers Evil Invaders showed exactly why the Austrian label snapped up the quartet without question. Blisteringly fast riffs crashed against all four walls of the Universe Stage, all whilst Textures were doing their own shindig next year on the Storm Stage. Evil Invaders have been knocking around for nearly 10 years and yet despite the age of the band as a unit, the members started off as teenagers, yet they're capable of proving that they've shed their teenage skins and morphed into a formidable, respectable force. By belting out songs as if they went out of fashion, Evil Invaders only had one thing in mind... total carnage and boy did they deliver.

[8/10]

One of a handful of Dutch Metal bands performing at this year's EpicMetalFest, Stream Of Passion are really no newcomers to the erotic world of female-fronted Symphonic Metal, in fact all but one band member have been in previous bands thus being no strangers to the scene. Moreover here is a band who despite their best efforts at delivering sweet music that is so sumptuously good to the ears, hasn't yet managed to reach the heights of their fellow contemporaries in Within Temptation and Epica. However their set demonstrated that they're on the path to achieve that goal and despite it still being late afternoon, had no reservations about keeping the crowd on their toes. Drinking was in full flow during their set, Stream of Passion? A Stream of alcohol more like.

[7.5/10]

Since the departure of Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist kicked Alissa out of the band, thus enabling her to join Arch Enemy after Angela Gossow became band manager; thereabouts), The Agonist have been finding their way with their new vocalist Vicky Psarakis. Now, Vicky showed she is up to the task-in-hand by delivering a performance worthy of continuous applause if not for some of the other band members who seemed rather lost and at times not fully convincing; it's as if they haven't stepped out of the shadows of their former vocalist, resulting in a rather disappointing set. Not entirely sure what their plans were for the evening but it seemed to not involve band practise, despite this the whole set was of reasonable standard yet without a doubt, probably the most disinteresting performance of the night.

[6/10]

Herewith is an example of grandiose perversion of the extremely meticulous kind, and now you're probably thinking what the actual f*ck am I on about? It's certainly a technical sentence no? Perfect for Italy's Fleshgod Apocalypse who once again don the theatrics and emit such musical ferocity that earth tremors could be felt. Seriously enough they did not put a foot wrong, in fact they are so rehearsed in their dramatis personae that they would do well at Eurovision next year (are you reading this RAI?). Strobe lights abound and an air of operatic grandeur circumventing the venue was certainly the case, plenty more where those came from as walls of death came to and fro by the commands of Tommaso Riccardi; it was as if he was playing the king and the punters as the fools, either way Fleshgod Apocalypse demonstrated once again why they are still underrated.

[8.5/10]

Where Fleshgod Apocalypse managed to succeed in shitting the audience, Katatonia did not, instead they commenced the slitting. A once great and brutal institution has now turned for the dank and dismal worse; it was as if they weren't meant to be here because to be quite frank, the music did not fit in with the rest of the evenings line-up. That said, at least Katatonia trump Justin Bieber hands down and have the decency to sing, not lip sync live. But Katatonia just could not get the audience going, some just standing and watching bare-face, expressionless, it was as if they have been subjected to a public culling of animals, it was horrific. Despite all their might, Katatonia just did not deliver tonight... well they delivered, but the music was stale and too depressive.

[5/10]

Now whilst I interviewed Anis Jouini from Myrath, The Ocean were doing their thing (and we could hear it, so let's give them a decent 7/10). Now the time had come for the star performance of the evening, well it is Epica's show of course... joking aside, Epica are another band who know how to deliver a mesmerizing yet epic live show and they did not disappoint. Using props designed to mimic their new album's artwork (The Holographic Principle), Epica used laser deflecting pyramids to divert light beams across the stage, creating a psychedelic feeling as a result. Additionally in tow was Coen Janssen and his 'keyscooter' (let's call it that because it's a keyboard on wheels) and of course the expected pyrotechnics (which culminated in the end to a firework explosion). Epica simply were sensational, by delivering a set, performance and indeed day-concert worthy of being unleashed on DVD, all in the namesake of their new album, calling it magical is simply not enough and does not describe the overarching package that is EpicMetalFest... may the 2017 edition be as breathtaking.

[9/10]

RHYS STEVENSON

In support of their album "Episodes of Solitude", Atropas will be touring through eastern Europe and bringing along their label mates, Words That Burn, as their supporting act. Both bands have recently released their new albums through WormHoleDeath and are ready to explore new territory in the east!
 
03. SEPTEMBER: ROUTE66, BUDAPEST (HU)
04. SEPTEMBER: FLEX CLUB, ARAD (RO)
05. SEPTEMBER: RUDEBOY CLUB, BELSKO BYALA (PL)
06. SEPTEMBER: EXIT CLUB, OSIJEK (CRO)
07. SEPTEMBER: GUSTAF PEKARNA CLUB, MARIBOR (SLO)
08. SEPTEMBER: VELBLOUD MUSIC BAR CLUB, BUDWEIS (CZ)
09. SEPTEMBER: HARD CAFE, KARVINA (CZ)
10. SEPTEMBER: EXIT US, PRAGUE (CZ)

Italian atmospheric rock / metal group Devotion will embark on Russian Tour 2016 in August. Confirmed dates follow.

10-08-16 "AMNEZIA" KAZAN (RU)
11-08-16 "HARAT'S PUB" ULYANOVSK (RU) 
12-08-16 "HARAT'S PUB" SAMARA (RU)
13-08-16 "LUCKY PUB" BALAKOVO (RU)
14-08-16 "METRO" SARATOV (RU)
15-08-16 "WHITE HORSE" VOLGOGRAD (RU)
16-08-16 "THE ROCK BAR" KRASNODAR (RU)
17-08-16 "POZORISCHE" ROSTOV-ON-DON (RU)
18-08-16 "COLLOSEUM" VORONEZH (RU)
19-08-16 "KILLFISH" KURSK (RU)
20-08-16 "LES" MOSCOW (RU)

Devotion are touring in support of fourth album "Words and Crystals", which was released digitally through Pavement Music on February 26. The album is available from Amazon, iTunes, and other online retailers. 

Stream album track "P. Hamilton" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjDPLTgsPNE

www.devotionsound.it
www.facebook.com/devotionsound
twitter.com/devotion_dvtn

London's Alternative Experimentalists Cypher16 are delighted to reveal their ONLY headlining London in 2014. Fronted by Jack Doolan (vocals / guitars) and Will Cass (guitars), the London lads are joined on live performances by Silent Descent's drummer Jerry Sadowski. Cypher16 will be performing at The Underworld in Camden, London on the 19th September.

We spoke to Jack Doolan about their headline show this is what he had to say:

"Well, it's set to be our only London 'Headline' show of 2014, and it's the biggest one that Cypher16 has done so far, so we're pretty excited by that of course. The Underworld is a venue where we have cut our teeth, so to speak over the last few years as a support act to bands like Dark Tranquility and Death Angel, so to finally be headlining it is a big step. The show is a little way off yet, which might seem a little odd to some people, but it'll all fall into place as we reveal our touring plans in the months leading up to the show".

All those who purchase tickets in advance will receive a free-exclusively designed t-shirt at the show, to get this awesome package for a jaw-dropping price of £8, head over to this link (and don't forgot to bring your ticket on the day!):

www.seetickets.com/event/cypher16/underworld/759930

https://www.facebook.com/Cypher16/info

Date: 10th November 2012
Venue: The Twist
Location: Colchester, Essex
Promoter: Alien Nation Live

Such a line-up that spoke a thousand words even when this is the rebirth of one of Colchester's most known music venues besides its main venue the Colchester Arts Centre.

This line-up saw the likes of Southend Heavy Thrashers Merciless Fail, fresh from their successful mission at the Bloodstock Open Air Festival and was one of the last gigs that featured Mr. Rob Chapman on guitar duties. Joining them was the alternative rockers Trash Monroe who put together a solid sound of pop rock and pop punk with emo and gothic tinges here and there and also come from Southend. The third and final act of the night was The Mariana Hollow, who come from Greater London and put together a lavish mix of modern rock and alternative metal, somewhat similar to Evanescence, with this eclectic line-up, expectations ran high.

In order of performance: Trash Monroe, The Mariana Hollow and Merciless Fail

< Melany could not resist feeding Brad some Belgian chocolates she bought before the gig.






















This was to be a night that spewed out a host of rock and metal genres that appealed to everyone, but as soon as the night drew in and Trash Monroe got onto the stage, The Twist was about to be blown apart by the savage sinners known as Trash Monroe, the Southend female-fronted leviathan summoned out their best sounds through a slick yet sick explosion of pop rock and pop punk tracks that quite simply made the bands of yesteryear fall on their knees. Here was a band that simply sparked off fireworks and laid the path for the following acts to follow down, but what made Trash Monroe the all more impressive was the stage interaction between Melany and her fellow musicians, that sort of affectionate approach, not as much as  erotic, but erotic in her dictionary was teasing the band members, let alone leaving the crowd begging for more as her vocals simply redefined divinity. On par with the vocals the guitars, bass and drums all acted as a solid wall of sound and through the mastermind geniuses that stood before us, Trash Monroe were inspirational and yet had proven their worth of why they are the next Essex rock band that deserve to grace the covers of Kerrang! magazine, even we thought this lot would be apt on BBC Radio 2, their performance was solid, full of rock and most importantly got this party pit open and so came to their time where stage exit was due, and the cleaning up of blood stains was to begin, blood from the bleeding ears of the crowd that is.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

< Rebecca was sure that her vocals weren't powerful enough to blow up the mic.




Following up from the delights of Trash Monroe was London's very answer to Evanescence, the rock mob known as The Mariana Hollow, however expectations were short lived as as soon as the band got onto the stage, the crowd interaction went from full on to full off, there was minimal stage interaction and the atmosphere was bleak, but what made up for the downfalls was the music, an iceberg consisting of darkened lyrics, Gothic feeling and sombre lust, just the final touches were nowhere to be found. Sure this is a band with utmost promise and enough passion to make passion fruit seem almost inundated and somewhat questionable of its existence, yet as the mood brood and the atmosphere forever hung in total bleakness, The Mariana Hollow were at times spectators on stage, but in all due course the band performed well, just not at their very best and so the next time they grace this stage, all eyes will be on them.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

< Apparently the bible states that three wise man also gave Jesus guitars.









What was to come next was a band that is considered the beacon of light for the Southend Metal scene, fresh from their duties at Bloodstock, Merciless Fail took no prisoners as they slayed into the crowd with Stoz delivering a vocal range that would make any opera singer look as if they were training to sing, unleashing absolute hell through the slashing guitars were three young chaps, one of which is no longer with Merciless Fail, perhaps this was a testament to Rob's services, none the less the lads finished off what was left of the crowd, leaving nothing but the echoing sound of a night's worth of epic music and sensational talent. As Merciless Fail weaved through their catalogue of songs, they took their chances and livened up their playing, this is a band that has gone from newcomer to rookie and now stand proud and tall as professional musicians and as the boys closed up tonights gig, many were wanting to rewind the clock, watching all of tonights guitar virtuoso's, right to the very first note unleashed through the speakers, but as the saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing, yeah right!

[8] RHYS STEVENSON