One of progressive metal's hardest working bands, MONUMENTS, have announced a string of last minute shows in the United Kingdom and Germany - including performances at Wacken Open Air (Ger), Summer Breeze (Ger) and AcrTanGent (UK) as well as a handful UK headline shows in between.

MONUMENTS live:

06.08.16 (DE) Wacken - Wacken Open Air
11.08.16 (UK) Cardiff - The Globe
12.08.16 (UK) Leicester - The Sound House
14.08.16 (UK) Milton Keynes - The Craufurd Arms
15.08.16 (UK) Guildford - The Boileroom
16.08.16 (DE) Cologne - Underground
18.08.16 (DE) Dinkelsbühl - Summer Breeze
19.08.16 (UK) Bristol - ArcTanGent Festival

Since the release of their critically acclaimed sophomore album 'The Amanuensis' (Century Media 2014), the first album to feature current vocalist Chris Barretto (ex-Periphery/Ever Forthright), MONUMENTS have toured the globe with the likes of Devin Townsend, Karnivool, Animals As Leaders andThe Contortionist.

MONUMENTS will take a well deserved break after these final shows and concentrate on their 3rd album to be released sometime in 2017.
 
http://www.thisismonuments.com
http://www.facebook.com/thisismonuments
http://soundcloud.com/thisismonuments

The ninth wonder of the unnatural world, extreme tech-metal messiahs Meshuggah have upgraded their announced January 18th show at The Academy in Dublin as this venue is already close to sold out. The show will now take place at Vicar Street to meet the demand. Original tickets bought for the Academy remain valid.

Get tickets here: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Meshuggah-tickets/artist/847086 

Full UK & IRL tour-dates for January 2017:

12th January - Bristol (UK) O2 Academy
13th January - Birmingham (UK) O2 Institute
14th January - Nottingham (UK) Rock City
15th January - Glasgow (UK) O2 ABC
17th January - Belfast (UK) Limelight
18th January - Dublin (IRL) Vicar Street (UPGRADED from Academy)
19th January - Manchester (UK) O2 Ritz
20th January - London (UK) O2 Forum

Meshuggah have announced a new album will be coming later this year, check out the teaser: 
https://youtu.be/pslfVYeMYEM

www.MESHUGGAH.net
www.facebook.com/MESHUGGAH

Progressive death metal unit, Abiotic, will be touring Canada this August alongside the black metal might of Necronomicon and Vesperia for the Okkults In Canada Tour 2016. Set to commence on August 4th and level nearly two dozen venues through August 27th, the upcoming trek follows Abiotic's recent European tour alongside death metal heavyweights, Suffocation and Cattle Decapitation.
 
Abiotic will be touring in support of their "Casuistry" full-length, issued last year via Metal Blade Records. Featuring guest appearances by Paul Waggoner of Between The Buried And Me and John Gallagher of Dying Fetus, the critically-acclaimed offering ranked in at #50 on the Billboard Current Hard Music Album Chart and #68 on the Billboard New Artist Chart upon its first week of release. Purchase Casuistry at metalblade.com/abiotic where you can also sample a stream of "Cast Into The Depths."

Slovakian Black / Death Metal horde Mysterious Eclipse have announced that they will be touring both Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina along with fellow countrymen Abstract (Atmospheric / Experimental Progressive Metal) in September (full dates below). Both bands will play three shows in both countries, giving fans ultimately six opportunities to see this tour-de-force live.


Check out the event promo here:- https://www.facebook.com/events/1786000158288254/
 

Global Metal Apocalypse covered Mysterious Eclipse back in 2014:-

"One of Slovakia's long standing metal bands Mysterious Eclipse, has taken a unique turn in how to get your music out to the masses.... by CD trading. Formed in 1996, the quintet have maintained a recognized brand image throughout their career within the underground metal scene. Since their inception they have release one demo (1998), one MCD (1999) and four other major releases (2005, 2008, 2010, 2013) including 2013's "Hell Of Pain". Fronted by Peta Kity Siazikov, this Melodic Black / Death Metal outfit are a gem within the Central European nation and certainly are well worth trading with. This idea may be in place already, but the whole idea of it is great for those bands who are separated by mountains, vast seas, you name it, the whole idea is a great way to get music out to overseas bands, sure the online sharing is obvious. Click on link below for more info...."

— Global Metal Apocalypse, Newsbite: Slovakia's Mysterious Eclipse trading CD's with other bands., Jun 8, 2014

https://www.facebook.com/mysteriouseclipse.sk

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

“Fates Warning have written some of their best material since 1994’s ‘Inside Out’ and some soon-to-be fan favorites. After long periods of absence, it can be tough for a band to rekindle the creative fire, but Fates Warning fans don’t have anything to worry about here.” :- Loudwire (USA)

“Darkness in a Different Light is another notch in a long list of accomplishments for Fates Warning.”
:-  About.com Heavy Metal (USA)

“So where does the album fit into the canon of Fates Warning? To be blunt, right at the top of their game.” :- Metal Injection (USA)

“A strong and melodic prog metal album from a vibrant enthusiastic band in peak condition.” :- Classic Rock Society (UK)

“These revered veterans are on sparkling form.” - Metal Hammer (UK)


American Progressive Metal pioneers Fates Warning released "Darkness In A Different Light" all over the world via InsideOutMusic last week, and are seeing positive results coming from their first release in nine years! "Darkness In A Different Light" entered the Billboard charts at #50 on the Current Rock Chart, at #14 on the Current Hard Music Chart, at #142 on the Top Current Albums Chart, at #162 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and at #5 on the Top New Artist Albums Chart.

You can buy your copy of "Darkness In A Different Light" via iTunes or via Amazon MP3.

"Darkness In A Different Light" was produced by Fates Warning guitarist and main composer Jim Matheos and mixed by long time Fates Warning engineer Phil Magnotti, while mastering duties were handled by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering, California. The artwork was designed by Conte di San Pietro.

Fates Warning are soon to commence a headlining touring run in Europe with support coming from Norway’s Divided Multitude (October 6th – 17th) as well as American group The Omega Experiment for select shows.



Here are all the dates announced so far:

FATES WARNING European Tour 2013:

SA 05.10.2013 Baarlo (The Netherlands) - Progpower Festival
SU 06.10.2013 Zoetermeer (The Netherlands) - Boerderij *
MO 07.10.2013 Aschaffenburg (Germany) - Colos Saal **
WE 09.10.2013 Essen (Germany) - Turock *
TH 10.10.2013 Roeselare (Belgium) - Verlichte Geest **
FR 11.10.2013 Augsburg (Germany) - Musikkantine **
SA 12.10.2013 Pratteln (Switzerland) - Z7 **

SU 13.10.2013 Brescia (Italy) - Colony *
TU 15.10.2013 Ljubljana (Slovenia) - Orto Bar *
WE 16.10.2013 Budapest (Hungary) - A38 *
TH 17.10.2013 Bratislava (Slovakia) - Randal *
SA 19.10.2013 Thessaloniki Greece) - Eightball Club
SU 20.10.2013 Athens (Greece) - Fuzz Club
TU 22.10.2013 Moscow (Russia) - KZ Moskva

* + Divided Multitude
** + Divided Multitude & The Omega Experiment


FATES WARNING North American Tour 2013:

FR 15.11.2013 Joliet, IL - Mojoe's *
SA 16.11.2013 Detroit, MI - Harpos *
SU 17.11.2013 Louisville, KY - Diamond Pub & Billiards *
MO 18.11.2013 Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom *
WE 20.11.2013 Toronto, ONT - Mod Club *
TH 21.11.2013 Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance *
FR 22.11.2013 Hartford, CT - Webster Theater *

SA 23.11.2013 New York, NY - The Studio @ Webster Hall *
SU 24.11.2013 Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz *
TU 26.11.2013 Amityville, NY - Revolution *
WE 27.11.2013 Reading, PA - Reverb *
FR 29.11.2013 Springfield, VA - Empire *
SA 30.11.2013 Spartanburg, SC - Ground Zero *
SU 01.12.2013 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade *

TU 03.12.2013 Houston, TX - Scout Bar **
WE 04.12.2013 San Antonio, TX - Backstage Live **
TH 05.12.2013 Dallas, TX - Trees **
SA 07.12.2013 Tempe, AZ - Club Red **
SU 08.12.2013 San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick **
TU 10.12.2013 Los Angeles, CA - The Whisky **
WE 11.12.2013 San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge **

FR 13.12.2013 Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater **
SA 14.12.2013 Seattle, WA - Studio Seven **

* + Halcyon Way
** + Artizan


www.fateswarning.com
www.facebook.com/FatesWarning

< Performing the splits is always a painful experience

A six band metal fest sounding like a mammoth marathon when staring at who is lined up for this evenings extravaganza, the mass of fans queuing outside gave a slight indication that this night was going to be huge, they weren't wrong. Clambering up on stage first was Australia's rebels Make the Suffer of whose Symphonic Death Metal ailment soon cured the frozen fans who stood outside patiently, waiting to get into the warmth of Camden's Underworld venue. Emblazoned with an image that smacked faces across the room, Make Them Suffer made light work of getting a mosh pit initiated, it was as if they clicked their fingers and just like robots the crowd started moving; although the apt pun of them playing Industrial Metal would have sufficed the former quip. What Make Them Suffer does that most bands don't seem to of late is lean into the crowd, on occasions the guitarists would lean into the crowd as if to offer them a slight touch of the fret or as one fan did, rape the guitarists leg with his hands, quite literally massaged him. For what seemed like a long set, in fact the band had blitzed through their set, only to find that the next band was warming up in the wings and that band being France's As They Burn (a Nu Modern Metal machine), whilst elsewhere an interview was in line of sight.

[8]

Whilst As They Burn were tearing down the venue, the interview with Job For A Cowboy's drummer Jon Rice was conducted and can be heard below.

Gorod weren't happy when they learned French wine was not available at the bar >

Gorod are a tricky band to pin down, emanating from what was heard to be the mathematical sounds of Technical / Progressive Death Metal, as if it was a ticking time bomb, with each second producing a sound-wave that shook the very foundations of Camden. This French lot certainly expressed and preached their metal to the masses and in doing so may just have earned themselves the right to be recognized as another great French export alongside legends Gojira. As Julien explained later, the French Metal scene is not all happy dappy. Still the quintet never gave into the relenting surge that swarmed in front of them as they played, caressing the various moshpits and occasional stage dive that surmounted the evening as perhaps the most well received band, although later on that all changed. What amazed the crowd about this French lot, was that for every song played, Julien the vocalist spoke to them in general conversation, commenting on how they love playing in the UK and how privileged they are being here tonight. Song after song, comment after comment and the bar was constantly flowing beer, perhaps signalling a call for Gorod to shut up shop and down a pint or two, for War From A Harlot's Mouth were already wielding their axes to go into battle and deliver their own slaying. Meanwhile another interview was about to take place, this time inside a coach (first was in a nearby bar)

[8]

Whilst War From A Harlot's Mouth were tearing down the venue, the interview with Gorod's vocalist Julien Deyres was conducted and can be heard below.

< Patrice Hamelin did not realize he could drum with his eyes closed

Hailing all the way from the French province of Quebec in Canada, Beneath The Massacre delivered a knock-out punch performance that would make Frank Bruno look like John Inman in 'Are You Being Served?' It was that powerful, trickling out their own style of Death Metal the Québécoise musicians made no mistake in keeping the torrential outburst of extreme metal flowing this evening, right from the first note the entire room once again started moshing, even extending to the point where numerous crowd-surfing moments was taking place, whilst this was happening subsequent stage diving also take place and at first it seemed as if the fans were doing it in sync with the musical beat, but then it was apparent to be more ad hoc than systematic, but what was systematic was the band's live performance, for each song had a unique structure that made poetry seem to flow more easier over the music itself, for the lyrics were not generic lyrics but lyrics with a poetry feel to them. The continual pummeling of the ground was beginning to get even louder and louder until there was a break in the musical massacre, a deafening silence had dawned as if the battle line had been drawn, this was the sign of something elephantine, something brutal, something that needed help with, this was a Job For A Cowboy acknowledging their arrival.

[8.5]

Nick Schendzielos had to resort to turning his bass lights on after the stage lights blew up >

So it came down to the headlining act Job For A Cowboy to deliver the final obliterating blow to end what has been a total apocalyptic explosion over the borough of Camden. Fuelled by the enraged crowd from earlier brutalities encountered, it was clear the audience was up for more and more they got as the American armada set sail on the river Riff, down to the drumming delta and used the vocals as a springboard to unleash what only be called as pure hell. During the course of the set there was more and more moshpits, crowdsurfing and stage diving as each song got heavier and heavier until cracks appeared in the ceiling, resulting in the band setting the stage alight and burning bright with a stage presence that would make Cannibal Corpse stop and stare. Nearing towards the very end of the set the sound reached its peak and the bassist did no more, he switched on a rather ingenious piece of technology, LED's embedded in his bass guitar's neck, giving an eery green color and leaving the crowd gasping in sheer amazement, one fan shouted out "Every f**king metal band should have a guitar like that, f**king guitar companies don't know s**t!" To be fair he was right, this is the sort of thing that should appear in the vast majority of band's guitar arsenal, on the other hand there is only one Job For A Cowboy and so that image belongs to them.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

As the music began to die down, the atmosphere was still ringing from riff shrapnel throughout the night and on the way out, one final interview was made, this time it was with a fan called Francisco 'Frankie' Cañardo who came all the way from Argentina to see his favorite bands play!

And they say fan dedication is dying?