More than 10000 people signed a petition last year for the authorities to grant Doch Chkae the necessary visa to allow the young Cambodian band to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2018. Despite intense public campaigning and strong political efforts their application was unfortunately turned down in the end.

Yet the band, Swiss social worker Timon Seibel, and the Wacken Open Air endured and their persistence was finally rewarded. Last week, Doch Chkae were informed that their visa application has been approved and the band will be allowed to enter Germany to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2019!

Holger Hübner comments:-

    "We are stoked that we will finally be able to welcome Doch Chkae in Wacken this year," says the festival organiser. "We sincerely thank all authorities involved, private individuals, and our crew, who have paved the way for this young Cambodian band to come to Germany. Music and particularly metal is an international language that connects people across all borders, cultures, and religions in friendship."

The band adds:-

"Last year's problems with our visa unfortunately made it impossible for us to come to Germany", Doch Chkae relate happily. "We are all the more pleased to have been invited again and to get the chance to play at the world's biggest metal festival! This is our biggest dream coming true! We are totally thrilled! Thank you, Wacken! Thank you, Germany!"

Doch Chkae translates as "dog life" – in which many of the inhabitants of the big slums in Cambodia are trapped. The three band members grew up in what was once the country's biggest waste dump. According to UNICEF, more than 10,000 children live on and off the streets in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh alone. The kids catch dogs for restaurants, prostitute themselves, trade in drugs, look for recyclables in garbage or try to survive in other ways.

Theara, Vichey, Pic, and Hing were lucky - three of the homeless kids were not only lodged in an orphanage run by Moms Against Poverty, but their social worker Timon also happened to find the right valve for the angry teenagers: Heavy Metal. After visiting a concert of the deathcore act SLITEN6IX, the original trio quickly formed their own band. Doch Chkae play angry death metal – and are probably the first to use their native language Khmer.

Doch Chkae have become a role model that has long been encouraging other children and young people in Cambodia to use music as a means to gain some control over their lives. The band plays concerts for their community, has founded its own label, and even appeared on television.

Before their show at the Wacken Open Air, DOCH CHKAE will be joined by Lebanese girl band SLAVE TO SIRENS, TRAINWRECK from Bangladesh, and VALLEY OF CHROME from the Philippines to play a warm-up gig at Hamburg's Kaiserkeller under the banner of "United Metal Nations" on July 27th.

The official festival trailer for the Wacken Open Air 2019 can be viewed here:-
https://wacken.click/woa-trailer

www.wacken.com

After their critically acclaimed debut, Antagonist, released last September with Black Omega Recordings, Blackened Doom Metal band PRAISE THE PLAGUE have announced the signing with powerhouse label Argonauta Records!

The five-piece from Berlin, formed in 2017, create a depressing atmosphere on top of a heavy, sludgy wall of doom, while always delivering an apocalyptic vibe with a dark and devouring Black Metal attitude. Argonauta Records will release the band's upcoming EP titled Antagonist II, due out on September 13th 2019.

Says the band:-

     "We are absolutely pumped to be working with Argonauta Records on our upcoming release! This coming autumn will be overwhelmed by darkness!“

Praise the Plague is:

Robert (vocals)
Marcel (guitar)
Jan (guitar)
Benni (bass)
Sascha (drums)


Praise The Plague live:

21.06.19 DE -Leipzig, Hellraiser
13.07.19 DE - Heidelberg, Karlstorbahnhof
23.11.19 DE - München, Fall of Men

With many more shows, EP details and tunes to follow soon!

www.facebook.com/praisetheplague
www.praisetheplague.com
www.instagram.com/praisetheplague
www.argonautarecords.com

Teutonic metal defenders Spiker premiere the new track "Kommando" at the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM) YouTube channel. The track hails from the band's brand-new EP, Heavy Metal Macht, set for international release on July 8th via Dying Victims Productions. Hear Spiker's "Kommando" in its entirety exclusively HERE.

Ever aptly titled, Heavy Metal Macht is indeed pure German metal THUNDER! No thrash, no speed, just simple (and simply stunning) HEAVY METAL brewed in the cauldrons of old, all delivered in Spiker's mother tongue, as a nod to the old GDR metal bands that also sang in German. Classy and cruising whilst emitting a touch of rowdiness that's intrinsic to the Teutonic rivethead ethos, here on Heavy Metal Macht do this young quartet of old souls charge into the night with gusto and panache, armed to the teeth with anthems of indelible steel. Granted, Spiker can certainly kick up the pace when they want to, but their thrust isn't strictly speed metal per se, but rather a hook-intensive sort somewhere between early Living Death and classic Tank, Germany's Warrant and Strong Arm of the Law-era Saxon. You've been warned about their Heavy Metal Macht!

The next warning comes in the form of the new track "Kommando," which can be heard exclusively HERE, courtesy of the NWOTHM YouTube channel. The first warning comes in the form of the previously revealed "Der Rock der's bringt" HERE at Dying Victims' official YouTube channel.

www.facebook.com/DerRockDersBringt

www.dying-victims.de 
www.facebook.com/dyingvictimsproductions 

Rising death metal monolith Scythe Lore stream the entirety of their striking debut EP, Through the Mausoleums of Man, at Decibel magazine's website. Set for international release on June 21st, hear Scythe Lore's Through the Mausoleums of Man in its entirety exclusively HERE.

Hailing from Germany, Scythe Lore are a death metal band in all its aspects, in every definition. Not for nothing is this power-trio named Scythe Lore: this beast is being hurled into the world with both stealth and mystery. Its first manifestation of dread, darkness, and doom suitably bears the title  Through the Mausoleums of Man. As that title suggests, the six-track/20-minute record is a journey which details man's interactions with death and its implications in all corners, all depths and all highs of this realm.

Suffused with sulphur and fury, Scythe Lore thereby use and fuse all elements of death metal - or "Dark Death Metal," as they so proclaim it, with influences/elements from ancient '90s dark metal - sometimes manifesting itself fast, sometimes slow, but always ugly. It's a quick and cavernous listen, righteously rumbling and roiling with excitement and electricity at every turn: get absolutely GUTTED going Through the Mausoleums of Man!

Enter the whole mausoleum exclusively HERE, courtesy of Decibel, North America's only monthly metal magazine.

www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

We have the pleasure of bringing you one last treat before the release date draws near! however due to delays on the physical side we had to set the release to June 21st and its with great pride we present Spirit Of Valor play-through filmed by Oropesa - https://www.facebook.com/oropesa.de/, the album 'Rise Of Norn' Will be available worldwide on June 21st as CD Digipak / Digital as well as all digital platforms!

Check it out here:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybkFk7bZP98

German Melodic Death Metal group Vagrant present official play.through of their track Spirit of Valor 
Taken from the forthcoming album " The Rise Of Norn". Out June 21st, 2019.

CD Pre order available at smarturl.it/vagrantnorn

Vagrant had this to say about the track:-

     "Our single "Spirit of Valor" is the most intense song on this album. It describes the final battle of the young warrior, which will lead to his death. The Song has everything in it Vagrant is about, dark atmosphere, fast blast beats, catchy melodies and massive orchestra. Definitely the most epic song on this album"

https://www.facebook.com/VagrantMetal/
https://www.instagram.com/vagrantoffi...

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https://twitter.com/Blacklionrecswe

Ukraine's most ferocious metal export Jinjer have officially begun work on their highly anticipated third album and follow up to their Napalm Records debut King Of Everything (2016) and their amazing “Micro” EP (2018). Once again teaming up with sound producer Max Morton at Kaska Studio in Kiev, the as of yet untitled album is expected to be released sometime in fall 2019 and promises to be their best and most fierce material to date.
 
     "No rest for the wicked! Together with our long time friend and producer Max Morton, we are pleased to announce that we’ve entered Kaska Studio in Kiev to begin recording our third full album, to be released later this year. Trust us, it’s gonna blow your heads off," says the band.
 
Hot off the heels of the news that numerous North American dates with special guests The Browning being upgraded to bigger venues and some shows near the sell out point, Jinjer have also announced a full blown European Headline Tour in November/December to coincide with the release of their new album.
 
Jinjer seem determined to take over the world one country at a time and by any means necessary:-

     “Europe! We are coming for you! The time has come to show you the fiercest side of Jinjer ever, with a new album, new songs as well as all our older hits and a few surprises in-between. We know a lot of you have been waiting for us to do a proper headline tour with our own production and that time has finally come! Join us this November/December throughout Europe and the United Kingdom and help us celebrate this new era with a bang!”
 
Do not miss your chance to see Jinjer somewhere in Europe or North America this year!

Black Lion is proud to welcome German Black Metallers Totengeflüster into Black Lion Records. Their third album will be released under our banner in October 2019. Totengeflüster is a new but constant growing force formed in 2007. They already managed to become fairly big player in the European Underground Black Metal - Scene, following the success of their latest album 'Im Nebel der Vergänglichkeit‘ 2017 the band has been on a consistent touring cycle across European soil and performing at various clubs and festivals across the country including the renowned Summer Breeze and Wolfszeit Festival. So it‘s with great pleasure that we can welcome them into Black Lion more details to follow!

Black Lion Comments:-

     "We are beyond thrilled to be getting a chance to work with such a great band with such amazing vision and sound,Totengeflüster has been a band we've followed up close for quite sometime and little did we know they've done the same, so its with great pride our paths finally cross."

Totengeflüster comments:-

     "To have Black Lion Records on our side as a supporting and understanding partner we can now dive into a new chapter for Totengeflüster. Black Lion Records will help us to grow constant and spread our art in independent ways! There are big things coming up on the horizon and we are looking into a future that will benefit everyone. The Band, the Fans and the Label. ~ Totleben"

Totengeflüster are 

TOTLEBEN- Guitars
NARBENGRUND NIHILIS - Vocals 
EGREGOR- Guitars
TEUFESKALD- Bass
FROSTBITTEN- Drums

https://www.facebook.com/totengefluester/
https://www.instagram.com/totengefluster/
https://www.totengefluester.de/

From deep in the age of prehistoric dinosaurs comes Victorius - saving the world from an alien invasion. Alongside the holy dinoforce these five madmen play Jurassic Power Metal, using lots of high end technology and laser cannons.

SLAY THE ALIEN SCUM!
 
The time has come to join forces with Napalm Records and free the world from all aliens! Welcome to the family, Victorius! We are proud to stand side by side in this battle of the German Power-Metal heroes!

Victorius on the signing:

     “We are more than proud to announce that we have joined forces with one of the world´s leading record companies for metal music: Napalm Records! With almost three decades in the business, the team around CEO Thomas Caser is one of the most professional you can work with! We´re happy that we finally found a partner who shares the same vision and goals as we have for Victorius! With that said, a new album is nearly completed and ready to be unleashed! Power Metal is alive! And it will shine brighter than ever before!”

Napalm Records on the signing:

     “We are delighted that Victorius signed with Napalm Records. They are one of Germany’s most promising Power Metal bands, currently recording their next record which is set to be released early 2020 via Napalm Records.”

Get a glimpse of Victorius and watch "Twilight Skies" HERE

Forming in Leipzig, Germany, Victorius played their first shows on a quest with epic battles against demons and dragons, forming touring alliances with bands like Grave Digger, Van Canto or Freedom Call. From 2004 on they gathered thousands of supporters all over the planet in preparation for the most epic showdown in modern prehistoric history: dinosaurs versus aliens. They kept advancing their skills and their music grew with them over the years, so they continued to develop their style, which is a combination of German and Scandinavian Power-Metal.

Discography:

2010: Unleash the Titans
2012: The Awakening
2014: Dreamchaser
2017: Heart of the Phoenix
2020: tba

VICTORIUS are:

David - Vocals
Dirk - Guitars
Andreas - Bass
Flo - Guitars
Frank – Drums


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Finnish Folk Metal Superstars Korpiklaani don't seem to need any rest! After playing an extensive European tour with Turisas and Trollfest in support of their latest studio album 'Kulkija' ('Wanderer'), the band is about to kick off an 8-show Australian & New Zealand run (w/ Troldhaugen) tomorrow. But before the sextet continues their current touring cycle with a North American co-headline tour with their label mates in Eluveitie in September/October, Korpiklaani will perform a string of European festival gigs. In anticipation of these upcoming summer dates - starting at Metalfest Open Air, Pilsen (CZ) on June 2nd - the band has unleashed a brand new lyric video for the Czech version of their all-time favourite 'Beer Beer', which can also be found on the tour edition of 'Kulkija'. Check out 'Bír Bír' [ft. Fleret] over on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4drIAMzV7qg

Fleret comments:-

      "The cooperation with Korpiklaani on the Czech version of their hit song 'Beer Beer (Bír Bír)' convinced us that even folk metal superstars like them can be nice guys with stellar manners. Not only did they prove this during the rehearsal at the Masters Of Rock Café in Zlín but also on the Masters Of Rock 2018 festival stage where we played with them after only one rehearsal of their song 'Vodka', our song 'Vizovice' and then - we believe we can say - our common song 'Beer Beer (Bír Bír)' with the Czech lyrics of our lyricist Jan Mrlík. That was a remarkable and exciting experience for us and hopefully for Korpiklaani as well. Korpiklaani, thanks to all of you!"

The track will be available digitally from Friday, May 24!

KORPIKLAANI live:

'The Wayfarers Australia & New Zealand Tour 2019' w/ TROLDHAUGEN

18.05. NZ Wellington - Valhalla *SOLD OUT*
19.05. NZ Auckland - Whammy Bar
21.05. AUS Brisbane - The Triffid
22.05. AUS Sydney - Manning Bar
23.05. AUS Canberra - The Basement
24.05. AUS Melbourne - Max Watt's
25.05. AUS Adelaide - Enigma Bar
26.05. AUS Perth - Amplifier

02.06. CZ Pilsen - Metalfest Open Air
21. - 23.06.  LT Varniai - Kilkim Žaibu
05.07. F Colombier-Saugnieu - Plane ‘R Fest
06.07. D Ballenstedt - Rockharz Open Air
12.07. UA Kiev - Atlas Weekend
26.07. SLO Tolmin - MetalDays
01. - 04.08. RO Rasnov - Rockstadt Extreme Fest
02. - 03.08. FIN Tampere - SaariHelvetti
17.08. F St. Nolff - Motocultor Festival

'Wanderers Towards Rebirth - Kulkija Ad Ategnatos' w/ ELUVEITIE, GONE IN APRIL

19.09. USA Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
20.09. USA Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
21.09. USA New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
22.09. USA Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
23.09. USA Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
24.09. USA Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
26.09. USA Mesa, AZ - Club Red

27.09. USA Los Angeles, CA - Regent Theater
28.09. USA Oakland, CA - Metro Operahouse
29.09. USA Portland, OR - The Bossanova Ballroom
30.09. CDN Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
01.10. USA Seattle, WA - El Corazon
03.10. USA Denver, CO - Summit
04.10. USA Lincoln, NE - The Royal Grove

05.10. USA Minneapolis, MN - The Cabooze
06.10. USA Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
07.10. CDN Toronto, ON - The Opera House
08.10. CDN Ottawa, ON - Brass Monkey
09.10. CDN Montréal, QC - Théâtre Corona
10.10. CDN Québec, QC - Impérial Bell
11.10. USA Worcester, MA - Palladium

12.10. USA Reading, PA - Reverb
13.10. USA Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
14.10. USA New York, NY - PlayStation Theater

Are you a traveller or a wanderer? Be part of Korpiklaani's journey around the world! Use the hashtag  #KorpiklaaniWayfarers on Twitter and Instagram, and your photos will appear here:
http://nblast.de/KorpiklaaniWayfarers

www.korpiklaani.com
www.facebook.com/korpiklaani
www.nuclearblast.de/korpiklaani

Hamburg-based Sludge Metal unit High Fighter returns with their sophomore, brand new album this summer on Argonauta Records. Today the band is sharing with us not only the hotly anticipated release details, but also a first single taken from their upcoming record titled Champain!

After the group's debut EP The Goat Ritual released end of 2014, followed by numerous shows all over Europe & the UK, including festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Summer Breeze, Desertfest Berlin, London and Antwerp, SonicBlast Moledo, Stoned From The Underground, Up In Smoke, Keep It Low, Red Smoke Festival and many more, as well as countless gigs on tour with bands alike Ahab, Conan, Elder, Downfall of Gaia, Crowbar, Mantar, Corrosion of Conformity, Mammoth Storm, Brant Bjork, The Midnight Ghost Train and Earth Ship to name just a few, High Fighter released their first full-length and critically acclaimed album Scars & Crosses in June 2016 on Svart Records. The band's second studio album, Champain, is set for a release on July 26th 2019 with powerhouse label Argonauta Records.

It seems life on the road has impacted High Fighterin a huge way. As their new album has a heavier and fast-paced sound compared to their first records. The best way to describe High Fighter in 2019 is pissed off! This is a different band that announced their arrival in 2014 with their debut EP followed by Scars & Crosses. Champain isn’t for the faint hearted and the band may actually surprise a lot of their established fan-base with this album.

Vocalist Mona Miluski explains:-

     "We finally present you the cover art and details for our second album, we have named Champain. This album tells an anti-hero story, and we have probably never sounded that focussed and brutal on a record before. Champain has been recorded, mixed and mastered by our dear friend Jan Oberg at Hidden Planet Studio in Berlin, and the clear, classy but epic album artwork has been designed by the talented Johnny Doe. This record is definitely not Scars & Crosses part 2, we tried to evolve our sound to a new level and this time, introducing the even more heavier side of High Fighter."

Opening songs such as Before I Disappear, Shine Equal Dark and Dead Gift, create an eerie and gloomy atmosphere where the mood can be pitch-black in places. The soaring and brutal riffs on this album allow Mona to show her impressive vocal range, from Death Metal growls, mean screams to her Stoner Rock, Soul and Blues roots.

Stream the album opening track, Before I Disappear, just exclusively premiered with Outlaws of the Sun, HERE!

Champain will be coming out July 26th in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats, with a pre-order and many more news to follow soon.
 
High Fighter is:

Mona Miluski – vocals
Christian Pappas – guitar
Ingwer Boysen – guitar
Constantin Wüst – bass
Thomas Wildelau – drums & backing vocals


HIGH FIGHTER live:

14.06.19 DE – Hannover / Café Glocksee, w/ Monolord
22.06.19 DE – Freak Valley Festival
03.08.19 DE – Gössnitz Open Air
08.-10.08.19 PT – SonicBlast Moledo
18.10.19 DE – Metal Inferno Paderborn
+ many more shows to be announced soon

www.facebook.com/HighFighter
www.highfighter.bandcamp.com
www.instagram.com/highfighter_official
www.youtube.com/highfighter_official
www.argonautarecords.com