After one month of voting, nearly 6,000 votes cast and countless sharing across all social media platforms by us and nominees alike, the time has come to announce the winners of the GMA Awards 2019.

But before that happens, there will be a change to how the nominees are cast. For 10 months of the year we will be running a series of rounds from which the 10 finalists will be recognised for the annual event.

The system will work as thus: nominees elected in the month of January are voted for in February... February nominees voted in March, etc and finishes with nominees in October being voted for in November - the finalists will then be voted for across the month of December and into early January 2021; finishing 8th January 2021.

Now that's put out into the open, we can finally reveal the winners of the GMA Awards 2019.

Global Metal Ambassador 2019

1. Gojira (France) - (28.1%)
   
2. Freddy Lim (Taiwan) - (21.4%)
3. Jake Shuker & Monzer Darwish (Syria) - (9.7%)
4. Sahil Makhija (India) - (8%)
5. Slaves To Sirens (The Lebanon) - (6.9%)
6. Underside (Nepal) - (6.4%)
7. Rock Arka'n (Togo) - (4.9%)
8. Roy Dipankar (India -'Extreme Nation' director) - (4.6%)
9. Overthrust (Botswana) - (4.1%)
10. Zarraza (Kazakhstan) - (3.5%)
11. World Metal Congress (International) - (2.2%)*
    

  * Later withdrawn by request of nominee.

Finland’s multi-Platinum cello-rock band Apocalyptica have released the video for ‘En Route To Mayhem’, which will transport the viewer to a fantastical post-humanity future. This imaginary world is barren, dusty, and littered with broken pieces of things once considered essential to humankind such as bits of plastic, a teddy bear, crumbling structures, cell phones and computers, bleached bones, and long-forgotten musical instruments. The setting is devoid of mankind, but brimming with the hope of new life; and then one day, thunder, lightning, and one drop at a time, it begins to rain, and Mother Nature steps in. Check out the ‘En Route To Mayhem’ video HERE.
 
Apocalyptica’s Eicca Toppinen comments:-

     “‘En Route To Mayhem’ is a journey of hedonic needs growing into greed and aggression, driving into inner mayhem and ending without satisfaction. This video underlines the fact that however we think we are in control by destroying things and life around us, life itself will take over in the end, always. We are not in control of the bigger picture, and we should be aware of it and raise our respect to life around us.”
 
The ‘En Route To Mayhem’ video is in support of Apocalyptica’s upcoming album, Cell-0, due out January 10th, 2020 via Silver Lining Music. Produced by Apocalyptica – cellists Eicca Toppinen, Perttu Kivilaakso, and Paavo Lötjönen, and drummer Mikko Sirén and mixed by Andrew Scheps (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, Metallica and Black Sabbath), and recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki.
 
The recording of Cell-0 followed a four-year break between albums that gave the band a fresh perspective and affected the way they approached the new music. Cell-0 is the quartet's first instrumental album in 17 years and found the musicians challenging themselves to discover new flavours and colours in their respective instruments. For Cell-0 pre-order options, go to this location.
 
Perttu Kivilaakso comments:-

     “Cell-0 has a concept which is to challenge the listeners to question themselves and ask “Am I doing the best I can for the environment, for other beings? Is there still something I can change?”
 
To highlight environmental issues, the band wanted to ask fans to do something for our planet; so to coincide with the release of the new video, they have launched a very special competition, which will give fans the chance to win the opportunity for Apocalyptica to play in their living room.
 
To enter, fans will need to show the band how they are making the planet a healthier place for everyone. Fans can head to their Facebook page and comment with photos/videos showing what they are doing to help the planet and telling the band why they should be picked as a winner.
 
To find out more information, head to the band’s Facebook page. The online contest is open to all European fans from now and will close at 7:00 pm CET Friday, January 10th, 2020.  Full terms and conditions can be found here.
 
In concert, Apocalyptica are known for their moving live performances and will kick off the New Year as Special Guests on Sabaton's 15-country, 23-date European arena tour that begins on January 17, 2020 in Zurich, Switzerland. With a set list that will likely vary night to night, Apocalyptica's performances will be comprised of new songs from Cell-0 as well as from the band's rich catalogue. Tickets are on sale now; go to https://www.apocalyptica.com for all pre-sales, VIP packages, and ticketing details.

Austrian-German post death metallers Oceans are set to release their debut album The Sun And The Cold on January 10, 2020 via Nuclear Blast. After teasing fans with snippets from the 2nd single 'Dark', the band is proud to present the full track in the form of a music video today. Produced by their long-time friend and videographer Niklas Karrenbauer (motiviert.org), the video features Arroganz vocalist/bassist K and can be watched here: youtu.be/Ca_KMgoWiQc

Vocalist/guitarist Timo Rotten says, "We wanted to make a song that feels like being crushed by a bulldozer, while being its driver at the same time. If you love extreme music, 'Dark' won't leave you untouched. This thing is wild."

• Pre-order The Sun And The Cold now, here: nblast.de/OceansTheSunAndTheCold
• Pre-order digitally to receive 'We Are The Storm' and 'Dark' instantly (via amazon & iTunes only) or pre-save the album now via Spotify, Apple Music & Deezer: nblast.de/OCEANSpreSave

• Listen to 'We Are The Storm', 'Dark' and other new tracks in the NB New Releases Playlists:
  
• nblast.de/SpotifyNewReleases | nblast.de/AppleMusicNewReleases

OCEANS is:

Timo Rotten | vocals, guitar
Patrick Zarske | guitar
Thomas Winkelmann | bass
J.F. Grill | drums

oceansofficial.com
facebook.com/oceansofficialde
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youtube.com/oceansofficial
nuclearblast.de/oceans

Bristling with an epically baroque life and energy, Finland’s multi-Platinum cello-rockers Apocalyptica have unveiled their brand new single ‘Ashes Of The Modern World.’ The song is taken from Cell-0,  their upcoming ninth studio album, released on January 10th via Silver Lining Music.
 
The powerful video was directed by the award-winning Finnish photographer/videographer Ville Juurikkala who has worked with a wide variety of prominent artists from Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith to opera singer Andrea Bocelli.
 
The recording of Cell-0 followed a four-year break between albums that gave the band - Eicca Toppinen, Perttu Kivilaakso, Paavo Lötjönen, and Mikko Sirén, all of whom are classically-trained musicians - a fresh perspective and affected the way they approached the new music. The album sees them return to their roots and is the quartet’s first instrumental album in 17 years, finding Apocalyptica challenging themselves to discover new flavours and colours in their respective instruments.
 
“It is tough to express without lyrics, but in Cell-0, we found particles of our universe previously unknown to us,” they explained. “Millions of notes combine to create music just as millions of cells combine to create life, and when you visualize the whole thing, similar patterns appear.”
 
Produced by Apocalyptica, mixed by Andrew Scheps (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, Metallica and Black Sabbath), and recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Cell-0 sees the band soaring into ethereal space on ‘Ashes Of The Modern World,’ while diving head-first into aggressive thrash cello-riffery during ‘En Route To Mayhem.’ 
 
Rather than put strategic attention on aspects like writing singles, the band approached Cell-0 as a fully-formed piece of art, connecting the right details and hues with the energy of being a real cello-metal band.  By pushing themselves to find other places and levels in their music, Apocalyptica opened up to some seemingly unorthodox methods and emotions while travelling through that creative process.
 
“These new songs have so many layers and are so complex, and it’s not always easy to point exactly what they are about,” Toppinen expresses. “But I think that’s also the beauty of instrumental music, that the listener always can feel free to experience the same songs in very, very different ways. It’s also one reason why we don’t want to explain the songs before they’re experienced.”

In support of the release of Cell-0, Apocalyptica will Special Guest with Sabaton on a 15-country, 23-date European arenas tour, including an appearance at Wembley Arena on February 8th 2020. All confirmed dates are below.

JANUARY

17  Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
18  Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany
19  Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
21  Gasometer, Vienna, Austria
22  Arena, Budapest, Hungary
24  Torwar, Warsaw, Poland
25  Max Schmeling Halle, Berlin, Germany
26  O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
28  Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
30  Arena Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
31  Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany
 
FEBRUARY

 1   König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
 2   Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
 4   Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
 5   Vistalegre, Madrid, Spain
 7   Zenith, Paris, France
 8   Wembley Arena, London, UK
 9   Afas Live, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
11  Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
12  Forum Black Box, Copenhagen, Denmark
14  Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden
15  Hovet, Stockholm, Sweden
16  Spektrum, Oslo, Norway

Cell-0 will be available in a variety of formats, including CD Mediabook, heavy-weight double vinyl and a variety of digital download options. Pre-order at www.apocalyptica.com.

Visions Of Atlantis release their second single off Wanderers today along with a beautifully conceptualized video. Leaving behind old memories, the song takes the listener to the wild and untamed nature, and into the dreamscapes of the band.

“A Journey To Remember” is a powerful song, guaranteed to have you captivated and enchanted!

Watch “A Journey To Remember” HERE!

On August 30th, Visions Of Atlantis will release their long awaited seventh studio album Wanderers via Napalm Records. The follow up full length album for 2018’s The Deep & The Dark, which hit the charts in Germany, the USA, the UK and Switzerland, continues the everlasting journey of Visions Of Atlantsi in 19 years of band history right into the wideness of the seas. As Oomph!’s singer Dero states: ”The perfect mixture of female and male vocals, embedded in great symphonic metal hymns!”
 
Visions Of Atlantis on the new album:

“This is our heart & soul, the essence of Visions Of Atlantis.”

Pre-Order the new album Wanderers NOW!

Visions Of Atlantis is an Austrian-French-Italian Symphonic Metal band that was formed in August 2000 in the beautiful town of Bruck an der Mur. Visions Of Atlantis uses harmonies of male and female vocals from the beginning of their career, which makes them extraordinary and distinctive from other bands of the genre. The band consists of Clémentine Delauney (vocals), Michele Guaitoli (vocals), Christian Douscha (guitar), Thomas Caser (drums) and Herbert Glos (bass).

 Iron Bonehead Productions has set August 23rd as the international release date for Hagzissa's striking debut album, They Ride Along, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Hagzissa are an Austrian black metal band founded in 2016 by B. Moser of the enigmatic Kringa. Having been a rough concept for many years, even dating back to the days before Kringa, the process of Hagzissa's awakening has not only been a heart- and mind-consuming one, but also deeply personal. However, since the very beginning, it has been clear that this journey would not start as a solo effort, and thus did B. seek suitable comrades to flesh out his vision.

Eventually, a working Hagzissa line-up coalesced and a first recording undertaken. It manifested itself as Promo 2017, which was actually recorded the year before but spread only to the band's closest contacts. Duly impressed by the band's olde-worlde black metal, Iron Bonehead released Promo 2017 on cassette tape, and momentum surged toward a full-length recording.

Alas, after establishing themselves as a formidable live entity, this now-solidified line-up of Hagzissa - L. Pachinger on drums (also of Kringa), C. Rastelli on bass, M. Morast on guitar, and B. Moser solely concentrating on vocals - delivers their debut album, They Ride Along. Indeed, the album is aptly (and enigmatically) titled, for here do Hagzissa walk a path of ancient wickedness. Theirs is a black metal that's both older than time itself yet exceedingly fresh in its feral, wild ways; to call it "obscure" would be an understatement, but one need only look at the band's visual presentation to see that Hagzissa are on their own, horrid wavelength. In fact, despite Austria's potent yet oft-overlooked contributions to the international language of black metal, one could favourably liken They Ride Along to any handful of '90s iconoclasts hailing from the Czech Republic and Poland or the gutted 'n garish horrors released by the late, great Nazgul's Eyrie Productions.

Open the imagination and submit to animalistic abandon. Here do Hagzissa command They Ride Along. Begin riding along with the new track "Irrsinnsdimensionen (A Bath Amidst the Wells)" HERE at Iron Bonehead's Soundcloud. 

HAGZISSA lineup 2019

Herzog B. v. Moser-Wampula - vocals and concept
M.M., Junker vom Morast - strings and additional throat
Magister C.Rastelli - bass and distortion
The White Pawn - drums and cymbals

www.facebook.com/Hagzissa-1069308856541498

www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

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!

Alien Weaponry have released the music video for their new single, "Ahi Kā", which premiered last week over at Billboard. The song represents the first new material from the New Zealand based metal trio since releasing their 2018 debut album, Tū. Fans can check out the music video for "Ahi Kā" via the link below. The track is also featured on Adult Swim's new, streaming-only compilation record Metal Swim 2.

Alien Weaponry's singer-guitarist Lewis de Jong talks about "Ahi Ka" (Which, like many of the band's songs, is sung in New Zealand's indigenous language of Te Reo Māori):-

     "Ahi Kā was inspired by the Auckland city council's decision to burn down what was considered to be the unsightly indigenous Maori village of Okahu Bay in advance of Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 visit. The eviction sparked a 40-year battle for the native Ngati Whatua to reclaim their land, including protests and battles with the police. Amid worldwide criticism, a small portion of the original land was ultimately returned with an apology and some compensation."

Watch "Ahi Ka" HERE

"Ahi Kā" is available for streaming and purchase through Spotify and iTunes (respectively) over HERE!

Fans and music critics alike have applauded the band's approach to unifying Te Reo Māori (the native language of New Zealand) with thrash metal sensibilities; ultimately creating a sound that is driven by emotionally and politically charged conflict while boasting youthful, warrior-like resilience.

Both Lewis and Henry are of Ngati Pikiāo and Ngati Raukawa (Māori tribal) descent, and began their schooling at a kura kaupapa Māori (full immersion Māori language school) where singing waiata (songs) and performing haka were a daily routine. Also ingrained in their early education were stories of New Zealand history told to them by their father, who would also introduce them to the music of Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Anthrax, Ministry, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many others.

Alien Weaponry was formed in 2010 by brothers Lewis (vocals & guitar) and Henry de Jong (drums), who were 8 and 10 years old at the time. The two would later move to the small town of Waipu in 2012, and went on to meet Ethan Trembath (bass) there in 2013. The de Jong brothers came up with the name Alien Weaponry after watching the film District 9.

Alien Weaponry have also been nominated for "Best International Breakthrough Band" at the 2019 Heavy Music Awards (UK). The event takes place on August 22nd at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London. Fan voting is now open at https://vote.heavymusicawards.com/  until June 27th.

ALIEN WEAPONRY On Tour:

North American Headlining Tour

11.05.2019 US - Rockingham, NC / Epicenter*
12.05.2019 US - Washington, DC / DC9
13.05.2019 US - Boston, MA / Middle East
15.05.2019 US - New York, NY / Saint Vitus
16.05.2019 CA - Montreal, QC / L'Esco
17.05.2019 CA - Toronto, ON / Velvet Underground
19.05.2019 US - Chicago, IL / Chicago Open Air*

22.05.2019 US - Minneapolis, MN / 7th St Entry
24.05.2019 US - Pryor, OK / Rocklahoma*
26.05.2019 US - Denver, CO / Bluebird Theater
28.05.2019 US - San Francisco, CA / Bottom of the Hill
29.05.2019 US - Los Angeles, CA / The Roxy
 

TOUR DATES EU

07.06.2019 DE - Berlin / Musik & Frieden
08.06.2019 DE - Frankfurt / Batschkapp
10.06.2019 UK - Cardiff / Fuel Rock Club
11.06.2019 UK - Bristol / The Exchange
12.06.2019 UK - Dublin / Vodoo Lounge
13.06.2019 UK - Glasgow / Audio Glasgow
15.06.2019 UK - Donington / DE74 2RP Castle Donington

16.06.2019 UK - London / The Underground Camden
18.06.2019 LX - Belval / Rockhal 
19.06.2019 DE - Köln / Luxor
20.06.2019 DE - Hamburg / Uebel & Gefährlich
21.06.2019 DK - Kobenhavn / Copenhell Festival 2019
23.03.2019 FR - Clisson / Hellfest Open Air 2019
25.06.2019 DE - Saarbrücken / Garage

26.06.2019 DE - Hannover / Capitol
28.06.2019 FI - Helsinki / Tuska Festival 2019
03.07.2019 FR - Paris / Les Etoiles 61 rue du Chateau d´Eu
04.07.2019 FR - Toulouse / Rue Louis Bonin
06.07.2019 ES - Galicia / Resurrection Fest 2019
07.07.2019 PT - Lisbon / RCA Club
09.07.2019 ES - Sevilla / Sala Even

10.07.2019 ES - Madrid / Nasca Music Live
12.07.2019 ES - Barcelona / Sala Boveda
15.07.2019 IT - Milan / Circolo Magnolia
16.07.2019 IT - Padova / Parco Della Musica
20.07.2019 NL - Eindhoven / Dynamo Metalfest 2019
22.07.2019 SL - Tolmin / MetalDays Festival 2019
24.07.2019 HU - Budapest / Dürer Kert

27.07.2019 PL - Warsaw / klub Stodola Batorego
03.08.2019 DE - Stuttgart / Hanns-Matin-Schleyer-halle
06.08.2019 DE - München / Backstage Werk
07.08.2019 DE - Dresden / Alter Schlachthof
08.08.2019 CZ - Josefov / Brutal Assault 2019
10.08.2019 NL - Leewarden / Into The Grave Festival 2019
11.08.2019 BE - Kortrijk / Alcatraz 2019
16.08.2019 AT - Graz / Metal On The Hill Festival 2019
 
Official Website: www.alienweaponry.com    
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlienWeaponry
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alienweaponry
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alienweaponry

Austrian black thrashers Irdorath are proud to present the official live video for the track "Devoured by Greed", taken from their latest album "Denial Of Creation" out via Wormholedeath Records.
It is the first real live video after releasing several official videos in the past.

The video has been recorded at Jugend-und Kulturzentrum Explosiv by the soundmaster Bob Briessinck! It contains also several shots from their winter tour with Theotoxin, Carnation & Schirenc Plays Pungent Stench!
 
Devoured by Greed - Official live video 

www.facebook.com/Irdorath
www.irdorath.net
www.youtube.com/irdorathofficial 

Symphonic metal masters Visions Of Atlantis reveal a brand new lyric video for the live version of “Words Of War“. Watch the video right HERE!
​
The band on the video and the upcoming live activities:

     “After a successful tour which was the first as co-headliner, we are really excited to present „Words Of War“ in its live version. The promotion for our very first live album will bring Visions Of Atlantis over the Atlantic to the 70,000 tons of Metal cruise, Mexico, a South American tour and back to the venues all around Europe as special guest for Kamelot & Evergrey.”

Visions Of Atlantis take you to a world of myths, tales and the long forgotten seas: With a unique mixture of symphonic metal and power metal, paired with a f fantastic female/male vocal duo, the Austrian quintet has been enchanting the metal world since 2000.
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