There is ample reason to celebrate: Enslaved have once again joined forces with Nuclear Blast, to spread the music of the Norwegian avant-garde metallers all around the globe. With that, band and label renew a collaboration that has been ongoing for around ten years and two years ago produced the universally lauded album E.

Band founding member and guitarist Ivar Bjornson stated about the re-signing:

     "It is with great pleasure we re-sign our record deal with Nuclear Blast worldwide! We have been working together for more or less a decade, and it has been an in-divided positive experience. They have both the heart to grasp our musical visions, and the business-muscles to spread them out into the world. When you add personal friendships with the wonderful people in America, U.K. and Germany it is simply an ideal situation for us to be in. Onwards, forwards and in all directions!"

To mark the occasion, Enslaved present a stunning new music video filled with atmospheric imaginary for their interpretation of ‘What Else Is There’ by Norwegian electropop band RÖYSKOPP. The song is featured as a bonus track on the digipack CD and digital version of their latest album, E.
Watch and listen here: youtu.be/7_3WnNAJDRM


Formed in Bergen, Norway in 1991, Enslaved had evolutionary zeal in their eyes from the start. Even as they emerged from the nascent Norwegian black metal scene of the early ‘90s, guitarist Ivar Bjørnson and vocalist/bassist Grutle Kjellson demonstrated a fervently idiosyncratic approach to making extreme music. By eschewing the wilful conservatism of their peers in favour of an outward-looking ethos, Enslaved’s reputation grew rapidly in the wake of extraordinary, epic albums like their primitive but insidious debut Vikingligr Veldi and its strident follow-up Frost (both 1994). By the late ‘90s, the band had morphed into a wildly progressive and adventurous beast, always retaining the core, aggressive tenets of their musical roots but increasingly in thrall to the limitless possibilities that music, in its entirety, truly presents.

Widely acknowledged as a powerful and ferocious live band, Enslaved entered the 21st century by flexing new muscles on the acclaimed likes of 2003’s Below The Lights and its groundbreaking successor, Isa (2004). Now as much a part of the flourishing progressive rock and metal realm as they were loyal servants of the extreme metal underground, Bergen’s finest hit a rich vein of form as the years passed, with albums as diverse and challenging as 2008’s Vertebrae and 2010’s Axioma Ethica Odini joyfully expanded the Enslaved musical universe, drawing in countless new acolytes along the way.
 
In 2015, Enslaved released their 13th studio album, In Times. A tour-de-force of hypnotic prog intensity and scabrous, blackened pomp, it exuded an air of completion and finality that led perfectly into 2016’s extravagant celebrations, as Enslaved marked their 25th anniversary with some truly life-changing shows that explored all shadows and hidden corners in the band’s colossal catalogue.
 
Despite rarely pausing for breath – not just as a result of Enslaved’s hectic touring schedule, but also due to numerous extracurricular projects – the band in 2017 somehow managed to piece together yet another full-length milestone in the shape of their 14th studio effort, the elegantly titled E.

An album full of revelatory moments, spine-tingling dynamics and exquisite but alien atmospheres, E showcased a refreshed Enslaved line-up via songs that took the band into unprecedented territory. From the grandiose, weather-beaten riff-scapes of 11-minute opener Storm Son to the wild, psychedelic frontier squall of Sacred Horse and the muscular, sax-powered shoegaze barrage of monstrous closer Hiindsiight, it was both a typically bold and fearless statement from this most inventive of modern metal bands and a thrilling sideways step that harnessed the spirit of old and set it loose in a whirlwind of imagination. Conceptually, too, Enslaved made giant forward strides.
 
14 albums and 28 years into a career that shows no signs of losing neither momentum nor its magical, effervescent creative sheen, Enslaved will certainly continue evolving before our ears and eyes. This time, however, even the sky is no limit. Stronger than ever and manifestly thrilled to be in such rude health, life in Enslaved has never been more rewarding. And the best is yet to come.

Black Lion Records are excited to welcome their first ever Finnish band to the label's roster.

Following the signing, the label had this to say:-

     "Re-armed reached out to us early 2019 and by then it became quite clear that this was indeed a band that had gone behind our radar. While Re-armed's music influences can strongly be traced to it's root influences from Arch Enemy and At The Gates, upon hearing their music video "Built To Last" we were instantly impressed and since the start of 2019, the band has been in the studio recording their new album which is set for a worldwide release in the start of summer 2020. We are always looking to expand our horizons and Finland has certainly been a hotspot for metal in the past few years, and an area we truly wanted to reach into so we are very excited to work with Re.armed on their new record."

Re-Armed have toured heavily across the European and Asian soil ever since 2002 and have toured and supported bands such as Suffocation, Origin, Cryptopsy, Cattle Decapitation & Decrepit Birth to name a few and are already getting ready for a busy 2020.

The new, 4th album comes out worldwide in June 2020. Tour dates will lead and follow the release.

Below a statement from the band:-

     "Throughout the spring and beginning of winter we have been producing and recording new songs for forthcoming yet untitled album. This album will be more dramatic, powerful, and melodic as we promised earlier. In the end of 2018, the single "Built to Last" gave to audience hint about what has been cooking in our stew lately. We continued to discover more about these ingredients. Upcoming release will definitely open new doors for the band. And about the record deal, Olivers attitude, professionalism and genuine love for music made an instant impact on us. We are convinced that this alliance will lead us to even greater achievements in the future."

http://www.re-armed.net
http://www.facebook.com/rearmed
http://www.youtube.com/user/ReArmedOfficial
http://twitter.com/ReArmedOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/rearmedofficial/

Since the end of 2014, Belgium metal group Our Hate have spilled their guts aggressively and brought the world their loud & intensive music. All the band members have gained experience in previous bands from the Belgian hard scene and they are always eager to “keep it real” on every stage, big or small, home or abroad!

Well over 100 shows in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg & Spain have made Our Hate a well-oiled machine forcing crowds to bang their heads and exploding in their collective ears and minds. Musical influences from different kinds of heaviness are covered and blended into a pounding metal sound which ensures that Our Hate shows never become monotonous.

The group released their debut album, Hate Will Prevail, in 2017 and now after extensive touring over the last couple of years, Our Hate are ready to bring you their latest venomous EP, Defiled By Evil, which will be released worldwide via Sliptrick Records.

Our Hate are:

Tom Lenaerts – Vocals
Deef Vanheukelen – Guitar
Dennis Vanheukelen – Guitar
Kris Stickers – Bass
Ibanez Vanschooren – Drums

Facebook | Youtube | Instagram | On Sliptrick

Croatian Melodic / Groove / Death metal combo Arises signed with Wormholedeath a distribution  deal for their album "System" .

The digipak CD will be out on 15 11 2019 via Wormholedeath / Goodfellas.

"System" has been recorded at Sweetspot Studios (Sweden) and produced by extraordinary Rickard Bengtsson
Stream/Download: https://orcd.co/4rqepbq

Arises are your atypical metal band, proof of long lasting bond and alliance between the members, fifteen years in making. Four friends with vast experience in live performance sharing big stages supporting some of the greatest acts today, joined by fifth on vocals, became a new collective world will come to know as Arises. Band established across European clubs and festivals in search for eye-to-eye energy surge. Collective that unifies metal, rock, grunge and stoner at most interesting terms with clear and ongoing theme – we're all part of the System to be opposed to repay what dignity we still preserve. Coming from the place where the System feels more rooted than anywhere else, Arises are Balkan scream for change.

Born and bred against the grain our strength Arises. Create a sense of belonging to a tribe without the System that puts you down. Follow this band-of-five – collective Arises to be your voice in a time to thrive. Be part of it, join this sound of refusal!

https://www.facebook.com/arisesmusic

Metal Blade Records is proud to welcome Surma to its worldwide roster! Founded in 2018 by Viktorie Surmová (Bohemian Metal Rhapsody) and Heri Joensen (Týr), Surma is symphonic, progressive heavy metal at its finest. Fans can expect the debut album from this group to be released in 2020 via Metal Blade Records.
 
Surma comments: 

     "We are overjoyed to announce that we have signed a contract with Metal Blade Records for three albums. We have been working on the music for a year now and we are very satisfied with the results. We take this great opportunity very seriously and we look forward to unleashing our music upon the world."
 
Viktorie Surmová is a member of the theater ensemble of Divadlo Na Vinohradech in Prague, where she performs in a play called "Její Pastrokyňa". She has also collaborated with the Czech band Rosa Nocturna, singing on two separate singles, plus the whole album Za Hradbami Času (2017). Additionally, Viktorie was a founding member, lead singer and songwriter in the Czech band Surmata, who recorded a few singles in 2016. Since 2018, Viktorie has been part of Bohemian Metal Rhapsody, a very unique Czech metal project. She has also appeared as a guest singer for bands such as Drunk With Pain (on 2016's Hail The Monsters), Victorius (on 2017's Heart of the Phoenix), Kilmara (on 2018's Across the Realm of Time), Cruadalach (on 2018's Raised by Wolves), among many others.
 
Heri is a Faroese professional musician, educated at The Alternative Rhythmic Conservatory (D.A.R.K.) in Copenhagen in 2003. Starting in 2002, Heri has released 8 studio albums with Týr and one with his side project, Heljareyga. He was also featured on records by Ensiferum (2009's From Afar), Wintersun (2012's Time I, 2017's The Forest Seasons) and Alestorm (2011's Back Through Time).
 
For a preview of Viktorie and Heri's new project, Surma, fans can check out the live video for the track "Like the River Flows" - featuring session members Kevin van den Heiligenberg (drums) and Jakub Janků (bass). Filmed at Barga Negra, Budapest and directed by Viktor Nagy & Péter Lerch of Mihaszna Film (https://www.facebook.com/mihasznafilm/), "Like the River Flows" can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-czY3LfX_o

Stay tuned for more Surma news coming soon!
 
https://www.facebook.com/surmaband/
https://www.instagram.com/surma_band/
https://twitter.com/surmaband
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC433AF4FvF4VoUnGjxk-c6A

Metal Blade Records is proud to welcome Dvne to its worldwide roster! Founded in 2013, Dvne is a 5-piece progressive rock/metal band from Edinburgh, Scotland. With highly dynamic compositions venturing from delicate and intricate melodies to crushing and brutal soundscapes, Dvne's music takes its listeners through a deeply emotional journey filled with dystopian thematics, grand narrative, and other-worldly landscapes. Fans can expect their upcoming 2nd full-length album - and Metal Blade debut - in 2020.
 
Dvne comments:

     "We are over the moon to announce that we have joined forces with Metal Blade Records. Working with such a legendary label and being among so many bands that have inspired us throughout the years is a huge honour. Having just finished recording our next album, we are beyond thrilled on how far we've pushed our music and ourselves, and can't wait to unveil it to you all with the support of one of the most iconic record labels in heavy music."

To date, Dvne has released one studio album and two EPs. They emerged within the UK scene with their first EP Progenitor (2013 - Wasted State Records), shortly followed by a second EP, Aurora Majesty (2014 - Sea of Corruption Records).

Dvne quickly began to make a name for themselves in the UK and around Europe, with various shows throughout these territories alongside the likes of Eyehategod, Crowbar, Dragged Into Sunlight, among others. The band's sound at the time was already crossing over different music styles, including post-metal, progressive rock and sludge metal, but it is with their first full-length album, Asheran (Wasted State Records), that the band further established their unique blend of heavy music. Released in August 2017, Asheran was overwhelmingly praised by the press and was listed on many "best album of the year" lists.
 
Since Asheran's release, Dvne has toured all over the UK, Europe and North America, appearing at prestigious festivals such as Psycho Las Vegas, Desertfest London and Inferno Festival Norway. Not content to repeat their previous releases and always looking to push their sound forward, Dvne recently finished recording their 2nd album at Chamber Studio with producer Graeme Young. This new 10 track journey will be released worldwide via Metal Blade Records in 2020. Stay tuned for more news coming soon!
 
Dvne line-up

Victor Vicart - guitar, vocals, keys
Dudley Tait - drums
Daniel Barter - guitar, vocals
Jack Kavanagh - bass
Richard Matheson - keys


https://facebook.com/DvneUK
https://www.instagram.com/dvne_uk/
https://twitter.com/songsofarrakis
https://songs-of-arrakis.bandcamp.com/

Spanish heavy metallers Street Lethal have just signed a deal with Fighter Records for the release of their debut album "Welcome to the Row", which will see the light of day on December 5th 2019 on CD format.

You can listen to "Tyrants", the first single advance, right here: https://youtu.be/Gur4aDtVn2w
 
Street Lethal were born in Barcelona in 2014 and that same year they released their first EP entitled "Chainbreaker", a live recording entitled "Live From the Street" in 2015 (11 tracks including versions of RUNNING WILD, HOLOCAUST, X-BOLT MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK SABBATH) and a sophomore EP entitled "Look Out! And Stay in the Streets" in 2016, all of them independently while building a small name within the national heavy metal scene.
 
In 2017, Street Lethal changed drummer and incorporated a second guitarist, completing the current line-up that recorded its debut full-length album entitled "Welcome to the Row", obtaining a record deal with Fighter Records for the worldwide promotion and distribution.
 
Street Lethal plays a fresh and powerful heavy metal sound with catchy riffs, vibrant guitar solos, a great attitude and the amazing voice of Hell Rose Lethal, where they merge classic influences in the vein of JUDAS PRIEST, W.A.S.P., WARLOCK and IRON MAIDEN with modern sounds in the tradition SKULL FIST, STRIKER, CAULDRON or STALLION, something that will surely please any lover of good heavy metal.

Lifeforce Records are very happy to welcome well established Greek Melodic Doom/ Death Metal outfit On Thorns I Lay to their roster. Their Lifeforce Records debut entitled "Threnos" (mixed and mastered by the mighty Dan Swanö) is set to be released in early 2020.

On Thorns I Lay started as a death metal band, under the name of Paralysis in the early 90’s in Greece. Together with other cult bands such as Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh, Necromantia, Nightfall started to spread their name in the local and global underground scene.

In 1993 they changed their name to Phlebotomy and released the EP “Dawn Of Grief”. The year after they recorded the “Voluptuous” demo which draw attention of Holy Records (Fr).

In 1994, the band changed their name to On Thorns I Lay and released their first album which was closer to death/doom style. Through the years the band evolved their music to gothic metal.

They have released 7 albums and have played in Greece and in Europe together with great bands such as Dream Theater, In Flames, Anathema, Amorphis, Katatonia, Tiamat, The Gathering, Satyricon, Septicflesh and many more.

The band after a hiatus of 14 years has just returned with their 8th full-length album "Aegean Sorrow", which was released by Alone Recs / the Stone Circle Spain and The Vinyl Division recorded at Devasoundz Studios (Rotting Christ, Septicflesh), mixed and mastered by legendary Dan Swanö at Unisound.

Visit and "like" the band’s Facebook page and stay tuned about latest news and live shows.

Chinese Thrash Metallers Explosicum have signed a new deal with Punishment 18 Records for the release of their latest full-length album titled "Living's Deal". The album was recorded and mixed at JiangNan Studio and Black Iron ARG Studio in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.

New information will follow soon.

www.facebook.com/Explosicum

www.punishment18records.com
www.facebook.com/punishment18records

Joining the ranks at Sliptrick Records this week are Russian Instrumental Folk Metal / Progressive Hard Rock trio Helena Aleksandre’s (we prefer Avant-Garde Folk Metal).

The group is led by Helena who was born in Kostroma, Russia. She started playing guitar at 15 and took the next 5 years learning to understand her music and discover the talent to create music in her own style. Helena is joined by vocalist Vera Moore who also writes the text for the songs and Stasy Short who plays classical guitar and is also fond of playing bass guitar and synthesizer.

Helena Aleksandre’s music combines several styles. There is no framework for the compositions and the music specifically tries to avoid copying anyone. In any song, you may find a lot of non-recurring moments, which makes each song interesting and makes you want to listen to it several times. Influences include Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and Kipelov while the sound has elements of folk, metal and progressive hard rock.

The all female line-up was created a year ago in 2018 with the band accumulated tracks ready for their debut album due to be released worldwide via Sliptrick Records.

Helena Aleksandre’s are:

Helena Aleksandre – Composer/Lyrics/Guitarist
Vera Moore – Vocals/Lyrics
Stasy Short – Guitarist

Band links: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | On Sliptrick