So we now know who the winners of the GMA Awards 2021 were, but to wrap up the event in it's entirety and bid farewell to 2021 and usher in 2022, we must turn to the last bunch of awards - 'Metal Release By Country / Area'.

     Usually these would include the flag of the band's nation, but given the events in Afghanistan this year among other political turmoil, I felt it would be prudent to forgo any flags and just list the winners.... so without further ado here are the....

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

Maynard James Keenan received the Icon Award at Monday night’s Metal Hammer Golden Gods’ ceremony.

The award was presented to Keenan by Daniel P. Carter, host of BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show, recognizing a lifetime of contributions to heavy music, with past lifetime achievement winners including Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Lemmy and Alice in Chains. Keenan was celebrated for his work with his trio of bands: A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Tool.

Keenan is in the midst of a European tour with A Perfect Circle, supporting the band’s recently released album, Eat The Elephant. A Perfect Circle kicks off the first of three consecutive, sold out shows in the UK beginning this evening at the O2 Apollo in Manchester followed by back-to-back performances at the O2 Academy Brixton.

A Perfect Circle tour dates:


June 12 Manchester, UK O2 Apollo Manchester SOLD OUT
June 13 London, UK O2 Academy Brixton SOLD OUT
June 14 London, UK O2 Academy Brixton SOLD OUT
June 16 Landgraaf, Netherlands Pinkpop Festival
June 17 Berlin, Germany Zitadelle SOLD OUT
June 20 Zurich, Switzerland Halle 622
June 21 Dessel, Belgium Kastelsedijk

June 22 Clisson, France Hellfest
June 23 Esch-Sur-Aizette, Luxembourg Rockhal
June 24 Dessel, Belgium Graspop
June 26 Paris, France Olympia SOLD OUT
June 28 Madrid, Spain Download Festival Madrid
June 29 Barcelona, Spain Be Prog! My Friend Festival
July 1 Verona, Italy Rock The Castle

October 20 West Valley City, UT Maverik Center
October 22 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheater
October 24 Austin, TX Austin 360 Amphitheatre
October 26 – 28 New Orleans, LA Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
October 29 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
October 30 Orlando, FL CFE Arena
November 1 Charlotte, NC Bojangles’ Coliseum

November 2 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
November 3 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena *
November 6 New York, NY The Theater at Madison Square Garden
November 7 Baltimore, MD UMBC Events Center
November 9 Detroit, MI Masonic Temple Theatre (WRIF Radio Show)
November 11 Minneapolis, MN Armory (93X Radio Show)
November 13 Cedar Rapids, IA U.S. Cellular Center

November 14 Park City, KS Hartman Arena
November 17 Anaheim, CA The Theatre at Honda Center
November 18 Las Vegas, NV The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – The Chelsea
November 20 Phoenix, AZ Comerica Theatre
December 2 Glasgow, Scotland Glasgow Academy
December 3 Manchester, UK Victoria Warehouse
December 5 London, UK Wembley Arena Pavilion

December 7 Antwerp, Belgium Lotto Arena
December 12 Copenhagen, Denmark Forum Copenhagen
December 13 Hamburg, Germany Sporthalle Hamburg
December 15 Kraków, Poland Tauron Arena Kraków
December 16 Vienna, Austria Wiener Stadhalle
December 18 Milan, Italy Mediolanum Forum
December 19 Rome, Italy Palalottomatica

The 'Releases Of The Year' series are albums chosen by myself as the best release from each country / dependency known to have an official release in the year 2017. These are alphabetized in country order so are easy to navigate. Each award has national flag featured alongside the band name, 'Release Of The Year' and Facebook link (where provided).

November 11th, 2016 Possession Productions are releasing new album of Luxembourgian Black Metal band Black Candle "Lost Light of the North".
 
The atmosphere created by this unique band is as primitive and overpoweringly, as well as unique. That is what is valuable in the true Black Metal, as we see it. Canonic Cult following with simultaneous dominance of personality.

Listen to the promo track:
https://possessionproductions.bandcamp.com/album/lost-light-of-the-north

Excellent unfashionable sound and performance. One of the best vocals in Black Metal history.
Primitive but beautiful multi-page booklet.

Limited to 300 copies. First 50 copies come with a free patch.

Make your pre-orders via Bandcamp..
Or write to order@possession.ru and the label will help.

www.facebook.com/possession.productions
www.twitter.com/Possessionprods
www.vk.com/possession_productions
www.possessionproductions.bandcamp.com

And so the fabled Bloodstock Open Air Festival is once again upon us, with just over a month to go and buzzing fans planning out their days takings, we at Global Metal Apocalypse thought about giving you all a helping hand with that with a handful of bands we have got our sights on - from the New Blood to the Ronnie James Dio stage, we have got you covered.

Giving each band a unique analysis on the style they play, what feats they've already achieved (some crazier than at first thought) and why you should check them out at Bloodstock, whilst linking you to their latest albums for purchase (for pre-listening and potential band-signing).

Metal is truly global and we are proud to be the forerunners of giving global metal the ultimate exposure, let the Bloodstock apocalypse begin...

1. Jasad & Burgerkill

This is a bit of a cheeky selection, by having two bands who both hail from Indonesia, it's like killing two birds with one stone. Both bands have been tearing down their native Indonesia for the last 2 decades, with Jasad forming around 1990 and Burgerkill in 1995. For the vastness of the scene, the sub-genres that dominate seem to be Thrash Metal and Death Metal, and these two bands are no exception, having recently picked up the Metal Hammer Golden God award for "Metal As Fuck" in 2013, Burgerkill will no doubt bring their gritty style of Indonesian Death Metal and westernized Metalcore. Jasad in contrast go a notch heavier with their own form of Brutal Death Metal and correlates with their band name meaning ('Corpse' in Indonesian; 'Soul' in Malay). Both bands will be performing on the Sophie Lancaster stage on the Saturday.

This is perhaps the first time any Indonesian Metal band has set foot ashore on British soil and so this will mark a hugely historic moment not only for said metal scene, but Bloodstock itself as the festival prides itself in giving international metal a platform to bring the party from the most far flung nations.

Jasad's latest album: "Rebirth of Jatisunda" - get this from Severed Records here
Burgerkill's latest album: "Venomous" - get this from eBay international here


2. Hexis

Black Metal vs. Hardcore? We know Deathcore caused a stir when it emerged but can 'Blackcore' avoid that fate? Hexis believe so, and going on the strength of their music video "Tenebris", this eccentric Danish unit have record-label-signing stamped right across their faces. Not much is known about this lot and so the thought of said genre combination making an appearance on the Friday on the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage will surely attract a sizable crowd. Combining Bloodstock with a short UK tour (5th-8th August - Bournemouth, Bristol, Bloodstock & Hull with Oblivionized; except Bloodstock), you would not want to miss this genre-bending bunch.

Hexis' latest album: "Abalam" - limited to a 1000 so be quick to get one from Musicfearsatan here


3. Scarred

The Luxembourg Metal scene finally makes its mark on British soul with this Death Metal unit raring to unleash themselves upon the masses. Having made themselves a pedigree on the festival circuit via performances at Wacken Open Air and Metalcamp, they will surely not disappoint this time. Further to their Bloodstock appearance, they will be performing at Sonic Visions on 12th November with a host of other fantastic bands including fellow countrymen Retrace My Fragments of whom we reviewed their latest album. As for Scarred, this will be a historic moment too for the Luxembourg Metal scene, given it's small size. Be sure to make a note in your diary: Scarred @ Bloodstock, Sunday 9th August on the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage.

Scarred's latest album: "Gaia - Medea" - get this from Season of Mist here


4. Dead Label!

We've been championing this Irish trio for a long time now (see our post in 2013 here; and here) and we believed in them, low and behold they play in Japan and return to sharpen themselves for Bloodstock. Oh and Claire Percival used to be our Irish correspondent, small world eh? Having paid attention to this group for a good 2 years now, we are pleased to see them being selected to unleash their infectious Thrash Metal amongst the Bloodstock horde. The trio used to be signed to the now defunct Rising Records, and now are signed to Nuerra Records. Thus they released their debut album through the latter record label and their follow-up album is due soon, you ought to check this Irish group out seeing as they are going places. They will not disappoint you. Confirm this statement on Sunday 9th August on the Sophie Lancaster stage.

Dead Label!'s debut album: "Sense Of Slaughter" - get this from the band here directly.


5. Winter Storm

Another successful partnership, we had the pleasure of featuring this West Midlands Gothic Metal band on our 'Tea, Crumpets & English Metal' compilation in aid of raising funds for the Animal Health Trust (https://globalmetalapocalypse.bandcamp.com/track/worcestershire-winter-storm-dark-awakening) and now they are set to play Bloodstock. So we can assure festival goers that if they check this band out, they will be truly treated to. Bringing an icy blast from their native Kidderminster, this female-fronted quintet will ensure the Bloodstock grounds turn into a huge ice rink for all moshers to freeze at the sheer force this band musters. We dare you to prove us wrong by checking the band out on Friday 7th August at the Jagermeister Stage; perhaps their serving the ice for the Jager shots?

Winter Storm's latest album: "Within The Frozen Design" - get this from the band here directly.


6. Within Temptation

Of course we could not exclude perhaps the most exciting headliner this time round, for one reason only. Xzibit. Come on, when WT released the song 'And We Run' it garnered so much attention, positive and negative, it positioned itself as probably the most controversial song ever done by the Dutch symphonic veterans. Speaking of Dutch bands, do check out Delain who will be playing the headline slot on Friday on the Sophie Lancaster Stage. This is a real treat for two reasons, one there seems to be a healthy aroma of Gothic Metal going about this year and also this is a UK exclusive, which means that this is the only show they will be playing in the UK this year, oh do we hope they've managed to sneak Xzibit in, that will be one historic moment not only for metal music, but for Bloodstock Festival... in da hood brutha. Be entranced by the Dutch veterans on Saturday 8th August as they tear down the Ronnie James Dio stage.

Within Temptation's latest album: "Hydra" - get this from Amazon UK here


Now let the metal do the talking and watch out for more coverage from the GMA team as we lead up to the UK's best ever metal festival.