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  * Later withdrawn by request of nominee.

Bloodstock is delighted to share that New Delhi’s BLOODYWOOD will headline the Sophie Lancaster stage on Friday, in a UK festival exclusive. Blending Indian folk instruments and heavy metal, this is sure to be a unique set you won’t want to miss! Check out their most recent single (closing on 1.4 million views), ‘Machi Bhasad (Expect A Riot)’ at https://youtu.be/Gsy5sJy5_34. 

Saturday’s Sophie Lancaster stage headliners are none other than extreme metal miscreants CATTLE DECAPITATION. Hailing from California, the Metal Blade signed group release their crushing new album ‘Death Atlas’ this Friday, November 29th! Not familiar? Listen to ‘Bring Back The Plague’ from the new LP at https://youtu.be/BBy4gn8VBMo. Head here to pre-order all manner of cool formats.

Birmingham death metal brutes MEMORIAM will be Saturday’s special guests on the Sophie Lancaster stage. The band’s third album, ‘Requiem For Mankind’ was released by Nuclear Blast in June. Watch the video for ‘The Veteran’, taken from that album, at https://youtu.be/_uTsdsc3cys. 

Also joining the Sophie bill on Saturday, are Edinburgh-based prog experimentalists RAMAGE INC. With five albums under their belt now, they’ve plenty of songs to choose from! You can explore their latest record, ‘Under The Skin’, in its entirety over on their Bandcamp page at: https://ramageinc.bandcamp.com/. 

Have you discovered London’s psych-doom crew GREEN LUNG yet? Appearing on the Sophie stage on Sunday, Metal Hammer described them as, “a fantastic mix of stoner rock, hard rock, and psychedelic rock laden with harmonies,” with further praise heaped on them by Kerrang!, The Guardian, and BBC Radio 1 Rock Show host Daniel P. Carter. Play their latest album, ‘Woodland Rites’ on Bandcamp at https://greenlung.bandcamp.com/. 

BLOODSTOCK is pleased to welcome back post-metal squad BOSSK, joining the Sophie stage line-up on Friday. Following on from 2016’s well received ‘Audio Noir’ album, the band’s Facebook page was recently teasing new music is coming in 2020. Here’s hoping it’s out in time for BLOODSTOCK! Watch the full set of their 2017 performance at https://youtu.be/PLNpbvyUzQw. 

Filled with questions about BLOODSTOCK? Put them to festival directors ADAM GREGORY and VICKY HUNGERFORD in a Facebook Live Q&A tonight! Head over to BLOODSTOCK’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bloodstock/ for a 7pm start! Can’t make it? Don’t worry, you’ll be able to replay it later on the page too.

In other BLOODSTOCK fun, as 2020 marks 20 years of BLOODSTOCK, instead of ‘12 Days Of Christmas’ competitions, BLOODSTOCK is going to have 20! Be sure to check  Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bloodstock/ every morning from December 5th for details of each one-day-only competition, and be in with a chance to win all sorts of prizes from BLOODSTOCK bands past and present, festival sponsors, and of course BLOODSTOCK!

BLOODSTOCK’s 2020 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday), BEHEMOTH (Saturday), and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday). The festival also welcomes PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, LIFE OF AGONY, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DIAMOND HEAD, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SACRED REICH, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILITY, and BUTCHER BABIES so far. Many more bands performing over the weekend will be announced in due course. 

Discounted Early Bird tickets, VIP tickets, child tickets, and car parking tickets for 2020’s event are available now at the ticket store.  Be quick though, the early bird discount ends on December 15th (or sooner if the early bird allocation sells out) and weekend tickets then revert to the standard price of £145 (+ fees)! Campervan tickets for 2020 are already sold out. 

BLOODSTOCK 2020 takes place at Catton Park, Derbyshire from 6th-9th August 2020.  For more info, click to www.bloodstock.uk.com.  

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/

Masterful Norwegian storytellers Wardruna sign to Sony Music/Columbia Records for the world, and announce European tour dates for 2020. Dates below with tickets going on sale on 11th October at 10am BST, 11am CEST. Details of the upcoming album shall be revealed in due course.
 
Einar Selvik comments:

     “Wardruna has been a DIY to-the-bone kind of project since the very beginning. Slowly and patiently evolving. Working hard and always keeping the art itself as the primary decisive factor. This will never change for me, and so having people on our team that also embrace this way of working is paramount. Partnering up with Sony Music / Columbia Records is a new steppingstone for us and I am very confident that this new addition to the team will give us new opportunities to further develop our art and take it to the next level.”

2019 marks ten years since Wardruna’s first release. A series of sold out shows at prestigious concert venues around the world culminate in the highlight of the fall; Wardruna will perform in the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater in the United States, followed by sold out European tour. The group's critically acclaimed “Runaljod” trilogy based on the Nordic runes reached its conclusion and was followed by a stripped-down, fully acoustic album exploring the ancient poetic traditions of the Skalds. This spring, a new chapter for the band will start. New music is being worked on as well as further steps in the band´s concert production.
 
     “I don’t wish to reveal too much at this point but can say that we are now deep into the process of writing and recording a new album. When Wardruna gets up from the current studio-hibernation and initiate the concert-year of 2020, it is clearly allowed to hope for new music!" Says Einar Selvik.

WARDRUNA 2020 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:

28 Mar - Oslo (NOR) - Sentrum Scene
2 Apr - Kristiansand (NOR) - Kilden Teater
3 Apr - Stavanger (NOR) - Konserthus
4 Apr- Bergen (NOR) - Grieghallen
30 Apr - Moscow (RUS) - Crocus City Hall
01 May - St. Petersburg (RUS) - Yubileyny Sports Palace
03 May - Poznan (POL) - Hala Ziemi

04 May - Krakow (POL) - ICE Congress Center
05 May - Bratislava (SVK) - Refinery Gallery
07 May - Belgrade (SRB) - Sava Centar
08 May - Bucharest (ROM) - Arena Romanele
04 Jun - Manchester (UK) - Albert Hall
05 Jun - Dublin (IRL) - Vicar St.
06 Jun - Birmingham (UK) - Symphony Hall

07 Jun - Glasgow (UK) - Royal Concert Hall
09 Jun - London (UK) - Royal Festival Hall
10 Jun - Cambridge (UK) - Cambridge Corn Exchange
01 Aug - Savonlinna (FIN) - Savonlinna Opera Festival
21 Sep - Reykjavik (ISL) - Harpa

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

Black metal mavericks Barshasketh premiere the new track "Vacillation" at heavily trafficked web-portal NoCleanSinging.com. The track hails from the band's highly anticipated fourth album, Barshasketh, set for international release on January 15th, 2019 via W.T.C. Productions.

Hear Barshasketh's "Vacillation" in its entirety exclusively HERE.

By now pillars of the UK black metal scene, for over a decade now, Barshasketh have been a study in patience and persistence. Barshasketh was formed in 2007 as a solo project by Krigeist with the intention of creating pure black metal, intentionally free of genre cross-pollination: essentially, second-wave black metal re-imagined and reinterpreted through extensive use of layering and counterpoint. After two demos and the debut album Defying the Bonds of Cosmic Thraldom, Krigeist relocated to Scotland, where a full lineup was established. 2013 saw the release of the second album Sitra Achra and two split EPs in quick succession. The band then went on to record a third full-length, Ophidian Henosis, at the infamous Necromorbus Studio in Stockholm. Released during July 2015 by W.T.C. Productions, Ophidian Henosis represented a significant milestone in the history of the band and elevated Barshasketh to a new level of prominence as a respected contemporary black metal act. Following the release of Ophidian Henosis, MK was added to the line-up on drums, and his unique style was first showcased on the well-received Sein/Zeit conceptual split with Outre.

Now, a decade on from its beginnings, Barshasketh unleashes a new self-titled album, which is conceptually centered on Be’er Shachat, from which the band's name derives. This term roughly translates as "Pit of Corruption," a multifaceted esoteric idea concerning the self existing in a cyclical process that goes through phases of destruction, purification, and ultimate adversarial rebirth. Indeed, that conceptual arc poignantly and perfectly illustrates Barshasketh's evolution over the years, and finds its apotheosis within the winding corridors of Barshasketh. During its uniquely vast-yet-compact 54-minute runtime, the quartet are truly firing on all cylinders, exploring new territory with ambitious compositions and showcasing a certain percussive savagery previously unheard on previous recordings, all within the remit of pure, undiluted second-wave black metal. Much like its full-length predecessor, Barshasketh breathes the essence of the ancients whilst exuding a respectably modern aspect; this melding of mysticism and might evokes 1999 as surely as it does 2019. And also like the preceding Ophidian Henosis, Barshasketh's self-titled album was once again recorded at the esteemed Necromorbus Studio with Tore Stjerna, and its production suitably highlights the band's acute balance of aggression and atmosphere.

Not for nothing is Barshasketh's fourth album self-titled: truly, this is the purest distillation of the band's essence to date. A black sun rises at the dawn of 2019, and it bears the name Barshasketh!

Witness the first dark rays of dawn with the new track "Vacillation" exclusively HERE, courtesy of NoCleanSinging.com.

www.facebook.com/barshasketh

www.w-t-c.org
www.facebook.com/W.T.C.Productions

Japan’s breakout Metalcore band Crystal Lake has signed a deal with SharpTone Records and will make their label debut with a brand new album titled 'Helix', that’s due out on February 15th. 

     “We're very excited to see our name on the SharpTone Records roster among so many great bands. We look forward to all the opportunities the future brings with them. This is going to be a new chapter of our career. STAY HEAVY” - Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake’s new record will coincide with the band’s first ever North American tour, with August Burns Red, Fit For A King and Miss May I. 

The artwork for 'Helix' can be found below. Additional album details, music and pre-order info is forthcoming. 

Also check out the video for the band's brand new single, 'Aeon', here: https://youtu.be/CKHsfceVK2g

The band is currently touring Europe supporting BURY TOMORROW.

30.11. D Berlin - SO36
01.12. D Leipzig - Conne Island
02.12. CZ Prague - MeetFactory
03.12. D Munich - Backstage (Halle)
04.12. A Graz - Explosiv
06.12. CH Zurich - Dynamo
07.12. D Wiesbaden - Schlachthof

08.12. D Cologne - Essigfabrik
09.12. F Paris - Petit Bain
11.12. UK Bristol - SWX
12.12. UK Birmingham - O2 Institute
13.12. UK Glasgow - The Garage
14.12. UK Manchester - O2 Ritz
15.12. UK London - O2 Forum Kentish Town

CRYSTAL LAKE live 2019

28.06. NL Ysselstyn - Jera On Air
04.07. ES Viveiro - Resurrection Fest

www.crystallake.jp/ | www.instagram.com/crystallake777

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 smoking debut full-length, Under The Mountain, from Scotland-based doom metal faction King Witch is set for release in North America on March 16th via Listenable Records. Unleashed last week in Europe, the record is as melodic as it is monolithic, taking its listener on a journey from soulful doom to full-tilt metal mayhem. Stream / Share King Witch's Under The Mountain at this location.
 
Under The Mountain was recorded and produced by guitarist Jamie Gilchrist at their underground studio in their home city of Edinburgh, mixed and mastered by Tom Dring at Vagrant Recordings (Dragged Into Sunlight, Acolyte) in Southport and comes swathed in artwork created by vocalist Laura Donnelly. The record serves as King Witch's follow-up to their debut EP, Shoulders Of Giants. Influenced by everything from Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin to Mastodon and High On Fire, Under The Mountain boasts nine riff-laden tracks offset by Donnelly's powerful yet bewitching vocals.
 
King Witch's Under The Mountain is streaming in full at the official Listenable Records Bandcamp page at this location.
 
Order Under The Mountain today at this location.
 
Formed in early 2015 in a dark cavern beneath the streets of old Edinburgh, King Witch manifests a potent and heavy brew of old school metal and the meatiest of '70s classic rock. In a time where many seek to stick rigidly within the confines of their chosen genre, King Witch simply writes the songs they want to play.
 
http://www.facebook.com/kingwitch
http://www.instagram.com/kingwitchband
http://www.listenable.net
http://www.facebook.com/listenablerecs