The Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg is in danger. At present the tenancy agreement of the 36-year running rock, hard rock and heavy metal club and discotheque was not granted renewal by the landlord of the industrial facility in Ludwigsburg, South Germany. We need your help, your voices and your power. Each one of you: https://www.openpetition.de/petition/online/verlaengerung-des-mietvertrages-der-rockfabrik-ludwigsburg

You might know the Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg because you’ve seen your favourite band sweating up on stage, maybe you had some drinks at our bar or you might have been banging your head, shaking your rump on our dance floor in Ludwigsburg. That’s our business for 36 years now. We’re home to all sorts of rock music lovers and their favourite bands and it all started on the 30th of November 1983.

See, that club is so old, Metallica Guitarist Kirk Hammett is wearing a Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg T-Shirt on the Backcover of „Master Of Puppets“. And the Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg is so old, for our third birthday, we had Motörhead playing in that club of ours. Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg is the place where your favourite bands are ordering drinks right next to you.

Over the last 36 years we had the honour to provide a home for a couple of generations of rock’n’roll-fans and -bands. We don’t think we’re done with that. We don’t think you’re done with it.

We need you. We need your voices.

www.facebook.com/rockfabrik.ludwigsburg
www.rockfabrik-ludwigsburg.de

The German PR company All Noir have welcomed a new member to the team, this is what the PR had to say about the announcement:-

    "Dear partners, I am more than proud to introduce you to my new co-worker Dominik Goncalves Dos Reis, who will from now on support my agency All Noir on a freelance basis.

     Being an active musician himself and known for his current band Downfall Of Gaia, Dominik is not only an expertise in all that is heavy from Sludge, Doom to Black Metal, but due to his long time experiences in the music, touring and business world – having successfully released numerous albums the DIY way and well-known record labels – he is more than familiar with the flip-side of the coin. Seeing All Noir growing from day to day, with its eclectic artist and label roster since the company started just a year ago, I am thrilled to be working with Dominik.

All best,

Mona & Dominik

ALL NOIR

Billy Stever’s forthcoming documentary 'Maritime Metal' is rolling ahead to begin principal photography this June. The production team is finalizing details and planning to visit 5 Canadian Maritime cities across a two-week span. To help fund the cost of production, Stever is currently running an IndieGoGo campaign, where fans can discover exclusive perks and interview clips giving a taste of what they’ll see in the finished film.

TheEastMag.com, speaking about the project, writes, "Atlantic Canada’s metal scene is a curious niche in our cultural cornucopia... (with) a near constant presence over the last several decades. Now, one fan and former music promoter is hoping to shed some light on the scene with a Maritime Metal Documentary." The feature-length film is part ‘Maritime Metal’ history and part analysis of how music scenes evolve with changes in technology. Support for the film has been pouring in from bands and metalheads across the Maritimes, from sharing the campaign on social media to donating footage, music, videos and stories for use in the finished movie. “This project keeps getting bigger and bigger, thanks to the community contributions,” says Stever.

The ‘Maritime Metal’ team has already filmed over 10 hours of content, locking down the style and narrative of the film. Among the preliminary interviews are members of (past and present): Centuries of Decay, Of Hatred Spawn, Skullfist, Mokomokai, Zaum, Deformatory, Holy Cost, Hatred Reigns, Realms of Despair, Dichotic, Tolerance, Soul Devourer, Burning Moon, Skinkeeper, Iron Giant, Uigg, and Church.

‘Maritime Metal’ will release in 2020, and is available for pre-order on IndieGoGo until June 30.

LINK TO CAMPAIGN: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/maritime-metal-documentary-round-2/

Maritime Metal is Billy Stever’s first foray into documentary filmmaking. He was a music promoter in Nova Scotia during the 2000s and currently resides in Montréal.

Yacked Media INC, a media production company founded in Montréal, QC by Dan Crowder, is producing the documentary.

https://www.yackedmedia.com
https://www.maritimemetaldoc.com

Aura Danciulescu, the Romanian lead singer and lyric writer of the Heavy Metal band Scarlet Aura joins Wacken Radio as the host from April 2019. She will produce the first English show in the history of Wacken Radio. Aura's show is to be named “Go Wild” and she can be followed on air starting from May. For more info, follow Wacken radio Facebook page.

     “I was invited to give an interview on Scarlet Aura in the S.T.U.N.T.S. metal show, for Wacken Radio, held by TinU and SlayerOfMadness. We connected immediately and the invitation to join them as host came naturally and I couldn’t be more honoured and happy to say Yes! And soon I discovered that Wacken Radio supports radio hosts applicants that can join the family by applying and going through some tests and if they pass, they can be also part of Wacken Radio! I passed the tests too so here I am! I’ll be joining this Thursday as co-host for the second time the S.T.U.N.T.S. show and soon I’ll be starting my own show, full of metal surprises, in my own characteristic way. Of course, my show is gonna be named “Go Wild!” as this this is our never-ending saying in our band. Join me, join Wacken Radio and Go Wild!”
 
TinU adds:

     "Slayer and I were simply overwhelmed by Aura's own personal aura – so we seized the opportunity – to win her as a presenter for Wacken Radio to get English moderated Show on our Stream."

Aura Danciulescu has always been passionate about music and writing, and after numerous music projects and her first rock band Steelborn it all eventually led to creation in 2014 of Scarlet Aura – the exotic rising metal star of the East that got in the attention of the worldwide promoters and public.
 
Combination of charismatic singer with one of the most interesting metal voices/husky vocals, hard riffs and heavy balance with a seductive, unique stage performances, sparkling angel appearance and bold music sets the band apart on Female Fronted metal scene.
 
This is not the first connection with Wacken organization for Scarlet Aura: the band has been supported by Wacken Foundation in 2018.

www.scarletaura.net
www.facebook.com/scarletaura
www.youtube.com/scarletaura
www.instagram.com/scarlet_aura_
www.twitter.com/Scarlet_Aura_

The Eddie Van Halen store has released a commemorative shoe, the 1978 High Top, honouring the occasion of Eddie’s groundbreaking debut to the world stage with the release of the first Van Halen album, some 40 years ago. Adding to the growing collection of footwear offered by the EVH™ brand, the 1978 High Tops are a black and white classic high-top sneakers. The outer side features a live photo of Eddie Van Halen playing guitar on the first world tour, and the inner side of the shoe has 1978 prominently displayed in a circular badge. The Eddie Van Halen logo appears on both the tongue of the shoe and on the back sole, and the back panel features his signature white with black striped pattern.
 
The 1978 High Tops and additional apparel/merchandise can be purchased at:
http://www.EddieVanHalenStore.com

Industry, Media, Policy, Academic and Creative Forces Unite To Create A New, Tony Iommi-endorsed Convention On The Global Impact Of Heavy Metal Music

World-first event to include delegates from Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, Nepal, Syria, Singapore, and more

Friday 22 & Saturday 23 March At Rich Mix -  (35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA)

Tickets On Sale Now At http://www.worldmetalcongress.org

The inaugural World Metal Congress will be held on March 22nd and 23rd.

Representatives from every field will come together to discuss, promote, and celebrate the incredible success and scale of heavy metal music from India to South Africa to Singapore and beyond through panels, documentary film premieres and live music showcasing the unparalleled global impact of one of Britain’s greatest cultural exports.

Conceived by ex-Metal Hammer editor and Twin V Ltd. founder Alexander Milas in partnership with Dr. Lina Khatib of world-renowned policy institute Chatham House, University of Central Lancashire’s Dr. Niall Scott and independent promoter Josh Retallick of Old Empire, the aim of w\m/c is to connect the global metal community.

“This is a world-first,” says Milas. “In these troubling times the fact that this music resonates with people of every colour and culture and creed is an incredibly special thing, and we want to shout that from the rooftops. With the w\m/c we’re creating a unique forum to help bring that truly global community together, and we’ve already had a phenomenal response.”

“I’m really pleased to hear that the World Metal Congress will be taking place in the UK,” says Tony Iommi, the founding guitarist of Black Sabbath. “The metal community is huge but rarely gets the recognition it deserves. My best wishes for a successful event.”

Created with the support of Arts Council England, an industry-facing conference on day one will feature key decision-makers from labels, festivals, media, and the artists themselves including BBC Radio 1, Wacken Festival, Music For Nations, Vice, and Barney Greenway of Napalm Death among many others.

“Human rights and universal artistic licence are tightly intertwined,” says Greenway. “Breaking tired old stereotypes, celebrating free creative expression without borders and confronting and debating challenging ethical band decisions continues to be an absolute must.”

Day two presents documentary films highlighting metal’s triumph over adversity and a live gig from Singapore’s Wormrot, one of global metal’s true success stories, with much more to be revealed in the coming days.  

A full programme of events will be announced in the near future through www.worldmetalcongress.org

Art Gates Records are glad to inform that after 7 years as record label in Europe we are expanding our operations to Mexico, opening Art Gates Records Mexico.

The Mexican market breeds Metal and we have been working very hard all these years to make this happen.

We are pleased to announce this new office that will be our extension in Mexico for the Art Gates Records roster, representing our artists in the Latin market in what is for us an exciting step.

More news coming soon.

https://www.facebook.com/ArtGatesRecords.Mx/

What an anniversary! After uncountable releases, TOP 1 chart entries in the internation album charts as well as an gold award, it's time to celebrate 25 years of rock and metal! Or to put it in other words, "Heavy Birthday"! 

Napalm Records was founded 25 years ago by Markus Riedler in Eisenerz (Austria) and is one of the leading international labels in rock and metal! With offices in New York and Berlin, as well as an international network of A&R consultants and local promoters, the label is firmly anchored in the scene. For a quarter of a century Napalm Records has combined tradition with modernity in its work and is known for always discovering young artists, promoting new trends and accompanying artists in the long term.

The renowned Napalm Records roster includes international artists such as Smashing Pumpkins, Alter Bridge, Hoobastank, Powerwolf, Monster Magnet, W.A.S.P., Hammerfall.

How did it all start then? Markus Riedler remembers:

     "I still like to remember the start of the company, a fax machine, a typewriter and a 5-square-meter office and everything in my grandfather's flat." Now many gray hairs later, it fills me with pride to see what we've done for the past 25 years A powerful international team that has been able to do so many things and provides more surprises every day - truly a reason to celebrate, after all, Napalm Records has shaped the music scene during that time - many thanks to everyone behind the company and every day give the very best for another 25 years! "

You can read the full story about Napalm Records in our current Napalm Records mail-order catalog HERE!

Since opening our office in Berlin in 2015, Thomas Caser is the second CEO of Napalm Records. He states:-

     "25 years and still loud! We are proud of the last decades! Napalm Records is the best example of what ideas can become, when you work hard and with passion. Markus is a paragon for all successful businessmen. I am so proud that I could do my bit for the history of Napalm Records. And we will keep it up for the most interesting music genre! We managed to grow even in hard times. And we built up an outstanding team spirit – we are ready for the next 25 years!”

International and high-class congratulations - i.a. with Dee Snider, Moonspell, Warbringer, Heidevolk, Nervosa, Megaherz - can be seen HERE and HERE.

Check out out anniversary playlist at spotify right HERE.

In the course of the company anniversary, Napalm Records invited almost all of it's 40 employees from Germany, the USA and Austria to Eisenerz for the first time. From the sixth to the ninth of September, four exciting days were spent in the Eisenerz Ramsau. See the Recap video HERE.

Celebrate with us & get your exclusive Napalm Records Merch HERE:

From September 1st 2018, Johan F. Gren is the new Managing Director at Gain Music Entertainment. Johan has worked in the company with several roles for 7 years and now gets the confidence of the board to lead the company.
 
The company has, with the label GAIN, established itself during the last decade as a leading player in the hard rock genre with artists such as Europe, Hardcore Superstar, Backyard Babies and Mustasch. In 2014, the company launched an active venture to broaden the music with the labels LINC MUSIC and DOCKS MUSIC where platinum and gold-selling artists like Wahlstedt, Carl Deman, Jay Smith and Alexander Asp are signed.
 
     "Very exciting challenge! After 10 years as a touring artist and 7 years in the music industry, I hope to contribute with a broad perspective on what both artists and the company need to develop and collaborate together in an industry that constantly meets new challenges."
- Johan F. Gren, Managing Director 
 
     "Johan has shown a massive corporate commitment and structured leadership over the years. I am convinced that he will further strengthen the company's position at the market"
- Markus Tagaris, Chairman of the Board
 
The company was founded in 1996 with its registered office in Gothenburg and you find Sony Music among others as owners.
 
www.gain.se

Metal Depot is pleased to reveal the premiere dates of the graphic novel "Emissary Of The Anunnaki:
The Tale of the Fire King".

This epic story blends Sumerian mythology with the real story of the pioneers of Sumerian thrashing black metallers Melechesh. Based on an interview with the founder of the band – Ashmedi, the story is half-real and half-magical. Some episodes have happened during the real tours, and the fans might even remember them.

After two years of production, the 128-pages of epic is ready to hit the international comic book scene.

The Russian version of the graphic novel will be released during Moscow International Book Fair, taking place on 5-9 of September, 2018.

On this occasion, Metal Depot offers a special deal to metalheads (and not only!) on September 7-8th!

Come wearing any metal band t-shirt and you will get 6.66% discount on Emissary Of The Anunnaki (English or Russian) and any accessories related to this graphic novel at our stand.

Come wearing Melechesh band t-shirt or show one of their favourite albums that you own, and get 13% discount on Emissary Of The Anunnaki (English or Russian) and any accessories related to this graphic novel at Metal Depot Stand (E23).

Right after that, Emissary Of The Anunnaki heads North, and will be presented at Comic Con Baltics, taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 15-16 September, 2018.

The same 6.66% and 13% discounts will apply during the Comic Con Baltics weekend for everyone who shows up wearing Melechesh or any metal band t-shirts.

English and Russian editions of the graphic novel will be available online on md-comics.com right after these two premieres.

https://www.facebook.com/METALDEPOTcomics