Last year we celebrated the 10th edition of the Metal Storm Awards, and earlier this year we observed the Awards' 10th anniversary with its own special competition. Now, finally, the 2014 Awards have come to a close. Countless bands and users alike have come and gone in those years, but the spirit of the Awards has remained the same; as we like to say, it's not about who wins and loses, but about discovering new bands. While this year's Awards had a smaller voter turnout than the previous couple, 2014 still had its fair share of friendly competition.
It was a good year for overturning the dynastic dominance of the Big Band Beat-Downs. Bands like Behemoth, Arch Enemy, and Opeth failed to secure not only nominations, but significant numbers of write-in votes. This was also the first year in Metal Storm Awards history without a release from Amon Amarth, Dark Tranquillity, or Be'lakor, meaning that for once the Melodeath category was open to some fresh, healthy, and legitimate competition. In other words, Insomnium swept it by an absurd margin.
Finnish death metal veterans Convulse premiere a brand new official video for the new track "Pangaea", which can be viewed in its entirety through the YouTube player below. The track is the first preview of Convulse's forthcoming new album for Svart Records, which follows their comeback album, Evil Prevails, released in 2013. Further details will be revealed as they become available. For now, enjoy the new video!
If you were waiting to hear the entire new Enslaved album In Times, you are in luck because it is being streamed in its entirety over on YouTube right now. Nuclear Blast Records has made the whole thing available online today and for free. Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below. Did it match your expectations? Is it what you were hoping for after listening to the new songs? Enjoy it while you can!
You can start your week with new music from Faith No More. The American metallers will release their first new album in almost two decades, Sol Invictus, and the second song you get to hear from it is "Superhero". It will be available as a limited edition 7-inch single on March 17th. Until then, give it a spin below. Did you enjoy the song?
As they are about to release their new album Extinct, gothic metallers Moonspell have now announced that they will be touring in the United States, Canada and Mexico in support of the record in April and May. Joining them on this trek are Septicflesh (who are also touring with the Portuguese band in Europe) and the Swedes Deathstars. See the dates below if you want to check out this tour.
In case you didn't know, Greek black metallers Devathorn have just released their new album Vritra via World Terror Committee. To celebrate that, they have also recently shared a lyric video for one of the new songs. You can hear below the track "Cathedral Of Set". Maybe if you like it, you will want to stream the entire new album over here. Feel free to explore Devathorn's music.
Swedish prog masters Opeth confirmed that they will bring Pale Communion to the lands of Latin America. Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina and Brazil are the countries that will be part of this 10-day march, which will happen in July. All dates are available below the tour flyer.
The grave of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott from Pantera has been hit by a vandal. According to the band, it was the work of a musician who boasted about defacing Abbott's final resting place at the Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas. However, the band (Nuclear Hellfrost) being accused of this act have denied any involvement with what they label a hoax put on by their former lead singer completely disconnected from the other members of the band. Reece Eber, their former singer, has admitted he vandalized Dimebag's grave.
The Faceless has a new face in the band. The tech death metallers have announced the addition of guitarist Justin McKinney. So, Michael "Machine" Keene is not alone in the band anymore after all members deserted last year. Justin McKinney is the guitarist and songwriter of The Zenith Passage. Also, Keene promised new music from The Faceless soon. Their new record is, according to him, almost done.
Almost everyone has left Nader Sadek, all but Nader Sadek, its artistic director. Travis Ryan, Martin Rygiel, Flo Mounier, and Rune Eriksen no longer wish to be associated with Nader Sadek and his project. According to them, the ongoing drama has intensified to a point where they have decided to focus their time on their other projects.
After going on an indefinite break back in 2012, Austrian black metallers Hellsaw have now announced that they will split up for good. It was the frontman Quentin "Aries" "Q. Woe" Nicollet who announced it via the band's Facebook page. However, fans will have a final opportunity to see the band live on the Black 'n' Thrash Inferno festival in Germany at the end of March.
Evertale have a new video online. According to them, in a spontaneous action they have decided to shoot a video for the title track "Of Dragons And Elves" from the remastered album which was released via NoiseArt Records worldwide on February 27th. The band thanks Philipp Hansert for the production and their former drummer Martin "Schumi" Schumacher who helped them. Enjoy the video!
San Francisco-based stoner representatives Acid King will be releasing their upcoming full-length, Middle Of Nowhere, Center Of Everywhere, on April 14th independently, with the vinyl release coming out on Svart Records. To taste a piece of this effort, Acid King present a brand new track, "Red River", now available for streaming through the SoundCloud widget below. Check it out!
Motörhead recently returned to the studio to begin work on their 22nd studio album. The heavy metal legendary band released their latest album in 2013, Aftershock, but the band also faced a tough time after cancelling shows due to health issues of frontman Lemmy Kilmister. All of that seems behind them now as they are currently recording in Los Angeles with their longtime producer Cameron Web. Check out below some of the pics from the recording process.
Metal Storm Awards - Voting Closed
