Ok, so it's time for the scheduled (almost) monthly Clandestine Cuts! This month features Razorwyre, Disintegrated, Everfailed, Apsis, Magrudergrind, Gallowbraid and Catuvolcus. Go read it here.

Now, you're probably wondering what the big changes are to this issue? Well, it's quite simple; we're giving you! Yes, you! Some more power regarding the MetalStorm awards. We've attached a poll to the bottom of the article, where you get to vote for what you think is the best demo, EP, or single from that issue. The top 6 chosen will be nominated in the 2010 MetalStorm awards under a new category!

During the MS awards, we experience some of our highest traffic all year. Now, a nomination in the MetalStorm awards may not mean all that much to a band like Iron Maiden, but some massive exposure in the awards may be huge news for some of these bands that just need to get their name out there. Think a certain band has got that sound that more people should hear? Show it! Give them a vote!

Also, we have edited the poll into the previous articles, so be sure to go back (issue #1 - issue #2) and vote there as well!

- The 'Storm Crew

P.S. - You may also be wondering why only 6 will be nominated, as opposed to the regular 10 per category. This is simply because only 4 issues will be out by the time the 2010 Awards roll around, not creating enough competition to judge a worthy nominee by. We'll bump it up to 10 next year.

Read more ››

Source:

metalstorm.net

"Legacy Of Ashes", a brand new song from Dutch metallers Sinister, is available for streaming at the Massacre Records' website or MySpace page.

"Legacy Of Ashes" is the title track from the band's forthcoming album, Legacy Of Ashes, which will be released on December 17 via Massacre Records.

Legacy Of Ashes cover art] tracklist:

01. Herd Of Damnation
02. Into The Blind World
03. The Enemy Of My Enemy
04. Anatomie Of A Catastrophe
05. The Sin Of Sodomy
06. Legacy Of Ashes
07. The Hornet's Nest
08. Righteous Indignations
09. The Living Sacrifice

Read more ››

Source:	massacre-records.de
Band profile:	Sinister

"Killzone", a brand new song from Dutch metallers Legion Of The Damned, is available for streaming at the Massacre Records' website or MySpace page.

"Killzone" comes off the band's forthcoming album, Descent Into Chaos, which will be released on January 7, 2011 via Massacre Records.

Descent Into Chaos cover art] tracklist:

01. Descent Into Chaos
02. Desolation Empire
03. Holy Blood, Holy War
04. War Is In My Blood
05. Night Of The Sabbath
06. The Hand Of Darkness
07. Lord Of The Flies
08. Killzone
09. Possessed Again
10. Shrapnel Rain

Read more ››

Source:	massacre-records.de
Band profile:	Legion Of The Damned

British crossover thrashers SSS are spreading some festive metal cheer by offering you a free song, titled "Merry ChristmaSSS".

It's that time of the year again and the Liverpool thrashers have taken time out of their schedule to think of others and give you all a special treat with a free song to see you through the holiday period.

Download "Merry ChristmaSSS" now for free at this location (view an image with the lyrics here).

Read more ››

Source:	earachenews.blogspot.com
Band profile:	SSS

Nuclear Blast Records press release

The original line up of one of the most influential hardcore punk metal bands, Biohazard, is gearing up to release their first album together in sixteen years. The as yet untitled album will be released in Spring 2011 via a new partnership with Nuclear Blast for the world outside of North America.

Jaap Wagemaker, A&R for the label says: "We at Nuclear Blast have been longtime fans since we first saw Biohazard on tour with Wargasm and at the legendary Dynamo Open Air where they played no less than four times! Judging by the sheer power, enthusiasm and pleasure that I have seen them unleash live by playing their classics, the new album promises nothing less than another milestone in their career".

Formed in the late eighties in Brooklyn, New York, the foursome achieved national and worldwide success with their albums Urban Discipline on Roadrunner Records in 1992 and 1994's State Of The World Address on Warner Brothers. Both albums sold over 1,000,000 copies each. Founding members Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Danny Schuler and Evan Seinfeld are currently in the studio with legendary producer Toby Wright (Alice In Chains, Metallica, Korn).

Drummer Danny Schuler says, "Finally, we are in the studio recording our first record together with the original line-up since 1994! 16 years! Feels like a lifetime since we last did this together, and the experience has been amazing. We've recorded over an hour of music, and we are extremely excited and grateful to be able to share it all with you."

Bassist Seinfeld says the new album promises "bone crushing riffs fused with dark melodies and uncompromising lyrics rapped at you like only Biohazard can deliver? the danger is back".

Toby Wright adds, "This is the best hardcore band in the world, and this is going to be a kickass record that proves that is a fact".

Read more ››

Source:

nuclearblast.de

Norwegian metallers Thunderbolt have inked a deal with Germany's Rock It Up Records. The band's forthcoming album album, Dung Idols, will be released in February/March 2011.

Dung Idols songtitles announced so far:

Majestic Travesty
Fight
Land Of The Living
Metal Tide
Black Horde
Special
Crime Of The Sentry
Dung Idols
The Moderators
Heel Run

Read more ››

Source:	rockitup.org
Band profile:	Thunderbolt

Dave Machander, touring drummer for Annihilator on Refresh the Demon Europe tour 1996, has sadly lost his battle with cancer. Annihilator mainman Jeff Waters released the following statement:

"A few weeks ago (while I was touring in Europe), I got word that we lost a former member of Annihilator's touring lineup, Dave Machander. He passed away from cancer.

Dave was a super nice guy. I met him under stressful circumstances. In 1996, we did a record called Refresh The Demon. Randy Black was our drummer then and I had bought everyone's plane tickets for our upcoming Refresh the Demon EUROPE tour 1996.

12 days BEFORE the tour weas supposed to start, I get a call from Randy telling me that, if I did not pay him dounle+ the money I was to pay him for the tour, that he would not come along and would join another Vancouver artist "Bif Naked" instead (as she apparently was offering more money). I told him that we could not afford this and that it is very, very wrong to hold us "hostage" like this. He ended up leaving for Bif Naked (which ended up lasting one tour and he was out anyway!) but, more importantly, Randy Black left us with NO DRUMMER, a cancelled flight that I did not get my money back for and a tour in 12 days!!!

12 days is wayyyy too short of a time to get someone to jump in and play an Annihilator set and I still had to hope I could find someone!!

Dave Davis, our long-time guitar player, suggested his friend Dave Machander and thought he could handdle the gig/pressure. I was not convinced but had no other option than to literally say "you are in", before I even heard him play drums!

We rehearsed on Vancouver Island, near where both Dave's lived. We had 6 rehearsals scheduled. Normally, for a drummer with us, headlining Europe, we would need 10 reherasals.

Many drummers play along with a "click". That is a cowbell kind of sound that keeps a time/beat in the drummer's earphones and lets him play close to perfect timing... it helps him zoom in and play tighter than without one. Well, Dave was not playing well to it. Turns out, he had never played to one before. I was in panic mode. So was everyone else. So by the 4th rehearsal of 6, I was ready to cancel. Almost. Then Dave Davis said "Jeff, why don't we simply take Machander OFF the click and let him just "feel" the music".

I said "Might as well try, Dave".

We did. INSTANTLY, the guy played fantastic. Really good. Better than good. He then really only had 2 good rehersals with us and then got on the plane with us and kicked f...ing ass on that tour. The guy pulled through and stuck with it. Most guys would have quit after the first few rehearsals but he would not give up. And thanks to Dave Davis for the tour-saving suggestion!

Read more ››

Source:	annihilatormetal.com
Band profile:	Annihilator

Original news, published on 29.11.2010

"Last Fight", the new video from Hungarian metallers Ektomorf, can be viewed at this location.

"Last Fight" comes off the band's forthcoming album, Redemption, which will be released on December 17 via AFM Records.

Redemption cover art] tracklist:

01. Last Fight
02. Redemption
03. I'm In Hate
04. God Will Cut You Down
05. Stay Away
06. Never Should
07. Sea Of My Misery
08. The One
09. Revolution
10. Cigany
11. Stigmatized
12. Anger
13. Kill Me Now

UPDATE: (thanks to Terror stricken)

"Sea Of My Misery", the new video from Hungarian metallers Ektomorf, can be viewed at this location.

"Sea Of My Misery" comes off the band's forthcoming album, Redemption, which will be released on December 17 via AFM Records.

Read more ››

Source:	ektomorf.com
Band profile:	Ektomorf

Belgian metallers Leng Tch'e have confirmed a string of eastern/southern European dates set for next February with Slovakia's Killchain.

Confirmed dates are as follows:

Feb. 11 - Pfarrkirchen, Germany - Club Bogaloo (without Killchain)
Feb. 12 - Olomouc, Czech Republic - S-Club
Feb. 13 - Lučenec, Slovakia- Slimák
Feb. 14 - Bratislava, Slovakia - TBC
Feb. 15 - Bologna, Italy - Nuovo Lazzaretto
Feb. 16 - Milano, Italy - Magnolia Club
Feb. 17 - Vicenza, Italy - Mac 2
Feb. 18 - Prekmurje, Slovenia - Mikk, Murska Sobota
Feb. 19 - Wien, Austria - Escape Metalcorner

In other news, the band added: "A new videoclip is also in the works for the song "Totalitarian" from the band's lastest album Hypomanic. We'll be shooting in the coming weeks so expect a release around January."

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Leng Tch'e
Event:	Leng Tch'e: European Tour

Official press release

Toxic Holocaust has entered Dexters Lab in Milford, CT to begin work on the long-awaited follow-up to An Overdose Of Death... The band is recording with Toxic Holocaust / Kingdom Of Sorrow drummer and engineer Nick Bellmore (Hatebreed, Phantoms, Full Blown Chaos). The new full-length is expected to see a late spring 2011 release date. Additional release information will be posted shortly and studio updates are posted regularly at this location.

Toxic Holocaust frontman Joel Grind recently checked in from the studio with the following; "We are on Day 4 of recording the new record, everything is coming together quickly and smoothly. Drums are finished and we have started on guitar tracks. I'm excited for people to hear this new stuff, its not going to alienate old fans by any means but I think it might attract some new ones. It's definitely a step up from what we've done, and this time around we've increased the evil ten fold. The lyrics on this record are a little darker including lots of occult themes as well as real life shit that is stranger than fiction could ever be."

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Toxic Holocaust

US metallers Necrophagia have revealed the cover artwork of their forthcoming album, Deathtrip 69. The artwork was created by renowned tattoo artist Jake Arnette and will be made available as limited-edition signed prints soon.

Deathtrip 69 will be made available in April 2011 via Season Of Mist. Info on ordering limited edition signed prints of the artwork will be made available soon.

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Necrophagia

"Human Nature" and "Taste Of Destiny", two new song from Swedish metallers Degradead, are available for streaming at the band's MySpace page.

The two songs come off the band's forthcoming album, A World Destroyer, which was recorded at Peter Tägtgren's Abyss studios in Pärlby, Sweden with producer Jonas Kjellgren (Scar Symmetry, Centinex, World Below).

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Degradead

German thrash metallers Sodom have introduced their new drummer after the departure of long-time drummer Bobby Schottkowski early last week.

The new drummer is Markus "Makka" Freiwald - who is known for playing with bands, such as: Despair, Flaming Anger, Voodoocult, Kreator, Moonspell, and Rotting Christ.


Read more ››

Source:	sodomized.info
Band profile:	Sodom

Earlier this week we announced the headliners of the Graspop Metal Meeting, taking place June 24-26, 2011 in Dessel, Belgium. More names have now been added to the festival billing:

Friday June 24: Scorpions - Volbeat - Iced Earth - Epica - Parkway Drive - The Damned Things - Masters Of Reality - Heaven Shall Burn - Sepultura - Angel Witch - Kvelertak - The Black Dahlia Murder - Revoker

Saturday June 25: Ozzy Osbourne - Judas Priest - Arch Enemy - Moonspell - Electric Wizard - Adept - Spiritual Beggars

Sunday June 26: Slipknot - Amorphis - Soilwork - Terror - While She Sleeps

Tickets are on sale as of yesterday. More ticket details available here.


Read more ››

Source:	graspop.be
Event:	Graspop Metal Meeting

Prophecy Productions recently announced that Helrunar's new album, Sól, will be released on the following dates:

Germany and Austria: December 31st
Rest of Europe: January 3rd
North America: February 8th

An audio sample from the album, the track "Nebelspinne", can now be downloaded at this location. Also the album will be available in three different formats:

- Sól I - Der Dorn Im Nebel (Digipak CD) pre-order]
This is part 1 of the two-piece concept album. Musically, "Der Dorn Im Nebel" establishes the concept of Sól with classical and direct Pagan Black Metal, while the lyrics outline the individual's struggle against and for himself.

- Sól II - Zweige Der Erinnerung (Digipak CD) pre-order]
With "Zweige Der Erinnerung" the struggle of the individual reaches a new dimension: Supported by more experimental and atmospheric more complex Pagan Black Metal, the focus lies on the conflict of individual and society. Part 2 of the two-piece concept album.

- Sól premium artbook edition (2CD and book with 54 pages) pre-order]
This strictly limited (1,000 copies) artbook is published in broadsheet format (29x29 cm) and contains both Sól I - Der Dorn Im Nebel (Digipak CD) and Sól II - Zweige Der Erinnerung. The 54-pages artbook contains the song lyrics expanded into the dimensions of a classic drama as well as exclusive visuals and a preface by Skald Draugir.

Sól cover art] tracklist:

Disc I Sól I - Der Dorn Im Nebel]
01. Gefrierpunkt
02. Kollapsar
03. Unter Dem Gletscher
04. Nebelspinne
05. Praeludium Eclipsis
06. Tiefer Als Der Tag
07. Nur Fragmente...
08. Ende 1.3

Disc II Sól II - Zweige Der Erinnerung]
01. Europa Nach Dem Eis
02. Aschevolk
03. Die Mühle
04. Rattenkönig
05. Moorgänger
06. Lichtmess
07. Sól

Read more ››

Source:	prophecy.cd
Band profile:	Helrunar