SONATA ARCTICA With ‘S**tload Of Money’ Video Released

“Shitload Of Money“, the new video from Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA, can be seen above. The clip, which features the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada (a.k.a. “Sin City“), was made by the Finnish production company Optipari Ltd.

In an interview with Blistering.com, SONATA ARCTICA lead singer Tony Kakko stated about the “Shitload Of Money” song, “You cannot sell something you cannot buy back. A lot of people, especially on Facebook and other social media — and they should consider this! — they are putting their face and privacy out there and you can’t get it back.”

(via Blabbermouth)

Ex Deo With New Song Streaming Online

Five days before the official release of Caligvla, Canadian Rome-obsessed metallers Ex Deo have released a lyric video for the new song “Per Oculus Aquila“.

The song features the vocal contribution of Stefano Fiori (Graveworm) and you can listen to it above.

You will be able to get your hands on the new album on August 31st courtesy of Napalm Records.

(via Metal Storm)

To-Mera With New Album Teaser Online

A teaser featuring several excerpts from the symphonic progressive metal act To-Mera‘s upcoming concept album Exile, was uploaded by band to Youtube and can now be viewed above.

Exile will be released by Illusionary Records on September 24th; their first output since 2009′s EP Earthbound. The album can be pre-ordered from the band’s official website.

(via Metal Storm)

Arsames to headline first Persian Metal Festival

Zhesht Events proudly presents the first ever Persian Metal Festival, an event so unique it doesn’t even need another naming.

It will be the first time in history of Iran that 10 of it’s top bands,, will gather on the same stage to perform for their fans, headlined by Iran’s biggest metal export – the mighty Arsames from Mashhad city.

Current Billing:

ARSAMES

MORDAB

MASTER OF PERSIA

5GRS

SCOX

DEATH FUSE

AVESTA

PERSIAN FORCE

SLAVE MARK

…more to be announced

(via The Gauntlet)

Corey Taylor And Clown Discuss Antennas To Hell In New Audio Interview

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor and percussionist Clown recently spoke with Des Moines, Iowa’s Lazer 103.3 DJ Andy Hall for a special program, Inside Slipknot: Antennas To Hell. The career-spanning interview can be heard via the audio players above.

The Antennas To Hell tracklist is as follows:

‘(sic)’ ‘Eyeless’ ‘Wait And Bleed’ ‘Spit It Out’ ‘Surfacing’ ‘People = Shit’ ‘Disasterpiece’ ‘Left Behind’ ‘My Plague’ (New Abuse Mix) ‘The Heretic Anthem’ (live) ‘Purity’ (live) ‘Pulse Of The Maggots’ ‘Duality’ ‘Before I Forget’ ‘Vermilion’ ‘Sulfur’ ‘Psychosocial’ ‘Dead Memories’ ‘Snuff’

Bonus CD: (sic)nesses: Live At The Download Festival 2009

‘(sic)’ ‘Eyeless’ ‘Wait And Bleed’ ‘Get This’ ‘Before I Forget’ ‘Sulfur’ ‘The Blister Exists’ ‘Dead Memories’ ‘Left Behind’ ‘Disasterpiece’ ‘Vermilion’ ‘Everything Ends’ ‘Psychosocial’ ‘Duality’ ‘People = Shit’ ‘Surfacing’ ‘Spit It Out’

In its first week of release, Antennas To Hell sold more than 16,000 copies in US and landed on the The Billboard 200 chart at #18

(via Bravewords)

‘The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2′ Available For Streaming

On Tuesday, October 9, a second volume of DIO‘s best tracks will be unleashed via Niji Entertainment — “The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2” – a follow-up to the gold-certified “The Very Beast Of Dio“.

The 17-track CD picks up exactly where the first volume left off — from 1996 onward. And in addition to featuring such latter-day DIO classics as “Killing The Dragon“, “Push” and “Fever Dreams“, the compilation will also include several rarities that fans have long requested on a single disc — “Electra” (which previously was only a part of the ultra-rare “Tournado” box set), “Prisoner of Paradise” and “Metal Will Never Die“.

“The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2” is now available for streaming in its entirety at http://www.officialronniejamesdiowebstore.com/The-Very-Beast-Of-Dio-Vol-2_p_152.html

“The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2” track listing:

01. Killing the Dragon 02. Push 03. The Eyes 04. Along Comes A Spider 05. Better In The Dark 06. Fever Dreams 07. Black 08. Feed My Head 09. Shivers 10. Hunter Of The Heart (live) 11. One More For The Road 12. Lord Of The Last Day 13. Electra (bonus track) 14. As Long As It’s Not About Love 15. This Is Your Life 16. Metal Will Never Die (bonus track) 17. Prisoner Of Paradise (bonus track)

(via Blistering)

New Video Interview With JONNY DAVY From JOB FOR A COWBOY

Mike Bax of Lithium Magazine conducted an interview with vocalist Jonny Davy of Arizona extreme metallers JOB FOR A COWBOY backstage at the Heavy T.O. festival on August 12 at Downsview Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

JOB FOR A COWBOY‘s new album, “Demonocracy“, sold 4,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 87 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band’s sophomore full-length CD, “Ruination“, opened with around 10,600 units back in July 2009 to land at No. 42.

(via Blabbermouth)

DIMMU BORGIR Graphic Artist Alf Børjesson Passes

Oslo-based photographer/graphic artist Alf Børjesson has passed away. He was responsible for the highly-praised artwork on DIMMU BORGIR‘s 2001′s Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, 2003′s Death Cult Armageddon and the 2005 rerecording of Stormblåst.

Says Dimmu Borgir singer Shagrath: “Our dear friend Alf Børjesson, rest in peace. Thank you for the creative times. Your art will forever live on. R.I.P.”

(via Bravewords)

RAVEN LORD Announces New Guitarist

Multinational metallers RAVEN LORD have announced the addition of guitarist George Karafotis (VERMILLION DAYS, OPERATION X) to the group’s ranks.

Born in March 1993, George started taking guitar lessons at the age of 11 from guitar master Laki Ragazas (DEVIL’S TRAIN, MYSTIC PROPHECY).

Commented the band, “We just started working with George and things are running smooth. He is a team player and definitely fits the bill for RAVEN LORD; this guy got music and metal in his blood.”

RAVEN LORD is:

* Csaba Zvekan (KILLING MACHINE, SARDONYX, EMERGENCY) – Vocals

* Stefan Lindholm (VINDICTIV) – Lead Guitar

* Jamie Mallender (TONY MARTIN) – Bass

* Pontus Larsson (VINDICTIV, FIRECRACKER) – Keyboards

* Henrik Hedman (CELESTIAL DECAY, LAST KINGDOM) – Drums

* George Karafotis (VERMILLION DAYS, OPERATION X) – Guitar

(via Blistering)