Two of UK metal's rising stars, Elimination and Triaxis, have teamed up for the End Of Days tour. Sponsored by Ed Stone, the tour sees the duo visit Wales, London, the North East and South of England, as well as the Midlands throughout March. Elimination join the tour having released their album 'The Blood Of Titans'. Says guitarist Dave Spicer, “We’re seriously excited about performing the new material to both those who have followed us over the last 4 years, and to those who will be seeing us for the first time. We’re so grateful to those who have waited patiently; we’ve been rehearsing the material for over 6 months now, and to know that we’re finally going to get out there and play it, is a fantastic feeling! And to be out there with Triaxis, well this is just gonna be epic.” Triaxis are currently adding the finishing touches to their second album, due for release later in the year, which was recorded under the watchful eye of producer Chris Fielding (Electric Wizard, Primordial) at Foel Studios. Looking ahead to the tour, vocalist Krissie comments, “We are itching to get back out on tour after our stint in the studio and sharing the new tracks with our fans. We love recording in the studio but nothing beats performing live. We are thrilled to be sharing the bill with Elimination. You’re not going to want to miss this!”

END OF DAYS TOUR 2012
3rd March | The Railway Institute, Bangor 8th March | The Unicorn, Camden, London 9th March | Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham 22nd March | Grand Central, Manchester 23rd March | The Gasworks, Bradford 24th March | The Masons, Llanelli 25th March | The Railway, Winchester

London based extreme metallers MORTAD have revealed the artwork for their album “The Myth Of Purity”, which will be released via Metal Hammer Magazine on sale 8th Feb 2012.  The artwork - which is based on the Persian literary masterpiece “The Blind Owl”, is revealed via a video teaser, which also features the album’s producer Russ Russell. On the album giveaway, vocalist Somi Arian commented:  "As a band, we are incredibly grateful to Metal Hammer for introducing Mortad's debut album to their readers and the British metal fans. As an Irainan female vocalist, I'm absolutely stoked to be the first one of my kind to find my home in the UK Metal Scene."

Irish folk metallers WAYLANDER have reveal the title of their upcoming album to be "Kindred Spirits" . "Kindred Spirits" was recorded at Stone Circle studio, Lurgan, Co. Armagh. and will be released in spring 2012 on Listenable Records. Overall,”Kindred Spirits” is an angrier album than previous releases yet retains some of the folk influnced reflection and melancolia of “Honour Amongst Chaos”. The lyrical narrative moves from the contentious [Lamh Dearg] to the psychological [Of fear and Fury] to the spititual[Twin fires of Beltíne and A path well trodden] to the mystical[Echoes of the Sidhe] to the hopeless[Erdath] to the reflective[Giants grave]. The underlyng theme on this album being, that which unites us.

SUNN O))) are pleased to announce a set of shows culminating with a concert at the legendary Hellfest Festival in France June 2012. On stage will be: TOS Nieuwenhuizen (Moog), Attila Csihar (vox), Greg Anderson (Les Paul), Stephen O'Malley (Travis Bean). 6 Sunn stacks, 6 Ampeg stacks, Randall Dunn at the desk. O)))

SUNN O))) Europe June 2012:
6/10/2012 TBA - UK
6/11/2012 The Ritz - Manchester, UK
6/12/2012 Koko - London, UK w/ Nurse With Wound
6/14/2012 Milkweg - Amsterdam, NL w/ Aluk Todolo
6/15/2012 Fort8 BE - Hoboken, BE w/ Aluk Todolo
6/16/2012 Gâité Lyrique - Paris, FR
6/17/2012 Hellfest - Clisson, FR w/ King Diamond, Black Sabbath

After releasing a handful of updates and teasers, JEFF LOOMIS fans have been dying to know when they can expect the ex-Nevermore guitarist’s forthcoming album. It is with much excitement that JEFF LOOMIS finally reveals the details of his highly anticipated sophomore album entitled “Plains Of Oblivion”. The new album will be released on April 9th in Europe via Century Media Records.  The ten track-er will be produced by Aaron Smith (7 Horns 7 Eyes) and is some of LOOMIS’ best work yet.  JEFF LOOMIS teamed up with Colin Marks of Rain Song Design (www.rain-song.co.uk) to create the intriguing artwork. Marks is most well-known for his previous work with All Shall Perish, The End and Xerath.

3 INCHES OF BLOOD has revealed both the track listing and album artwork from their forthcoming album, “Long Live Heavy Metal” that is due for release in the UK on March 26, 2012. Produced by Terry "Sho" Murray (City of Fire, Exhibitionists), the astounding twelve track achievement offers an explosion of sound, setting new standards for classic heavy metal.  3 INCHES OF BLOOD teamed up with Kim Thiessen for the artwork to perfect their artistic vision for the album, the different formats will be announced shortly.  The track listing and album artwork can be seen below, and within the next week, fans should be on the lookout for news of a song premiere from the new album. 3 Inches Of Blood have now been officially joined on bas duties by Bryon Stroud, former Strapping Young Lad and Fear Factory member. Stroud and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD have been working together on a variety of things, and Stroud is beyond pleased shift his involvement to a creative level.

More details on Oro: Opus Primum -- the first installment of the new two-album series from Italy's supernatural doom sorcerers, UFOMAMMUT -- have this week been confirmed. Already known for their attention to detail with each release, including meticulous, quality artwork and packaging as expansive and layered as every obliterating UFOMAMMUT release is musically, this time they take it one notch higher and have completed a massive two-part album, set for release months apart. Now confirmed for release in the UK on April 9th, throughout the rest of Europe on April 13th, and in North America April 17th, this week the artwork and track listing for the incredibly anticipated first installment of the series -- Oro: Opus Primum -- have been unveiled for the first time. Check it out at this location.

London based metal superstars DRAGONFORCE have revealed details of their forthcoming new album. Entitled “The Power Within”, the ten track monster is the bands fifth studio album, and first with new singer Marc Hudson in the fold.  DragonForce guitarist Herman Li said, “The last two years have been the most fun we ever had making an album. Through writing, jamming and touring together, we have built this incredible energy and it has been fully captured on the new album.  This time around we’ve really brought our metal side to the surface and made some of the best music of our career. From the fastest song we’ve ever recorded to the slower songs, and some things you would never expect from us, this is by far the most diverse DragonForce album yet.  “The Power Within” will be released in the UK on April 15th via the band’s own Electric Generation Recordings, distributed by Essential Music.  Li added, “This is an exciting new era for DragonForce with Marc joining the band, so we figured this was an ideal time to take full control of our own destiny and establish our own record label for Europe. It’s all hands on deck running it, but a great buzz”!

French death /black metal band SVART CROWN will hit the road accross Europe this February with  ULCERATE on “The burning Winter Tour 2012”. See the dates below:
 
THU 02 FRA: Reims / Centre culturel du Crous
FRI 03 HOL: Nijmegen / Merleyn
SAT 04 BEL: Ghent / Frontline
SUN 05 UK: London / Purple Turtle
MON 06 UK: Edinburgh / Bannermans
TUE 07 UK: Liverpool / Lomax
WEN 08 UK: Birmingham / Asylum 2
THU 09 FR: Nancy / T.O.T.E.M
FRI 10 GER: Halle / Marktwirtschaft
SAT 11 GER: Berlin/ K17
SUN 12 POL: Krakow / Kazamaty Club
MON 13 CZ: Praha / Black Pes Club
TUE 14 CZ: Ostrava / Barrak Musik Klub

Originating from Wroclaw, Poland's The Sixpounder after the successfull 2011, releasing debut album „Going To Hell? Permission Granted”, reaching final round of national TV talent show (where The Sixpounder's singer Frantic Phil was trained by Nergal, leader of mighty Behemoth), playing Wacken 2010 and touring intensively - has inked a deal with Universal Music. First outcome of this cooperation will be re-release of „Going To Hell? Permission Granted” at the end of February.  Soon after, since March 10th, The Sixpounder will take part in Blitzkrieg VI tour, headlined by VADER. Both bands will be joined by Resistance (BEL), Calm Hatchery and Eris Is My Homegirl.