MINISTRY – Relapse

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The legendary MINISTRY may have come out of a relatively short retirement but Relapse clearly shows that they haven’t lost a step. All the qualities that makes the band larger than life are all present such as Al Jourgensen‘s charisma and sense of satire, super catchy songs, sound samples, and massive guitar riffs.

Uncle Al covers a wide range of topics such as the financial exploitation of dead rock stars, the ethos and political climate that spawned the Occupy Movement, and the corrupt nature of politics.

Relapse starts with all out fury as the record’s first three songs are as brutal as most extreme metal can get. The wall of heaviness and intensity are just awesome. S.O.D.‘s “United Forces” gets the MINISTRY treatment in fine fashion. “99 Percenters” and “Get Up and Get Out ‘N Vote” are catchy anthems that are sure to stir the emotions of those in the “99 percent” and seeking change. The record’s title track has a great sense of urgency and the chorus is undeniable. “Bloodlust” marks the end of the ultra heaviness and slows things down to a bouncy tempo with a classic SABBATH vibe. “Relapse Defibrillator Mix” brings it all home with a pure industrial/electronic remix of the title track.

Regardless of the passage of any time, MINISTRY prove their relevance once again. Relapse is a solid, straight up album. While it’s undeniable that MINISTRY‘s influence on heavy music cannot be overstated, it can also be said that the pupils have not dethroned the master. (AFM/13th Planet Records)

WARFATHER: Ex-MORBID ANGEL Frontman Steve Tucker Forms New Death Metal Band

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Greyhaze Records is proud to announce the formation and signing of brand new death metal act WARFATHER, a new unit conceived by ex-MORBID ANGEL frontman Steve Tucker.

In a statement on what metal fans are to expect from WARFATHER, Tucker stated: “This is my new band; it will be my main focus…. it is my kind of death metal.” Having been known for his vocal and bass skills in all of his previous acts, while still holding down vocal duties here, Tucker has moved on to guitar with this project. “I have always played the guitar and I think now is the time for me to make the move. I think doing solos and extra guitar parts will allow me to express myself in a whole new way!” Also on guitars is Armatura, formerly of Cincinnati-based death metal band DOMINION. Recruited to the drum kit is Deimos, a death metal veteran currently playing in the band TEMPLE and also having played with bands such as SEVERE TORTURE. The bass is dispatched by Nick McMaster (KRALLICE, NADER SADEK, CASTEVET). Additional guitar contributions will be tracked by friends of WARFATHER, which include many notable death metal stalwarts; full details will be announced shortly.

WARFATHER are currently in the final stages of tracking the yet-to-be-titled album, with mixing to take place immediately after. Tucker himself is producing the entire release, as he did for the 2011-released NADER SADEK album In the Flesh, which Tucker also performed on. The artwork is in the final stages as well, and will be unveiled shortly, along with the details on the album, which is being slated for release this Fall.

YAKUZA Recording New Album; Documentary in the Works

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YAKUZA are currently at Engine Studios in Chicago to craft their sixth studio effort, which will be released later this year via Profound Lore Records.

Mainman Bruce Lamont comments, ”There is one common thread in YAKUZA records – we thrive on VARIETY. We try to go to places we’ve never gone before and create open space – being experimental so to speak, but we still have a love for a good melody. Sanford [album producer]is a big help bringing the sounds together.  Lyrical themes focus on life and death, the light and the dark. Our last record was a reaction, somewhat of a warning call  for what has been happening globally and spiritually but not in a religious sense. This album is the aftermath, the balance between the light and the dark. And as dark as it gets, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”

YAKUZA is also preparing a brand new visual offering. Director Justin Baron has filmed a documentary on the band’s history and unique sound. Be That As It May: Yakuza’s Seismic Consequence will be released later this year and features appearances by members of MASTODON, NACHTMYSTIUM, TRIPTYKON/CELTIC FROST‘s Tom G. Warrior and many more. Director Justin Baron is in need of funds to finish the project and has launched a Kickstarter in support of the film here.

Straight Shooting: Metal Labels Stealing Each Other’s Marketing Ideas

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After working behind the scenes in metal for the past 14 years, I’ve learned a thing or two about how it all works. I understand that most metal fans and most music fans in general are really not that interested in what goes into making everything happen. However, I can’t help but make a facepalm when I see something like labels stealing each other’s marketing ideas so blatantly.

You may have noticed that a few labels have taken up this idea of having “lyric videos” of new songs from upcoming albums posted on youtube. It only took one label to come up with this idea for the others to jump on the bandwagon. Has this marketing idea proven to sell more records? No one can say because no metal label ever analyzes their marketing campaigns to that level of sophistication. What is often the unintended result of these “lyric videos” is that the unintentional comedy of the lyrics is exposed instead of being hidden behind the delivery.

Have you noticed that labels no longer host their own streams of new albums? Every publicist is trying to get new priority records streamed online at various blogs/webzines all the while asking competing blogs/webzines to spread the word about them. I’m not sure if fans can or care to keep up with all the different streams at all the different websites.

Another example are the CD/tshirt bundles that labels are selling through their online shops. The End Records were the first to do this and offer a special souvenir to fans while also creating a value and incentive for fans to actually buy the product instead of illegally downloading it. Shortly thereafter Century Media and Nuclear Blast started offering the same type of bundle and so on and so forth.

Going back a decade, web banners and Flash e-cards and splash pages were all the rage on the web. Every label had to participate or else they’d feel left out. Also, street teams were supposed to be the next big marketing tool for labels to get the word out. Labels were basically asking fans, “Hey, why don’t you do all this promotional work at record stores and shows while we compensate you with a few measly concert tickets and CDs?”

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not omitting to point out that throughout any industry, marketing ideas are always copied.  This is just the nature of the beast.  However, in metal, the blatancy in which it is carried out can’t be ignored.  Keep your eyes open and you’ll see it all.

ULVER to Release Covers Album, Childhood’s End, May 28th, 2012

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Norway’s ULVER will release a cover album, Childhood’s End, of various classic psychedelic songs on May 28th, 2012 via Kscope.

The band’s cover of BEAU BRUMMEL‘s “Magic Hollow” can be streamed below:

A video interview with band leader, Kris Rygg (AKA Garm, Trickster G) has been posted online:

Further details on Childhood’s End can be found here.

CONVERGE and NAPALM DEATH Split 7″EP Coming Soon

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Legendary bands CONVERGE and NAPALM DEATH have come together for a split release on Deathwish Inc.

Recorded as part of their new album sessions, CONVERGE offer up the blazing new song “No Light Escapes.” Also on the release, CONVERGE offer a “We Are the World” styled rendition of the influential ENTOMBED classic “Wolverine Blues.” Joining them in tribute is a number of friends including Tomas Lindberg (DISFEAR, AT THE GATES, LOCK UP), Aaron Turner (ISIS, OLD MAN GLOOM, SPLIT CRANIUM), Kevin Baker (APMD, THE HOPE CONSPIRACY), Brian Izzi (TRAP THEM), and more. A new CONVERGE album will surface later in 2012 on Epitaph/Deathwish Inc.

On the flip side, metal pioneers NAPALM DEATH offer up two new aural monsters. First, “Will By Mouth” erupts in classic grind fashion. Also on the release, NAPALM DEATH offer the slower and textural new song “No Impediment To Triumph (Bhopal)“. A deeply resonant number that lyrically sheds light on the horrific Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984.

Tickets for Extreme Metal Cruise, Barge to Hell, on Sale Now

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The world’s first extreme metal cruise, Barge to Hell, featuring 40 bands of extreme metal’s best bands is set to depart from Miami, Florida on December 3, 2012 for Nassau, Bahamas and back on December 7, 2012.  Tickets are now on sale.  The luxury cruise will feature two performances from each band on three different stages, karaoke, and more.

So far 21 out of a total of 40 bands on board are known:

ARTILLERY
AT THE GATES
BELPHEGOR
ENSLAVED
HACKNEYED
HYPOCRISY
KAMPFAR
KRISIUN
LOUDBLAST
MOONSPELL
MORGOTH
PARADISE LOST
POSSESSED
ROTTING CHRIST
SACRED REICH
SANCTUARY
SEPULTURA
SIX FEET UNDER
SODOM
SOILWORK
SOLSTAFIR

Germany’s Prophecy Productions Make Back Catalogue Available on Youtube

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German record label, Prophecy Productions, have posted the majority of their back catalogue on youtube for fans to enjoy.  Famous for their niche of eclectic folk, progressive, and dark metal, the label has released many classic albums, including releases by IN THE WOODS…, EMPYRIUM, GREEN CARNATION, TENHI, DRAWN, and BLAZING ETERNITY.

Check out their youtube channel, Prophecy Broadcast: http://www.youtube.com/user/prophecyBC