Season Of Mist has announced the signing of Phoenix, Arizona noise innovator GOG. Masterminded by Michael Bjella, GOG has toiled in the underground noise community for a decade, releasing records that have been widely respected and regarded as essential.

GOG's latest album, "Ironworks", was released on vinyl in December of 2012 was recorded in a late 19th century/20th century blacksmith shop; the album is an ode to the death of the American dream.

Regarding the signing, Michael Bjella states: "I started GOG to explore the darker sides of thought and life. I want to create things without restriction and form that can transport people and possibly make them confront their own fears. Things that are truly dark but have contrast. To borrow a line from one of my favorite artists, in case there might be harmony, then it is the harmony of accident, of chaos. I’m not trying to make harmony. Season Of Mist has shown that they are not afraid to push the envelope with challenging music and sound. With their support I will continue to do that in GOG and bring my ideas to a new and bigger audience, I'm beyond excited. "

Norwegian’s experimental black metallers Arcturus have announced that they will return to the UK for an exclusive London show in December. The reformed five-piece will play at London’s O2 Academy Islington on Friday 13th December, in a performance that will end the band’s eight-year absence from the UK.

Back in 2007, the band decided to call it quits when loyalties to other projects proved too much of a strain, but last year they announced they would reunite.

Tickets for the show go on sale at 9:00am this Friday (26th April).

For more information visit:

http://www.facebook.com/arcturusnorway
http://www.kililive.com/artists/arcturus

The pioneers of oriental metal music and warriors of light, ORPHANED LAND, are going to release their long awaited new album 'All Is One' on June 24th 2013. This release is the band's 6th full length and marks a huge step forward! Today the band revealed the incredible cover artwork for 'All Is One' created by the French artist Metastazis (Paradise lost, As I lay Dying, Sonne Adam, Watain…), incorporating perfectly the three signs of the biggest religions as one.

The album will be available as Limited Deluxe Book Edition including three bonus songs and a bonus DVD, as well as Limited double Gatefold LP including the three bonus songs and in different vinyl colors. A standard Jewelcase CD format and digital download will also be available.

June 24th (July 2nd US) marks the return of Autopsy, the US masters of brutality, with their sixth studio opus of horror and all-out madness, titled ‘The Headless Ritual’, on Peaceville Records. Featuring the returning quartet of Chris Reifert, Eric Cutler, Danny Coralles, and Joe Trevisano, ‘The Headless Ritual’ is a relentless monster of violent and brutal death metal mastery delivered in the unmistakable Autopsy style of chaotic riffing, insane solos and doom-filled interludes, all served with the band’s unhinged brand of vocal sickness. The album was recorded and mixed April 2013 at Fantasy Studios in California with Adam Munoz, and features cover artwork by renowned artist Joe Petagno (Motörhead, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin).

As the band comments:
“Expect nothing less than the monstrous brutality that Autopsy has been known to offer. Laurels will not be rested upon, trends will not be followed and mercy will not be shown. Mark your calendars for June and pick out a coffin to lie down and die in. Darkness and death await.....”

ICED EARTH are excited to announce the first part of their 2014/2015 World Tour, with the tour kicking off on January 9, 2014 in Saarbrücken, Germany. Tickets and VIP packages for these shows will be on sale by the end of April 2013. The band has been hitting it relentlessly, with the recent studio album 'DYSTOPIA' being the most toured album in the band’s illustrious history. One of the many highlights of the “WORLD DYSTOPIA TOUR”, a headline show at the historic Kourion Amphitheatre in Cyprus  was recently released as DVD, Blu-ray, CD and LP, entitled 'Live In Ancient Kourion'!  Buy 'Live In Ancient Kourion', “Dystopya” and many other ICED EARTH releases here: http://www.cmdistro.de/Search?q=iced+ 

The band is currently writing a new studio album with a slated release date for late 2013. They will be recording and mixing in between a string of European festivals this summer.

“We are ready!”, says JON SCHAFFER. “We are ready to enter the steel pirate ship that is our tour bus and spend another 18 months traveling the world. We look forward to reaching even more people and bringing ICED EARTH to many new territories on this next massive world tour. We have a very exciting and ground breaking schedule planned and we will be bringing the METAL to the masses big time! THIS IS WHAT WE DO!"

Continuing the support of their six album, 'Resolution', Lamb of God announce today further European dates for August including headline shows in Dublin and Belfast, around their already revealed headline slot at the Bloodstock Open Air Festival in Derbyshire. Historically, the band has always done the June festivals in Europe and this marks Lamb of God’s first appearance at the August festivals. Headline shows throughout Europe will make up the dates between festivals.  This tour follows the already announced U.S tour scheduled for May and the band's Metal on the Mountain Retreat in July. The Metal on the Mountain Retreat - scheduled for July 15-19th at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, New York - is pleased to welcome ESP Guitars as a sponsor.  ESP is making available to registrants the ability to purchase at a very discounted price an LTD Electric Guitar available in multiple colours signed by the entire band at the retreat.  In addition, ESP has donated the brand new Willie Adler War Bird signature model to be awarded to one of the campers on the final day of the retreat.  This guitar will also be signed by all 5 band members. For more information on the 'Metal On The Mountain' retreat go to metalonthemountain.com. Lamb Of God return to the UK in August, to headline the Bloodstock Open Air Festival alongside King Diamond and Slayer. Lamb Of God will close the main stage on the Saturday evening. This will be the band's only UK festival performance this year. The band are also pleased to add headline shows in Dublin and Belfast following Bloodstock, on August 11 and 12 respectively. These shows are the first time the band will play in the UK since Blythe's arrest last summer and recent exoneration.

AMON AMARTH are pleased to unveil the details of their ninth studio album. Titled Deceiver of the Gods, the epic offering was recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, UK, produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (Opeth, Megadeth, Exodus, Arch Enemy, Killswitch Engage). The cover art was, once again, completed by Tom Thiel and depicts a mythical battle between the Norse Gods Loki & Thor. Fans will also recognize a special appearance on this album with Messiah Marcolin (Candlemass) providing guest vocals for eighth song, "Hel." Deceiver of the Gods will be released in the UK via Metal Blade Records 24th. Comments vocalist Johan Hegg: "We feel very excited about this new album, and personally I feel that Deceiver of the Gods is the strongest album we've ever done. By far! I'm confident that all our fans will enjoy this 'punch-in-the-face-of-a-record!" Opening title track and first single, "Deceiver of the Gods" is currently streaming at the band's official Metal Blade page: http://www.metalblade.com/amonamarth where you'll also find special pre-order info.

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER´s sixth full-length album, Everblack, will be released in the UK on the 10th of June 2013. The album art for Everblack was painted by renowned artist Nick Keller and recording was completed at Audiohammer Studios (lead guitars and vocals), Rustbelt Studios (drums), and Regal Fecal (guitar and bass). Mixing was handled by Jason Suecof and Ryan Williams, mastering was completed by Alan Douches at West Westside. Trevor Strnad's horror-inspired lyrics persist on Everblack, beginning with In Hell is Where She Waits for Me, a reference to the murder from which the band took for their moniker.

Vocalist Trevor Strnad elaborates on the lyrical concepts: "The opening track is the first actual song we've done about the Black Dahlia. This one is for the fans... they've been asking for this to happen for a long time. The story takes place at the Elizabeth Short's rain drenched funeral, where her killer in attendance... just one of the many macabre tales woven into the fabric ofEverblack. Subterranean flesh-farming vampires, vine rape, Jeffery Dahmer, amputation... it's all here! With this sixth slab of sickness I tried my best to honor the band's legacy and write lyrics that will keep the legions of horror fiends perspiring with fear."

In very sad news Deftones bassist Chi Cheng has passed away during the night after spending many years in and out of a coma caused by an car accident in 2008.

His family left the following messgage on Oneloveforchi.com, the charity website made by his family for him.

“Our dearest Family,

This is the hardest thing to write to you. Your love and heart and devotion to Chi was unconditional and amazing. I know that you will always remember him as a giant of a man on stage with a heart for every one of you. He was taken to the emegency [sic] room and at 3 am today his heart just suddenly stopped. He left this world with me singing songs he liked in his ear.

He fought the good fight.You stood by him sending love daily. He knew that he was very loved and never alone. I will write more later. I will be going through the oneloveforchi and any other information may not be reliable. If you have any stories or messages to share please send them to the onelove site. Please hold Mae and Ming and the siblings and especially Chi’s son, Gabriel in your prayers. It is so hard to let go.

With great love and “Much Respect!” Mom J (and Chi)”

Everyone at Soundshock send our condolences to his family, friends and of course the members of Deftones.

The mighty CHILDREN OF BODOM have announced their return to the UK for a full headline tour this October. The Finnish five piece will play seven shows around the UK and Ireland as part of the ‘Halo Of Blood Over Europe’ Tour, starting in Bournemouth on October 7th, ending at the prestigious Shepherds Bush Empire in London on October 15th.
 
One of their country’s biggest musical exports, CHILDREN OF BODOM are gearing up to release their 8th studio album ‘Halo Of Blood’, their first since returning to their original label home Nuclear Blast.
 
CHILDREN OF BODOM + special guests tbc