Following a signing announcement at the beginning of 2014, followed by crushing waves of subsequent touring, California’s OBLITERATIONS has finished tracking their debut LP for Southern Lord. A day after returning from their Southwest US Tour in March, OBLITERATIONS recorded sixteen tracks with producer Chris Owens (Lords, Coliseum, Young Widows) at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in only three days. The record taps into the groundwork the band has laid on its two previous EPs, but sheds light on a much more expansive, dark, brutal and bleak sound. Mixing will take place throughout May, with a Fall 2014 release through Southern Lord in sight. The LP’s release will be joined by major US and European tour actions.... 

The members of Auckland, New Zealand’s demoralizing trio, ULCERATE, are currently headed stateside, as their return to North America embarks this week with the Vermis North America MMXIV tour, beginning this Thursday, May 1st.  

UK bulldozers TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE have released their long-awaited debut full-length, A New Code of Morality, today on Comatose Music.  

Northern Ireland’s Darkest Era have released a lyric video for “Sorrow’s Boundless Realm,” the first track from the band’s forthcoming new album, Severance, which is due for release on June 3rd (US) and June 13th (Europe) via Cruz Del Sur.  

According to ancient lore, and cult of the antediluvian pagan deity, Ginsu the Magnificently Pointy, a Spirit Knife consists of a bone blade bonded to the souls of the Mud People. He or she that defended oneself or took the life of an enemy with the Spirit Knife became magically bonded to the blade and, thus, the only person who could touch or wield it in future battle. Spirit Knife is also the title of the new album by JEREMY IRON & THE RATGANG MALIBUS — aka JIRM  

COMICBOOK legend Stan Lee is providing fans around the world with a fresh opportunity to honour their favourite writers, artists and titles of the previous year.  

This May, the Blue Marvel grieves for the passing of The Watcher in MIGHTY AVENGERS #10 – a tie-in to Original Sin! From the fan-favorite creative team of Al Ewing and Greg Land – the Watcher has many enemies, some that would go so far as to murder him in cold blood. But he also has friends. On the moon, Adam Brashear honors the memory of one of his dearest friends and the gaping hole he leaves behind in the Marvel Universe. And a chance encounter with an old flame from Uatu’s past will reveal startling secrets the Blue Marvel never knew about the cosmic entity!  

For U.S. fans of Judas Priest that simply cannot wait for the July 15th release date of their latest classic metal album, ‘Redeemer of Souls,’ there is some relief on the way. On Tuesday, April 29th, the title track from the album will be available for purchase via iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/redeemer-of-souls-single/id863086125) and other digital service providers. And a clip of the song (plus the single’s artwork) is now available to sample at the band’s website, www.judaspriest.com.  

This July, the truth about Matt Murdock’s parents comes to light in DAREDEVIL #6 – an Original Sin Tie-In! After nearly 30 years, the untold story of Matt Murdock’s mother will finally be revealed, courtesy of Eisner award-winning writer Mark Waid and critically acclaimed artist Javier Rodriguez!  

Sacramento rock band TESLA have announced an all new LP titled SIMPLICITY due out June 10th, 2014 via Tesla Electric Company Recording’s arrangement with Entertainment One Music and Distribution.  

Following the release of their Traverser LP via Toxic Assets in November, Austin’s caustic sludge metal trio, LIONS OF TSAVO, continue to tour the American landscape in support of the album. The band is currently embarked on their latest trek with another five cities still in its path, including Atlanta this evening, April 28th, and Birmingham, Jackson, Shreveport and Dallas next to get slammed this week LIONS OF TSAVO plow homeward.  

BEAUTY IN THE SUFFERING, the newly launched electronic-rock studio project from producer DieTrich Thrall (MARAZENE), have released a new lyric video for their track “Reveille (The Zombie Charge).” The track is also available for free download on their Bandcamp page.