As it seems Jake’s Backroom is th eonly venue that can advertise, I once again venture into its sticky-floored depths in search of heavy stuffs! This time, Palms, Chino of the Deftones side project (of who can keep count at this point), was rolling through town, and I simply had to go! The under card was local band Murrieta, and mid-show Boyfrndz (terrible spelling theirs).  

ANAAL NATHRAKH have announced dates in November in support of their upcoming new album “Desideratum.” Listen to “Idol” and pre-order your copy at metalblade.com/anaalnathrakh. Catch them live here: ANAAL NATHRAKH October 2014 29th (UK) PLYMOUTH – The Hub / DBS Live 30th (UK) MILTON KEYNES – The Crauford Arms 31st (UK) GLOUCESTER – Olympus Theatre November 2014 1st (UK) LEEDS – Damnation @ University Union 5th (UK) LONDON – The Dome 8th (N) TRONDHEIM – Familien The ferocious new hymn comes by way of the band’s soon-to-be detonated Desideratum full-length. Produced by guitarist/bassist/programmer Mick Kenney, with vocals recorded at Necrodeath Studios... 

PORTRAIT have announced they will make their UK debut at this year’s Live Evil festival. The Swedish outfit will join Nifelheim, Manilla road, Quartz, Vulcano, Antichrist, Nocturnal and a host of others already announced.  

New Jersey-based modern death metal trio DISCORD has just self-released their debut recordings in the form of their Pale Death EP, which is available now via Bandcamp.  

Resting for brief intervals in between attacks, Nashville’s wicked trio, YAUTJA, has been touring steadily for nearly the past year in support of their debut LP, Songs Of Descent, released in February of this year via Forcefield Records, and are starting yet another tour TODAY.  

The SOS heavy melodic groove machine is rolling heavy, as the band continues booking new gigs across their vast NYC home turf in support of their fifth full-length album, Strength And Conditioning.  

Following a successful journey through Mexico, Italy’s favorite avant occult twosome, FATHER MURPHY, is bringing their séances to North American stages on another run of live rituals.  

Cattle Decapitation will be performing a brand new song off their upcoming 2015 Metal Blade release at the mid day show of the Housecore Horror Film Festival. The show will be at Midway’s on Friday, 10/24 with Unearth, Brian Posehn, Origin, fellow San Diegan and friend Author & Punisher, and Evil United!  

So its been a crazy couple of years in the US, what with wars, recessions, politics, and whatnot, so when deals happen by I hope someone is kind enough to let me know. Well, I am that someone! I have been laboriously trawling the Bandcamp metal section for the cheapest deals I can, because metal costs money (usually) and I ain’t got no money, Honey. So I have compiled a decent list of bands who have FREE ,or as close as possible (Name Your Price, $5 and under), albums to download! Check it out after the break!  

Corpse Flower Records and CV Books are pleased to join forces for the release of Morbid Tales! An Illustrated Tribute To Celtic Frost, a mammoth 155-page comic with illustrations and illustrated anecdotes from a varied bunch of metal musicians/authors.  

Volbeat’s “A Warrior’s Call” from BEYOND HELL / ABOVE HEAVEN (2010) has been certified gold for sales of 500,000 units by the RIAA. Volbeat singer and guitarist Michael Poulsen shares, “Jon, Anders, Rob and I are very proud of this acknowledgement. The fact that each and every sale is a gesture made by the fans that fill the venues, buy our records, and support rock music, this is truly meaningful. Thank you to each and every one of you. We share this moment with all of those that work on our behalf to support Volbeat globally, and with the fans who know Rock music is alive and well.”  

Reigning queen of metal, DORO PESCH, will kick off the North American leg of her 30 Years Strong & Proud anniversary tour next week. Slated to commence in Wisconsin on October 10th, DORO will rock eleven cities, including a very special New York City performance at the Gramercy Theater on October 20th where DORO and her bandmates will be joined by a host of special guests including Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (Overkill), Chris Caffery (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Jeff Waters (Annihilator), Jean Beauvoir (Crown Of Thorns, Plasmatics), Leather Leone (Rude Girl, Chastain) and more!