Melodic, catchy, accessible, memorable, uncluttered and layered with harmonic dimension and big choruses, that’s what you’ll find on Cage The Gods’ highly anticipated full length debut Badlands – due out in North America on March 25th via The End Records.  

Detroit Metalcore act ASSASSINS have signed a North American record deal with eOne Music / Good Fight Music and plan to release a brand new LP titled “War Of Aggression” on March 18th, 2014. Frontman Todd Jansen weighs in on the news with an official statement:  

The Warriors of Metal, Inc. non-profit organization is pleased to announce that one of the biggest supporters of our event in Ohio’s capital city, Melodic Thrash Metal band MITHRIDIUM, has been confirmed to make a return performance at this summer’s seventh annual metal celebration.  

Philadelphia-based NOTHING are proud to share “Bent Nail”, the second single from their debut LP, Guilty of Everything, which will be released on March 4th via Relapse Records. A music video for, “Bent Nail”, was filmed with director Don Argott (Art of The Steal, Last Days Here) and will be available soon. Listen via The Fader HERE.  

The long-awaited return to action for BIGELF was recently announced, with the album INTO THE MAELSTROM slated for a April 1 release in North America. Now the cover artwork, track-listing and full format details can be revealed.  

Shawn “Clown” Crahan from the band Slipknot showed up in full Clown gear at this years Grammy’s. as his guest his beautiful wife and daughter… Full Story….HERE!  

Metal, Rasta, Punk infused heavyweights(hed)pe have just inked a worldwide deal with Pavement Entertainment. The band’s 9th studio album aptly titled “Evolution” is currently being finished and mixed for a summer 2014 release. “Evolution” sees(Hed)pe returning to its heavier roots that fans have come to admire over the band’s lengthy career.  

Detroit, Michigan-based metallers BATTLECROSS will be joining Canada’s Protest The Hero as direct support on the band’s spring US tour, set to commence March 1st in Buffalo. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 24th.  

SEVENDUST didn’t waste any time getting 2014 started the best way they know how:  being holed up in the recording studio to create their long-awaited and highly-anticipated acoustic album.   

Oliver Withöft, co-owner of independent record label Century Media, passed away on January 20, 2014 after falling ill several months ago. He was 49.  

UK Progressive rock band TesseracTwill once again be returning to North America. It will be TesseracT’s third tour supporting their critically acclaimed Altered State album.  Former touring partners, Intronaut, who will be coming fresh off a tour of their own with Between The Buried and Me and Deafheaven will be direct support. To make these events even more special, instrumentalists, DIY prog artist, Cloudkicker, will be touring for the first time ever with the members of Intronaut as his backing band.  

‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’, the new studio album from American metal legends ICED EARTH, is on-sale today in North America via Century Media Records. The album is now available worldwide, and can be streamed in its entirety on Spotify. ICED EARTH will bring the new album to their North America homeland when their headlining WORLDWIDE PLAGUES TOUR hits our shores April 4 for a six-week run with SABATON and REVAMP in support. See complete tour dates below.