Growing up in the San Francisco area suburbs as young metal heads can make it quite likely to take influence from the pioneers of metal that spanned the area in the 1980’s. So it’s no surprise that Hatchet describes their sound as “Pure, Uncompromising, Bay Area Thrash Metal”.  

SHAI HULUD will be releasing their new album, Reach Beyond the Sun, on February 19th, 2013. New music and pre-orders will be available on December 10th, but for now, fans can sample a portion of a new track in a teaser video on the band’s official youtube channel – youtube.com/shaihuludtv.  

Puscifer, the Northern Arizona-based band helmed by Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle), will release an eight-song EP titled Donkey Punch The Night on Feb. 19 via Puscifer Entertainment.  

New York’s EMMURE has been touring relentlessly across the world since their signing to Victory Records back in August 2006.  With five solid studio albums under their belt, these deathcore giants prove that hard work, dedication and determination along with millions of amazing and loyal fans pays off. They will be celebrating their 1000th show this Saturday in London at Roundhouse. Watch this video message from vocalist Frankie Palmeri and get ready for another great year!  

Louisiana heavy metal marvel DOWN and Texas thrashers WARBEAST are pleased to announce several U.S. tour dates in 2013. The upcoming tour, dubbed “The Weed & Speed Tour: West Coast Throwdown in the Year of XIII”, will kick off on January 11, 2013 in Houston, TX at Warehouse Live. The tour will make its way through several states, coming to a close on February 1st in Chattanooga, TN at Track 29.  

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Fantastic Four #2, continuing the all-new ongoing series from the blockbuster creative team of writer Matt Fraction and artist Mark Bagley! As the Fantastic Family leave time and space behind, what new discoveries will they witness not only in their adventures but in themselves?  How long can Reed keep secret his true reasons for wanting to leave Earth?  And will Reed be able to find what he is looking for before time runs out?  

A&M/Octone recording artists Hollywood Undead return with their new single “We Are” from their forthcoming album Notes From The Underground. The song is being serviced to Modern and Active Rock Radio.  “We Are” reunites the band with producer Danny Lohner [Nine Inch Nails, Puscifer], and it’s an epic call-to-arms laced with gnashing guitars, lyrical jabs, and fiery beats.  

Bath Salt Zombies is a new horror film directed and co-written by Dustin Wayde Mills (Puppet Monster Massacre, Zombie A-Hole, Ballad of Skinless Pete) and produced and co-written by Clint Weiler of Aggronautix. The movie sensationalizes the recent bath salt epidemic and the attacks surrounding them.  

German thrash metal legends EXUMER have been confirmed to appear at the Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse Festival in Chicago, IL! The fest is scheduled to take place from May 3-4, 2013, and also includes Onslaught, Eldritch, Oz, Omen, and many more. Information and tickets can be found at ragnarokkrmetal.com and facebook.com/RagnarokkrMetal. This appearance will be part of EXUMER’s first full U.S. tour in the band’s 27 year long history, which is scheduled to take place April/May 2013. Dates and details will be announced as they are confirmed.  

Sumthing Else Music Works, the premier label dedicated to licensing and distributing video game soundtracks, and Cartoon Network Enterprises, the global licensing and merchandising arm of the television network, today announced a partnership to release the Ben 10 Omniverse Original Soundtrack from the video game based on the hit animated television series from Cartoon Network. The first release in a multiple-title licensing agreement, Ben 10 Omniverse Original Soundtrack is available today at retail outlets including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy and Walmart, and for digital download at Amazon MP3, iTunes® and other digital music sites.  

Royal Thunder, who are currently on tour with Corrosion of Conformity and ASG, will join Monster Magnet for a pair of mid-December dates: Dec. 14 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn and Dec. 16 at The Trocadero in Philadelphia.  

British Hard Rock legends UFO will be kicking off their North American West Coast tour this Thursday November 15th in Chicago, IL. The band is touring in support of their latest album Seven Deadly which was released earlier this year via Steamhammer/SPV. A complete list of dates can be found below.