Spiritual Beggars Swedish hard rock/stoner metal band formed in 1993 by Michael Amott, a side project after Michael left the British death metal band Carcass. The band provided an outlet for Amott’s retro hard rock impulses, and in the process became one of the stoner metal movement’s best-kept secrets.  

Traditional heavy metal power trio CARELESS, has released a video for the song “D.F.M.” from their latest album, Coalition. Featuring footage filmed at the abandoned Ashley Coalbreaker (one of the last remaining structures from the Industrial Era) as well as at the band members’ childhood homes, the video is themed around the main character’s search for individual freedom. Additional footage was filmed near San Dimas, CA.  

RISING‘s debut full-length, To Solemn Ash, is nearing North American release via Exile On Mainstream Records on January 17th, the Danish trio’s thunderous melding of sludge/stoner rock and straight-up classic metal captured on the LP with amazing production. Having already pillaged the Danish press as well as dozens of major metal/rock mags and zines across Europe, To Solemn Ash is starting to heavily root itself in the North American scene as the stateside release of the album nears.  

Having made one of 2011’s most impressive rock’n’roll comebacks that included the 9/13/11 release of the band’s long-awaited new album Worship Music that landed on boatloads of “Best of 2011…” lists, metal masters ANTHRAX will keep the pedal to the metal in 2012. The band launches the New Year with the delivery to radio of a second single from Worship Music, “I’m Alive,” and plans to tour extensively beginning January 22 with round two of a U.S. co-headline tour with fellow thrash titans, Testament (dates are below).  

Metallica has announced that is “has decided to go old school” and will release its current digital EP, Beyond Magnetic, on CD worldwide at retail on January 30th and on January 31st in North America. The EP, released via all digital retailers on December 13th, features four tracks recorded during the sessions for 2008’s 2x-platinum Death Magnetic, the band’s fifth consecutive No. 1 album.  

Following a short batch of dates with Clutch in December, Raleigh, North Carolina legends CORROSION OF CONFORMITY are pleased to announce a U.S. headlining tour this March. Set to commence on March 1 at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City, the trek will hit 15 cities including two performances at this year’s SXSW Music Conference in Austin. The band will be joined by Torche, Valient Thorr and A Storm Of Light.  

Wake up North America… after three decades of waiting, British thrash masters ONSLAUGHT will cross the Atlantic for their first ever tour of the continent in March and April!  

Atlantic recording group Shinedown has announced the upcoming release of their much anticipated new album. “AMARYLLIS” will arrive in stores and at all digital retailers on March 27th, 2012.  

Madison, WI’s traditional heavy metal warriors LORDS OF THE TRIDENT have a video for “Face of the Enemy,” a song taken from 2011’s Chains of Fire. The video was proudly produced by the band in 100 percent DIY fashion. You can check it out at  

Swedish tech-titans SPAWN OF POSSESSION have announced the final details for their upcoming third full-length, Incurso — the band’s first album for Relapse Records — which is already one of the most anticipated death metal releases of 2012.  

Having won over audiences across Europe via major metal/hardcore tours and massive festival appearances since their 1993 inception, German metalcore heavyweights HATE SQUAD will drop their newest full-length, Katharsis, onto North American audiences via Massacre Records this January 17th.  

The time is now. Dynamic crossover killers BIRTH A.D. will enter Pyramid Sound on January 3rd to record the highly anticipated full-length follow up to their critically acclaimed Stillbirth of a Nation EP. Titled I Blame You, the album will be engineered and produced by Alex Perialas (SOD, Testament, Overkill, Carnivore, Nuclear Assault).