Atlanta-based sludge miscreants SONS OF TONATIUH  (pronounced “tahn-ah-tea-ah”) have been slowly building steam since 2008. The band — drummer Tim Genius, guitarist/vocalist Dan Caycedo and bassist/vocalist Mike Tunno — released their debut via Michigan’s Hyodro-Phonic Records in early 2011 and are currently putting the finishing touches on the follow-up.  

The first album in more than 12 years, Ritual’s The Resurrection is a return to form, and possibly a superior successor to previous Ritual albums The Summoning, Demonic Winter Metal, and Soldiers Under Satan’s Command. More, however, than just a return to form, The Resurrection is a return to a music industry that has changed immensely in the past twelve years.  

Arizona death metallers REIGN OF VENGEANCE (Brain Damage Films & Music) and Ironclad recording artists TURBID NORTH will team up for the The Arctic Brutality and Bloodshed Mini-Tour to take place during the last part of January.  

FDA Rekotz is pleased to announce the addition of Spanish zombies GRUESOME STUFF RELISH to their roster. FDA Rekotz has plans to release the band’s next full-length album on CD and vinyl in the Spring of 2012. GRUESOME STUFF RELISH is one of the most intense death/grind bands to ever emerge from Spain’s metal scene.  

The second half of Seattle drone icons EARTH‘s Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light is being prepared for release on Southern Lord in North America this February 14th on CD, LP and digital download formats.  

Uppsala, Sweden-based doom metal outfit Anguish will release their debut full-length album, Through The Archdemons Head, through Dark Descent Records in February 2012, with vinyl treatment coming later in the year. Formed in 2007, Anguish delivers monolithic doom metal influenced by the likes of Candlemass, Pentagram and Black Sabbath.  

Razor & Tie announces the addition of newly formed, Orange County, CA based act, I Am War to its label and publishing rosters.   I Am War joins Razor & Tie for an exclusive, multi-album, North American deal.  The band is led by Atreyu front man Alex Varkatzas (on vocals) and Brandan Schieppati (on guitar and vocals).  I Am War is currently writing and demo’ing new material which will encompass their brutal debut album set for release in spring of 2012. “Brandan and I are extremely happy to sign with Razor & Tie. We feel like they fully understand the musical intentions of I Am War, and we couldn’t be more excited about our future. I am personally looking forward to making the most extreme... 

A Pale Horse Named Death (ft. members of Type O Negative, Life Of Agony & Biohazard) will pe playing Friday December 9th at The Studio, Webster Hall in NYC. For more info and to purchase tix…  

From Quebec, a proud raw black metal three piece awaits in the cold for war. Nevermind the lyrics & song titles, you can tell from just the music this band loves their native land. A couple songs even start with a small folk piece that sets the mood.  

A more guitar driven album than their previous ambient works, still just as heavy & still able to send you to his frozen realm.  

I think the French are a serious  rival for the Norwegians in black metal. Coming from the not so cold Vernouillet, Haemoth, a two man project, is raw black in its purest form. In Nomine Odium is their third full length album after a variety of demos, splits & compilations.  

Sounds from the South, Loincloth is a three piece instrumental progressive metal group. Iron Balls of Steel is their third attempt & they’ve cleaned up quite a bit. The bass player & drummer come from Confessor, a doom metal band with a vocalist. Dropping the vocals was a great idea for these two.