It takes a lot to be considered a sensation.  Christian group These Hearts have entered into an industry tangled with webs of passing fads and copycats only to come out with a fresh batch of songs giving pop music a much-needed shove into the ranks of remarkably composed, rock-flavored hits bound to please the masses.  

MR. BIG will once again unleash their brand of brutal fury on their first U.S. tour in 15 years starting July 30th, in SanDiego at the 4th & B. Returning fresh from a successful run of tour dates overseas, vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey, will be hitting the road in the United States this summer in support of the band’s new album, WHAT IF…   

  Apochs.net is currently offering exclusive streams of the songs “Slutlust And Perversion”  and “Sperm Of The Antichrist.”  

The highly anticipated Carnival of Madness Tour has added more dates to the 15 previously announced.   Joining the Carnival this summer will be Theory of a Deadman, Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way and Emphatic.  Sponsored by Monster Energy Drink, the trek will steamroll through North America starting August 13 in Twin Lakes, WI.  See below for the complete list of shows.  

On June 28, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Deep Purple’s Phoenix Rising – a two-hour-plus revelatory documentary including 30 minutes of never-before-seen (not even on bootleg) onstage footage from Japan. Phoenix Rising will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, & in a special two-disc DVD/CD package.  

There is a little slice of Stockholm in Palermo, Sicily and it goes by the name of UNDEAD CREEP.  On The Ever-Burning Torch, the band’s full-length debut, the quartet churns out a surprisingly fresh, well written concoction of motoring grooves, growling bass lines, two-beat romps, and glorious Sunlight-esque crunch that proudly recalls the likes of GRAVE and DISMEMBER, yet offers just a bit more for the discerning death metal fan.  

NYC hardcore punk icon Agnostic Front has announced the dates for its upcoming headlining tour, “Hails and Horns and AMP Magazine Present: My Life My Way”, which will kick off this September. Special guests The Mongoloids and Naysayer will accompany Agnostic Front on the run that will slamdance through more than 45 North American cities this fall.  

Anvil are happy to be back on the road again, following a successful tour across Canada this past May. Making their US return, this prolific band has a string of East Coast tour dates lined up for July in support of their 16th studio album!  

Annex Theory releases Beneath the Skin, an empowering four song set that resonates with listeners everywhere as it transports a deep and heavy collection of instrumentals to their souls.  

An invigorating combination of pulsating rhythm and the rapid beat, Nociceptor truly delivers an astoundingly powerful set of notes. With their new EP, Among Insects, it becomes clear that Nociceptor knows how to polymerize heavy metal and a kicking beat that drives listeners into an intense rhythmic fervor.  

Undisputed masters of the crossover genre, Richmond, Virginia’s MUNICIPAL WASTE are proud to announce their new worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records. On their way to devastate the Mainstage 02 at Hellfest Open Air in France this Saturday, June 18th, WASTE members check in about their big announcement:  

PITCH BLACK RECORDS announces the addition of Greek melodic black metal outfit CHAINED AND DESPERATE into its roster of artists with the band’s sophomore release, “Divine Authority Abolishment” scheduled for release on July 29th, 2011.