Chimaira’s sixth studio album almost didn’t happen. The Cleveland death-metal band nearly broke up in the two years between The Infection and The Age of Hell. But singer Mark Hunter and guitarists Matt DeVries and Rob Arnold forged ahead recruiting guitarist Emil Wrestler and keyboardist Sean Zatorsky from the band Daath as well as new drummer Austin D’Amond.

The title-track opens ferociously, sounding like a muscled upgrade of the band as Hunter’s sinister vocals prowl and attack between winding guitars and an arsenal of detonating rhythms. “Year of the Snake” is similarly savage, including an Alice In Chains-inspired chorus that recalls moments from Chimaira’s preceding album. The frenzied performance of “Born In Blood” makes the tune a true standout, especially with guest screaming by Whitechapel’s Phil Bozeman and D’Amond’s drum work, which sounds steeped in Norwegian black metal. “Trigger Finger” is an equally strong number with chant-along vocals. Of the two bonus tracks, “Your Days Are Numbered” throws heavier punches as Hunter howls like a demon.

Source: iTunes Music Store

Macabre Eternal, the first full-length album from the legendary San Francisco Bay Area gore grind act Autopsy since 1995's Shitfun, will be released on 31st May Peaceville Records have announced. A special vinyl edition of the effort will precede the digital versions exclusively through the Peaceville web store from 16th May.

Macabre Eternal was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California and includes Autopsy's first 10-plus minute song Sadistic Gratification. "Its 11 minutes and 33 seconds of pure f**king sickness", says guitarist Eric Cutler. "Our fans can expect no less than our best, the best we have to offer", Cutler added

Screaming Ferret Wreckords has announced 3rd June being the release date for the new album from New Jersey based crew, Seven Witches called Call Upon The Wicked.
The band's line-up features main man guitarist Jack Frost (ex-Savatage), singer James Rivera (Helstar), bassist Mike LePond (Symphony X) and drummer from Taz Marazz.
Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning) handled the mixing.

According to a recent band update, "The songs range from classic Judas Priest to a touch of Rainbow - there's even an epic with female vocals, a new step in their chapter. The record is a bit of a concept, talking about how women have been the decline of men since the beginning of time."

Call Upon The Wicked track list:
1 Fields Of Fire
2 Lilith
3 Call Upon The Wicked
4 Ragnarock
5 End Of Days
6 Mind Games
7 Harlot Of Troy
8 Eyes Of Fame
9 White Room

Pipedreams were nice enough to send me their latest album for air play. I am always happy to play up and coming bands. Check their music out at http://www.myspace.com/pipedreamshxc and catch them here at H4XED Radio.

You can support the band by ordering their Digipack CD for only $14 including shipping my sending an email to seventhsound@live.fr

Label Season of Mist tell us they've been teasing us sadistically for many months, but legendary horror metal crew Necrophagia have finally locked down a release date for their long-awaited (and repeatedly delayed) fifth studio album Deathtrip 69.

Produced by front man Killjoy and lead guitarist Boris Randall, Deathtrip 69 was recorded at Last House on the Left Studios in Ohio with the rest of the band's current line-up - including guitarist Undead Torment, Damien Matthews on bass and drummer Shawn Slusarek. Guest artists contributing to the record include Maniac (formerly of Mayhem) and Amen's Casey Chaos.
 
Deathtrip 69 will be released internationally from 16th May through Europe, and reaches North American shores on the following day. The album will also be available in a limited Bloodpack edition.
 
Deathtrip 69 track list:
Naturan Demonto
Beast With Feral Claws
Tomb With A View
Suffering Comes In Sixes
A Funeral For Solange
Kyra
Bleeding Eyes Of The Eternally Damned
Trick R' Treat (The Last Halloween)
Deathtrip 69