The New Music Thread - The Guardians Edition

Riot - "Archives Volume 2: 1982-1983" (Release date: 22nd February)

A second compilation of rarities & outtakes from these legendary New York heavy metallers. The first ("Archives Volume 1: 1976-1981") having seen the light of day late last year.

Queensrÿche - "The Verdict" (Release date: 1st March)

The fifteenth studio album from this legendary Washington heavy metal institution.

Here's a track from the new Queensryche album.

Yngwie Malmsteen - "Blue Lightning" (Release date: 29th March)

The Swedish neo-classical metal guitar virtuoso's 22nd studio album.

Holocaust - "Elder Gods" (Release date: 19th April)

Ninth studio album from this Scottish NWOBHM outfit.

Accept - "Life's A Bitch" single (Release date: 19th April)

Accept is about to take their “Symphonic Terror Tour” to select European stages, kicking off on April 20 in Wuppertal, Germany. To celebrate, the band will release a special 7″ vinyl single, featuring a brand NEW studio track titled “Life’s A Bitch” as well as ‘Restless And Wild (Live at Wacken 2017)’ on the B-side, on April 19. Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann comments, “We love the title of the single…WHO does not agree to THAT: ‘LIFE’S A BITCH’? It is universal, even if the stories are different. EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THAT MEANS!” 

Tank - "Re-ignition" (Release date: 26th April)

Veteran British metallers TANK will release their new album, "Re-Ignition", on April 26 via Cleopatra Records (Rubicon Music in Japan). The LP is a tribute to the early days of TANK and features 11 classic TANK songs chosen from the first four albums which were originally released in the early '80s: "Filth Hounds Of Hades", "Power Of The Hunter", "This Means War" and "Honour And Blood". "Re-Ignition" also features two very special guest appearances. CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth and thrash legend Tom Angelripper of SODOM both add their own unique style and energy to this already formidable album. 

"Re-Ignition" track listing :

01. Walking Barefoot Over Glass  

02. Power Of The Hunter (feat. Tom Angelripper)  

03. Just Like Something From Hell  

04. (He Fell in Love With A) Stormtrooper  

 05. This Means War  

06. Shellshock (feat. Dani Filth)  

07. W.M.L.A.  

08. Honour And Blood  

09. Blood, Guts And Beer  

10. Echoes Of A Distant Battle  

11. The War Drags Ever On  

Says TANK guitarist Mick Tucker: "Many of the songs from those classic albums are still present in our live set and we are constantly being asked by our fans if we would ever consider re-recording any of them. Those original recordings are timeless and will always be there but we thought what harm can it do to give them a full metal makeover and inject new life into them. They deserve it!"  

Adds TANK guitarist Cliff Evans: "We approached U.S. label Cleopatra Records to see if they would be interested in releasing the album. They jumped on it straight away and suggested the possibility of adding some special guests on the album. Maybe some artists who were influenced by TANK back in the '80s. Great idea! We recruited CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth to record a version of 'Shellshock' in his own unique style and also German thrash legend Tom Angelripper from SODOM who has taken 'Power Of The Hunter' to another insane level."  

Tucker and Evans are joined on the album are recent recruits David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) on vocals and Randy Van Der Elsen on bass. Longtime TANK member and former SODOM drummer Bobby Schottkowski occupies the drum throne.  

Readman replaced former TANK vocalist and one time DRAGONFORCE frontman ZP Theart after he was approached by SKID ROW to join them on a permanent basis. ZP recorded one album during his time with TANK ("Valley Of Tears") which became the band's best-selling album since 1984's "Honour And Blood". Prior to ZP, the vocalist position was taken by former RAINBOW frontman Doogie White who is a member of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. His contribution to TANK includes the albums "War Machine" and "War Nation" plus the band's first-ever live DVD ("War Machine Live!"). 

Says Evans: "We've always aimed high when it comes to recruiting new vocalists and musicians and it's always paid off. We're very proud of the albums we've made with Doogie and ZP and now this new album showcases the amazing vocal talent of David Readman." 

TANK will embark on a run of shows in April 2019 when they'll be visiting Holland, Belgium, Finland, Sweden and also making an appearance in the Ukraine for the first time at the Volume Club in Kiev. A full European tour is scheduled for September/October 2019 along with shows in Japan and South America.

Manowar - "The Final Battle I" E.P. (Release date: 29th March)

MANOWAR has confirmed the impending release of "The Final Battle I", an EP comprised of eagerly awaited brand new material. Fans will first get their chance to own this initial instalment in a trilogy of thunderous EPs in an exclusive pre-sale at the merchandise booth of the band's "The Final Battle World Tour 2019", starting with MANOWAR's show in Frankfurt, Germany on March 29. An exclusive digital presale period will start on iTunes the same day. The rollout will then continue into retail and online stores on May 30 and digitally on Amazon and Google Play. 

The first of three parts which will constitute the highly anticipated new MANOWAR album, this EP is "destined to go down in heavy metal history as one of the most insanely epic releases of all time," according to a press release. "An imperious demonstration of the band's undisputed mastery of both skull-crushing metal anthems and extraordinary feats of symphonic bombast, these four new molten metal tracks have been inspired by MANOWAR's 'The Final Battle World Tour' and fuelled by the support and energy of their fans. All music was conceived, recorded and mixed at MANOWAR's very own Valhalla Studios, utilizing the unparalleled power of their PMC statement monitors with over 27,000 watts of ground-shaking clarity." 

Says MANOWAR bassist and leader Joey DeMaio: "The sheer power of these four songs is mind-blowing! We simply couldn't release more songs at one time; it's just too much. We want to give our fans the chance to take in every note, every word. Gain more strength from this experience and then be ready for the battles they fight every day. And join us on the road, on 'The Final Battle'!" 

"The Final Battle I" covers a vast amount of musical ground in its quest to deliver the ultimate heavy metal experience. The opener, the epic fantasy-brought-to-life "March Of The Heroes Into Valhalla" reimagines MANOWAR's music in vivid, cinematic form, providing a deeply moving journey through the warrior's life, from bloody battles to ascension into Valhalla. The battle-filled mood continues with the spine-shattering might and fury of the new anthem "Blood And Steel". Next is "Sword Of The Highlands", one of the most explosive and dramatic songs DeMaio has ever penned: a profound and stirring tribute to heroes long perished, it begins with exquisite elegance before erupting into a grand crescendo of power and glory, exemplified by a possible career best vocal performance from the ever-impressive Eric Adams. Finally, the most startling surprise arrives in the dark, lurking, brutal and merciless form of "You Shall Die Before I Die"; a hypnotic and coruscating epic that delivers a vengeful statement of intent and invincibility… with lead vocals by DeMaio himself. 

 "The Final Battle I" comes with a crushing new artwork by iconic fantasy artist Ken Kelly, masterfully echoing the emotional roller coaster you'll be taken on. 

Parts II and III of the trilogy will arrive in course, inspired by MANOWAR's adventures on the remainder of "The Final Battle World Tour".

Dio - "The Last In Line (Live)/Push" 12" vinyl (Release date: 13th April)

Limited to 3000 copies for Record Store Day.

Motörhead - "Rockaway Beach" single (Release date: 13th April)

Limited edition 7" single for Record Store Day. Backed with "R.A.M.O.N.E.S. (Live at Wacken 2006)" on the B side.

Diamond Head - "The Coffin Train" (Release date: 24th May)

The eighth studio album from these NWOBHM legends.

Venom - "In Nomine Satanas" box set (Release date: 31st May)

VENOM formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the new wave of British heavy metal, the band's first two albums — "Welcome To Hell" (1981) and "Black Metal" (1982) — are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general. VENOM's second album proved influential enough that its title was used as the name of the extreme metal subgenre of black metal. The band classic line-up trio of Cronos, Mantas and Abaddon recorded two further studio albums, "At War With Satan" (1984) and "Possessed" (1985), and live album, "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (1986). Often cited by bands such as METALLICA, BEHEMOTH, CELTIC FROST and MAYHEM as major influences, they are one of the most revered bands of their generation. VENOM is still fronted by original singer/bassist Cronos and headlines festivals all over the globe and continues to release new music.  

This coming May 31 sees the release of "In Nomine Satanas" via BMG — a deluxe vinyl box set that celebrates VENOM's 40th anniversary and features the original Neat Records recordings from their 1981 debut "Welcome To Hell" to "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik", the live recording of their mythical appearance at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1985. All of the albums are remastered from the original tapes with embossed covers, posters and inserts like their original first editions. They're all now on color-configured vinyl too. The set also includes a 12-inch book detailing the history of the band featuring new interviews with all three members, written by respected journalist Dom Lawson. 

Of particular interest to hardcore VENOM fans will be the "Sons Of Satan" double album included within the set that features a treasure trove of unreleased demos from the bands vaults, some of which are mythical among fans who have known about their existence, but have never heard them as the tracks alluded bootleggers. Among the tracks are the earliest known VENOM performances, captured where the band rehearsed in 1979 at Westgate Road Church Hall in Newcastle's West End and featuring original singer Clive "Jesus Christ" Archer on vocals. Also included are the £50 demos from 1980, captured at Impulse Studios, alongside further demos from 1980 and the "At War With Satan" 1983 Impulse Studio demos.  

"In Nomine Satanas" features in full:  

4LPs and 2 x 2LP  

"Welcome To Hell"  

(Remastered from original tapes on splatter vinyl. Comes with reproductions of original poster and insert with an embossed cover.) 

 "Black Metal"  

(Remastered from original tapes on swirl vinyl. Comes with reproductions of original poster and insert with an embossed cover.) 

 "At War With Satan"  

(Remastered from original tapes on splatter vinyl. Comes with reproduction 6-page roll fold booklet and leather book effect cover.) 

 "Possessed"  

 (Remastered from original tapes on splatter vinyl. Comes with reproductions of original poster, insert and sleeve on mirror board.) 

 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik"  

(Pressed on half and half vinyl. Comes with reproductions of original gatefold and inserts.) 

 "Bloodlust"  

(Planchette shaped 7” picture disc single) 

 "Sons Of Satan"  

(New album of previously unreleased demos. Pressed on splatter vinyl. Gatefold cover) 

 Merchandise  

12" x 12" book of the story of VENOM written by renowned heavy metal journalist Dom Lawson from new interviews with Cronos, Mantas and Abaddon. Featuring previously unseen and rare photos and memorabilia. 

 90cm x 60cm two-sided poster of "Seven Dates Of Hell" tour poster. 

 Reproduction "Seven Dates Of Hell" tour program. 

 VENOM's Legions back patch. 

 The first 300 orders from the official store will also receive a signed art card by Cronos. 

 Also available as an introduction piece is the "In Nomine Satanas – The Neat Anthology" — a 22-track double-vinyl collection of VENOM's most evil songs, remastered and pressed on splatter vinyl, including rare photos and memorabilia from the band’s personal collection, plus interviews with the band. 

 And for the non-vinyl collectors, there will also be a 43-track 2CD version, housed in a mediabook, that also includes two unreleased tracks.

The Rods - "Brotherhood Of Metal" (Release date: 7th June)

The new album from these New York heavy metallers from the 80's.

Loudness - "Live in Tokyo: Loudness World Tour 2018 - Rise to Glory" (Release date: 17th May)

Japanese heavy metal.

Blind Guardian - "1988-2003" box set (Release date: 28th June)

A vinyl box set from these German power metal gods that includes the "Battalions of Fear", "Follow the Blind",  "Tales From the Twilight World", "Somewhere Far Beyond" & "Imaginations from the other side" albums.

Holocaust - "Heavy Metal Mania - The Singles" compilation (Release date: 28th June)

Scottish heavy metal from the NWOBHM. Includes the "Heavy Metal Mania", "Smokin' Valves", "Coming Through" & "The Raw Loud N Live Tour" EPs.

Riot V - "Live in Japan 2018" DVD (Release date: 2nd August)

The new live video from these legendary New York power/heavy metallers.

Witch Cross - "Fighting Back - The Studio Anthology 1983-1985" compilation (Release date: 9th August)

Danish heavy metal.

Riot - "Archives Volume 4: 1988-1989" compilation (Release date: 23rd August)

Picture - "Wings" (Release date: 16th August)

The tenth studio album from these Dutch heavy metal stalwarts.

Sinner - "Santa muerte" (Release date: 13th September)

The nineteenth studio album from these long-time German heavy metallers.

Crucifixion - "After The Fox" compilation (Release date: 27th September)

A compilation of the complete studio recordings from this underground NWOBHM band from the early 1980's.

Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper - "At The Gates" (Release date: 11th October)

The fifth album from this important NWOBHM outfit from Worcestershire, England.

Blind Guardian Twilight Orchestra - "Legacy Of The Dark Lands" (Release date: 8th November)

Apparently the new album from these German power metal stalwarts is some kind of orchestral experiment.