Cattle Decapitation are extremely pleased to announce their first tour in support of their forth coming release “The Harvest Floor.” This will mark Cattle Decapitation ’s first full run of tour dates since 2007 and will be called KILLING ‘TIL OBLIVION 2009.

Killing ‘Til Oblivion 2009 will be a southern US trek including Psyopus, Book of Black Earth and up and comers Gigan to further add to the musical onslaught. A full list of dates are listed below (click Read More) and please visit their MySpace site for any changes to any of the dates.

UK-based thrashers Sylosis , have uploaded the new track “Last Remaining Light” to their Myspace page .  "Conclusion Of An Age" is scheduled for release in North America on January 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Grindstone Studios with producer Scott Atkins.

The album's lyrical theme deals with "the direction in which the planet is heading and the consequences humanity will face. The album covers many areas but the main concept is the idea of mankind destroying itself through war, self-indulgence, religion etc., and how the earth is being ravaged by humanity to the point of being destroyed… but how the earth's might will eventually prevail!"

"Conclusion Of An Age" track listing:

01. Desolate Seas
02. After Lifeless Years
03. Blackest Skyline
04. Transcendence
05. Reflections Through Fire
06. Conclusion Of An Age
07. Swallow The World
08. Teras
09. Withered
10. Last Remaining Light
11. Stained Humanity
12. Oath Of Silence

The artwork for the album was created by Colin Marks of Rain Song Studios who has previously worked with Strapping Young Lad, Aborted and Whitechapel.

Sylosis' musical style can be described as "brutal, technical and deceptively melodic modern metal that favors invention over cliché and never shies away from nimble shifts in style, tempo or mood. The quintet manage to bring an epic, technical and melodic feel to the old-school thrash sound, combining incredible guitar solos and bloodlust vocals. The outcome, a sound that is both devastatingly feral and blisteringly precise." For more information, visit www.myspace.com/sylosis

"Ob(Servant)", the fourth album from Tasmanian tech-death masters Psycroptic, has entered the AIR chart (Australian Independent Recordings) at position No. 7. The AIR charts are compiled by AIR from sales rankings supplied by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Titles are eligible to be included in the AIR charts survey if:

1. The artists are Australian
2. The title is released on an independent label or self-released
3. Where it is either distributed through an independent distributor or where an independent label uses the services of a major or its subsidiary to distribute the title

Commented Psycroptic drummer Dave Haley, "I just heard that our new album 'Ob(servant)' hit number #7 on the AIR charts out here in Australia. I actually had to have a bit of a giggle about that — a death metal album filled with blast beats and growling vocals sitting next to a lot of pop and rap stuff. It's great indication of the state of extreme metal at the moment — it has a growing and dedicated following... good times to be a metal band!"

Video games and drumming … all in the name of science? That’s the word coming out of the UK this morning. The Clem Burke Drumming Project, a unique scientific research collaboration between Blondie drummer Clem Burke, Dr. Marcus Smith from the University of Chichester, and Dr. Steve Draper from the University of Gloucestershire, has today announced a year-long collaborative research project which will examine the potential benefits of using the drum kit from Activision’s Guitar Hero World Tour .

The Clem Burke Drumming Project was first created with the purpose of using science to research the possible health and psychological benefits of people involved in drumming. For example, the project’s recently released first wave of findings found that professional drummers had a heart rate profile similar to professional football players and expended a significant amount of energy. Physiological tests included the measurement of heart rate, oxygen uptake and blood lactate in rehearsal tests and monitoring heart rate and blood lactate during live stage performances.

With its two raised pads representing the hi-hat and either the crash or ride cymbals, the three pads corresponding to the snare and two toms, and a bass-drum kick pedal, the project believe that the Guitar Hero World Tour drum controller accurately simulates an authentic drum kit. When playing on the drum kit controller in the game on higher difficultly levels, researchers believe the game will provide an opportunity to acquire the specific motor skills needed for drumming. The Clem Burke Drumming Project will investigate the transfer of skills and the physiological demands of game play compared to live drumming.

“We’ve been extremely impressed by the Guitar Hero World Tour drum controller,” says Dr. Marcus Smith, Principal Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, University of Chichester. “The Clem Burke Drumming Project is all about promoting the benefits of drumming, and we’re convinced those that learn the basics of the instrument with Guitar Hero World Tour can use those skills when progressing to an actual full drum kit. No other gaming controller comes close to simulating the experience of drumming, and we’re confident the game will breed a new generation of real-life drummers. Anecdotally, we believe Guitar Hero World Tour is a perfect introduction to the instrument – and we can’t wait to examine this scientifically and unveil our findings throughout 2009.”

One area of research will be to examine the neurological changes in Guitar Hero World Tour drummers, researching participants’ grey and white brain matter to see just how their brains evolve when playing. The project will also investigate the health benefits of playing Guitar Hero World Tour, including how using drums and the drum controller may help individuals with existing medical conditions, such as stroke patients.

Arsis has announced that starting with next months European tour, they will be working with drummer David Kinkade, formerly of Malevolent Creation and Divine Empire. David also plays drums in Borknagar and I feel that we'll be working with him for a long time states James Malone.  He is one the most 'real' people that I have ever met. Look for Arsis on a headlining tour of the States in the late winter. Hope to see you at a show!"

Drummer David Kinkade comments on his joining the band: "I am very excited to join the ranks of Arsis. James, Ryan and I have many of the same influences and goals in what we want out of a band and in our overall drive for music. The tunes are fun to play and I can't wait to see what the future brings with these phenomenal musicians. The setlist is sounding sick at rehearsal and I trust that the upcoming tour, being Arsis' European debut, will CRUSH Europe. As posted last week, I have also joined Borknagar as the new full-time drummer. Neither of the obligations will interfere with each other. Just expect a lot of activity on my end in these next few months. See you all on tour."

Bill Kelliher, guitarist of Mastodon has been hospitalized in London as of Nov.3, during the bands current European Unholy Alliance Chapter 3 package tour. Doctors will continue to monitor his condition which is improving at press time.

At the moment, Mastodon has decided to continue on the tour as a trio. Doctors and Bill are hopeful that he will rejoin his band mates in time for their headlining tour of Europe which begins Nov 30, in Utrecht, Holland and will end on Dec 7, at the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival in Somerset, England. More details to follow as they develop. A source close to the band says Kelliher is suffering from pancreatitis.

• The vinyl pressing of MASTODON’s ‘06 Reprise debut Blood Mountain on expanded double LP.
• The band’s critically-acclaimed 2004 release Leviathan, expanded to double LP.
• The band covers of “The Bit” (MELVINS), “Emerald” (THIN LIZZY), and “Orion” (METALLICA).
• A live record documenting the band’s performance as part of the Relapse Contamination Festival in 2003. This LP is, and will remain, exclusive to this box set.
• The band’s reissue of early recordings, Call Of The Mastodon.
• The final vinyl pressing of the original Lifesblood recording.

"Teras", the new video from UK-based modern thrash hopefuls Sylosis, has been released. The track comes off the band's new album, "Conclusion Of An Age", which will be released in North America on January 27th 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Grindstone Studios with producer Scott Atkins (Cradle of Filth). The iTunes version of "Conclusion Of An Age" includes the exclusive bonus track "The Fate Of Vultures". The artwork for the album was created by Colin Marks of Rain Song Studios who has previously worked with Strapping Young Lad, Aborted and Whitechapel.

Montreal’s Beneath The Massacre has debuted at number 22 on the Billboard New Artists Chart, scanning nearly 1,600 units in the first week of release for the band’s second full-length, ‘Dystopia.’ With an Oct. 28 release through Prosthetic Records, ‘Dystopia’ is the follow-up to 2007’s ‘Mechanics of Dysfunction,’ and the band recently completed several weeks of touring as part of the Cleansing The Nation Tour alongside Suicide Silence, Emmure, After The Burial, and Architects.

Beneath The Massacre also posted another track from ‘Dystopia’ on the band’s MySpace page. Fans can check out “Reign of Terror” online here: http://www.myspace.com/btm , as well as the track “Our Common Grave” which was posted earlier and has been a live staple.

Click "Read More" for a list of upcoming Beneath The Massacre Tour dates... 

Good news from Vader's camp! We would like to confirm officially band's line up for the upcoming tours in October and January. It features Peter (guitar, vocal), Reyash (bass), Vogg (guitar) and Paul (drums). "Last Sunday at Progresja Club, Warsaw we had drummers audition. Earlier, actually just after the anniversary gig we had some talks with a few guitarists about possibilities of joining the band.  

The new drummer is 22- year old Pawel Jaroszewicz from Lublin, who previously played in not so well know act Soul Snatcher, he also did some session drumming for Hell-Born and Crionics.  We must admit the level for this audition was much higher than a few years ago, when we were looking for Doc's successor.  We received many submissions from all over the world, however we decided to focus on Polish drummers (due to lack of time, we have to prepare at least one -hour set for the upcoming shows, so we need a very good communication).  Finally, we chose 3 drummers and checked their skills in such songs as "Dark Age", "Silent Empire", "Carnal" or "Sothis".  Pawel "Paul" Jaroszewicz won the competition and he will appear with the band on the upcoming tours.

The guitar player who will replace Mauser is Waclaw Kieltyka, better known as Vogg from Decapitated! You know this guy and what he achieved with his band very well.  Having him in Vader is definitely a good thing. Try to imagine Vader playing live with Vogg on second guitar, it's definitely going to be an unstoppable war-machine!  Both Paul and Vogg will play with Vader as session musicians.  We still haven't decided who will join as permament members.  There are a variety of options available, on both the drummer and guitarist vacancy.  There's no hurry, we want to prepare everything very carefully. Time shall tell..."

Ddrum and Vinnie Paul announce the unveiling of a new signature product line.  “I’m proud to announce that I am making the move to Ddrum.  This opportunity is giving me the chance to expand beyond playing music and bring my own line of kick ass, affordable drums to skin bashers around the world.  Simply put, these drums look and sound amazing.  Hell yeah!”  Vinnie Paul.

There is no doubt that this is a new day at Ddrum" says Ddrum CEO, Elliott Rubinson ."  Division manager, Terry Platt adds “The signature products from Vinnie are going to be sick.”

The new line will be displayed at Winter NAMM 2009 in January and Vinnie Paul will be on hand to sign autographs and help promote the new line.  The legendary drummer of Pantera, Damageplan and Hell Yeah, Vinnie Paul is here to stay!