vBoogieman Rock and Metal News

Ratt is continuing to write songs for their new studio record, the follow-up to their 2010 comeback album ‘Infestation’.

Regina, Saskatchewan-based Canadian extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY have posted the second teaser containing studio and rehearsal footage of their new song “Fukushima”.

Media representatives aboard the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise on Thursday were given first details of Ultimate Metal Cruises’ newest floating metal festival, Barge To Hell.

Originally announced as “coming fall 2012″, the official dates have been set as December 3-7, 2012. The “Majesty of the Seas” cruise ship – the same ship used for 70,000 Tons of Metal in 2011 and 2012 – will sail from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas and back.

Organiser Andy Piller said “Basically the concept it going to be not much different to what we are doing here now. There’s going to be 40 bands, only 2000 tickets, 4 days, one cruise ship – but we will focus a little more on the extreme metal side: mainly death metal, thrash metal, speed metal, black metal, doom metal, and maybe some industrial metal, we’ll see. It will be a solid mix.”

Although no bands have been announced as yet, Andy promises it will be “massive”. A full web site and first lineup announcement is expected soon, and anyone interested can sign up to be notified as soon as booking is available at the official Barge To Hell web site.

Andy also confirmed at the press conference that there would be a 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise again in 2013, and that the team are working on adding a third floating festival, possibly for 2014, although no further details were given.

A trailer for the Barge to Hell can be viewed below.

Cleveland-based independent record label, Standby Records, is excited to announce a new addition to the Standby family, Northern Virginia’s metal/hardcore outfit In Alcatraz 1962. Standby and In Alcatraz 1962 will team up to release the band’s debut record this spring.

“We are very excited to release our debut album with such a dedicated and committed label,” said In Alcatraz 1962 drummer, Josh Zupovitz. “We know they will treat us not only as another band, but as a family member. We look forward to collaborating with Standby Records and are ready to share our music with each and every one of you.”

Commented Standby owner, Neil Sheehan, “As we develop a rebooted version of Rock N’ Roll at Standby Records, we continue to discover new acts that are rich in attitude and powered by modern day angst. Much like the rage that flowed through this band’s namesake island throughout the 20th Century, In Alcatraz 1962′s musical rage hits with more force than any group of murderers, rapists and criminals could ever deliver. We couldn’t be happier to share their power.”

In Alcatraz 1962 will enter Cleveland’s Studio D Productions with producer, Don Debiase (Modern Day Escape, Beneath The Sky, For All Those Sleeping), in early February to begin recording the debut album.

Blessed By A Broken Heart has posted a music video online for the song “Forever,” which can be found below. The video was directed by Robby Starbuck and is off the band’s new album “Feel The Power,” released earlier this month through Tooth & Nail Records.

One-man black metal act Immortal Seth has posted a track online for streaming. Check out the song “Seth of the Desert” in the player below. You can also listen to more of Immortal Seth’s music via the band’s Facebook profile.

British shred-heavy metallers Savage Messiah have been confirmed for this year’s edition of Hammerfest, which is due to be held from the 15th – 18th of March in Prestatyn, Wales.

Having already performed at the festival before, Savage Messiah is now the latest band to be confirmed for Hammerfest IV, joining a line-up that includes the likes of Anthrax, Skindred, Amon Amarth, Cerebral Bore, and more.

Save Messiah frontman David Silver comments:

“It’s fantastic for the band to have been asked back to Hammerfest for the second time – we had a great time last time, but now with a new album to promote, it’s going to be even better!! We’re on late, but that’s not going to matter – we’ll be getting the final circle pits of the festival going and we’re looking forward to kickin’ ass!!!”

See Savage Messiah on tour at the following shows:

Feb. 11 – Manchester, UK – HMV Ritz (w/ EVILE and CEREBRAL BORE)
Mar. 17 – Prestatyn, UK – Hammerfest

w/ Diamond Plate
Mar. 18 – York, UK – The Duchess
Mar. 19 – Birmingham, UK – Birmingham Ballroom
Mar. 20 – London, UK – Barfly

Savage Messiah’s new album, “Plague of Conscience,” is due to be released on February 6th, 2012. Pre-order at this location.

Swedish act Katatonia has posted the following update online about working on an upcoming new release and follow-up to the “Night is the New Day” (reviewed here) album:

“It’s been a busy time lately and the hard work has finally paid off. We have now thirteen songs in the bag and hey, that means the recording of our new album can and shall begin. We’re starting with the drums on Monday and we’ll be once again work together with David Castillo (who engineered and mixed ‘Night Is The New Day’), so even though we always strive to improve our productions, it should sound sweet that it’s the same team putting this one together, just throw in some new gear, gadgets and toys with that! The recordings as well as the mix will be divided between Ghostward and our own HQ over the next month and we’ll keep you posted on the progress.

“So, how does the material sound like? Well, you got the lush textures, the moody melodies, the heavy parts, the progressive touches, the mellow bits and so on… Is it metal? Is it rock? Is it alternative? Is it singer/songwriter? Actually at times it feels like we’re exploring territories where Katatonia would be an orphan in the land of ‘genres.’ We can’t tell where and to whom we belong and the goal is that it doesn’t even matter, because before and above any genre there’s first an acceptance level of music being good, or being bad. Katatonia might be bad people, but we create good music. Amen.

“We also hooked up again with keyboard maestro extraordinaire Frank Default and regardless of the internet speculations, he’s not to ‘blame’ for the increased use of electronics since the last album. That part has been called for as we simply feel that it has grown to fill a hole in our sound inside, or alongside, the classic formation of instruments. In our world, we allow mellotrones, hammonds, rhodes and strings to integrate with loops, distortion and filters to manifest in the katatonic maelstrom. It’s our time to marry contemporary with vintage. Here’s our 9th album to be delivered!”

According to a post on BRING ME THE HORIZON’s Facebook page, the British metalcore act will commence the songwriting sessions for its next studio album in late February.

On Wednesday, January 25, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian contracted a bad viral infection that caused him to be hospitalized near his home in Los Angeles.