Heaven Shall Burn Team Up with Old Friend Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage for "Numbered Days" Cover

WATCH "NUMBERED DAYS" VISUALIZER
PRE-ORDER "HEIMAT"

HEAVEN SHALL BURN TEAM UP WITH OLD FRIENDS FOR THEIR COVER OF "NUMBERED DAYS" FEATURING JESSE LEACH OF KILLSWITCH ENGAGE — WATCH

 TAKEN FROM NEW ALBUM HEIMAT OUT JUNE 27 VIA CENTURY MEDIA 

BRITTA GÖRTZ FROM HIRAES FILLING IN ON VOCALS FOR UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS

Following their tradition of covering some of their favorite and most influential tracks featuring members of the original, Heaven Shall Burn are releasing "Numbered Days" (Feat. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage).

Check out the visualizer that is accompanying the celebration of the friendship between the bands here. 

Bonus points for anyone catching the title of one of Heaven Shall Burn's classics in the lyrics.

The band comments, "Killswitch Engage are THE metalcore band! When we heard 'Numbered Days' for the very first time, it totally blew us away. It was clear that something new was brewing up. No other band has influenced this style of music more and interpreted it better. Just because the guys have been very good friends for many years doesn't mean you can't pay tribute to this great band. We hope the song means as much to you as it does to us!"

Leach further adds, "All of us are honored by Heaven Shall Burn covering 'Numbered Days.' That song truly kicked off an album for us that would change our lives. All these years later to have people still resonate with our music means the world to us. Now to have a band like Heaven Shall Burn cover it 23 years later is really wild! Grateful and very stoked to have been a part of the reshaping of this song and to hear someone else's take on it!"

Make sure to catch Killswitch Engage on their upcoming European tour, because "Numbered Days" isn't the only song from this legendary band that had a lasting impact on modern extreme music.

Another pending question is finally answered: After Heaven Shall Burn had to cancel some shows due to their singer Marcus Bischoff suffering from a severe infection of his vocal chords, the band is happy to announce that Britta Görtz from HIRAES will be filling in. "We have a plan!" says Bischoff. "Britta from HIRAES will fill in for me at the upcoming shows, so tomorrow in Kufstein as well as next weekend! Give her a warm welcome, show her what HSB fans are made of and make the shows something very special in the band's history! We are really looking forward to it! Things are already looking better for me, too! Your Molle and the HSB guys!"

 Get well soon and welcome Britta!

Photo Credit: Candy Welz

"Heimat" = German for "home/homeland/native land" — a term that merely refers to a relationship between people and spaces but has nevertheless always been highly emotionally charged. Often misused, it sometimes causes discomfort, lively discussions, and battles over interpretation.

Guitarist Maik Weichert comments, "Heimat is not meant as the narrow-minded end point in the sense it has been used by agitators and populists, but the starting point for observations and perspectives. The album is about a much wider sense of the term 'Heimat': The homelands for many different people and also about the spiritual home, something that shapes and determines our thoughts and actions."

Heaven Shall Burn took their time with the follow-up to Of Truth And Sacrifice, which reached No. 1 on the Official German Album Charts in 2020. Heimat was produced at the band's own studio, The Dude Ranch, which is run by guitarist Alexander Dietz. As in the past, Danish producer Tue Madsen took care of the mixing and mastering.

The Thuringians enlisted the renowned artist Eliran Kantor for the artwork, who previously crafted the artwork for Of Truth And Sacrifice. The centerpiece of the impressive triptych is a rearing stag — in its roaring variant a classic motif of wildlife painting, the epitome of kitsch and trivial art from the 19th and 20th centuries and interpreted by some as a symbol of patriarchy and capitalist competition, but here placed as a vital allegory of resistance amid an apocalyptic scene. He is flanked by a hunting lynx and a watchful owl, which complete the highly symbolic artwork concept as further elements of the triptych. As with Of Truth And Sacrifice, Heaven Shall Burn worked together with composer, producer and director Sven Helbig and conductor Wilhelm Keitel, this time supported by the Mondëna Quartet and the Ukrainian Sophia Chamber Choir.

Cover Art: Eliran Kantor

Heimat will be released on June 27 by the band's long-standing label partner Century Media.

Heimat will be available in the following formats: *Ltd. Deluxe Triple-Gatefold transp. red-blue splattered 2LP+CD (album on 45rpm + Keinen Schritt zurück -EP) *Ltd. Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Mediabook (+ Live at Summer Breeze 2024 Blu-ray + Keinen Schritt zurück -EP) *Ltd. transp. light blue-red splattered LP (500) available from Heaven Shall Burn (SOLD OUT) *Ltd. Side A/B split (red&black) LP (500) available from Heaven Shall Burn on live shows *Ltd. deep blood red LP (300) available from Heaven Shall Burn *Ltd. olive green LP (300) available from Heaven Shall Burn  *Ltd. transp. sun yellow LP (500) available from cmdistro.de and various Indie retailers *Ltd. orange LP (300) available from Impericon *Ltd. transp. green LP (300) available from EMP who also carry options with a wooden canvas (30cm x 30cm) *Black LP *Standard CD Jewelcase *Digital album (+ Keinen Schritt zurück -EP) Pre-order the album here.

HEIMAT TRACK LISTING: "Ad Arma" "War Is The Father Of All" "My Revocation Of Compliance" "Confounder" "Empowerment" "A Whisper From Above" "Imminence" "Those Left Behind" "Ten Days In May" "Numbered Days" (Feat. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage) "Dora"  "A Silent Guard" "Inter Arma"  KEINEN SCHRITT ZURÜCK EP TRACK LISTING: "Keinen Schritt zurück" (Feat. Donots) "Schweineherbst" (Feat. Dÿse) "Eisenkopf" "Destroy Fascism" HEAVEN SHALL BURN have already released three singles and videos taken from Heimat: "My Revocation of Compliance" video  "Confounder" video   "Empowerment" video Don't miss their exclusive release shows in clubs and festival appearances in Europe. More info here.

HEAVEN SHALL BURN ARE: Marcus Bischoff — Vocals Maik Weichert — Guitar Alexander Dietz — Guitar Eric Bischoff — Bass Christian Bass — Drums HEAVEN SHALL BURN ONLINE: CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS ONLINE:

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At The Gates- The Nightmare of Being (Album Review)

 Musicians: At The Gates
Album Title: The Nightmare of Being
Genre/ Subgenre: Melodic Death Metal
Label: Century Media
Release Date: July 2, 2021 

The gods of melodic death metal, At The Gates, are back with their seventh studio The Nightmare of Being. And, in it, they have given us a brave, exciting, and technical masterpiece, that will blow you away from the second the very first track plays.

The band are their prime, delivering complex, dark, and bold sounds that add much depth and clearly sets themselves apart from others in a sub-genre. Which is one that can sometimes suffer from a rather sameness and predictable sound.

This opening track is the thundering and driving "Spectre of Extinction". It's a pounding song that starts off with a beautiful and tranquil guitar note, that soars and builds up as the drums come into play. It then thunders and stampedes across, with an absolutely killer and slicing riff. It's an energetic way to start off a masterful release. Another memorable song is the title track, which starts off in a manner that is beautiful, tranquil, and haunting. The song, itself, is dark and melodic with a strong atmosphere that makes it one of the album's most exciting songs in terms of how daring it is. It also has some of Tomas Lindberg's best vocal work, perhaps ever. "Touched By The White Hands Doom" is a pounding and energized song that starts off somberly until it explodes with energy. I could honestly praise every single song here, but the last one I will touch upon is the closing track, "Cosmic Pessimism". There is a calming start to it that is striking and atmospheric, until its half mark where the energy levels up but still manages to keep the same feeling that the track started with. It ends in a haunting manner that stays with one well after the song, and by extension the album, has finished.

Production is clear with crunching guitars and clear and powerful vocals. This is prime sounding sounding melodic death metal that you feel into your very soul.

The Nightmare of Being is At The Gates finest album since their comeback period. It even manages to surpass the amazing At War with Reality. In fact. the only album in their discography to top it is the influential masterpiece that is Slaughter of the Soul. Destined to be a genre defining classic, this is an easy contender for album of the year. 

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Body Count Releases New Radio Edit Of "No Lives Matter" Today

BODY COUNT RELEASES NEW RADIO EDIT OF

"NO LIVES MATTER" TODAY

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE

(Los Angeles, CA - June 17, 2020) - In light of current events, Body Count announces the release of their radio single "No Lives Matter" today via Century Media Records. Watch the music video for "No Lives Matter", which is off their 2017 full-length album Bloodlust HERE.

The track's message is more relevant than ever as Body Count frontman Ice-T states in the music video intro, "...when I say 'Black Lives Matter' and you say 'All Lives Matter', that's like if I was to say 'Gay Lives Matter' and you say 'All Lives Matter'. If I said, 'Women's Lives Matter' and you say 'All Lives Matter'. You're diluting what I'm saying. You're diluting the issue. The issue isn't about everybody, it's about black lives, at the moment."

Century Media Records Director Philipp Schulte adds, "As a company we felt it was necessary to release this single as a way to actively participate in the change that is needed to combat police brutality and racism. It is a first step in doing our part to inspire unity and transformation."

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Entombed A.D.- Bowels of Earth (Album Review)

Musician: Entombed A.D.
Album Title: Bowels of Earth
Genre/ Subgenre: Death Metal/ Death n' Roll
Label: Century Media Records
Release Date: August 30, 2019

Singer LG Petrov may not have the rights to the name of his former band, death metal legends Entombed, but that doesn't matter much, now. Because, he and his current band, Entombed A.D. (along with other former Entombed members in the form of: Victor Brandt [bass], Nico Elgstrand [guitar] and Olle Dahlstedt [drums]), are still putting out ass kicking music. Their latest and third offering, Bowels of Earth, mixes elements from Entombed's earlier, masterpieces and the death n' roll sound of Wolverine Blues and beyond. The result is a really fun and still very heavy album.

The album has some real good grooves and hammering and talented musicianship that makes for a headbanging good time. This fucker is sure to set the mosh-pit on fucking fire. It starts with a real scorcher in the form of "Torment Remains", which is a pummeling and battering track that charges right through you, impaling you with its ferocity. "Elimination" is an explosive tune that erupts with speed and also has an awesome groove that will have you banging your head right along with it. It is also true shining example of the amazing amount of talent everyone has, as its melodic mid-section is one of my favorite parts in the album (which is saying a lot). "Bourbon Nightmare" is a thundering song that is all guns blazing and my favorite one on the album. It's a fucking perfect example of death n' roll that will go perfectly with some hard drinking and moshing. The album closes off with the killer "To Eternal Night" which is rich is atmosphere, heaviness, and fucking kick ass guitar riffs. Petrov has long been one of my favorite vocalists in death metal, and he really shines here, adding menace and an evil vibe.

Bowels of Earth is a fucking blast to hear. While, I liked it the first time I heard, it wasn't until the second listen that it really began to sink in. Each subsequent spin made it even better. It manages to be fun, while still being heavy, dark, and menacing. With the right balance of technically savvy crunch and catchy grooves, this fucker is made for moshing, headbanging, and kicking your goddamn ass. If you have been a loyal Entombed fan or just like kick ass death metal, in general, then this one is for you!

4 out of 5

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Broken Hope- Mutlilated and Assimiliated (Album Review)

Musicians: Broken Hope
Album Title: Mutilated and Assimilated
Genre/ Subgenre: Death Metal
Label: Century Media
Release date: June 23, 2017

Uncompromising. If I was told to use one word to describe Mutilated and Assimilated, the latest release from Chicago's death metal monsters Broken Hope, it would be that one. This powerful and almost continuously brutal release very rarely lets up.

The expert musicianship has battering blastbeats and pummeling riffing. They are accompanied by the deep guttural vocal growls of Damian 'Tom'' Leski. He belts gore obsessed lyrics with all the classic death metal aplomb you expect from Broken Hope.

There area total of 13 bloody and brutal tracks in the album. The second track, ''The Bunker'' opens up with the sound of war, which is appropriate not the least of which is because of the machine gun like drumming. The title track has a cool, almost mechanical intro that leads right into slow, driving, and thoroughly crushing music. The heartwarmingly titled ''Outback Incest Clan'' is fast and furious and will rip your motherfucking face right off! There are two versions of ''Hell's Handpuppets'' both of which have a great acoustic style intro that goes into doom crunching and then soaring guitars and anger filled blastbeats . I am not sure where I can buy a pair of ''Nercopants'', but the brutal and face pounding song might be my favorite on the album. The album ends with a 25th anniversary recording of the title track from their debut album, this time around called ''Swamped in Gorehog''. It's fucking killer and not just a great way to close off the album but a perfect way to acknowledge the longevity of this classic death metal act.

Mutilated and Assimilated is not only one of the very best death metal albums releases so far in 2017; it also ranks among Broken Hope's best work. This is an absolute must have for fans of old school death metal. Be sure to get when it comes out later this month on June 23, 2017.

From the official press release:

''Mutilated and Assimilated'' officially arrives June 23rd on Century Media Records and will be released as a Limited Edition CD+DVD Digipak in North America and in a Special Edition CD+DVD Digipak in Europe, as well as digital & streaming versions available on all the major outlets worldwide.   

The LP version will be released in the following vinyl colors:

Gatefold "Peeled Flesh" neon pink LP+CD: US Exclusive  

Gatefold "Antarctic" blue LP+CD: Band Exclusive  Ltd.

Gatefold "Cremated Corpse" black LP+CD: available via European stores  Ltd.

Gatefold "Gory Glory" transp. red LP+CD: CM Distro Europe Exclusive

  
In the meantime, check out the ultra-gory video for the vicious track ''The Carrion Eaters'' in the video below:

4.5 out of 5

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Heaven Shall Burn- Wanderer (Album Review)

Musician: Heaven Shall Burn
Album Title: Wanderer
Genre/ Subgenre: Melodic death metal/ Metalcore
Label: Century Media
Release Date: Sept. 16, 2016

The eighth studio album from extreme metallars Heaven Shall Burn, Wanderer, is a groove laden juggernaut sure to get the pit wild with fury. From the opening to the end this hook laden, catchy, yet heavy and badass release is a complete pleasure to hear.

The album opens with the rolling attack of "The Loss of Fury". From there we go to the thundering "Bring the War Home" which brings the ass kicking home. The blistering "They Shall not Pass" has a Slayer meets groove based heaviness and melody that really makes it stand out. With a furious machine gun opening "Prey to God" is filled with venom and anger and is one of the album's very best track, if not in fact, its best. "Agent Orange" is the type of furious assault that will make you wanna mosh even if it's just you chilling in your room. "Save Me" has a beautiful intro that leads into an emotional, dark, and still heavy song. In fact, every song here is a winner with no throwaway tracks.

Sure, Wanderer doesn't break any new ground. But, it doesn't have to. This is quality and adrenaline filled piss and vinegar metal with a few moments of beauty and melody. It's an album that prove that Heaven Shall Burn still burn and destroy everything in their path.

4 out of 5

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Dark Funeral- Where Shadows Forever Reign (Album Review)

Musician: Dark Funeral
Album Title: Where Shadows Forever Reign
Genre/ Subgenre: Black metal
Label: Century Media
Release Date: June 3, 2016

This mighty Swedish black metal machine is back with their sixth studio and their first album since 2009's Angelus Exuro pro Eternus. This is also their first album with their new vocalist Heljarmadr (formerly of Gra, Domgård, and Cursed 13). The result? Well, it is one of the absolute finest black metal albums of the year, thus far, and one of the very best of their long career.

The album opens with the blisteringly fast "Unchain My Soul", which is one of the very best tracks on it. A wonderfully dark opening leads to rhythmic and continuous assault on the senses in the lightning fast "Beast Above Man". My favorite track on the album has to be the purely evil and chilling "To Carve Another Wound". It's dark and driving as well worthy of you throwing up the metal horns. By the time the time the savagely fast title track closes off this masterpiece you will remember everything that made you fall in love with black metal and more.

Vocalist Heljarmadr is an incredible addition to the band. I love that his voice sounds raspy as hell (pun not intended), but you can clearly understand what he says. Which is great cause the lyrics are filled with images of evil and Satanic acts of horror and violence. The guitars by Chaq Mol and Lord Ahirman (who writes the lyrics and also plays the bass) sound great and add a chilling feel to the whole experience. Meanwhile, Dominator does just on the drums. He is a monster on his drum-set! Filled with insane blast beats and a full on attack this some of the best drumming in extreme metal this year.

The production on this is excellent and really fits the music. It adds to the cold, distant, and Satanic sound of it perfectly.

 Where Shadows Forever Reign is an album I simply cannot stop listening to. It's songs get stuck in my head, and feel the need to hear it again and again. And, the more I hear it, the more I like it! Everything about it is dark, violent, unquestionably evil, and filled to the brim with anger and seething with hate. Yet, like a really awesome horror movie, there is something really fun in here that makes it appealing to one's ears. The horned one must surely and rightfully be pleased with this killer album that is destined to make my top 10 of the year.

5 out of 5

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