Elvenking Era (2012) [limited Ed. Digipack]

An Opus filled with Gods, Heroes and Legends. Power Metal Hymns! The highly acclaimed predecessor "The Clans Will Rise Again" was dedicated to the sheer mystique and the proud people of Scotland, but on their latest album, GRAVE DIGGER enters the legendary realm of Ancient Greek and its gods and creatures. The lyrics of "Clash of the Gods" pay tribute to the legendary Medusa, Odysseus, Hades and Kerberos amongst others. These tales are clad in sweeping Power Metal compositions filled with powerful riffing and catchy choruses.

Over the course of eight years the band have taken both music and visuals to yet another level and while listening to their new effort you´ll be taken on a journey through the doors of time, a journey beyond the stars, beyond the birth of the worlds to an infinite universe. Epic Metal that breaks through the boundaries not only of music, but the universe! The main goal was to make an album that would be really astonishing to listen to, because the concept of time itself is simply just that: astonishing, overwhelming, staggering.

As soon as you pick up the new Cauldron album 'Tomorrow's Lost', you know that the stalwart duo of Jason Decay and Ian Chains have continued on their darker subject path towards the fire and brimstone of heavy metal folklore of old! And just as the cover artwork depicts a mountain in flames these 9 tracks clarify that the true flag bearers of all things heavy metal have returned.

"The Inception of Darkness" is mixed and mastered by Tommy Hansen (Helloween; Jorn; Iron Fire; D.A.D; TNT, etc) of ‘Jailhouse Studios' in Europe. It was produced and recorded at ‘Dark Enigma Studios'. It features, for the very first time, the unique, growly, deathly vocals of Be'Lakor front man George Kosmas as guest musician and even incorporates the majestic serene female operatic vocals from Sarah Parker that are used sparingly adding to the mystique, atmosphere and power of the album. The album cover artwork is stunning and truly depicts the contents it guards. The music score ranges between all genres while still being fantastically EYEFEAR. This album truly is the band's opus, is genre defining and simply has something for everyone.

In the 20-year anniversary of its formation, German thrash metal band Dew-Scented return with a new line-up and their ninth studio album Icarus. One of the established European heavyweights of the genre, the new release shows the band has lost none of its hunger or ability to create thunderous and impressive sounds.

After five years, THRESHOLD are back with a brand-new studio album, recorded & produced in Thin Ice Studios (DRAGONFORCE, PENDRAGON) by Karl Groom and Richard West with additional production at Eightspace Studio (LEAGUE OF LIGHTS, THE MORNING AFTER). Progressive as always but stronger than ever - it’s not for nothing that the opus is entitled “March Of Progress”! With a total running time of almost 70(!) minutes, it marks the longest but yet most diversified release of the band’s entire career. Enchanting melodies to die for, perfectly blended with just the right pitch of harshness and topped off with Damian Wilson’s heavenly vocals. Don’t be a stick-in-the-mud - join the “March Of Progress”!

JEFF LOOMIS’s second solo album “Plains Of Oblivion” was released in April 2012 via Century Media Records. The album was produced by Aaron Smith (7 Horns / Eyes) and features cover artwork by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design, who has previously worked on JEFF’s solo debut “Zero Order Phase” as well as the Nevermore DVD “The Year Of The Voyager”, Bleed From Within, Aborted and many more.

10 ultra-catchy and dynamic new songs clearly show a matured and more determined entity, sticking to their stylistic guns, but showcasing all the elements of their trademark-sound in a bolder and more irresistible manner. Limited edition incl. slipcase and two additional bonus tracks.

SPELL EATER, the debut album from Huntress was released April 27, 2012 on Napalm Records. The heavy metal formation from California is undoubtedly the undisputed newcomer of 2012. HUNTRESS has already caused a frenzied commotion within the scene with the release of their first single. The force and power behind the track, taken from their upcoming debut "Spell Eater", proves that the band more than deserves the attention they now enjoy.

The heaviest BEFORE THE DAWN album in quite a while, but still filled to the brim with hits! The limited first pressing comes housed in a slipcase plus three bonus tracks! The album was released on 27 April, and once again received critical success from the metal press.