A sonic metal assault that leaves audiences pumped with adrenaline, Detroit’s BATTLECROSS triumphantly return as one of the true champions of American Heavy Metal with their devastating sophomore release, War of Will. Co-Produced at Audiohammer Studios with famed producers Mark Lewis and Eyal Levi, the sophomore effort from Detroit’s newest soldiers of steel will soon prove as one of the most impressive follow-up releases , destined to become a heavy metal classic for fans of all sub-genres. “War of Will triggers a strange Deja Vu while feeling completely brand new” says Levi.

With elements of upbeat thrash, European, death, and southern metal, War of Will brings back the old school thrash, heavy groove, harmonizing guitars, epic guitar solos, dynamic death-style vocals and impressive bass work that made 2011’s Pursuit of Honor a fast favorite. Fans will appreciate another complete, yet more mature brutal assault with contagious hooks and choruses that will guarantee headbangability and the dynamic live show for which BATTLECROSS is best known.

Celebrated for their cross-over thrash/classic American heavy metal image and sound, and relentless enthusiasm for touring, BATTLECROSS entered Audiohammer Studio in March 2013 immediately after a full North American trek with Sweden’s In Flames and a busy 2012. With an impressive list of top notch metal productions, the studio turned out to be the perfect fit for the young band. “The laid back atmosphere, mixed with the ‘deliver or be delivered’ expectations really inspired us to push ourselves to be the best during the production, and it really reflects in the lyrical content as well as the final product.” said Guitarist Tony Asta. “War of Will is exactly what it sounds like, a straight up heavy metal album, but we’ll let the fans be the judge”

Titled to describe BATTLECROSS’ fast and furious climb in the two years since releasing their debut, War of Will challenges fans through its lyrical theme to push their limits in pursuit of their goals and to sacrifice all to overcome life’s obstacles and succeed—a message proven by the band’s quick ascent to breakout status from high-profile tours, heavy radio play, while drawing comparisons to the heavyweights of metal.

War of Will marks the first major session contribution by drummer Shannon Lucas, who contributes an upbeat thrash vibe with his precision and aggression best suited for the BATTLECROSS style. “Shannon is one of the true beasts of metal drumming” said Co-Producer Eyal Levi, “his skills are technically untouchable and combine that with a badass rising star of a band and we have the makings of a crushing record.”

The young band’s career kicked off what every metal musician dreams of: amazing album reviews from Metal’s most respected publications for their 2011 debut on Metal Blade Records, Pursuit of Honor. Metal Assault named the record “one of the most ‘complete heavy metal albums in recent times’ while receiving high praises from heavyweights Revolver, Decibel, Blabbermouth and others. With killer reviews across the internet and in print publications throughout North America and overseas (including band of the month in Metal Hammer Norway and Metal Hammer Spain), it should be no surprise that this blue collar, hard-work ethic that comes from the members of BATTLECROSS translates into a potent force on record as well as a high-energy live performance winning fans across the country on some of the metal’s highest profile tours.

The growing buzz over Pursuit of Honor positioned the band for opportunities that have proven to be stepping stones for what is expected to be a long and exciting career for BATTLECROSS, starting with a spot in a 2011 CMJ Showcase with Skeletonwitch and Kvelertak and the band’s first tour ever, an Eastern U.S. run with Rose Funeral and Diamond Plate. It was during this tour that BATTLECROSS was introduced to North America and became SiriusXM Liquid Metal mainstays with the single Push Pull Destroy, which spent over 30 weeks on ‘The Devil’s Dozen’ and reached the #1 most requested song for five weeks and to date, over two million YouTube views. Throughout 2012, satellite radio introduced singles ‘Breaking You’ and ‘Man of Stone’, together spending a total of 50 weeks on Jose Mangin’s popular Metal Countdown.

BATTLECROSS’ reputation for technical talent, humility and fan engagement earned the band the opportunity to continue their climb with an appearance at 2012 SXSW Metal Blade Showcase; tours with: Hate Eternal and Goatwhore (Winter 2012), Origin, Decrepit Birth, Cattle Decapitation on the Occupation Domination Tour (Spring 2012), Metal Hammer’s Trespass America Festival with Five Finger Death Punch, Killswitch Engage, and Trivium (Summer 2012), a headlining stage appearance at Heavy MTL, opposite System of a Down and high-profile shows celebrating Metal Blade’s 30th Anniversary with As I Lay Dying, Six Feet Under and more.

After a fist-pumping debut, impressive 2012 breakout tours, BATTLECROSS will continue their climb as one of Metal’s most impressive new bands with 2013 appearances at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, Orion Music +More with Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Deftones and Suicidal Tendencies in the band’s hometown of Detroit and the 4th Annual GwarBQ with Municipal Waste and Corrosion of Conformity.

WAR OF WILL releases July 9th, 2013 just as the band heads out for the summer on the Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Tour with Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Machine Head, Behemoth, Mastodon and more in what is expected to be the tour and album that will cement BATTLECROSS as an American Heavy Metal heavyweight banging heads for years to come.

Concept albums are not new territory in metal by any means. But Northern Virginia’s YESTERDAY’S SAINTS elevate the notion of conceptual metal to a whole other level, thanks to the rich, extensive storytelling and the pummeling metal in Generation of Vipers. The music is as smart and thought provoking as it is extreme, that’s not an easy thing to do. Striking an artful balance is difficult, but YESTERDAY’S SAINTS make it seem easy.

YESTERDAY’S SAINTS, who play a death-thrash-power hybrid, has been in existence since summer 2010 and with a self-released EP and some regional touring under their belt. They knew that a full-length concept album was the next step to take. But they did not go about it capriciously. The decision to go with a concept for the 11-track Generation of Vipers was driven by the most important things —the songwriting and careful thought.

The album is assembled like an opera, three acts, with an instrumental interlude and outro. It traces the story of Satan, one of the most notorious characters in history, throughout time, from his desire to usurp God’s throne to his modern infiltration of mankind to the indication that all mankind are now his descendants.

It’s a lot to process, but once you absorb that story along with the music, your appreciation will be furthered and deepened, as all senses are satisfied by Generation of Vipers, which targets one’s brain and one’s body.

“Through years of touring, recording, and a constant desire to evolve, Kastasyde has shown itself as one of Chicago’s most exciting bands.  Blending a mirage of influences including metal, blues, and rock, the band has created a sound that is unique unto itself. Kastasyde is currently recording a brand new album to be released in 2013, and will be taking their intense live show on the road upon its completion.  Determined to be heard…Kastasyde is here to stay”

Chicago modern metal powerhouse TRIALS is set to make a triumphant return on May 1st with the release of their sophomore album, “In the Shadow of Swords.”

Coming off the heels of their 2011 debut, “Witness to the Downfall”, “In the Shadow of Swords” sees the band take their blend of melodic death and muscular, technical thrash to the next level. Don’t mistake those words for the typical promotional hyperbole either. TRIALS has truly upped the ante where aggression, songwriting and sheer metallic power are concerned.

Chicago-area metallers Phil Kurasz (of Lasting Vengeance), Andrew Whitfield (ex-Clad in Darkness, ex-Ghost of Mendea), Rob Whitworth (ex-Reprobation, ex-Blutige Nacht), and Josh Lloyd (ex-Deficit) formed Living Terror in late 2014 for one purpose: to carry the banner of true, old-school, aggressive metal throughout the Midwest.