Heaven & Hell Records

Heaven and Hell Records are proud to announce that in 2012 Overlorde (now known as Overlorde SR) will become part of the ‘Lost Relics’ series.

In the late 1970s the conception of what would become Overlorde was being formed in Fayetteville, North Carolina. As one of the first heavy metal bands in the area Overlorde quickly began gaining popularity with their thunderous sound and theatrical stage shows, opening for such acts as Kix, Maxx Warrior, Nantucket, and Leatherwolf, among many others. In 1985 the now infamous 4-song ‘Medieval Metal’ demo was recorded and distributed all over the world selling an amazing 10,000 copies. The tracks ‘Keeper of the Flame’ and the cover of early 70s folk duo Zager & Evans’ ‘In the Year 2525’ began gaining the band airplay across the country and abroad. Soon label attentions followed and the band was offered a slot on the popular Metal Blade ‘Metal Massacre’ series appearing on volume XI. However, the times were quickly changing and Overlorde’s brand of traditional flavor, N.W.O.B.H.M-esque heavy metal was no longer fashionable. The band would then settle into the depths of the true metal underground only to be rediscovered years later by collectors and a new audience hungering for real heavy metal.

The Heaven and Hell Records release will include the ‘Medieval Metal’ demo and never before released tracks all re-mastered by Jamie King at The Basement Recordings and new artwork by TJ Barber at TJ Designs. Also bonus material will be included as with all Heaven and Hell Records releases.

Currently Overlorde SR is in the studio working on a whole new album that is plan for a future release on H&H Records.

For more information, visit:

http://www.facebook.com/OverlordeSR

http://www.facebook.com/Heavenandhellrecords

Recently reformed New York cult metal band Blacksmith are set to play the 2^nd Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse Festival held on May 18-19, 2012 in at Mojo’s in Joliet, IL. Ancient Creation join the bill with other great metal bands as Wizard, Brocas Helm, Virgin Steele, Slaughter Xstroyer and more for what is to be the best true metal festival of the year.

For more information and tickets visit;

http://www.ragnarokkrmetal.com/

or on Facebook at;

http://www.facebook.com/RagnarokkrMetal?sk=info

Missouri power metallers Ancient Creation have been slated to play the 2^nd Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse Festival held on May 18-19, 2012 in at Mojo’s in Joliet, IL. Ancient Creation join the bill with other great metal bands as Wizard, Brocas Helm, Virgin Steele, Blacksmith and more for what is to be the best true metal festival of the year.

For more information and tickets visit;

http://www.ragnarokkrmetal.com/

or on Facebook at;

http://www.facebook.com/RagnarokkrMetal?sk=info

Heaven and Hell Records are happy to welcome North Carolina doom metal band Dogbane into the fold.

This North Carolina five piece emerges on the scene with a nice slab of traditional heavy metal flavored doomy goodness. Sighting Trouble and Pentagram as two of the bands main influences, these southern gentlemen certainly proudly wear it on their sleeves. With a solid rhythm section, duel guitars, and the Halford-esque vocals of Jeff Neal, Dogbane have put together one strong debut effort.

The release is set for early December. Recorded and produced by Dogbane and mastered by Gary Long (King Diamond, Solitude Aeturnus). Artwork is being created by Wayne Miller who is best known for his work on fiction horror novel covers.

These days the term “traditional heavy metal” is loosely used. Well one may ask “what is traditional heavy metal” and we simply respond with Dogbane.

www.facebook.com/Dogbane

Recently reunited U.S. cult metallers Blacksmith from Albany, N.Y. have been announced to appear on the annual Headbanger’s Open Air Festival held in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany on July 26^th-28^th 2012. The 15^th installment of the famed heavy metal gathering will mark the first ever European appearance for the band.

“We are very thankful for the chance to play such a great festival and could not think of a better place to make our European debut. Blacksmith have many fans in Europe and Germany especially; we have been asked several times over the years to come over and well now the time is right”, says guitarist David Smith

Blacksmith recently made their first public appearance in two decades at this year’s Progpower Festival in Atlanta, GA. to meet with fans and promote the recently released ‘Strike While the Iron’s Hot’ CD through Heaven and Hell Records. Currently the band are working on all new original material for a 2012 release through Heaven and Hell Records; and also expect the unreleased album from 1990 ‘Time Out of Mind’ to finally see a release in the coming year.

Blacksmith

http://www.blacksmithusa.com/splashpage/

Headbanger’s Open Air

www.headbangers-open-air.de

Recently reunited U.S. cult metallers Blacksmith made their first public appearance at Progpower XII festival held on September 16 and 17th in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with the band’s appearance a guitar raffle was held courtesy of Heaven and Hell Records and Dean Guitars. On behalf of the label, Blacksmith, and Dean Guitars we like to congratulate the winner and a very special lady.
Louise Smith (aka Mema) has been attending the annual Progpower Festival since 2001 only missing installment and she has become a regular and familiar favorite at the events. The 81 year old Smith began going to concerts with her son back in the 70s seeing bands like Ted Nuget and Aerosmith and she has been rockin since.
“I started going with my son and his friends when he was fourteen” – Smith
The drawing was held on the evening of September 17th and the winner was announced via Facebook, Twitter, and cellphone. However Smith had mistakenly given her home number instead of her cell phone so a staff member went to find Smith where she can normally be found rockin out to the bands on the bill.
“When she came to find me I just could not believe I won”. –Smith
After the band on stage ended Louise and son Gary Smith came to the Heaven and Hell Records table to collect her guitar and an additional package of the H&H Records entire catalog.
“It is a beautiful piece, I’m going to take guitar lessons now” – Smith
On behalf of Dean Guitars, Blacksmith and the staff of Heaven and Hell Records we congratulate you Evelyn and applaud your longevity, you are the essence of rock n roll.

Texas traditional metallers Cruxiter join the Heaven and Hell Records roster for their debut album currently being recorded. The release is scheduled for later this year.

After taking a break from Texas cult thrashers Hammerwhore vocalist /guitarist Joe Gonzalez began working on a new project called Mor-to-Life where he began honing his skills as a vocalist to fit the more melodic nature of the music he was writing. After a few shows and members shifts Hammerwhore were basically reassembled as Mor-to-Life.  Now with a new direction and sound a name change would be called for and Cruxiter were born.

Cruxiter Facebook Page

Heaven and Hell Records will be bringing out more highly sought after material through their popular ‘Lost Relics’ series. Slotted for early 2012 the label will be releasing for the first time ever on CD Alias Mangler ‘Bite the Metal’ and their unreleased follow up. Also planned is Glacier self-titled EP from ’85 and the ’88 EP. Both releases will be re-mastered, include new artwork and bonus material.

Alias Mangler: In 1985 Alias Mangler entered a battle of the bands at Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina winning 1st prize out of 32 bands from all across the state. This win earned the band studio time at CMC studios and a 500 album pressing. The band recorded and released “Bite the Metal” that quickly sold out. Alias Mangler would continue to play the local and regional circuit and eventually record a follow up in 1987 but the album would never be released. Soon afterwards the band would split up.

Years after Alias Mangler’s brief circuit ride the European metal collectors would pick up on this obscure U.S. release and  pay prices of $250 – $300 for a copy of ‘Bite the Metal’ on vinyl.

Glacier: Formed in 1979 the would release their first demo in 1984 leading to the first offical release of their self-titles EP in 1985 from Axekiller Records in France. The effort was competitive with their contemporaries like Fates Warning, Warlord, Queensryche, and early Dream Theater. Three years later the band would release another EP on their own with a bit of a stylistic change more towards Helstar, Titan Force and Liege Lord.

This Portland, Oregon band produced some of the greatest U.S. heavy metal but somehow where criminally overlooked for years. Eventually as with all great metal releases the collectors would stumble upon it and bring it to light once again.

Owner of Heaven and Hell Records Jeremy Golden sat down for an interview with Metalcore Fanzine. Read the full interview below:

http://www.metalcorefanzine.com/heavenandhell.html

Heaven and Hell Records will be returning to this year’s Propower XII in Atlanta, GA. on September 16^th & 17^th. We have enjoyed attending the festival ever since Progpower II, and last year our first year as vendors. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year and all the new faces.

Also reformed U.S. cult metallers Blacksmith from Albany, N.Y. will be present to promote the Heaven and Hell Records release ‘Strike While the Iron’s Hot’ sponsored by Dean Guitars. The band will be doing meet and greets and hanging out with the H&H Records staff and fans.

More details to come.

Follow these sites for updates;

Heaven and Hell Records:

http://www.heavenandhellrecords.com

Heaven and Hell Records on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/Heavenandhellrecords

Blacksmith on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/BlacksmithUS

Dean Guitars:

http://www.deanguitars.com/home.php

ProgPower USA:

http://www.progpowerusa.com

ProgPower on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/ProgPowerUSA