Florida's Heavy Metal Underground

X-THIRTIEN ink deal for debut album

Tampa based X-THIRTIEN have signed with Chavis Records for the release of it's debut album "You're Next" due for release in 2009. Comprised of musicians from Europe and the United States, and two years of hard work writing and recording the band's concept album will tell an epic tale of good versus evil, a man transformed into superman, in conjunction with a band transformed into a super band. X-THIRTIEN is taking the album concept and transforming it into a full-stage production and heading out on the road bringing the show to the fans. Tour dates will begin in 2009 throughout the States and may also include shows in Canada, Europe, Japan, South America and Australia.

More information can be found through the band's MySpace.

Interview with ZOLTAN of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH posted

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan "the Hun" Bathory checks in from the road to discuss the current success the band is experiencing with their debut album "The Way of the Fist". Zoltan also shares some of his most memorable experiences playing in Florida as well as future plans for the band, and his massive guitar rig!

Be sure to check out the PODCAST at this location, and thanks again to everyone who helped put together this interview!

EQUINOX releases new offering

Central Florida's Black / Death metal legends EQUINOX have at long last released "As the Moon Swallows the Sun" through Grim Nocturnal Records, an offering containing all of the groups early and unreleased material as well as some extremely rare live tracks from the band's very first show at the Fern Park Station.

This release had been in the works for several years, originally be re-mastered at Suede Shoe Studios. The cover art and booklet layout was created by Craig Simpson (Usurper, Burning Inside) out of his generosity and passion for the bands music.

To get your hands on a copy, catch EQUINOX at the Haven on December 6th for Matt-n-Cammie's All Star Jam, or order one through www.GrimNocturnalRecords.com.

HELLWITCH complete recording new album

Pioneering South Florida Death Metal legends HELLWITCH have at long last wrapped up tracking for their forthcoming album through Xtreem Music. Having formed in 1984 HELLWITCH were among the first to put Florida Death Metal on the map!

Commented guitarist J.P. (x-Noir) "We've been working hard on this for close to two months now and we couldn't be happier with the production on this. There's 10 songs and for those of you who are DEATH fans, we covered 'Infernal Death'! There is going to be a second release of that with Kam Lee [former DEATH vocalist] singing on it!"

Below is a YouTube clip of the band performing "Mysteria" a track from the forthcoming album.

CANNIBAL CORPSE announce "Evisceration Plague"

Tampa's Kings of Death Metal CANNIBAL CORPSE have announce that their new release "Evisceration Plague" is to be released on February 3, 2009 via Metal Blade Records. Bassist Alex Webster comments: "In CANNIBAL CORPSE, our goal has always been to try and make each new album we record our heaviest. That goal was a bit more challenging this time since we were extremely satisfied with our last album "KILL", but we knew that by working with producer Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios again, we would be able to start at that same level of heaviness and take it even further. Now that we can hear the finished product, I would say we've been able to achieve this goal, and I think our fans will agree. "Evisceration Plague" has the best guitar sound we've ever recorded, and the entire band has never played with more precision and power. We can't wait until you all get a chance to hear the album in early 2009, because we think you'll be as happy with it as we are."

We can't wait either!

MOSHFEST 2008 photos posted

Photos from MOSHFEST 2008 have now been posted on the FLmetal MySpace page. This annual Central Florida tradition which took place at The Dungeon this year was once again a smashing success bringing together many of Central Florida's BEST METAL BANDS for two nights of intense mosh-pit action! If that's not enough for you, even more photos have been posted on the MOSFEST 2008 thread within the FLmetal Forum! If you're not a member of the forum, or a friend of the MySpace, then sign up! We work hard spreading the Florida METAL Love for everyone to enjoy!

CLUTCH interview & review posted

A new interview with CLUTCH vocalist Neil Fallon has been posted at this location. Neil sat down with FLmetal.com to discuss their tour supporting their new DVD release "Full Fathom Five", possibly their last tour for quite a while. Also posted is a show review at this location, or you can read our review in the October issue of Connections Magazine.

ORDER OF ENNEAD self-title debut coming

The Tampa based Black / Death metal group featuring former DEICIDE drummer Steve Asheim along with Earache Records have targeted November 11th as the date for the release of their debut album. The album was recorded at Sanford's AudioHammer Studios with Mark Lewis which the band describes as "blasting death metal with blackened overtones, all delivered with a high intellect and lyrical acumen."

Below is a video of their song "The Culling" from their recent performance at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale. For more videos and information about the band, visit their MySpace page at this location.

DEVIL'S GIFT gear up for European tour

Orlando based singer / songwriter LENNON (Lennon Murphy) has a new metal project have lined up a couple of local Florida shows to gear up for their forthcoming European tour. The band presumably recorded at local metal chop shop AudioHammer Studios with the mighty Jason Suecof, and will release it's self-titled debut album in Europe through Tiefdruck-Musik September 26th.

Below is the video promo "Shadow Never Ending" which was filmed in L.A. by Todd Bell who has also worked on RoadRunner's 25th anniversary DVD and Chimaira's "The Dehumanizing Process" DVD. More tracks are available by visiting the band's MySpace page.

BLASPEMIC CRUELTY new song posted

The latest project involving ANGELCORPSE guitarist Gene Palubicki, BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY, have posted a new song on the band myspace page called "Infernal Abominations". The song is described as "erupting with frenzied blasting malevolence. Totally grim, hellish death/thrash terror and darkness", and is seriously in the vein of only the finest of Florida Death Metal.

The forthcoming album titled "Devil's Mayhem" is scheduled to be released in October on Osmose / The End Records, and was engineered by Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez.

MOSHFEST 2008 is coming

In what has become one of Orlando's most anticipated METAL traditions, MOSHFEST is set to make another triumphant return October 3rd and 4th at the Dungeon featuring a metric ton of Florida's Heaviest Bands!

Check out the Promo Video Below

TRIVIUM "Down From the Sky"

The latest video from Orlando's own TRIVIUM has now been posted, and as quoted by Corey to Rock Solid Magazine "We want to make a video that will crush every single music video we have ever made. We want this video to capture our energy and establish us as a bunch of hot, tanned guys from Florida with baby arms in our pants"

TRIVIUM's new album "Shogun" is scheduled for release September 30th via RoadRunner Records which features 11 of the best songs of the 40 the band reportedly had written to which Matt proclaims "We made a cohesive, epic metal album that combines all of the ingredients of everything we feel we have ever done 'right' musically, while adding a new direction that the music called for. We had so much fun creating this album and hope our fans feel that energy when they listen".

SIX FEET UNDER "Death Rituals"

The Tampa based Death Metal group SIX FEET UNDER have completed work on their latest effort entitled "Death Rituals" set for release November 11th, 2008 via Metal Blade Records.

Reportedly mixed by Toby Wright (Slayer, Soulfly, Alice in Chains), the band claims "The tracks are sounding great and we know that all our fans will enjoy the ride!"

Introducing FLmetal.com!!!

First of all, METAL HAILZ to our friends at MetalHordes.com for hosting the Orlando Metal Awards message board absolutely free for the past 5 years! Emile and his staff have been staunch supporters of not only the worldwide metal scene, but have been one the greatest supporters of the central florida metal scene as well. We couldn't have done it without you guys!

NEXT, I would like to thank my friend and boss-man Phil Palmieri at www.page12.com for helping me restore everything so nothing was lost! Thanks Phil!

Although it took a bit longer than expected to restore the database, it gave us a chance to steer the METAL scene in a NEW DIRECTION - one that we've always wanted to make happen. That would be introducing the all new FLmetal.com !!! We hope to take work we've done with the Orlando METAL Awards and expand our efforts to benefit ALL FLORIDA METAL BANDS in all the different cities across the state! It's no doubt that Florida has the best METAL scene on the planet, and we hope to help spread the word, and bring together EVERYONE across the state to create one giant family of metalheads in a community that supports one another without politics, cliques, genres or any other divisions that may exist. We're all in this together folks, so we hope you will join us in our efforts and spread the word about this new online FLORIDA METAL COMMUNITY!!!

TRIVIUM complete work on new album

I'm sure the Trivium network will get a Google alert about this, so please, pass the word to the boys that whenever they get back in town, we need to see a LIVE version of this "Country Song" that by all intents and purposes should be on the Billboard Country Top 10! Trivium have finished the new record, and it's now off to be mixed while the boys head off to Japan, Australia and then throughout the UK opening for SLAYER! Makin' Orlando proud I say!