Legendary Italian hardcore band RAW POWER return with a raw and unfiltered document of their live intensity: the historic performance recorded at CBGB in New York in 1998, during their US tour in support of Reptile House.
This release captures the band at one of the most explosive moments of their career, delivering a fierce and uncompromising set on one of the most iconic stages in hardcore and punk history. The recording channels the full urgency of RAW POWER’s sound, driven by relentless speed, razor-sharp execution and an incendiary stage presence that leaves no room to breathe.
The setlist blends tracks from Reptile House with timeless classics taken from Screams From the Gutter, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the band’s enduring impact and unmistakable identity. The result is a powerful testament to their role in shaping and spreading hardcore worldwide, as well as a vivid representation of their lasting relevance.
This historic live recording is released via Time To Kill Records, in a strictly limited edition of 300 copies, available from May 11th 2026.
USDM veterans, LECHEROUS NOCTURNE are back with a vengeance. The band has just unleashed their first new track since 2018’s Occultaclysmic.
“Fission” obliterates LECHEROUS NOCTURNE’s eight-year hiatus with extreme force, delivering one of the most aggressive assaults in the band’s nearly 30 years of existence. Marking the beginning of a new chapter for the band, the song showcases a reinvigorated form of their trademark technical death metal chaos, further intensified with the addition of new vocalist Zach Jeter (Nile) to the fold.
“Once again Lecherous Nocturne has been inspired to release a series of songs representative of life’s horrors,”saysguitaristKreishloff Lofgren.“The music is proud, ferocious, fun to play, and focused. I’m personally very happy with the end result and look forward to the albums release.”
Zach Jeter offers his thoughts on the band’s new chapter. “Alongside my brothers in Lecherous Nocturne, we’ve compiled an uncompromisingly brutal slab of music that’s finally ready to unleash. I’m stoked and honored to be a part of it. The first single takes no prisoners and wastes no time kicking you in the teeth from the start. Still just a taste of whats to come.”
LECHEROUS NOCTURNE has tapped Metal Injection for the exclusive world premiere of the lyric video for “Fission.” Watch now at this location.
2026 promises to be the comeback year for LECHEROUS NOCTURNE, one that includes a spot at the Milwaukee Metal Fest, with additional live dates in the works. LECHEROUS NOCTURNE is slated to perform on Day 3 on the fest (June 7) alongside Ministry, John Bush, Napalm Death and more.
After years of silence, LECHEROUS NOCTURNE emerge sharper, heavier and more dangerous than ever. Be warned. The war machine has re-entered the battlefield.
LECHEROUS NOCTURNE;
Zach Jeter – Vocals Kreishloff Lofgren – Guitar James O’Neal – Bass Ethan Lane – Guitar Alex Lancia – Drums
Washington, DC death metal outfit GOETIA will release their debut full-length, Mortuary Cult, on June 12th via Carbonized Records.
GOETIA was forged in the Fall of 2022 by bassist/vocalist Matt Scott, guitarist Demir Soyer, and drummer Nadia Tydings-Lynch. Soyer and Scott previously played together in the DC death metal band Perpetuated, with Tydings-Lynch filling in on drums for their last show. Embracing the chemistry of this lineup led to the immediate founding of GOETIA following the performance.
Influenced by the likes of Morbid Angel, Terrorizer, and Kreator, GOETIA self-released their first EP in May of 2023 which was re-released on Persistent Vision Records followed by regular touring throughout the year.
The band’s second EP, Tomb Essence, dropped in 2024 via Heavy & Fast Records, and finally a 7” in 2025 on Voice Of The Cielago (run by Scott). These three EPs form a loose trilogy centered on occult themes, all recorded and mastered by Matt Michel (Viva Studio) and Will Killingsworth (Dead Air Studios) respectively.
This year’s Mortuary Cult LP was written and recorded during these years by the same team, amidst tours alongside Altars, Vastum, Healing Magic, and others. The debut full-length is more conceptually driven, featuring ten tracks inspired by experiences in an old cemetery in the Washington, DC suburbs. Musically the aim is the same; fast paced death metal with an abundance of guitar solos and blast beats.
In advance of the record’s release, today the band unleashes the title track and first single. Scott elaborates, “‘Mortuary Cult,’ along with all the tracks on this album, was inspired by a local cemetery I used to visit frequently. Cemeteries are very peaceful places but also have a strange feeling of being liminal spaces. People come to them for a variety of reasons, so each song on the album is meant to represent the feeling of a particular trip. For this track, I was exploring the idea of people visiting for a sinister purpose, the worship of the dead through ritual. This was one of the first tracks written for the album, and the speed and structure helped define the tone of the entire record.”
Mortuary Cult was recorded by Matt Michel at Viva Studio and mixed by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios with cover artwork by Chris Taylor and logo by Matt Scott.
Mortuary Cult will be released on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats.
Find North American preorders HERE, European preorders HERE, all other international orders HERE and digital orders HERE.
Mortuary Cult – Track Listing:
1. At Eternity’s Gate
2. Lanterns Of The Dead
3. Posthumous Execution
4. Mortuary Cult
5. Corpse Candle
6. Earth Inferno
7. Bestial Tomb
8. Excarnation
9. Tortures In Time
10. Eternal Samhain
GOETIA Live: 6/19/2026 Rock Room – Pittsburgh, PA 6/20/2026 The Baby G – Toronto, ON 6/21/2026 TBA – Quebec City, QC 6/22/2026 Geno’s – Portland, ME 6/23/2026 Ralph’s Rock Diner – Worcester, MA 6/24/2026 Nikki Lopez – Philadelphia, PA 6/25/2026 Fuzzy Cactus – Richmond, VA 6/26/2026 Static Age – Asheville, NC 6/27/2026 Bogg’s – Atlanta, GA 6/28/2026 Mad Malt’s – Huntsville, AL 6/29/2026 DRKMTTR – Nashville, TN 6/30/2026 Hi Tone – Memphis, TN 7/01/2026 Fubar – St. Louis, MO 7/02/2026 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL 7/03/2026 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN 7/04/2026 Gazebo Park – Huntington, WV 7/10/2026 DC9 – Washington, DC * Record Release Show *
GOETIA: Matt Scott – bass, vocals Demir Soyer – guitars Nadia Tydings-Lynch – drums
M-Theory Audio is pleased to announce the signing of CUTTHROAT to the label. Breaking out of the L.A. Hardcore scene and combining serious attitude and fast rudiments, CUTTHROAT have been building a reputation for themselves with solid releases and worldwide touring.
The partnership kicks off with the online premiere of the band’s blistering new single and music video, “Purge,” available on all streaming/download digital platforms or watch the video HERE
“Built in chaos. Refined in violence. Cutthroat LA has officially signed with M-Theory Audio,” states singer Neil Roemer. “This isn’t a new beginning, this is an escalation. Welcome to the next phase. As we ‘Purge’ our Demons.”
The song features the fire, energy and attitude of CUTTHROAT so fans can expect a relentless assault with crossover appeal suitable for punk and metal fans with influences from classic hardcore, thrash and hip-hop.
The track serves as the title cut for the band’s upcoming EP, ‘The Purge,’ set for a worldwide release on August 14th on limited (300) colored vinyl and jewelcase CD. A specially priced crushing crossover assault with 5 songs of pure hostility, featuring cover art by Mick Lambrou (Agnostic Front, Slapshot, Sick Of It All). Pre-Order Now at OUR WEBSTORE or BANDCAMP (shipping from US and Europe based upon your location).
To support the release, CUTTHROAT will be heading overseas this summer for a highly anticipated European tour alongside Bay Area thrash legends Vio-lence. The tour will see the band bringing their high-energy live performance to major markets across the continent setting up the EP’s release.
CUTTHROAT is a four-piece Los Angeles hardcore metal band formed in 2013 by founding member and frontman Neil Roemer. Cutthroat now also features Betto Cardoso on drums, Renato Romano on guitar and Bruno Nicolozzi on bass.
Known for their DIY ethic and explosive live shows, the band has built a dedicated following through consistent touring and raw, honest songwriting. Cutthroat have released two major albums: Reflekt (2020), produced by Biohazard’s Billy Graziadei, which saw them tour Europe as part of the Persistance tour (w/ Agnostic Front, Gorilla Biscuits, H2O and more) and Fear By Design (2023) followed by tours of Europe, South America, Japan and the US including performances with Biohazard, Body Count, Agnostic Front, Madball, Sick of it All, D.R.I., Sworn Enemy and Destruction.
Both albums were released on Germany’s Demons Run Amok label. With the upcoming release of the Purge EP via M-Theory Audio and a major European run on the horizon, 2026 marks the beginning of the band’s most aggressive chapter yet.
Performing at Loud As Hell Open Air Festival 2026 w/ Fallujah, Allegaeon, Summoning the Lich, Crimson Shadows, Edge of Paradise, and more!
Fresh off the release of their debut album This Is The Way, West Coast extreme‑metal force Gravemass has announced a run of Western Canadian tour dates for summer 2026. The trek, appropriately titled “This Is The Way Tour 2026,” will see the band unleash their ferocious live assault across British Columbia and Alberta from July 31st to August 8th (dates listed below).
The tour follows the eruption of This Is The Way, a debut forged from decades of West Coast metal lineage. Featuring members of Zimmers Hole, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation, Just Cause, West of Hell, Savannah, Process, Subversion, and The Golers, Gravemass is the convergence of long‑standing forces within Vancouver’s extreme‑music underground.
Guitarist Mayan Hate, who wrote the album’s music in an intense two‑month burst, describes the project as a natural evolution among lifelong friends.
“We’re all West Coast metal heads who’ve known each other for decades. I wrote the music between breaks in other projects and showed it to Lorde Heathen. He immediately wanted in. From there, we recruited the rest of the band, guys we’ve all known forever.”
Vocalist Lorde Heathen also adds;
“Brutal, angry, fast, dark, and evil, this album delivers exactly that: an unrelenting barrage of sinister riffing, death‑metal vocal ferocity, and rhythmic devastation. It draws from the chaos of the modern world. All the lyrics come from the shit‑hole world order that exists right now.”
Track Listing: 1. Slaves To Pain – 2:38 2. This Is The Way – 3:45 3. Horned King – 2:54 4. Harvest of Souls – 2:53 5. Spitting Hell – 2:07 6. Black Bell – 2:50 7. Fallen – 3:27 8. Gravemass – 3:51 9. Abandon – 2:01 10. Poison Temple – 3:11 Album Length: 29:41
While This Is The Way was written by Mayan Hate with lyrics by Lorde Heathen, the band confirms that album two is already underway and will be a fully collaborative effort.
Gravemass will also appear at Loud As Hell Open Air Festival 2026, joining a stacked lineup featuring Fallujah, Allegaeon, Summoning the Lich, Crimson Shadows, Edge of Paradise, and more. Festival info is available at: https://www.loudashell.ca.
Known for channeling the ferocity of their influences, Slayer, Venom, Morbid Angel, Watain, and Napalm Death, Gravemass promises a live show that is nothing short of a full‑scale assault.
“The live show is where we bring it all together. We want to bring this experience to the masses,” says Lorde Heathen.
With This Is The Way unleashed March 6, 2026, via End Game Records Inc., Gravemass now turns its focus to the stage, marking the beginning of a new chapter in West Coast extreme metal. More music, more brutality, and a deeper collaborative evolution lie ahead.
Gravemass – Western Canada – This Is The Way Tour 2026: July 31 – Bridgeview Theater – Kamloops, BC Aug 1 – Loud As Hell Open Air Festival – Drumheller, AB Aug 3 – Temple – Edmonton, AB Aug 4 – The Owl – Lethbridge, AB Aug 5 – The Royal – Nelson, BC Aug 6 – The Globe – Nanaimo, BC Aug 7 – The Lucky Bar – Victoria, BC Aug 8 – Green Auto – Vancouver, BC
With their new album It Takes The Village arriving May 8th, New Jersey heavy metal powerhouse WHO ON EARTH continue the momentum with the release of their latest single and video, “Shadows” – a towering anthem packed with galloping riffs, soaring harmonies and the band’s signature no-frills approach to modern heavy metal.
The third single from the forthcoming album, “Shadows” channels the spirit of classic metal while reinforcing the band’s sharp lyrical perspective. Built on thunderous grooves, dual guitar harmonies, and an arena-ready chorus, the track delivers both nostalgia and urgency in equal measure.
Bassist Pete Rizzi comments:
“‘Shadows’ is our third single from It Takes The Village, and it truly epitomizes what we are all about. It’s got that old school metal vibe with a catchy chorus, guitar harmonies reminiscent of old Maiden & Priest, and a locked-in rhythm section. The lyrics also speak to a concept we touch on quite often: deception and the need to be vigilant about what you see, hear, read, eat, watch, etc., because there are a lot of bad actors trying to profit from us through manipulation, deceit, and outright lies. We don’t write love songs. Ha!”
“Shadows” follows the previously released singles “Vigilance” and “Any Other Way,” both of which offered fans an early glimpse into the sonic force of It Takes The Village—WHO ON EARTH’s most dynamic and fully realized record to date.
WHO ON EARTH will kick off a string of shows with FOZZY beginning later this week.
1. Vigilance 2. Any Other Way 3. Shadows 4. Good Man Down 5. Closer 6. Too Close 7. Double or Nothing 8. Monster! 9. Oh, Set Me Free 10. We Don’t Belong Here 11. Ascension 12. The Unbeaten
WHO ON EARTHTour Dates w/FOZZY:
May 8 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend May 9 – Waynesboro, VA – The Foundry May 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts May 13 – Harrisburg, PA – Capitall City Music Hall May 15 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre May 16 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
Lineup: Coosh – Vocals Pete Rizzi – Bass Johnny James Barone – Guitar Jimmy Kocha – Guitar Howie Fallon – Drums
Debut album “Spirit” to be released in May via The Circle Music
Heavy gothic rock band Blossom Death have released the next single and video, “Morning After”, off their upcoming debut album Spirit, which will be out on 21 May 2026 via The Circle Music.
Following the release of the first single “Stone Kiss” (Stream/Video), “Morning After” explores the psychological and emotional weight of reaching a breaking point. According to the band, the song centres on the concept that “when your soul hits its lowest point, then and only then, your real core can be exposed”.
Lyrically, the song navigates themes of addiction, deception, and the stark reality of the morning after a personal disaster. The track features the band’s signature blend of heavy, driving riffs and the atmospheric vocal interplay between Kostas “Corax” Katoikos and Marita Makaronidi, highlighting the band’s focus on “affection of shame” and the search for redemption through pain.
Formed in late 2018 in Varkiza, Greece, Blossom Death was established by former Sorrowful Angels frontman and lyricist Kostas “Corax” Katoikos, alongside Marita Makaronidi and drummer Argy Deligianopoulos. After debuting with the EP Mistaken in 2019, the band spent the following years expanding their line-up and refining a sound that balances heavy guitar riffs with atmospheric, melodic arrangements. 2023 saw the band release a splitEP, Eon Must Fail, with In Burial.
The upcoming album, Spirit, is a move towards more complex, emotionally charged dynamics. The tracks lean into the contrast between dark, introspective melodies and high-intensity instrumental sections, reflecting the band’s focus on themes of transformation and depth.
Italian thrash metal pioneers EXTREMA are set to release Thrashing ‘Till The End – Live at Slaughter Club – a high-impact live document celebrating the 30th anniversary of their legendary debut Tension At The Seams. The performance was recorded at Slaughter Club in Paderno Dugnano (Milan) on October 7th, 2023 – exactly three decades after the album that helped redefine the sonic and cultural framework of Italian metal.
The full show will be rolled out as an episodic live video series on the band’s official YouTube channel, alongside a digital release across all major streaming platforms.
Released in 1993, Tension At The Seams stands as a cornerstone of European thrash: a record built on razor-sharp riffing, percussive precision, and an uncompromising compositional approach that pushed beyond genre orthodoxy. Its impact extended well beyond the Italian scene, setting new benchmarks in terms of arrangement density, production clarity, and expressive aggression.
To mark its 30th anniversary, EXTREMA returned to the stage with a purpose-built show engineered for maximum impact – conceived as a full-contact, no-compromise live assault. The setlist moves with surgical intent: a dominant portion of the debut album performed with renewed intensity, seamlessly integrated with key tracks from across the band’s catalog, culminating in material from their latest release, Headbanging Forever.
Thrashing ‘Till The End – Live at Slaughter Club captures that performance in its entirety, preserving the raw kinetic energy of the band’s live delivery while enhancing it through a modern visual production pipeline.
Beginning April 29th, all 16 tracks from the show will be released on a weekly schedule via the band’s official YouTube channel, with three videos dropping per week, structuring the release as a sustained content cycle designed to maintain engagement and narrative continuity.
Filming and direction were handled by Daniele Farina, with the production delivered in 4K. The visual language combines tight shot sequencing, dynamic camera movement, and performance-focused editing, resulting in a final product that translates the physical intensity of the live set into a sharp, high-definition audiovisual experience.
Line-up: Tommy Massara – Guitars Tiziano “Titian” Spigno – Vocals Marco Cassone – Guitars Gabri Giovanna – Bass Francesco “Frullo” La Rosa – Drums
Musician, actor, and celebrated 80s icon Courtney Gains, is building momentum on the music charts with two new singles beginning to break nationally.
Gains’ track “Wander & Dream” has been steadily climbing the SMR (Secondary Market Radio) charts, reaching #61 this week. The single “Been Forgotten” has spent the last two weeks sitting at #87 on the Top 40 Radio charts, following a recent surge from the #103 spot.
Both songs are set to appear on Gains’ forthcoming album, Liberation Day, scheduled for release this August on Curtain Call Records.The album will also feature “Fear the Boogie,” initially released last fall as part of the soundtrack for Gains’ upcoming film “The Barn III.” The retro slasher film will premiereMay 23inPittsburgh, PA.
Live appearances are also on the horizon, with Gains set for September dates opening for Lita Ford, followed by an appearance on the Boo’s Cruise in October.
Courtney Gains Live Dates: 9/31 – 9/7 – Smokin’ Cole’s Bike Rally & Rodeo w/ Lita Ford – Bloomville, OH 10/28 – 11/1 – Boo’s Cruise – Margaritaville Islander at Sea
Follow Courtney Gains on Instagram and Facebook for updates and additional live appearances.
About Courtney Gains:
2024 saw Gains celebrate the 40th anniversary of Children of the Corn with a slate of horror-con appearances and a 35MM screening of the film at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain, regarded as the biggest horror/sci-fi festival across Europe. Recent projects include The Wrath of Becky, Thy Will Be Done, October 31, Christmas Cowboy, and a standout role in the heavy-metal-infused horror film, Infernal. The Grime House Films production won Best Horror Feature Film at the Clout Film Fest. Watch the trailer here.
The screening for Infernal took place at the infamous Bastrop, TX gas station featured in the 1974 classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Gains and his band played an exclusive set at the event. A live recording of the performance is forthcoming.
In 2023, Gains released his Safe Haven EP, a six-track blend of rock, folk, and Americana that highlights his gritty vocals and honest songwriting. The critically acclaimed record captures a raw, roots-driven sound that reflects Gains’s hands-on approach and unfiltered style
New band features Faust (Djevel, ex-Emperor), The Magus (ex-Necromantia, The Magus), George Emmanuel (Lucifer’s Child, ex-Rotting Christ) & Tas Danazoglou (Friends of Hell, ex-Electric Wizard)
Debut EP “From Hell” to be released in September via The Circle Music and Hell’s Fire Records
HEXBANE, a new band that features veterans of the scene, has unveiled the artwork and first details of its debut EP “From Hell”, which is planned for release in September via The Circle Music and Hell’s Fire Records.
The band was born out of nostalgia and admiration for the primal days of black metal. The band’s ethos is simple: to create pure, unadulterated proto-black metal that honours the nostalgia and aggression of the era that started it all.
The band comprises a monumental lineup of extreme metal veterans:
The Magus on vocals (ex-Necromantia, ex-Rotting Christ, The Magus, Thou Art Lord)
George Emmanuel on guitars (Lucifer’s Child, ex-Rotting Christ)
Tas Danazoglou on bass (Friends of Hell, ex-Electric Wizard, Mirror, Satan’s Wrath)
Faust on drums (Djevel, ex-Emperor, Blood Fire Death)
The band previously said: “HEXBANE is a band born out of nostalgia and admiration of the primal black metal days, where pioneer bands created and established the genre. So expect nothing more and nothing less than pure proto- black metal in music and spirit.”
Pre-orders for the 7″ EP will start on 6.6.2026. Further details regarding the release will be unveiled in the coming months.
Check out my IRON MAIDEN shot glass! I received it as a holiday gift this past Winter. Incredible design of Eddie The Trooper and the inside is stainless steel. Metal be thy name!
The resin is hand-painted and this is an officially licensed product.
Thank you for looking & visiting Metal Odyssey! Have a safe week and be cool to your fellow human beings. – Stone
Vicky Psarakis (SICKSENSE) returns to the battlefield lending her compelling melodic cleans and fierce harsh performances to “No One There“. Composed by Kevin Sherwood, “No One There” features in Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7.
On her second collaboration with Call Of Duty, Vicky Psarakis shares:
“Surprise… I’m back Zombies! I’m so excited to be giving my voice once more to the one and only Call Of Duty franchise! You’ll find ‘No One There’ as the featured EE track on the latest BO7 map: Totenreich.
2 years ago, Kevin Sherwood invited me to feature on BO6 with the song ‘Slave’, which ended up becoming a fan favorite. We loved the track so much, we decided to add it to our setlist with my band SICKSENSE and saw many COD fans come out to hear it live. Fast forward to today, here I am again with a new song! I can’t thank Kevin enough for putting his trust and fully allowing me to bring my own stamp to his music.
I had an absolute blast working on this song! This one goes hard, I promise you. It truly showcases many different facets of my voice, a huge range of dynamics accompanied by incredible musicianship from the dream team who put this together! Who knows, maybe one day we’ll get to play ‘No One There’ for you live?”
Emerging into a discordant soundscape, “No One There” strikes into life with rhythms that leave nothing but devastation in their wake. Balancing dark emotions and untamable power, the instrumentation and vocal performance by Psarakis traverse treacherous plains culminating in an epic sonic impact. “No One There” concludes with a truly monstrous vocal display of Psarakis’ soloed screams.
Composed by Kevin Sherwood, “No One There” was produced and mixed by Joey Doherty, with both Doherty and Sherwood performing guitars on the track. Bass was provided by Jacob Umansky and Nathan Bulla performed drums for the track. “No One There” was mastered by Tyler Smyth.
After twelve years of seeking, German death metal hellraisers ENDSEEKER have finally found the end. The fiery Coffin Born EP, set for release on June 19th via Metal Blade Records, will mark the final chapter as a band.
“We’ve accomplished more than we have ever imagined in our wildest dreams,” reflects the band, in a celebratory mood. “We played with fantastic bands, played super-cool festivals, and released four albums and two EPs of which we are extremely proud. We were blessed with great and loyal fans and managed to stay a consistent lineup throughout our whole career.”
“But after grinding for more than a decade and dedicating so much time and energy to this band, we feel like it’s time to move on to other projects. We wanted to end this band like we started, as very good friends. We started with an EP and we end it with an EP. It just feels right to do this now, while we still have the power to deliver a great farewell performance as well in the studio as on stage.”
Since their 2015 debut EP Corrosive Revelation, each release has hoisted the Hamburg quintet further up the death metal mountain, with Mount Carcass (2021) and Global Worming (2023) receiving widespread acclaim. Their soft spot for novelty cheese recurs on Coffin Born in a glorious David Hasselhoff cover, “True Survivor.”
In advance of the record’s release, ENDSEEKER presents the EP’s opening track and first single, “Enemies Of Peace.” The band comments, “This is a straight banger with some hardcore and crust vibes. This song grooves like hell and has a very raw and kinda punk attitude. Not only the anti-fascist lyrics, but also musically. It’s very powerful by any means with a strong and bold message.”
Produced by the band with drums engineered by Eike Freese, Coffin Born stands as ENDSEEKER’s swan song, shaped by the intense bond of a lineup that remained together throughout their whole career.
Coffin Born will be released on digipak CD (w/ 12-page booklet) and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
ENDSEEKER Live: 7/10/2026 M.U.R. Open Air – Königsee, DE 7/11/2026 Pure Fucking Metal FestEvil – Laberweinting, DE 7/24/2026 Burning Q – Osterholz-Scharmbeck, DE 11/06/2026 Club From Hell – Erfurt, DE w/ Milking The Goatmachine 11/07/2026 Live Music Hall – Weiher, DE w/ Milking The Goatmachine 11/13/2026 Helvetic – Oberhausen, DE w/ Milking The Goatmachine 11/14/2026 Urban Spree – Berlin, DE w/ Milking The Goatmachine 11/27/2026 LA Cham – Cham, DE w/ Milking The Goatmachine 11/28/2026 Backstage – München, DE w/ Milking The Goatmachine 12/12/2026 Knust – Hamburg, DE w/ Stillbirth, Slaughterday
Colorado black metallers STORMKEEP will release their The Nocturnes Of Iswylm full-length on June 12th via Vesperian.
Founded in Denver in 2017, STORMKEEP has become one of the spearheads of contemporary symphonic black metal. From the beginning, the band’s work has been defined by a clear sense of identity: melodic, atmospheric, and rooted in the genre’s classic tradition, while shaped by their own fantasy-driven world and narrative approach.
Their first official release, the GaldrumEP, arrived in 2020 and quickly established STORMKEEP as a band with a distinctive vision. One year later, their debut album Tales Of Othertime expanded that world further, earning the band strong recognition within the international black metal underground and placing them among the most notable new names in the field.
Now signed to Vesperian, STORMKEEP returns with their second full-length album, The Nocturnes Of Iswylm. Continuing the story first opened on Tales Of Othertime, the record further develops the band’s self-described black metal symphonia: a blend of grandeur, medieval atmosphere, and fantastical storytelling, carried by precise songwriting and a strong sense of place.
Produced by the band together with Michael Zech, known for his work with Secrets Of The Moon, Dark Fortress, and The Ruins Of Beverast, and mastered by Arthur Rizk, whose credits include Blood Incantation, Power Trip, and Worm, The Nocturnes Of Iswylmpresents STORMKEEP’s vision with clarity and depth.
The cover artwork was created by Simon Bisley, whose unmistakable visual language adds another striking layer to the world of the album. Additional extensive artwork was created by Valnoir, known for his work with Ulver, Paradise Lost, Amorphis, and more.
Following the late March release of the first single, “Carnal Tapestries Of Nailtorn Flesh,” STORMKEEP delivers their second single, “Imperious Sanguine Eroticism.” It offers another view into The Nocturnes Of Iswylm and underlines the band’s position at the forefront of modern symphonic black metal: traditional in spirit, carefully crafted, and fully committed to the world they have built.
The Nocturnes Of Iswylm will be released on standard CD, limited edition cassette (300 copies only available through mailorder, Bandcamp, and the Vesperian webstore), limited CD box (feat. digipak CD, double-sided poster, 4 x photo cards, and 20-page booklet w/ additional art), and digital formats as well as vinyl w/ booklet and extensive artwork in the following color variants:
Black Violet (EU – Ltd. 500) Dark Green Ripple (EU – Ltd. 700) Green (US – Ltd. 500) Blue Marble (US – Ltd. 700) Color-In-Color (Bandcamp Europe + Vesperian Webstore Exclusive – Ltd. 300) Galaxy 2 color (Bandcamp North America Exclusive – Ltd. 300)
Chicago (IL) – After a decade in the void, Ditheist return with Cosmic Liar. A relentless, blasphemous onslaught of precision riffing, feral intensity, and abyssal atmosphere that proves some forces only grow darker with time.
Cosmic Liar will be released on June 6, on all digital platforms. Videos for the album’s first two singles are out now. Dive right in at the links that follow!
Critics and underground outlets highlighted Ditheist‘s ability to channel classic death metal aggression while maintaining a tight, modern execution and a clearly defined sonic personality.
With themes ranging from existential dread to dark humor and social commentary, Ditheist operates as a relentless force in the underground, carrying forward a legacy of intensity, precision, and unapologetic extremity.
Forged in silence and unleashed in fury, Cosmic Liar is Ditheist at their most vicious, an unrelenting descent into blasphemy, chaos, and cosmic dread where every riff hits like a hammer from the abyss
Matt ‘Chesterfields’ Wright – Vocals, Lyrics Konrad Lysak – Guitar, Lyrics Brian Frost – Guitar, Bass Narcyz Fortuna – Drums
Guest Appearances: Briant Daniel – Guitar Solo on Nyarlathotep, Covent Ov Torture. Thomas Moore – Oud intro on Nyarlathotep. Mad Chad Chanfieled – Irish Low Whistle Intro on Nyarlathotep.
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Chris Wisco, Belle City Sound, Racine, WI. Album Production: Chris Wisco/Konrad Lysak. All music by Konrad Lysak/Narcyz Fortuna. Lyrics by Matt “Chesterfields” Wright/Konrad Lysak.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Proffitt
BIO:
Ditheist was formed in 2006 in Chicago, Illinois, emerging from the underground with a singular goal: pure, unfiltered death metal destruction. Their 2008 debut EP Seduction of Demons quickly gained traction through strong reviews and airplay, establishing the band as a serious force within the scene.
Forged by founding members Konrad Lysak, Narcyz Fortuna, and John Gunerka, Ditheist refined their sound through years of relentless writing and lineup evolution, including the addition of vocalist Luke Voelz in 2014. Their full-length assault Eternity of Nothingness was unleashed in 2015, later releasing additional physical releases, and drew heavily from the ferocity and precision of genre pillars such as Atheist, Decapitated, Behemoth, and Vader.
Brutal, direct, and uncompromising, the record cemented Ditheist’s identity as a no-frills death metal entity, built on blast-driven percussion, razor-edged riffing, and cavernous vocals.
With the previously-released Celestial EP laying a powerful foundation, Australian/Finnish dark progressive gothic metal collective THE ETERNAL return with a striking new chapter: an animated lyric video for their brand new single “Lament For The Hollow.” The track offers a first glimpse into their upcoming studio album Obscured Horizons, set for release on September 18th via Reigning Phoenix Music!
Following the widespread acclaim of their 2024 full-length Skinwalker and the evocative successor Celestial earlier this year, which was praised by fans and media alike for its melancholic atmospheres, doom-laden heaviness and progressive depth, the band now pushes forward with a composition that feels both expansive and deeply personal. First album single “Lament For The Hollow” opens with a grand, sweeping guitar harmony, unfolding into goosebump-inducing melodies and deeply moving vocals.
The accompanying cinematic animated video mirrors the song’s emotional intensity. Set against a stormy, restless high sea, it visually captures the track’s dark yet captivating atmosphere, both destructive and mesmerizing.
Mark Kelson (vocals, guitars) reveals:“Lament for the Hollow really come from a place of confronting that moment when everything you thought was solid – your identity, your direction – starts to fracture. I was exploring the idea of stripping away illusion, of recognising the voices and influences around you that aren’t real or honest, and having the strength to cut them off. Time is the ultimate truth-teller, eventually everything false gets washed away, whether you’re ready for it or not. The recurring imagery of waves and erasure ties into that cleansing force, but it’s not gentle, it’s destructive, almost violent. ‘Lament For The Hollow’ is about facing fear, selfdoubt, and betrayal, and what happens when people allow themselves to be consumed by emptiness or led astray. It’s both a warning and a kind of catharsis. In a way ‘Lament For The Hollow’ is an anthem for the disenchanted, disillusioned and disenfranchised.”
With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, joined by Niclas Etelävuori (bass, ex-AMORPHIS/FLAT EARTH) and Jan Rechberger (drums, AMORPHIS) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL have solidified themselves as a truly international collaboration. Their music resonates with fans of acts such as KATATONIA, SWALLOW THE SUN, and ANATHEMA – dark yet luminous, heavy yet emotionally transcendent!
Further album details and new singles will be unveiled in the weeks ahead. The band’s latest EP, Celestial, was released in January through Reigning Phoenix Music and is available digitally and as a limited, eco-friendly recycled vinyl LP edition.
French melodic heavy/power metal band Kingcrown return with “Lost Horizon“, the first single taken from their forthcoming album Moonfall, due for release on September 4th, 2026, via Rockshots Records.
Following the strong reception of “Nova Atlantis“, the band opens a new chapter with a track that immediately reinforces their identity while expanding the narrative framework introduced in previous releases.
“Lost Horizon” serves as a direct sequel to “Endless Journey“, continuing a storyline rooted in time distortion and speculative fiction. The track follows a WWII B-17 pilot suddenly caught in a temporal vortex and propelled into the year 2045, merging amazing storytelling with a tightly constructed heavy/power metal framework.
Musically, the single is driven by fast-paced riffing, dynamic vocal delivery, and an anthemic, hook-oriented chorus, balancing immediacy with structural precision. The band’s approach remains firmly grounded in the European heavy/power metal tradition. At the same time, the production handled by Kingcrown and refined through mixing and mastering by Simone Mularoni (Domination Studio) delivers clarity, weight, and definition across the entire sonic spectrum.
Founded by brothers Jo Amore (vocals) and David Amore (drums), former members of Nightmare, Kingcrown have progressively built a cohesive and recognizable identity within the European metal landscape. The current lineup – Jo Amore, David Amore, Sébastien Chabot (bass), Bob Saliba (guitars) and Ced Legger (guitars) – continues to operate with a strong sense of continuity, a key factor in the band’s increasingly focused sound.
With Moonfall, Kingcrown further develops a conceptual direction centered on dystopian themes, technological evolution and the fragility of human existence. Within this context, “Lost Horizon” stands as a fundamental entry point, introducing both the narrative scope and the sonic approach that define the album.
Spanish black metal/punk force PVRGATORII is set to release a new EP, “Profane Rites For Cursed Times”, on May 29, 2026 through Night Terrors Records. Marking a significant new chapter in the band’s trajectory, the record will be issued as a strictly limited edition: a one-sided 12″ black vinyl with OBI strip, double-sided insert and an extensive 16-page fanzine entirely dedicated to the band, limited to 100 copies.
The first single “Hermetik Axis” is now streaming HERE.
Far from being a mere accessory, the accompanying fanzine stands as a crucial extension of the release itself. Across sixteen pages, it delves deep into PVRGATORII’s world, tracing the band’s history, exploring the Barcelona underground that shaped them, documenting their approach to instrumentation, and offering a broader insight into the ethos that fuels their work. It is both a document and a statement, reinforcing the physical and cultural weight of the release in an increasingly intangible musical landscape.
Formed in Barcelona in 2018, PVRGATORII have consistently defined their sound as “Black Metal ov Death,” a volatile fusion of raw black metal abrasion, punk urgency, and noise-laden hostility. Yet their approach deliberately resists contemporary trends: while rooted in aggression and immediacy, their music avoids the swagger and looseness often associated with black’n’roll. Instead, “Profane Rites For Cursed Times” remains steeped in a sinister, malevolent atmosphere, where tension is never released into levity and every element serves a darker purpose.
Following their debut album “Con Las Uñas Clavadas En La Cara De Dios” (2021) and the subsequent “Marching Through Thee Night Guided by a Black Fire” (2024), this new EP sharpens the band’s identity even further. It is a concise yet forceful statement, where the most unsettling aspects of black metal and punk converge without compromise, resulting in a sound that feels both immediate and deeply corrosive.
With “Profane Rites For Cursed Times”, PVRGATORII reaffirm their commitment to a vision that is as uncompromising as it is distinct, one that rejects dilution, embraces extremity and continues to evolve on its own terms.
Track list:
I. Key To Thee Temple II. Dystopian Flesh Arise III. Hermetik Axis IV. A Broken Seal For Final Capitalism Collapse
Line-up:
Darth Dvnkel: Six Strinx & Black Spells L’Ombra: War Drums & Death Bells
Recorded by L’Ombra at the infamous Dvngeon of Llull in early December 2025 Front cover by CVSPE & L’Ombra Logo by L’Ombra Layout by CVSPE
“Gore Nest” is the new single from New Jersey deathcore outfit NIGHTS OF MALICE. The band’s latest bruiser comes by way of their punishing Chaos Exordium full-length, set to drop on June 4th through Bleeding Art Collective and Blood Blast Distribution (Nuclear Blast Records/Believe).
Comments vocalist Brendan McGrath, “‘Gore Nest’ is super bouncy and fun. It still maintains the sonically heavy tone of the album, but it brings a different kind of energy than the rest of the songs. That’s why the video was a party! It’s also the first time [guitarist] Josh [Kuhn] has written with us. Even before he became an official member, we wanted him to have a solo on the record since we’d been jamming with him for a long time already. This is also the second song I’ve written about DOOM lore. The last one, ‘Void Bearer’ (2021) was about the Icon Of Sin. ‘Gore Nest’ is about Hell’s invasion of Earth from an overall perspective.”
Watch NIGHTS OF MALICE’s “Gore Nest” video, directed by Eric DiCarlo of SquareUp Studios, HERE.
Watch the band’s previously released video for “Ex-Mortis” HERE.
With a sound that is synonymous with razor sharp technical death metal riffing, monolithic groove, and rapid-fire vocal phrasing, as is signature with acts such as Psycroptic, Whitechapel, Aborted, and Archspire, NIGHTS OF MALICE is a triumphant example of the quality of acts that have emerged from the Garden State scene.
Chaos Exordium – Track Listing:
Reject The Host
Ex-Mortis
A Message In Blood
Stitched [Feat. Bobby Yagodich of Verminoth]
Riches To The Conjurer [Feat. Chaney Crabb of Entheos]
The Hand Of Death
Gore Nest
To Live Undead
The Inhuman Experience
Since the band’s inception, the band has worked with the outstanding team of Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio, who have produced albums from bands such as Black Crown Initiate, August Burns Red, Rivers Of Nihil, The Ghost Inside, and many more. NIGHTS OF MALICE has once again teamed up with Atrium Audio for Chaos Exordium.
“The whole album started to really come together once we wrote [lead single] ‘Ex-Mortis,” reflects McGrath on the creation of Chaos Exordium. “We felt like that was the song that fully encompassed the current era of our sound and from there, it was easier to pick and choose which of our ideas were going to be on the album, to sort of map out the pacing of it.”
“Our goal was to make the heaviest, most intense NIGHTS OF MALICE album ever. We’ve experimented with our sound in a lot of different ways, but one thing we all agree on is that we are at our best when we’re riffing all over the place. Our writing process always starts with guitar, so it comes naturally to us most of the time.”
“For the production,” he continues, “we knew we were going to go back to Atrium. We love working with Grant and Carson; we’ve been working with them for ten years now. They have always been an integral part of bringing our vision to life and they’ve given us our best sounding mix yet. It’s a very guitar-heavy mix since the riffs are the driving force behind this record.”
Chaos Exordium features album artwork created by Andriy Tkalenko and guest vocals by Bobby Yagodich of Verminoth on “Stitched” and Chaney Crabb of Entheos on “Riches To The Conjuror.”
Stand by for preorders to be announced in the weeks to come.
NIGHTS OF MALICE Chaos & Misery Tour w/ My Own Will: 6/04/2026 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ 6/05/2026 Capital City Music Hall – Harrisburg, PA 6/06/2026 Lurking Class Skate Shop – Salisbury, MD 6/09/2026 Growlers – Memphis, TN 6/10/2026 Cobra – Nashville, TN 6/11/2026 The Brickyard – Marietta, GA 6/12/2026 The Reverb Room – Warner Robins, GA 6/13/2026 My Sisters House – Orlando, FL 6/14/2026 Oscura – Bradenton, FL 6/16/2026 Propaganda – Lake Worth, FL 6/17/2026 Hard Love – Jacksonville, FL 6/18/2026 Handlebar – Pensacola, FL 6/19/2026 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC 6/20/2026 Riffhouse Pub – Chesapeake, VA
NIGHTS OF MALICE: Joe Capasso – drums Xavier Quiles – guitars Brendan McGrath – vocals Josh Kuhn – guitars
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.