HERTA, the latest addition to the Lifeforce Records roster have released their debut single “Eyes of Sorrow”, from the forthcoming album Crossing The Illusion, out May 2nd.
HERTA is a progressive groove metal band, formed in 2022, located in Athens, Greece. Heavily inspired by the great bands of the genre and influenced by the atmosphere of fantasy novels, they departed on a journey to articulate their ideas in the best possible way and explore new sounds and riffs.
Crossing The Illusion is their first album and Lifeforce Records debut, created after three years of hard work, dedication and sacrifices. The main theme is an esoteric and agnostic voyage with the purpose of exploring ones’ self. Heavy riffs, epic choruses, sick grooves, mind-bending poly-rhythms and bottomless atmospheres, in combination with dark poetic lyrics and aggressive vocals, define the album’s identity.
Shout out to the these fine people for visualizing “Eyes of Sorrow” as breathtaking as you can see now, without you it wouldn’t have been possible: Manou Karapetsis (Brosky media), EUS DEUX, Emilia Romo, Hugo Prost, Sylvain Lugrin (Altamont Production), John Nikolopoulos and Maurene Linares
The forthcoming album Crossing The Illusion was produced and mixed by Fotis Benardo at Devasoundz Studios, mastered by Johann Meyer at Silver Cord Studios. Crossing The Illusion is set to be released May 2nd, stay tuned for preorder to be announced soon.
HERTA will be out on the road in February for some Eastern European dates with Oathswan, Hiraeth and This Burning Day.
Seattle (WA) – Powerhouse Action-Metal band, Hyperstrike, is back with an explosive new single, “Savage Sword,” on all digital platforms!
Serving as the ultimate rallying cry for those who know we live in a simulation, this track challenges listeners to confront the fabric of reality itself. “Savage Sword” tells the story of a world trapped in an artificial construct controlled by an evil deity broadcasting illusions from Saturn. Hyperstrike asks the provocative question: what if everything you see is a lie? The song’s protagonist wields the savage sword, a symbol of truth and rebellion, to sever the deceptive veil and spark a revolt against this cosmic oppressor.
“Savage Sword” follows close behind debut single, “Warning Shot.” Both cuts will appear on the band’s long-awaited debut album, High Risk, a ten-track thrill ride that drops this spring, delivering an unrelenting assault of melody, power, and precision.
Each of the album’s songs plunges listeners into a high-stakes narrative, from the devastating chaos of “Meltdown (Stop the Reactor)” to the primal defiance of “Steel Heart” and the warrior’s anthem “King of the Slain.” The album captures the sound of rebellion with blistering guitar solos, thunderous rhythms, and vocals that alternate between soaring and savage. Recorded in the heart of Seattle’s legendary metal scene, High Risk cements Hyperstrike’s reputation as a band that dares to push boundaries while delivering unforgettable hooks. Brace yourselves for the countdown to the most electrifying release of 2025 is on!
“Savage Sword” is available at the following links:
Lyrics and music by Hyperstrike. Mixed and mastered by Joe Cincotta at Full Force Studios. Drums recorded at One Shot Studios – Engineered by Josh Richins. Produced by Ben Bennett. Artwork by Ilya (Siberian Claw) Ignatov. Logo by Dipayandas Arts.
North Dakota death metal faction MAUL will ravenously return to the road again this week, launching a massive schedule of touring for the next five months.
First up, MAUL will tour with Life Cycles February 6th through 12th, and with Sawed Off February 13th through 15th, ending with a show on their own February 16th.
Just over a month later, MAUL will tour into Canada on their own from March 26th through March 31st including a set at Capital City Hardcore Fest before joining up with Ethereal Tomb to end their Canadian run with two shows April 1st and 2nd. MAUL then plays a couple of solo shows on their way to play Decibel Magazine’s Metal & Beer Fest 2025 alongside Exodus, Dismember, Demolition Hammer, Pig Destroyer, Darkest Hour, labelmates Vastum, and more. April 6th through 12th will see the band touring back home with Windchimes.
Three weeks later, MAUL will head back out, this time alongside The Acacia Strain, Frozen Soul, Gates To Hell, and Snuffed On Sight from May 2nd through 18th.
See all currently confirmed MAUL tour dates below, and of course, expect additional tours to be announced.
MAUL Tour Dates: 2/06/2025 Mohawk – Austin, TX 2/07/2025 The Dugout – Laredo, TX 2/08/2025 The Gremlin – McAllen, TX 2/09/2025 House of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX 2/10/2025 The White Swan – Houston, TX 2/11/2025 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX 2/12/2025 Rubber Gloves – Denton, TX 2/13/2025 District 1 – Wichita, KS 2/14/2025 Havenhaus – Memphis, TN 2/15/2025 The Sinkhole – St. Louis, MO (matinee show) 2/16/2025 The Annex – Madison, WI 3/26/2025 Moose Hall – Lethbridge, AB 3/27/2025 10th Street Boxing – Calgary, AB 3/28/2025 Capital City Hardcore Fest @ The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB 3/29/2025 Public Domain – Winnipeg, MB 3/30/2025 Black Pirates Pub – Thunder Bay, ON 3/31/2025 See-Scape – Toronto, ON 4/01/2025 Dominion Tavern – Ottawa, ON 4/02/2025 La Sotterenea – Montreal, QC 4/03/2025 Ralph’s Diner – Worcester, MA 4/04/2025 Decibel Metal & Beer Fest @ The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA 4/06/2025 Culture Clash Records – Toledo, OH 4/07/2025 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN 4/08/2025 East Bluff Community Center – Peoria, IL 4/09/2025 Flying V – Minneapolis, MN 4/10/2025 The Boston Block – Superior, WI 4/12/2025 Four & Four – Fargo, ND 5/02/2025 AMH – Amityville, NY 5/03/2025 House of Independents – Asbury Park, NJ 5/05/2025 Elevation 27 – Virginia Beach, VA 5/06/2025 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 5/07/2025 Music Farm – Charleston, SC 5/09/2025 Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium – Columbus, OH 5/10/2025 Castle Theater – Bloomington, IL 5/11/2025 Regency – Springfield, MO 5/12/2025 Rev Room – Little Rock, AR 5/13/2025 Growlers – Memphis, TN 5/15/2025 Welcome To Rockville @ Daytona International Speedway – Daytona, FL 5/16/2025 Barrelhouse Ballroom – Chattanooga, TN 5/17/2025 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO 5/18/2025 Milwaukee Metal Fest @ The Rave – Milwaukee, WI w/ Life Cycles 2/06 – 2/12 w/ Sawed Off 2/13 – 2/15 w/ Ethereal Tomb 4/01 – 4/02 w/ Windchimes 4/06 – 4/12 w/ The Acacia Strain, Frozen Soul, Gates To Hell, Snuffed On Sight 5/02 – 5/18
MAUL’s In the Jaws of Bereavement is available on LP, CD, MC, and digital. Find it at the 20 Buck Spin webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE, and watch the “Spontaneous Stigmata” video RIGHT HERE.
At its putrescent core, MAUL is a live band, and the songs on their second album, In The Jaws Of Bereavement, are adeptly tailored to the environs of a dank club sweltering from the energy created through this music and a crowd living for nothing but the moment and the swell of bodies on bodies. The production here is clear and in-your-face and allows the band to expand their unique blend of old and new to become Midwest death incarnate.
In The Jaws Of Bereavement was tracked, mixed, and mastered by Adam Tucker at Signaturetone Recordings at in Minneapolis (Ulthar, Obsequiae, Sunless, Thou), and completed with cover art by Wyrmwalk (Iron Age, Terminal Nation, Sentenced 2 Die, Fulci, Noxis) and photography by Kary Janousek of Old School Collodion. The album includes guest appearances from Hugh Danger, who provides synth and sample work to the album, and Vincent Bennett (The Acacia Strain) who provides additional vocals on the title track.
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