Archive for August 13, 2025

WARDRUNA Donated $14K From Fire In The Mountains Fundraiser T-Shirt To Firekeeper Alliance

Posted in Music, music news, news with tags , , , , on August 13, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

Photo credit: Bobby Cochran

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR BEGINS SEPTEMBER 4th – CHELSEA WOLFE SUPPORTS

Aug. 13, 2025 — Following their headlining performance at Fire in the Mountains, Norwegian collective Wardruna have donated $14,000 to Firekeeper Alliance, a non-profit committed to reducing suicide rates among the Blackfeet Nation and other indigenous communities.

The funds were raised through the creation and sale of a limited-edition t-shirt, designed by a student in the Blackfeet Nation. More than 500 shirts were sold both online and at the festival.

“It makes us profoundly happy and proud to see that the Wardruna community all over the world responded with a genuine desire to support the Firekeeper Alliance, their cause, purpose and work,” the band shared. “True light-work is about daring to name and face the shadows, the dark and the pain. Thank you Firekeeper Alliance for your important work with suicide prevention. It was deeply moving to see the positive ripples of this work at Fire in the Mountains. Keep the fire burning!”

Photo credit: Bobby Cochran

“As for many others, our experience is hard to put into words. It was one of those events that changes people and views,” adds Wardruna’s Einar Selvik.

Charlie Speicher, director of Firekeeper Alliance, says: “The connection between FITM, FKA, Wardruna, By Norse and AISAmusic is one of the most powerful relationships I’ve been a part of. This support of our mission and the work we are doing means a lot to us. From the very bottom of our hearts, thank you. This gesture, and everything else you have supported us with, is going to translate directly to creating a safer world here for our loved ones. Please know that your love, support, and generosity has lifted our organization to allow us to help our community in ways we never dreamed would be possible.”

Wardruna returns to North America next month in support of their recently released album, Birna. Chelsea Wolfe opens on all dates except Los Angeles.

Wardruna North American tour dates:

September 4 Fort Worth, TX Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium
September 5 San Antonio, TX Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
September 7 Phoenix, AZ Ikeda Theatre at The Mesa Arts Center
September 8 Los Angeles, CA The Greek Theatre *
September 9 Oakland, CA Paramount Theatre
September 11 Portland, OR The Keller Auditorium
September 14 Seattle, WA The Moore Theatre
September 16 Salt Lake City, UT Capitol Theatre
September 17 Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Center
September 19 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre
September 20 Chicago, IL The Auditorium Theatre
September 22 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
September 23 Rochester, NY Kodak Center
September 24 Boston, MA Wang Theatre
September 26 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
September 27 Philadelphia, PA Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
September 28 Washington, DC Warner Theatre

*-No Chelsea Wolfe

Photo credit: Morten Munthe

From the Runaljod album trilogy (2009, 2013, 2016), exploring old Norse myths, traditions, and language through the 24 proto-Norse runes, the sound of Wardruna evolved and blended into the stripped down, acoustic compositions on Skald (2018). The group’s most recent album, Birna (2025), explores man’s relationship via the Bear.

Wardruna has performed at multiple manmade historical locations including Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Acropolis, Bulgaria’s Ancient Theater of Philipoppolis, as well as locations set amidst natural wonders such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

Alongside his work with Wardruna, Einar Selvik has composed music for large tv and game productions such as Vikings and Assassin’s Creed – Valhalla. He also gives tutorials and lectures on Old Norse literature, musicology, instruments and philosophy, and has worked with renowned artists such as Mari Boine, Tina Guo, Matoma and Eivør, including appearances on Norwegian, Danish and Polish national television.

Wardruna.com

YouTube.com/wardruna

Swedish Thrash Metal Masters MEZZROW Announce New Studio Album, Embrace The Awakening, For A November Release on ROAR | Present First Video Single “Architects Of The Silent War”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on August 13, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

Following previously-released, stand-alone singles, “As Fear Unfolds” and a killer cover version of Ghost’s “Ritual”, Swedish thrash metal force MEZZROW have finally revealed the first details of their forthcoming new studio album! Entitled Embrace The Awakening, the band’s third full-length rager will be released on November 14, 2025 via ROAR. 

Available on 2-CD Digipak incl. the Keep It True – Live bonus album, 1-LP Vinyl in Bloodred Sky Marbled edition as well as in Digital formats, the album pre-sale has just started at: https://mezzrow.rpm.link/embracePR 

Today, the thrash metal torchbearers are presenting a video clip for their first official single taken off Embrace The Awakening, the brutal-as-hell “Architects Of The Silent War”! Singer Uffe Pettersson comments:

“We’re really proud of this one and it has all the thrash metal elements you can demand! Lyrically inspired by the dark and sophisticated world of the constant cyber war, and cyber attacks globally, which affects us all the time without us knowing anything about it more or less.”

Stream / Download “Architects Of The Silent War” at: 
https://mezzrow.rpm.link/architectsPR

Watch the music video premiering HERE

MEZZROW built themselves a name in the thrash metal scene during the late eighties with their critically acclaimed demo tapes, Frozen Soul and Cross of Tormention. In 1990, they released their classic debut album Then Came the Killing, through Active Records (Candlemass a.o.), a subsidiary of Music for Nations. The album is still today considered as one of the best, if not the best, thrash metal releases from Sweden and Scandinavia.

During 2021 MEZZROW rose from the ashes, when bass player Conny Welén (ex-Hexenhaus) and singer Uffe Pettersson (ex-Rosicrucian) decided to make a new mark in the thrash metal world of today, together with new guitarists Magnus Söderman (Nightrage) and Ronnie Björnström (ex-Defiatory, ex-Aeon), as well as drummer Alvaro “Alvis” Svanerö (Imperial Domain).

Following their comeback album Summon Thy Demons (2023, Fireflash Records) and the much-acclaimed Keep It True – Live record, MEZZROW started writing material for their third album.

Eight new songs were later on chosen to become Embrace The Awakening, a Bay Area Thrash Metal monster made in Sweden! Uffe Pettersson says: ”We wanted the new album to sound a bit more straight forward without stepping away too much from Summon Thy Demons. We feel that we’ve achieved that and at the same time kept our roots intact!”

Pre-Order Embrace The Awakening now at:
https://mezzrow.rpm.link/embracePR

Embrace The Awakening – track listing:

  1. Architects Of The Silent War
  2. Sleeping Cataclysm
  3. Symphony Of Twisted Souls
  4. Foreshadowing
  5. The Moment To Arise
  6. In Shadows Deep
  7. Inside The Burning Twilight
  8. Dominion Of The Dead

The Double CD will include the Keep It True – Live bonus tracks:
 09. King Of The Infinite Void 
 10. Then Came The Killing 
 11. Beneath The Sea Of Silence
 12. The Cross Of Torment 
 13. Summon Thy Demons 
 14. Ancient Terror 
 15. Through The Eyes Of The Ancient Gods
 16. Frozen Soul 

MEZZROW:
Ulf “Uffe” Pettersson – Vocals
Conny Welén – Bass
Magnus Söderman – Lead Guitar
Ronnie Björnström – Guitar
Alvaro “Alvis” Svanerö – Drums

For More MEZZROW Visit:
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/mezzrowsweden/
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mezzrowswedishthrash/
YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/user/Mezzrowsweden
Websitehttps://www.mezzrow.black/

Visit RPM ROAR online: 
Homepagehttps://www.roar-records.de
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/rpmroar
TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@rpm_roar

Source: RPM ROAR

DEAD HEAT: Oxnard, California Crossover Crew To Release Process Of Elimination Full-Length October 10th, On Metal Blade Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on August 13, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

“Perpetual Punishment” Single Now Playing + Preorders Available

Stream DEAD HEAT’s “Perpetual Punishment” HERE.  

West Coast crossover crew DEAD HEAT will release their crushing Process Of Elimination full-length October 10th, on their new label home of Metal Blade Records!

Process Of Elimination follows the band’s critically lauded 2023-released Endless Torment EP. The record serves as a continuation and progression musically, while thematically it often touches on DEAD HEAT’s disdain for the powers that be. “I feel like unconsciously the music has become more complex with the songwriting and how we play live as well. We all naturally wanted to become better musicians and it shows in our music and live presence,” elaborates guitarist Justin Ton. “Our music is a metal/hardcore twist, but I’d say we intentionally leaned more and more metal in our sound.”

Lead guitarist Ricky Garcia and Ton take guitar influences from Slayer and Sepultura, “but we also both add our own personal influences in the songs on Process… I drew a lot from Dark Angel and Demolition Hammer while also sticking to my hardcore tendencies with Leeway and Cro-Mags influences,” notes Ton. For his part, Garcia cites Kreator, Megadeth, and Pantera as influences, giving props to Marty Friedman and Chris Broderick for solos. 

When DEAD HEAT test drove a few new tracks live on their tour supporting Cavalera Conspiracy, the as-yet-unreleased songs were met with moshing and circle pits. Understandably so. “Everything from the riffs to the song structures and even adding in more thought-out electronic interludes help break the pacing from the sonic assault of the guitars,” says Ton. 

“Lyrically, I wanted to touch on a bit of everything, with every song about a different topic,” explains vocalist Chris Ramos. “I feel like I was able to articulate a better understanding of what I was trying to express previously.”

“We are against all racist bigotry in this country,” furthers Ton. “Most of the band is of immigrant descent. We also seek for the world to stop supporting these corporate/political monsters that only seek out personal gain and nothing else.” 

First single, “Perpetual Punishment,” opens the record with gentle guitar before kicking into aggro/hardcore mode. “We chose this song to start Process… because when it hits, it’s hard, and has a great flow,” states Ramos. “The song is about not wasting your time in life because tomorrow simply isn’t promised. If there’s something you want to do with your life, do it now, don’t waste your existence thinking about all the things you could have done. It’s a key theme I always try to portray in lyrical form, or even in random stage banter. I feel like it’s what keeps me going every day.”

Stream DEAD HEAT’s “Perpetual Punishment” HERE.  

Process Of Elimination was produced by the band with Paul Fig (Deftones, Trivium, Jerry Cantrell) and will be available on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:

Blood Moon (Red / Black Marbled – US)
Dusk (Orange / Red / Black Marbled – US)
180g Black (EU)
Yellow / Brown Merged (EU – Ltd. 300)
Swamp Green / Bone Merged (EU – Ltd. 200)

Find all preorders at: metalblade.com/deadheat.

DEAD HEAT:
Justin Ton – rhythm guitar
Ricky Garcia – lead guitar
Chris Ramos – vocals
Yogie Rodriguez – drums
Vincent Amador – bass/ rhythm guitar
Lorence Chanch Meraz – bass

Process Of Elimination – Track Listing:

1. Perpetual Punishment

2. Annihilation Nation

3. Hidebound

4. The Order

5. Enemy

6. Seventh Gate

7. DH Stomp

8. Solace Denied

9. By My Will

10. Process Of Elimination

11. Hatred Bestowed

https://www.facebook.com/DeadHeat805

https://www.instagram.com/deadheat805

Source: EARSPLIT PR