Heavy metal doom giants SPIRIT ADRIFT have returned with a cathartic, crushing new single, “Eternal Celestial Energy,” out today via 20 Buck Spin.
The long-awaited new music from revered songwriter and frontman Nate Garrett follows the band’s critically acclaimed 2023 album Ghost at the Gallows and arrives ahead of their March 20th appearance in San Antonio at Paper Tiger alongside Crowbar and Eyehategod.
Marking their first new release in three years, “Eternal Celestial Energy” signals SPIRIT ADRIFT’s highly anticipated return to the forefront of doom and offers a glimpse of what lies ahead in the band’s next monumental chapter.
About SPIRIT ADRIFT: Spirit Adrift’s music is an alchemical sonic melting pot that combines classic doom, traditional heavy metal, and the intensity of old school thrash, forging a unique and forward-thinking sound. Led by founder, multi-instrumentalist, and frontman Nate Garrett, the band has built a reputation for towering riffs, anthemic songwriting, and emotionally charged performances rooted in both personal struggle and defiant perseverance.
Since emerging in 2016, Spirit Adrift has released a string of critically acclaimed albums as Chained to Oblivion, Curse of Conception, Divided by Darkness, Enlightened in Eternity, and Ghost at the Gallows, while earning praise from outlets such as Decibel, Revolver, Metal Hammer, and Kerrang!, who ranks the band among the best of the decade.
Spirit Adrift has toured and shared stages with the likes of High on Fire, Yob, Crowbar, Corrosion of Conformity, Midnight and has appeared at major festivals such as Download, Hellfest, and Psycho Las Vegas. Their live shows are visceral and cathartic, equal parts power and conviction.
Chicago’s savage trio LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR will deliver their monstrous fifth album – their first in sixteen years – unveiling the merciless I HAIL I, confirmed for release through The Grind-House Records on May 1st.
Formed in 2003 and signed to Southern Lord Recordings just one month after their first show, the death-doom metal warriors LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR have released four LPs, three EPs, and an array of singles, all interconnected with concepts based on the bloodier tales of Greek mythology. The band has toured extensively across North America and Europe, crushing all in their path with their own brand of heavy fucking metal that has been likened to being beat to death with a spiked club. In the words of Maximum Metal, “If there is a [band] heavier than this, then I have simply never heard it.”
While the past several years saw the band emerging with several new singles, they’ve not released an album since 2010’s acclaimed Evil Power. That all changes this year with the incoming I HAIL I. LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR’s lineup on this merciless new record sees founding guitarist/vocalist Steven Rathbone (7000 Dying Rats) reunited with longtime drummer Chris Wozniak (Cöküs, Vanishment) and joined by new bassist Sanford Parker (Twilight, Minsk, Black Cross Hotel).
I HAIL I dispatches ten tracks in barely thirty minutes, including a monstrous reenvisioning of Ethel Cain’s “Family Tree.” The album was recorded and mixed by longtime recording engineer, and now bassist, Sanford Parker (Yob, Eyehategod, Darkthrone) in Chicago at Jamdek Studios and Hypercube, and is completed with stark cover art by Dieofsuffering666.
I HAIL I marks the second album released independently on the band’s The Grind-House Records. The label’s first release was LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR’s Evil Power, the band’s best-selling album, and features their most popular and most streamed song, “Let’s Kill These Motherfuckers,” hailed by Henry Rollins as, “One of the greatest songs I have ever heard.”
The new album’s title track arrives as the lead single, with Rathbone stating, “The title track ‘I HAIL I’ is a rebellious declaration from Prometheus to defy the Gods and bring fire to humanity. This song is what LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR is all about: A loud and proud, punch in the guts. Meant to be played at maximum volume.”
Dispatch your enemies with LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR’s “I HAIL I” as the soundtrack, the song streaming at Bandcamp HERE, Spotify HERE, and Apple Music HERE.
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR will independently release I HAIL I digitally on May 1st, with physical versions to follow. Watch for preorders, a new video, and more to post shortly.
I HAIL I – Track Listing:
1. Emperor Of Dis
2. I HAIL I
3. Enthroned In Violence
4. Fucked Inside Out
5. Deepest Hell
6. Saturnus Reign
7. Prowler Twin Sister
8. Family Tree (Ethel Cain Cover)
9. Vulture Worship
10. Tartarus Apocalypse
The band recently joined the roster at Waste Management Booking. Agency co-founder Stavros Giannopoulos (The Atlas Moth, Motherless) explains, “When starting Waste Management Booking, the idea was to work with bands who we not only loved but felt the world would love as well. LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR was always a band we had at the top of that list. We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of their new record and their legendary history, not only in Chicago but worldwide.”
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR is making their second appearance at Maryland Deathfest, on Thursday, May 21st, performing at Nevermore Hall with Bongzilla, Rwake, Avernus, and Black Lung. The band has also just booked a hometown record release show on July 10th with Primal Code, Inoculation, and Motherless. Additional tour dates will be announced shortly.
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR Live:
5/21/2026 Nevermore Hall – Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest w/ Bongzilla, Rwake, Avernus, Black Lung
7/10/2026 The Hideout – Chicago, IL * Record Release Show w/ Primal Code, Inoculation, Motherless
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR: Steven Rathbone – guitar, vocals, synth Chris Wozniak – drums Sanford Parker – bass
Today, German power metal force BRAINSTORM are kicking off their upcoming tour run and celebrate the moment with a special release: their cover version of “Celebrate Youth” is now available digitally for the very first time! The track was previously only available as an exclusive CD bonus track on their latest studio album Plague Of Rats, released via RPM in 2025.
“With ‘Celebrate Youth,’ we chose a song that meant a lot to me personally in my early Youth,”Andy B. Franck reveals. “Yes, not a metal song but a song that perfectly reflected that era and my feeling as a young person of wanting to achieve a lot. Listening to the younger generation, giving them a voice… I don’t think I’ve ever really matured that much deep down, I’ve retained that feeling and still think and feel like a young guy. This thing rocks, and we had a lot of fun recording it. The Youth, then and now, needs to be heard and understood. This song is the perfect statement about that topic.”
The digital release follows the overwhelming response to the band’s cover of Don Henley‘s classic “Boys Of Summer”, which was released in August last year and quickly gained strong traction across streaming platforms.
Released in early 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music, Plague Of Rats marks another milestone in BRAINSTORM’s long career. The album combines the band’s trademark sound – powerful riffs, soaring melodies and gripping choruses, with a renewed intensity and modern production. With over nearly three decades of history, worldwide touring and numerous chart placements, BRAINSTORM remain one of the most consistent and respected acts in German metal. Order Plague Of Rats here: https://brainstorm.rpm.link/plagueofratsPR
BRAINSTORM: Andy B. Franck (Vocals) Torsten Ihlenfeld (Guitars) Milan Loncaric (Guitars) Danij Perl (Bass) Kevin Lütolf (Drums)
BRAINSTORM Tour Dates supporting ANGUS McSIX – Album Release Tour w/ Bloodbound
DEICIDE – HEADLINING SHOWS & FESTIVALS w/ support from Rotting Christ & Immolation:
4/09 – Baton Rouge LA – Chelsea’s Live 4/10 – Houston TX – White Oak Music Hall 4/11 – San Antonio TX – Vibes Event Center 4/13 – Las Vegas NV – Fremont Country Club 5/01 – Reading PA – Club Reverb* 5/03 – Albany NY – Empire Live 5/07 – Daytona Beach FL – Welcome To Rockville # 5/14 – Columbus OH – Sonic Temple After-Party 5/22 – Tucson AZ – The Rialto #^ 5/23 – El Paso TX – Rockhouse Bar & Grill # 5/24 – Albuquerque NM – Sunshine Theater # 5/26 – Little Rock AR – The Hall #
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