Celebrating eight years of showcasing some of the most debaucherous and brutal extreme metal to roll through the state of Florida, Tampa Death Fest returns for two nights of uncompromising extreme metal on September 5th and 6th, at the legendary Brass Mug in Tampa Bay, Florida.
The festival has announced it’s accepting band submissions to fill remaining slots for its 2026 lineup. Bands interested in performing at Tampa Death Fest are encouraged to submit their materials before the April 1st deadline. TDF welcomes extreme-metal acts of all styles and origins, with a commitment to curating a lineup that reflects the genre’s depth, diversity, and global reach.
Bands can apply their EPK at: tampabaymetalscene.booking@yahoo.com
Since launching in 2019, Tampa Death Fest has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the underground extreme‑metal community. Rooted in the city widely hailed as the Death Metal Capital of the World, TDF continues to unite bands, fans and local businesses under its guiding mantra: “Strength Through Unity, Unity Through Metal.”
Each year, TDF showcases a diverse roster of international, national, and regional acts, offering a platform for rising underground talent to share the stage with established legends. Past editions of TDF have hosted such notable acts as Satan, Venom, Inc, Ringworm, Diabolic, Leishmaniasis (Colombia), Repulsive Vision (UK), Massacre, Atheist, GraveHuffer, Blasphemation, Carpathian Funeral, Kill The Imposter, Sadistic Vision, Nibiru, Merciless Scum, Quiescent Mantis, MRSA, Pantheon, and more.
With an ever‑growing international presence, Tampa Death Fest continues to strengthen connections across Florida and beyond, fostering a spirit of collaboration and community engagement within the metal scene.
About Tampa Death Fest: Founded in 2019, Tampa Death Fest has grown into a premier event within the extreme metal world. The festival’s mission is to uplift artists, unite fans, and celebrate the culture of heavy music through a shared passion for brutality, creativity, and community.
New single “Apocalyptic Dawn” streaming everywhere now!
Intro
Apocalyptic Dawn
Cruel Face of War
Maniacal
Suffer in Silence
Radicalized
Blade of Betrayal
When the Elders Rise
Horrors Vile (featuring David Ingram of Benediction)
Legacy of the Damned
Rot Riffs
Hollow Husk
Dave Matrise (vocals, guitars) comments:
“Let’s start off by saying what an amazing accomplishment it is to hit 12 releases in my career. Never would I think I’d still be doing this 30+ years later. I guess be careful what you wish for. I’m very grateful to all of our fans that have supported us for so many years and for never giving up on us. To my bandmates for all of their hard work and dedication to me and JRot over all these years.
‘Cruel Face Of War’ will not disappoint. It’s full of crushing grooves and violent hooks that will surely break anyone’s neck.”
Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the signing of Italian death metallers CHRONIC HATE, who will release their highly anticipated new album, Defeating The Oblivion Of Life, through the label.
Born from a band seasoned by over two decades of experience, the album clearly draws inspiration from the classic ‘90s death metal sound, with a nod to bands like Monstrosity and early Sinister, while updating these influences just enough to create a record that goes beyond mere homage. The songs are built around intricate, well-constructed riffs, impressive technical skill without descending into empty showmanship, and a subtle atmospheric layer that occasionally hints at blackened currents.
Defeating The Oblivion Of Life inaugurates a significant new chapter for CHRONIC HATE. The album thrusts listeners into the extreme spirals of death metal through a mature fusion of different influences and compositional approaches. Its sound is driven by a solid and devastating production, achieved in the tradition of the genre with 100% acoustic drums and real amplifiers.
Lyrically, the album is an act of rebellion against a world that seeks to condemn our lives to oblivion, submerging us in distractions and waste, reducing us to a dehumanized herd. The songs alternate between crude, direct verses and more intimate, lacerating, and personal passages, delivering undeniable emotional power and authenticity.
Formed in 2001 in Northeast Italy, CHRONIC HATE have built a strong presence in the European metal scene, performing alongside bands such as Obituary, Suffocation, Misery Index, Destruction, Hideous Divinity, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Pungent Stench, Disharmonic Orchestra, Severe Torture, Nero di Marte, Sadist, Impiety, Noctem, Tortharry, Doomas, and many more.
They have appeared at festivals including Tolminator Metalfest 2024 (Slovenia), Gothoom Fest 2023 (Slovakia), Morphing Fest 2023 (Czech Republic), Metaldays Fest 2015 (Slovenia), Eresia Metalfest 2019 (Italy), as well as several smaller events across Italy, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovenia.
Line-up:
Andrea – Vocals Daniele – Guitars / Backing Vocals Massimo – Guitars Marco – Bass Nicolas – Drums
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 #
American death metal pioneers SIX FEET UNDER will unleash their Next To Die full-length on April 24th through Metal Blade Records.
Next To Die marks a new creative high for SIX FEET UNDER, its dozen songs marking the band’s fifteenth album since 1995’s Haunted. “It started out as an album full of death metal songs with speed and aggression,” says guitarist Jack Owen. “Then [vocalist] Chris [Barnes] had the brilliant idea to keep half of those death metal songs and add some groovier songs in the vein of the early SIX FEET UNDER material. Chris emphasized tempo, so keeping with the beats per minute for early SFU classics, I wrote a side of tasty groove-laden music with Chris doing all the lyrics.”
The creative collaborative approach sees Next To Die essentially broken down into two different sides – Death and Groove – resulting in an aural masterwork that satisfies SIX FEET UNDER as artists, while also offering something for every fan.
The record was produced by Owen and Barnes and mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis of MRL Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and follows 2024’s Killing For Revenge. It’s the third record that Barnes and Owen have created together since reuniting in 2017. “We don’t discuss lyrical themes, we each write what we’re feeling,” explains Barnes. “We each just write what we find interesting.”
SIX FEET UNDER was initially formed as a side project for Barnes during his final years with the band that he co-founded, Cannibal Corpse. It became the frontman’s sole focus in 1995, coinciding with the release of their debut, Haunted. The current lineup of Barnes, Owen, lead guitarist Ray Suhy, bassist Jeff Hughell, and drummer Marco Pitruzzella make for a devastating unit.
Watch SIX FEET UNDER’s lyric video/visualizer for “Unmistakable Smell Of Death” HERE.
That sonic devastation shines on lead single, “Unmistakable Smell Of Death,” which sees Owen owning his blast and fast riffs with dynamic pull-offs and stop sections. “This song began musically before I had any lyrical ideas in mind,” says Owen. “I dug through my riff archive for some blast and fast riffs and updated them with some pull-offs and stop sections. The middle section riffs were also from my riff archive. I do scratch leads on my demos, but Ray always does a much better job with the leads.”
“Lyrically, I’m writing from the perspective of a killer who toys with a victim and unties them, allowing them to fight. He underestimates their ability to fight, and they get the better of the killer, ultimately impaling and beheading him. The ‘Unmistakable Smell Of Death’ is now that of the killer!”
Next To Die comes swathed in the cover art of Sandy Rezalmi and will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
180g Black (US) Red w/ Black Smoke (US) Bone Brown Marbled (EU – Ltd. 500) Blue Grey Marbled (EU – Ltd. 300) Blood Splatter (EU – Ltd. 300) Bone White Green Splatter (EU – Ltd. 200)
SIX FEET UNDER will return to stages this Summer on a North American headlining tour. Set to begin on July 8th in Detroit and run through August 11th in Chicago, the tour features support from Kataklysm and Wormhole.
Comments Barnes, “July and August are gonna get ultra brutal on our headlining tour of North America in support of our new album Next To Die, with our old friends in Kataklysm, and special guests Wormhole. Very psyched to get back on the road in the States, and really, really looking forward to playing Canada on this tour. I think it’s our first time in Canada in decades… You do not want to miss these shows! See you all this Summer!”
The North American journey will follow the band’s previously announced European headlining tour this June, with support from Embryonic Autopsy.
Presales begin Thursday, March 12th password: GRAVE. General on sale date is Friday, March 13th. See all confirmed dates below.
SIX FEET UNDER w/ Kataklysm, Wormhole: 7/08/2026 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 7/09/2026 Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON ^ 7/10/2026 Fairmount – Montreal, QC ^ 7/11/2026 Overflow – Ottawa, ON ^ 7/12/2026 Palladium Upstairs – Worcester, MA 7/13/2026 Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT 7/14/2026 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY 7/15/2026 Broken Goblet – Bensalem, PA 7/16/2026 Chapel of Bones – Raleigh, NC 7/17/2026 Albatross – Jacksonville, FL 7/18/2026 Culture Room – Fort Lauderdale, FL 7/19/2026 Conduit – Orlando, FL 7/21/2026 Scout Bar – Houston, TX 7/22/2026 Come and Take It Live – Austin, TX 7/23/2026 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX 7/24/2026 Lauter Haus – Farmington, NM 7/25/2026 Nile – Phoenix, AZ 7/26/2026 1720 – Los Angeles, CA 7/27/2026 Strummer’s – Fresno, CA 7/28/2026 Cornerstone – Berkeley, CA 7/29/2026 Goldfield – Roseville, CA 7/30/2026 Shredder – Boise, ID * 7/31/2026 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR 8/01/2026 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 8/02/2026 Rickshaw – Vancouver, BC ^ 8/04/2026 Arrowhead – Calgary, AB ^ 8/05/2026 Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB ^ 8/06/2026 Black Cat – Saskatoon, SK ^ 8/07/2026 Park Theatre – Winnipeg, MB ^ 8/08/2026 Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN 8/09/2026 The Annex – Madison, WI 8/10/2026 Madison Theater – Covington, KY 8/11/2026 Reggies – Chicago, IL
No Kataklysm ^ Kataklysm headlines
European Tour w/ Embryonic Autopsy: 6/03/2026 Mystic Festival – Gdańsk, PL 6/04/2026 Franz – Berlin, DE 6/05/2026 Pitfest – Maastricht, NL 6/06/2026 Gebäude 9 – Cologne, DE 6/07/2026 The Garage – Saarbrücken, DE 6/10/2026 Colosseum – Košice, SK 6/12/2026 Nova Rock- Nickelsdorf, AT 6/13/2026 A38 – Budapest, HU 6/14/2026 Orto – Bar Ljubljana, SI 6/16/2026 Kaminwerk – Memmingen, DE 6/17/2026 Backstage Halle – Munich, DE 6/19/2026 Colo-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE 6/20/2026 Graspop Festival – Dessel, BE 6/21/2026 Hellfest – Clisson, FR 6/23/2026 Logo – Hamburg, DE 6/24/2026 Copenhell – Copenhagen, DK 6/26/2026 Basinfire Festival – Spálené Poříčí, CZ 6/27/2026 Abyss Festival – Hauteville, CH
SIX FEET UNDER: Chris Barnes – vocals Jack Owen – guitars Marco Pitruzzella – drums Jeff Hughell – bass Ray Suhy – guitars
Milwaukee (WI) – A new Blackened Death Metal entity has formed. Featuring veterans of the Milwaukee metal scene, RELIC is set to release their debut EP, Crown of Flies, April 3rd, on CD and digital formats.
Delivering Death Metal’s dissonant punishing riffage with Black Metal’s relentless chaotic speed, RELIC builds a new monument on the foundation of those that came before. Comprised of seasoned Milwaukee metal scene veterans with a history of making tight and focused music.
Their debut EP, Crown Of Flies, is a blistering slab of Midwest 90s Blackend Death Metal worship. Delivered with malintent for its listeners. No frills, no scene drama, or gimmicks used by so many bands today. Pure underground Death Metal that is in your face and out for blood.
Band Photo Credit: K Pro Creative
RELIC:
Kevin Forsythe (Jungle Rot, Emblazoned) – Guitar / Bass
Jeff Plewa (Micawber, Emblazoned) – Vocals
Alex “Pulverizer” Pulvermacher (Decrescent, Emblazoned) – Drums
Vinny Alvarez (A Night At The Chalet, Slam Pig) – Guitar
Credits:
Recorded at Belle City Sound in Racine WI, November 2025. Produced by Chris Wisco. Mixed and Mastered by Billy Diamond.
Italy’s FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are preparing to shroud stages across North America in their haunting, symphonic-infused death metal and have unveiled a series of headline dates for this spring. This follows the announcement that the band will be joining AVATAR on their “Don’t Go in the Forest 2026” tour with guests FROZEN SOUL.
The band comments, “Could we come to North America and completely forget Dallas (TX), St. Louis (MO), Albany (NY), or let our Canadian friends in Montreal (QC) down? Of course we could not! That’s why we have added four exclusive headlining shows alongside the massive spring trek supporting Avatar this April and May. Expect a longer setlist, a bigger production, and some extra surprises! Our Texan friends FROZEN SOUL will be joining us for these dates, so you know exactly what to do. See you there folks!”
2026 Headline Dates: 4/21 – Dallas, TX – Granada* 4/27 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag 5/17 – Albany, NY – Empire Live 5/18 – Montreal, QC – Beanfield Theatre
2026 Tour Dates with AVATAR and FROZEN SOUL: 4/16 Sacramento, CA Channel 24 4/17 Los Angeles, CA Novo 4/19 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theater 4/20 Albuquerque, NM Revel 4/22 San Antonio, TX Aztec 4/23 Oklahoma City, OK Criterion 4/25 Omaha, NE Steelhouse Omaha 4/26 Des Moines, IA Val Air 4/28 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall 4/29 Moline, IL The Rust Belt 4/30 Grand Rapids, MI GLC Live at 20 Monroe 5/1 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Club Stage 5/2 Fort Wayne, IN The Clyde 5/4 Huntsville, AL VBC Mars Music Hall 5/5 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle 5/6 Knoxville, TN Mill & Mine 5/7 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues 5/8 Daytona Beach, FL Welcome to Rockville 5/10 Raleigh, NC The Ritz 5/12 Richmond, VA The National 5/13 Philadelphia, PA Franklin Music Hall 5/14 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2026 5/15 New York, NY Palladium Times Square 5/16 Buffalo, NY Buffalo Riverworks 5/19 Wallingford, CT The Dome 5/20 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino
Opera Track – Listing: 1. Ode to Art (De’ Sepolcri) 2. I Can Never Die 3. Pendulum 4. Bloodclock 5. At War With My Soul 6. Morphine Waltz 7. Matricide 8.21 8. Per Aspera Ad Astra 9. Till Death Do Us Part 10. Opera
Inspired by classic Japanese monster films and Lovecraftian mythology, DISSENTIENCE are left to fend for themselves and escape a destructive, nameless beast in their latest release Kaiju. Based out of Bethlehem, PA, the progressive death-thrash unit unleash a devastatingly brutal onslaught accompanied with their humorous take on a B-movie video style, available HERE.
“While we take the music side of DISSENTIENCE very seriously, the Kaiju video was a great excuse to have some fun with the whole concept.” The band shares. “The last thing the world needs is another ‘band in a warehouse’ or ‘live on stage’ music video, so we wanted to do things a little differently. Keeping the monster off-screen, we leaned into the B-Movie aspect of our inspiration as it seemingly picks us off one by one. Running around on a freezing day in northeast PA was absolutely brutal, but Sarah from Novro Studios absolutely nailed the edit and made all the frostbite worth it!”
“Kaiju” is the title track and narrative climax of their newly released four-track concept EP. The song’s lyrics describe grotesque scenes of bloodshed and helplessness, as the unseen terror rips through the last remnants of resistance. Sonically, brutal gutturals, riffs and rhythmic fury build with intensity throughout as the sense of urgency and impending doom escalates.
Kaiju was produced by the band alongside Corey Pierce, the record was engineered by Matt Menafro at Peach Pie Sound, mixed by Zeuss, and mastered by Alan Douches. The music video for “Kaiju” was shot and edited by Sarah Novroski & Novro Studios. The full EP is released independently and available on digital and CD formats.
Kaiju – Track-list:
Obsidian Tomb
Chaos Absolute
Kaiju
Death Shroud
About DISSENTIENCE:
Formed in 2013 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, DISSENTIENCE is a progressive death-thrash metal band that combines the technical precision of death metal with the relentless energy of thrash.
The lineup features Connor Valentin on guitar and vocals, James Vitale on guitar, Sean Langer on bass, and Nick Scherden on drums. Known for their intense live performances and refusal to be confined to a single subgenre, the band continuously pushes their sound in new directions. Their music balances chaos and melody while exploring dark themes through a modern lens.
After releasing their debut EP Mask of Pretense in 2018 and their full-length album Empire Anatomy in 2022, DISSENTIENCE returned with the concept EP Kaiju in 2026.
With just three months to go until their first-ever appearance at Maryland Deathfest, Kansas-based death metal horde UNMERCIFUL has announced a very special guest for this monumental performance.
Joining the band on vocals will be none other than James “Freight Train” Lee, widely recognized for his crushing performances on Origin’s landmark albums III, Echoes of Decimation, and Antithesis. Lee’s unmistakable intensity and legacy within extreme metal make this collaboration a historic moment for both the band and fans alike.
With Lee on stage, fans can expect a set of unmitigated ferocity and precision. One that won’t soon be forgotten.
In addition, drummer Andy Vincent (Morgue Defilement) will be stepping in behind the kit while UNMERCIFUL skin-basher Trynt Kelly continues to navigate health issues.
UNMERCIFUL is currently booking additional performances surrounding Maryland Deathfest. The band is slated to appear on MDF’s Marketplace & Power Plant Live stage on Sunday, May 24. More dates to be announced soon.
The band’s newest album, Devouring Darkness, marks a new era of relentless violence and sonic brutality! With ten tracks of scorching intensity and distorted vengeance, the album is filled with blistering blast beats, intricate kick drum patterns, and destructive riffing.
Devouring Darkness is out now on CD, digital, and vinyl formats on Willowtip Records.
Chicago (IL) – Progressive Tech-Death stalwarts, GIGAN, have announced the West Coast Sonic Invasion Tour 2026! The tour launches April 30 in San Diego and includes an appearance at Northwest Terror Fest on May 9.
Willowtip Records label mates, Barren Path, will perform on four dates.
Tour Dates are as follows:
April 30 – San Diego, CA (Banshee) with Barren Path/Cave Bastard/Genestealer/Cataract Stare
May 1 – Long Beach, CA (Que Sera) w/ Barren Path/Teeth/Morgue Breath
May 2 – Bakersfield, CA (Jerry’s Pizza) with Cave Bastard/tba
May 3 – Los Angeles, CA (Slipper Clutch) w/ Cave Bastard/tba
May 4 – Sacramento, CA (Cafe Colonial) w/ Barren Path/Oceans of Ash/tba
May 5 – Oakland, CA (Thee Stork Club) w/ Barren Path/Horse Butcher/tba
May 6 – Palmdale, CA (Transplants Brewing) w/ tba
May 9 – Seattle, WA (Northwest Terror Fest)
May 10 – Vancouver, Canada (Astoria) w/ tba
Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus, GIGAN‘s first album in seven years, was released October 25, 2024 on CD, Ltd edition CD long box, vinyl, cassette, Ltd edition four-album cassette boxset, and digital formats via Willowtip Records.
Since 2005, GIGAN has been an unsung vanguard of abstract and creatively dissonant extreme metal. Pushing boundaries and never compromising the artistic vision throughout the debut EP and subsequent four full-length albums has led GIGAN to be considered an unwavering force of both innovation and extremity.
It has been almost seven years since GIGAN has released new music and the time spent away has only honed and sharpened the still-deadly blades of creativity for which GIGAN has always been known; while also infusing fresh elements not yet heard within the GIGAN Universe. The results of GIGAN’s current hard work is the new beast of an album entitled AnomalousAbstractigate Infinitessimus.
April 30 – Worcester, MA • Palladium Upstairs May 1 – Brooklyn, NY • Brooklyn Monarch May 2 – Baltimore, MD • Baltimore Soundstage May 3 – Philadelphia, PA • Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest – Philly 2026 May 5 – Atlanta, GA • Masquerade (Hell) May 7 – Houston, TX • White Oak Music Hall May 8 – Dallas, TX • The Studio May 9 – Austin, TX • Come and Take It Live May 12 – Los Angeles, CA • The Regent May 13 – San Diego, CA • Brick By Brick May 14 – Berkeley, CA • Cornerstone May 16 – Portland, OR • Hawthorne Theater May 17 – Seattle, WA • El Corazon May 20 – Denver, CO • Oriental Theater May 22 – Minneapolis, MN • Fine Line Music Cafe May 23 – Chicago, IL • Bottom Lounge May 24 – Detroit, MI • Crofoot Ballroom May 25 – Cleveland, OH • The Grog Shop May 26 – Pittsburgh, PA • Preserving Underground May 27 – Toronto, ON • Lee’s May 28 – Montreal, QC • Fairmount Theatre
“We are stoked to be hitting the road in March to celebrate the 10th Year Anniversary of our album Evolution Of Evil. Join us and catch a special set list of old and unreleased tracks. We will have special VIP upgrades available for this tour!”
Grab advanced tix and VIP upgrades now!!
3.17 – Lincoln, NE at Witches Brew 3.20 – Reno, NV at Club Underground 3.21 – Las Vegas, NV at Vegas UnAlive Festival w/ Decrepit Birth 3.22 – Salt Lake City, UT at Aces High Saloon 3.24 – Denver, CO at The Roxy 3.26 – Cedar Rapids, IA at Black Hole 3.27 – Kansas City, MO at SK8 Bar 3.28 – Sioux Falls, SD at Club David
Boston-based progressive death metal band GRAVEBORN are set to return this spring with the release of their fifth full-length album Metempsychosis.
In the five years since the release of 2021’s Transmigrator, GRAVEBORN has been meticulously crafting their newest magnum opus – an 11-track concept album about continuity in the face of collapse.
Throughout the course of Metempsychosis, GRAVEBORN challenges themselves and the listener to stare into an internal and external abyss. Moving from inner psychological fracture to societal and species-wide decline, the album rejects narratives of tragedy or triumph, treating destruction as a necessary mechanism of transmission. Metempsychosis asks one question and refuses to soften the answer- what remains when everything else is gone?
Hear part of this journey with the album’s new single and final track, “Orthologs.” Watch the lyric video now at youtu.be/rdi995yM6pw.
Photo Credit: Totem Coast Photography
Reggie Lewis – Bass Jesse Blanchette – Guitars Chris Ramusiewicz – Guitars John LeBlanc – Vocals Marc Brennan – Drums
Vocalist John Leblanc describes the track as the album’s closing statement – a reflection on consciousness as continuity, and the nature of self-evolution.
“‘Orthologs’ is about what survives after annihilation, not as hope, but as function. It’s evolution under pressure. Forced transformation. The essential self persists, but the form changes radically. I don’t return to who I was. I don’t heal into the old shape. I become something else because survival requires it. Like orthologous genes, the structure diverges, but the core purpose remains intact. This isn’t triumphant. It’s real. It’s not a victory lap. It’s the moment after the maw, when something still stands. Not because it’s unbroken, but because it adapted.”
This song means: continuity is not comfort. Continuity is persistence. I am changed. I am not whole. But something essential still functions, still moves forward, still exists.
Not healed. Not restored. Still here.
And that is enough.”
Stream the album’s first two singles, “Ember of Existence” and “Temporal Sands” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Formed in 2013 in Boston, MA, Graveborn serves up an ethereally heavy strain of progressive death metal. Over the last decade, they have released 4 albums Samsara (2014), Seeds Of Life (2016), The Athenaeum (2018) and Transmigrator (2021). Graveborn performed throughout the Northeast US with the likes of Fallujah, Rivers of Nihil, Cognitive, Ghost Bath, Ov Sulfur, and others. Graveborn weaves the themes of self-evolution and introspection through their lyrics, and embodies this ethos in their collaborations.
Mumbai, India extreme metal force GUTSLIT return with their blistering new single “I, Berzerker”, marking the band’s first release since 2023’s Carnal and the beginning of a new chapter in their relentless evolution. Released independently, the track showcases a sharpened, ferocious sound that reaffirms GUTSLIT’s position as one of the most uncompromising bands in modern death metal.
“I, Berzerker” is a raw declaration of intent. Written as a defiant response to the notion of mellowing with age, the song captures GUTSLIT at their most primal and focused. Blistering riff work, punishing rhythms, and guttural vocals collide in a tightly constructed assault that balances precision with unrestrained aggression.
The track draws inspiration from the myth of the Berzerker, the warrior consumed by battle rage, and reinterprets it as a metaphor for creative freedom. Lyrically, the song explores instinct, release, and total immersion in the act of creation. Violence and fury become symbols of purpose, expression, and identity.
“I, Berzerker” also marks an important turning point for the band. Now operating as a five piece, GUTSLIT feature the dual guitar lineup of Ishwar Hariharan and Aditya Swaminathan, bringing a renewed melodic edge and dynamic interplay to the band’s signature brutality. The core foundation remains as vicious as ever, with Aditya Barve on vocals, Gurdip SinghNarang on bass, and Aaron Pinto on drums driving the chaos forward.
Produced by GUTSLIT, the single was recorded across Gray Spark Studio for drums and Altar Studio for guitars and bass. Engineering was handled by Saurabh Lodha, with vocals engineered by Ashwin Shriyan. Mixing and mastering were completed by Mendel Bij de Liej of EX-ABORTED, delivering a crushing yet refined sonic impact. The single artwork was created by drummer Aaron Pinto, under his visual alias Kidsquidy.
About GUTSLIT:
Formed in Mumbai, India in 2007, GUTSLIT is one of the country’s most formidable extreme metal exports. With a history spanning nearly two decades, the band blend brutal death metal and grindcore with elements of thrash and punk, delivering a sound defined by precision, intensity, and relentless aggression.
GUTSLIT have toured and performed across 25 countries worldwide, appearing at major festivals including Obscene Extreme, Brutal Assault, PartySan, Summer Breeze, and Deathfeast Open Air, and sharing stages with bands such as DYING FETUS, NILE, BENIGHTED, and ABORTED. Known for their ferocious live performances and global ambition, GUTSLIT continue to push modern death metal forward without compromise.
Death metal maniacs NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS are back in full blood-drenched form with their new single, “Left To Die,” a crushing mid-tempo bruiser taken from the forthcoming EP Zombie Blood Nightmare, arriving February 20, 2026.
“Left To Die” is a straight-ahead stomp fest rooted in classic 1990s death metal, drawing clear influence from the pit-driving grooves of OBITUARY. Built on thick riffs and head-crushing momentum, the track culminates in a ripping end-of-song guitar solo from former MEGADETH shredder Jeff Young, adding a sharp flash of old-school virtuosity to the carnage.
Lyrically, “Left To Die” keeps things simple and gloriously vile. The song tells the story of being abandoned in a gore pit, surrounded by blood and guts and facing an inevitable end. No metaphors and no apologies. Blood and guts are fun.
NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS return with a fiery vengeance on Zombie Blood Nightmare, a new EP that finds the band at their most unhinged. Across six blood-soaked songs, the band pushes hard to recapture the glory days of 1990s death metal, blending horror, violence, and undead absurdity into a relentless riff-driven assault. This is NEM fully committed to terror, stupidity, and the raw spirit of the genre.
“Left To Die” serves as a blunt and bloody introduction to what Zombie Blood Nightmare delivers in full. Heavy, grotesque, and unapologetic.
Rising extreme metal acts to compete for a slot at Offal Fest 2026, with the winner decided by fan voting
Heat 1 takes place on 8th February, Heat 2 on 22 February with the final date to be announced with a surprise headliner
Rancid Offal Promotions, the organisers behind events such as Offal Fest and Goremageddon, have launched a brand-new showcase series designed to spotlight the next generation of extreme metal talent and provide one emerging act with the opportunity to open Offal Fest 2026.
This competition invites fans to play a direct role in the festival’s curation, as attendees at each heat will be responsible for voting for their favourite bands to determine who progresses to the final stage. The showcase series is built on a commitment to supporting the local scene and rising international talent, ensuring the festival’s opening slot is earned through pure live intensity and crowd support.
The competition begins with Heat 1 on 8th February 2026, which features a heavy-hitting billing including Vast Slug,World War Three, Erectomy andMindhold.
This will be followed quickly by Heat 2 on 22nd February 2026, where Combat Evolved, Dushman, 12 Gauge Autopsy and War Bastard will take to the stage to compete for their place in the final.
Organizers have emphasised that every single vote matters and have encouraged the community to turn out in force to support these rising acts. While the dates for the preliminary rounds are now set, the date for the final will be announced in due course and is set to feature a surprise guest headliner to close out the competition.
“We are so stoked to give these bands a real shot at opening the big stage next year,” says the team at Rancid Offal Promotions. “The scene is absolutely crawling with talent right now, and letting the fans decide who gets onto the Offal Fest bill feels like the best way to keep things authentic. Make sure you get down to the heats and vote, because your voice is literally what puts these guys on the poster for July.“
Tickets for the showcase heats are available now and can be purchased through the official competition website at https://battleoftheslams.com/. Further details regarding the surprise headliner and the final date will be released via social media channels in the coming months.
Dedicated to the most extreme facets of gore, grind, slam, and brutal death metal, Offal Fest has solidified its status as a vital fixture in the international metal calendar following its sold-out 2025 edition. The 2026 festival, scheduled for 24-26 July at its new Manchester home, The Bread Shed, will be headlined by two major UK-exclusive performances from genre pioneers Devourment and Ohio powerhouse Regurgitation, the latter making their debut appearance on UK soil.
The comprehensive lineup features a global roster including New York legends Immortal Suffering, Japan’s ButcherABC, and Korea’s Fecundation, alongside a formidable domestic contingent headlined by the “wobble-box” specialists Crepitation and the official reunion of Infected Disarray.
Bolstered by further international talent such as GutturalSlug, Unbirth and DarkallSlaves, Offal Fest 2026 aims to build upon the momentum of previous years, which saw exclusive sets from acts such as Skinless and Wormed, to provide a definitive weekend of brutality for the global extreme music community.
Maltese death metallers BOUND TO PREVAIL have unveiled the title track from their upcoming debut full-length album, “Enthroned in Torment”, now available as a new single. The song offers a further insight into the band’s approach, built on compact, forceful riffing and a dynamic balance between aggression and structure. Enthroned in Torment is set for release on January 7th, 2026 via Lethal Scissor Records.
The record is a powerful rediscovery and reinterpretation of the early 2000s death metal vein, blending old-school brutality with a modern edge. Drawing on the technical ferocity of old masters like Suffocation and Monstrosity, as well as the more extreme, yet precise, pummeling approaches of Beheaded, Hour of Penance and Inveracity, the album delivers tracks that are simultaneously tense, technical and fluid, giving every riff room to breathe and strike with maximum impact.
Enthroned in Torment fuses the relentless aggression of classic death metal with contemporary clarity and production, creating a sound that honors the past while feeling undeniably current. Crushing drumming, thunderous bass, and razor-sharp guitars intertwine with menacing vocals to forge an unrelenting wall of sound. The album explores the morbid tension between malevolence and benevolence, set in a chaotic realm shaped by false beliefs and deceitful ambitions.
Track list:
01. The Nevergod 02. Into the Depths 03. Defier of Empires 04. Consecrated Perdition 05. Atone in Blasphemy 06. Dawn of Emptiness 07. Tomb of the Graveless 08. Enthroned in Torment
With this debut, BOUND TO PREVAIL stake their claim in European death metal, offering a masterful balance of old-school intensity and modern precision that will captivate fans of both eras.
Album line-up:
Keith Fenech – guitars Kevin Mifsud – bass Alan Briffa – vocals Jean Vella – guitars Mark Farrugia Sant’Angelo – drums
Current band line-up:
Keith Fenech – guitars Kevin Mifsud – bass Alan Briffa – vocals Mark Farrugia Sant’Angelo – drums
German progressive death metal masters, OBSCURA, are set to return to the U.S. this spring for the ‘Stardust Tour.’ The 18-date run begins on March 15th at the legendary Whisky-A-Go-Go in Hollywood, includes key stops in Austin, Philadelphia, and Detroit, and concludes on April 3rd in Roseville, CA. They will be joined by ALLEGAEON, COGNITIVE, and CRYPTOSIS.
Tickets for the tour will be available on Friday, December 19th at 10:00 PST.
Confirmed dates for OBSCURA‘s ‘Stardust’ US 2026 tour with ALLEGAEON, COGNITIVE, and CRYPTOSIS are:
03.13.2026 USA Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky-A-Go-Go 03.14.2026 USA Tucson, AZ @ The Rock 03.15.2026 USA El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill 03.16.2026 USA Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live 03.17.2026 USA Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Collective 03.18.2026 USA Haltom City, TX @ Haltom Theater 03.23.2026 USA Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts 03.24.2026 USA Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows 03.25.2026 USA Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom 03.26.2026 USA Rochester, NY @ Photo City Music All 03.27.2026 USA Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge 03.28.2026 USA Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary 03.29.2026 USA Joilet, IL @ The Forge 03.30.2026 USA Kansas City, MO @ Warehouse On Broadway 03.31.2026 USA Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep 04.01.2026 USA Salt Late City, UT @ Aces High Saloon 04.02.2026 USA Reno, NV @ Club Underground 04.03.2026 USA Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
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