Finnish heavy metallers DEMONESSA are back with their brand new 2-song single ‘Taste Of Blood” (+ bonus track), coming just in time for Halloween, on October 31st!
“Taste of Blood” is a more horror-themed release for Halloween, featuring two brand-new songs that were written around the same time as the debut album Wild ‘N’ Loud. While they were ultimately left off the album, their darker similar themes made them a perfect fit for a new Halloween release. As a bonus track, there’s also a shortened version of the opening track of Wild ‘N’ Loud, “Till Death Do Us Part”, without the minute-long acoustic intro, so listeners can get to the meat of the song faster.
After Jones Tervas’ departure from the band, a man with steel calves, known as Jerry Iron, quickly decided to hop on the stool of heavy metal behind the drum kit and gave a thunderous performance that was mixed and mastered by an old familiar name, Aleksis Pelli at Mix Studio 1101, who also worked the magic on the debut album. The new drummer, new drums, new mics, and new recording space all came together wonderfully, providing an excellent next step for the sound the band is going for.
Artcover painted by S3nsku
The main parts of the new songs were once again written by guitarist John Creweholm, with input and ideas from the other band members. The singer S3nsku wrote the lyrics and came up with the vocal melodies.
To give the release a proper visual counterpart, and to show off the filmmaking skills, the release will be accompanied by a music video for the song “Taste of Blood”, which is inspired by old horror movies. Instead of just showing the band playing in the dark woods, there’s also a proper vampire-themed storyline about a vampire whose bloodlust ultimately becomes her downfall.
After attacking her victim in the woods, she becomes so lost in the ecstasy of the kill that she fails to notice the sun rising until it is too late. The story was written by John Creweholm, who also handled the main directing and editing duties, while S3nsku filmed the two beautiful actors, Fiona Fyhr and Sakari Mattila.
More on Demonessa: Demonessa is a heavy metal band from Tampere, Finland, carving its path with pure power and attitude. Formed in 2019, the band combines the explosive force of 80’s heavy metal with the spectacle of glam metal creating an experience that must be witnessed live.
Line-up: S3nsku – Vocals John Creweholm – Guitars Hugo M. Raze – Guitars Peet von Rowanskerry – Bass Jerry Iron – Drums
Above photo: Ian Hill of Judas Priest trading card (1991/Impel)
From Judas Priest Instagram:
It is with heavy hearts that we are sending out this personal message from our Ian….he has been the backbone of Judas Priest for so long and will be greatly missed by us all….we wish him well in his retirement and welcome Davey into the Priest Family….
“Hello everyone, for a long time now, when asked “how long can you continue” – I’ve always answered “until my performances suffer”…. I hate to say it, but that time has come.
For some years now, I’ve been struggling with the onset of the evil arthritis, which is now in an advanced state in my left shoulder and right hand, established in my right shoulder, and present in both knees. I’ve been fighting this with painkilling pills, gels, and recently with cortisone injections in my shoulder and hand.
Although, I was able to put bass lines to the songs for the new album, there were questions whether I’d be able to complete the recent European tour without incident, so we asked our good friend Davey Rimmer from Uriah Heep, and of course Elegant Weapons, to learn the set list to stand in for me if I had to pull out, which I did for the London show. This was due to me snapping a tendon in my left shoulder (as if I didn’t have enough problems with it!) just before the encores during the Brussels show two days before. This led to me not being able to lift my arm enough to reach the neck of my bass. So we had to call Davey to stand in for me, who put in an incredible performance at such short notice!
I’ve seen specialists, who suggest I might get away without surgery, but even if I don’t there’s no guarantee either way that I’ll have enough strength in my shoulder/arm to complete a whole stage show.
In view of all this, and the fact that I’ve neglected my family life for fifty seven years, I’ve decided to retire and spend the remaining years making up for it, and doing things with them before it involves one of ‘em pushing me around in a wheelchair.
The obvious choice for my replacement is Davey. He’s a great bassist, and a genuinely nice bloke who’ll fit the job perfectly, and I wish him the very best of luck!
There’s not a day goes by where I don’t give thanks for the incredible journey I’ve lived through, and it just remains for me to say that I love you all, and thank you for the life you’ve let me live.” X
PROGPOWER USA will return to Atlanta, Georgia, September 9–11, 2027, ushering in a new chapter for one of North America’s longest-running and most distinctive progressive and power metal festivals.
Following the retirement of founder and longtime promoter Glenn Harveston, co-promoter Milton Mendonça will take the helm of PROGPOWER USA, carrying forward the festival and the community that has grown around it for more than two decades.
The 2027 edition will move to a three-day format while retaining the identity and approach that have defined PROGPOWER USA throughout its history. The newly announced lineup features ELUVEITIE, WIND ROSE, NEVERMORE, H.E.A.T, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, LYNCH MOB, MASTERPLAN, METAL CHURCH, VISION DIVINE, TRIOSPHERE, EINAR SOLBERG, SILENT SKIES, IHLO, ROYAL SORROW, POWER PALADIN and ADVENT HORIZON, with one additional band remaining to be announced.
For Mendonça, taking over the festival is deeply personal. He first attended PROGPOWER USA 24 years ago before eventually becoming part of the team himself.
“Twenty-four years ago, I attended ProgPower USA for the first time, and I remember what it felt like the moment I walked into the venue. It was a feeling of belonging. I decided then that this was the place I needed to be every year, and I would do whatever I could to attend. Years later, as a co-promoter, I started having first-time attendees come up to me and share that same feeling. To me, that says everything about the atmosphere of this festival and why it has endured for so long,” says Mendonça.
“ProgPower has been part of most of my life. I met some of my best friends there, and I know people who met their best friends, their spouse and people who first came as teenagers and now bring their kids. It’s the one weekend our community looks forward to every year. It means that much to a lot of people, and there was no way I could let that end.”
As PROGPOWER USA enters this next era, Mendonça says preserving what Harveston built remains his priority.
“The most important thing to me is honoring Glenn’s legacy. Other than scaling the festival down to three days, my goal is to keep everything the same. The blueprint stays. Regardless of who is at the helm, ProgPower USA will always be ProgPower USA. There is nothing else like it anywhere.”
Since its inception, PROGPOWER USA has built its reputation by bringing together internationally established acts, sought-after North American appearances and emerging artists from across the progressive and power metal worlds. Just as importantly, the festival has developed a community that extends far beyond the stage, with generations of attendees returning to Atlanta year after year.
PROGPOWER USA 2027 takes place September 9–11, 2027 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia continuing the almost 3-decade tradition of the festival being hosted at Center Stage.
For festival updates, ticket information and additional announcements, visit: https://progpowerusa.com/
Finnish legends Cardinals Folly have released the official video for “Let The Posers Fall!” The song is the title track from the band’s forthcoming album on Cruz Del Sur Music.
Marking a bold new chapter with the debut of a new guitarist, the album showcases a powerful shift toward traditional, riff-driven heavy metal songwriting while retaining the band’s signature heavy footprint. Lyrically, Let the Posers Fall! delves deep into the macabre, drawing grim inspiration from notorious serial killers (“I Am The Zodiac”), the cosmic horror literature of H.P. Lovecraft (“Providence”) and vintage cult horror/exploitation cinema (“New York Ripper”, “Hitch-Hike”).
The band issued the following defiant statement regarding the album:
“In a world where trends come and go and authenticity is drowning in depravity, Cardinals Folly still rides the cultist highway, declaring the downfall of posers until the end. The Stallions Are Burning!”
Let The Posers Fall! will be available on vinyl LP, CD, and digital formats via Cruz Del Sur Music on October 9 in Europe and November 6 in North America.
Recorded and Mixed by Jani Snellman. Mastered by Roland Rodas at Cavern of Echoes. Cover art by Pedro Ruotsalainen. Band logo by Sebastian Lindberg. Organ in “Luchador” and “Cultist Highway” played by Jani Snellman. Backing choir in “Cultist Highway” is Cardinals Folly.
Watch ARMORED SAINT’s “Not On Your Life” visualizer HERE.
ARMORED SAINT today presents their visualizer for “Not On Your Life.” The track comes by way of the band’s critically acclaimed new full-length, Emotion Factory Reset, released earlier this year on Metal Blade Records. The kaleidoscopic clip was created by Costin Chioreanu of TWILIGHT13MEDIA.
Comments vocalist John Bush, “The opening lyrics are, ‘You already know my name is John Doe / Yeah you already know but still give it a go.’ I think Phil [Sandoval] had the term, ‘you already know.’ Rhyming, I was, ‘oh, okay, this is cool, like, John Doe.’ There are a couple meanings to it: the cool guy from X is John Doe. It also means that you don’t know who this person is. It led to me thinking in terms of something a little vague, which sometimes I like to do. You already know, yet you don’t know at the same time.
Phil sent me the phrase ‘from dollars to donuts,’ and I got ‘Heavens to Betsy.’ My mom was named Betty, and it’s a little nod to [Bitch vocalist] Betsy Bitch because she’s on Metal Blade. I thought, ‘why not just have a little correlation here.’ It’s a cool, great rock song, and it seems to be some people’s favorite.
The lyrics ‘dollars to donuts’ sounds like something somebody said on the streets of Manhattan in 1950. I also used the phrase ‘lying on the floor in the drunk tank.’ ‘Drunk tank’ is another term people don’t really use in 2026.”
Watch ARMORED SAINT’s “Not On Your Life” visualizer HERE.
Watch the band’s previously released video for “Every Man-Any Man” HERE, “Close To The Bone” HERE, and “Hit A Moonshot” HERE.
ARMORED SAINT will kick off their North American co-headlining tour with Metal Church this November. The Metal Saint Tour 2026 begins on November 2nd in San Juan Capistrano, California and runs through November 21st in Agoura Hills, California with support provided by LiveKill.
Following the fiery response both bands received during their recent shows together in Europe and fans’ excitement for the upcoming Fall shows, a Spring 2027 leg of this killer metal package has also been announced. The journey will commence on March 19th in Austin, Texas and close on April 10th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Support will be provided by One Machine.
Offers ARMORED SAINT vocalist, John Bush, “Three weeks in the Fall just didn’t seem enough so we decided to do another run of the Metal Saint tour in the Spring of 2027. Celebrating two classic bands from the ‘80s who also have new records out in 2026 is a no-brainer for any metal fan. Plus, there is still a lot of the country to cover. See you at the show!”
Comments Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, “We are stoked to be heading back out on the road with our friends in ARMORED SAINT for another round of the Metal Saint Tour!”
Adds Metal Church drummer Ken Mary, “We are really looking forward to so many fans and friends on tour on this run and we are honored to be with our brothers in metal, ARMORED SAINT!”
ARMORED SAINT + METAL CHURCH w/ LiveKill: 11/02/2026 Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA 11/03/2026 The Glass House – Pomona, CA 11/04/2026 The Nile – Phoenix, AZ 11/06/2026 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM 11/07/2026 Sunshine Studios – Colorado Springs, CO 11/08/2026 The Federal – Denver, CO 11/10/2026 Neurolux – Boise, ID 11/11/2026 The Newberry – Great Falls, MT 11/13/2026 Dantes – Portland, OR 11/14/2026 Redwood Theater – Bremerton, WA 11/15/2026 Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, BC 11/17/2026 Great America Music Hall – San Francisco, CA 11/18/2026 Goldfield Trading Post – Roseville, CA 11/19/2026 The Whisky – Los Angeles, CA 11/20/2026 Observatory North San Diego – San Diego, CA 11/21/2026 Canyon Club – Agoura Hills, CA
ARMORED SAINT + METAL CHURCH w/ One Machine: 3/19/2027 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 3/20/2027 Hells Heroes – Houston, TX * 3/21/2027 Granada Theater – Dallas, TX 3/23/2027 Radio Room – Greenville, SC 3/24/2027 Chapel Of Bonus – Raleigh, NC 3/25/2027 Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg, VA 3/26/2027 Ridgefield Theater – Ridgefield, CT 3/27/2027 St. Vitus – Brooklyn, NY 3/3/29/2027 Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA 3/30/2027 Mercury – Lakewood, OH 4/01/2027 The Kings Of Clubs – Columbus, OH 4/02/2027 Machine Shop – Flint, MI 4/03/2027 Arcada Theater St – Charles, IL 4/04/2027 EPIC Events Center – Green Bay, WI 4/06/2027 Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA 4/07/2027 Matchbox – Omaha, NE 4/09/2027 Liquid Joe’s – Salt Lake City, UT 4/10/2027 House Of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
No One Machine
Emotion Factory Reset, ARMORED SAINT’s ninth studio album, is a resurrection of sorts, a tearing down and a rebuilding in eleven songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. Produced, as were the previous four albums, by bassist Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour), the record finds the quintet challenging themselves. Songs like “Close To The Bone,” “Hit A Moonshot,” and “Every Man-Any Man” have ARMORED SAINT honoring their past as one of the most respected and recognizable bands in heavy music while making forward-thinking music rooted in the present.
Emotion Factory Reset was recorded across several studios including 606 Studios, Secret Hand Studios, Skullseven Studios, Constantine Studios, and Bridge Recording, engineered by Oliver Roman, Bill Metoyer, Joey Vera, and Jason Constantine, and features cover art by DDKing.
Swedish melodic metal frontrunners METALITE celebrate the release of their brand-new studio album, Discovery, out now via PERCEPTION – Powered by Reigning Phoenix Music! Their critically acclaimed, futuristic sci-fi metal epic takes listeners on a fascinating journey, further expanding METALITE’s signature blend of soaring melodies, powerful riffs and modern electronic elements.
Coinciding with the album’s release, METALITE have also unveiled a brand-new music video for “Neon Rain,” one of the tracks featured on Discovery. Guitarist, producer, songwriter and founder Edwin Premberg comments:
“Neon Rain is one of our three singles accompanied by a beautifully produced video by Ted Lindén. The song captures a futuristic world drenched in neon lights and falling rain, a place where emotion and technology collide. It’s atmospheric, powerful, and melodic, painting a vivid picture of standing in the glow of a digital storm, searching for something real beneath the surface.”
Mixed and mastered by acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Evergrey, Amaranthe), Discovery pushes METALITE’s futuristic vision further than ever before. Across twelve dynamic tracks, the album explores themes of human evolution, technology, survival, liberation and hope in a universe shaped by digital realities and cosmic exploration in the year of 2058, three years after humanity left a collapsing Earth in search of a new beginning.
Building upon the sonic worlds established on their albums Heroes in Time (2017), Biomechanicals (2019), A Virtual World (2021) and Expedition One (2024), the band once again proves why they are regarded as pioneers of modern sci-fi-inspired melodic metal!
Discovery – Track-list: 1. Our Time Has Come 2. In Case Of Emergency 3. Into The Maze 4. Cyberspace 5. The Metal Elite 6. Neon Rain 7. Echoes Of You 8. Starchild 9. Wings Of Fire 10. Captive In The Past 11. Supremacy Of One 12. Triforce
METALITE: Erica Ohlsson – Vocals Edwin Premberg – Guitar/Additional Vocals/Programming Robert Örnesved – Guitar Erik Junttila Johansson – Drums Robert Majd – Bass
South Carolina stoner metal veterans CALUS are making their long-anticipated return with The Evolution of Social Exclusion.
This six-song EP marks CALUS’ first newly recorded work since 2006’s Spiritual Warfare. And the band hasn’t missed a step. At times sludgy, at times trippy and always heavy, The Evolution of Social Exclusion delivers non-stop, bottom-heavy groove, crushing riffs and a hazy Southern swagger.
CALUS has thus far released two singles off The Evolution of Social Exclusion – “No Curses,” a more aggressive cut that pushes the band’s attack into proggier territory, and the sludge-forward stomper “Perdition Anthem.”
The Evolution of Social Exclusion is due out October 2nd on digital and CD formats. Vinyl treatment for the album is coming soon.
For fans of Black Sabbath, Down, Crowbar, Entombed, Clutch, Alice in Chains, Eyehategod, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Acid Bath.
Track listing:
No Curses
Perdition Anthem
Stone Snake
Strange Gods
New World Opus
Under the Banner(of Attrition)
To mark their re-emergence, CALUS has recently pulled a batch of previously unreleased tunes from their vault. The EP, titled Australis Sacro Modus, is streaming here.
CALUS:
Chris Driggers — Bass Harold Smith — Drums, Vocals Dustin Holliday — Guitars Rodney Ervin — Guitars, Vocals Jeremy Aiken — Vocals
KING DIAMOND’s Halloween, the three-track LP picture disc originally released in 1986, will be re-released worldwide with new art by Mario Lopez on October 23rd via Metal Blade Records, just in time for the season!
The Halloween title track comes off KING DIAMOND‘s debut album, Fatal Portrait (1986), as does “The Candle,” which served as the opening track on Fatal Portrait, and was part of the early storytelling approach that would become central to KING DIAMOND‘s future discography. “The Lake,” while recorded during the same general period as Fatal Portrait and associated with those sessions, wasn’t included in the original nine-track album.
Halloween was produced by KING DIAMOND and Rune Höyer with production assistance by Michael Denner and engineered by Roberto Falcao.
Halloween LP Track Listing: A1. Halloween B1. The Candle B2. The Lake
KING DIAMOND Halloween Lineup: King Diamond – lead vocals, backing vocals Andy LaRocque – lead guitar Michael Denner – lead guitar Timi Hansen – bass guitar Mikkey Dee – drums
HELLOWEEN brought their world tour to a close on Saturday with a wildly acclaimed show at the sold-out Suhai venue in São Paulo.
Under the banner of their “40 Years Anniversary”, this German power metal institution thrilled fans across the globe, from major arenas in Europe, North America, and Asia to Latin America, complemented by appearances at Europe’s most significant summer festivals in 2026.
The tour was far more than just a series of high-energy concerts: HELLOWEEN took fans on a musical journey through 40 years of band history. Featuring a setlist that spanned everything from early, defining tracks and all the fan favorites to brand-new material from their current album Giants & Monsters, the show combined hits from every era, delighting fans across generations.
Visually, too, the show set new benchmarks, elevating the standard of modern metal productions. The elaborate stage show, combined massive screens, spectacular lighting and video effects, pyrotechnics, and a carefully especially crafted production design into a comprehensive audiovisual experience that underscored the music and showcased the band members in impressive fashion.
HELLOWEEN played in sold-out arenas before tens of thousands of fans, including the largest headlining show in the band’s history in Mexico City and the O2 Arena in Prague and captivated international audiences on major European festival stages. In total, the world tour took the band through 28 countries across three continents, reaching an audience of over one million people.
From the tour’s kickoff in Europe to the final concerts in Latin America, HELLOWEEN’s extraordinary enduring appeal was once again evident: songs like “Eagle Fly Free,” “Future World,” “Dr. Stein,” and “I Want Out” have made history and are essential parts of the metal soundtrack.
The “40 Years Anniversary” tour concludes with the concert in São Paulo. However, HELLOWEEN’s journey is far from over! The story of this exceptional septet is far from fully told, and major festivals for the summer of 2027 are already booked!
A KILLER’S CONFESSION have returned with “Roses,” a dark and defiant new single from the band’s forthcoming sixth studio album, Victim 3, due November 13th via MNRK Heavy. The song arrives today alongside an official music video directed and produced by Dusten Boles.
Led by vocalist Waylon Reavis, “Roses” turns feelings of disappointment, neglect and unfulfilled expectations into a statement about abandoning the need for outside approval. Rather than waiting for recognition that may never come, the track embraces the freedom of knowing your own reasons for the choices you make, even when no one else acknowledges them.
Reavis explains:
“Roses was written from a point of view of where everything that you have done was in vain. We’ve all been to that point of feeling unappreciated, but I feel like roses is a statement of it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you and only you know why you did it. In the end, never look for a pat on the back, because you’ll never get the acknowledgment that you’re seeking. There will be no roses on my grave.”
“Roses” follows the recent release of A KILLER’S CONFESSION’s haunting, stripped-back interpretation of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” The unexpected cover showcased a different side of the band, dialing down the heaviness to put Reavis’ voice and the song’s underlying melancholy front and center.
The road to Victim 3 will also unfold onstage this fall as A KILLER’S CONFESSION embark on the “Everything Comes Full Circle Tour.” Joined by Dizasterpiece and Dead Things, the North American headline run kicks off November 4 and notably finds the band celebrating the release of Victim 3 from the road on November 13th.
Nov 4 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel of Bones Nov 5 – Baltimore, MD – Fish Head Cantina Nov 6 – Lowell, MA – Taffeta Music Hall Nov 7 – Pottstown, PA – Cosmic Arts Nov 8 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz Nov 10 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille Nov 11 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop Nov 12 – McHenry, IL – The Vixen Nov 13 – Louisville, KY – The Fox Den Nov 14 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs Nov 17 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck Nov 18 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre Nov 19 – Des Moines, IA – XBK Live Nov 20 – Sioux Falls, SD – Bigs Bar Nov 21 – Rapid City, SD – The Park Nov 22 – Denver, CO – HQ Nov 24 – Glendale, AZ – The 44 Sports Grill & Nightlife Nov 25 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go Nov 27 – Anaheim, CA – The Parish @ House of Blues Nov 28 – Murrieta, CA – Solaris Beer & Blending Nov 29 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge Dec 1 – Draper, UT – Leatherheads Sports Bar & Grill Dec 2 – Rifle, CO – The UTE Theater Dec 5 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
About A KILLER’S CONFESSION:
Fronted by Waylon Reavis, A Killer’s Confession turn the darkest corners of the human psyche into a collision of crushing riffs, sinister atmosphere, infectious melodies and punishing grooves. Since forming in 2016, the band has generated tens of millions of streams with songs including “Numb” and “Angel On The Outside,” while collaborating with artists such as Brian “Head” Welch of Korn, Chad Gray of Mudvayne, Aaron Nordstrom of Gemini Syndrome and Reavis’ former Mushroomhead bandmate JMANN.
On their sixth full-length album, Victim 3 [MNRK Heavy], A Killer’s Confession brings their ambitious three-record narrative to its conclusion. Following Victim 1 and Victim 2, the new album finds its central character, a vigilante serial killer who targeted some of society’s worst offenders, finally facing the consequences of his actions on death row. What may have begun with a warped sense of justice has given way to something far more sinister, bringing the trilogy’s themes of morality, vengeance and accountability full circle.
Created around the core of Reavis, Evan McKeever and Dusty Boles during sessions in Nashville and Denver, Victim 3 expands both the sound and storytelling of its predecessors. From the dark electronic textures and haunting melodies of “Roses” to the violent grooves of “Meat Hook,” the unhinged aggression of “The One” and the final resignation of “Worth Saving,” the album follows its protagonist through the last stages of his descent and toward an ending from which there is no redemption.
For Reavis, the Victim trilogy has grown into something much larger than a series of records. “This is an art project of storytelling and madness,” he says. “It’s a collection of stories from different individuals in separate time periods with their own agendas. For me, it’s a big passion project. It’s closer to my heart than anything I’ve ever done. I’ve done great things in my career, but nothing compares to this. It gave me purpose. It gave me youth. It gave me fire. It gave me a universe.”
QUIET RIOT are proud to announce their new lead singer, John Torra!
The 23-year-old Long Island vocalist stood out among more than 700 submissions following the band’s open call for singers. John sent his audition videos to management and also shared performances online, where they went viral and sparked an incredible response from fans.
“We saw your comments, tags, and messages urging us to bring him on board. But what earned John the gig was his undeniable talent. His videos were outstanding—but when he stepped into the room with us, he blew the doors off our songs. We all heard it: an authentic sound that brings our material to life the way it’s meant to be heard,” says the band’s manager, Regina Banali, Frankie Banali’s widow.
“He may be young, but he’s dedicated and professional. He brings a breath of fresh air that lifts us all, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future with him on lead vocals,” Banali adds. “Please join us in welcoming John Torra to QUIET RIOT!”
For upcoming live dates and booking inquiries, please see below.
QUIET RIOT — 2026/2027 Tour Dates:
10/1/26 — Silver Springs, OK — Cherokee Event Center 10/3/26 — St. Charles, MO — Family Arena 10/16/27 — West Hollywood, CA — Whisky A Go Go 10/17/26 — Anaheim, CA — The Grove 10/30/26 — Calgary, Canada — Grey Eagle Event Center 11/5/26 — Plano, TX — Legacy Hall 11/6/26 — Council Bluffs, IA — Horseshoe Casino 12/29/26 — Mount Pleasant, MI — TBA 2/19/27 — Las Vegas, NV — TBA 4/14/27 — Mexico City, MX — Circo Valador 4/16/27 — Bogotá, Colombia — Auditorio Mayor 4/18/27 — Lima, Peru — Teatro Leguia 4/20/27 — Santiago, Chile — Teatro Teleton 4/22/27 — Buenos Aires, Argentina — Teatro Flores 4/24/27 — São Paulo, Brazil — Bangers Open Air 4/25/27 — Santa Cruz, Bolivia — Real Santa Cruz 6/24/27 — Brainerd, MN — TBA 6/26/27 — Clear Lake, IA — TBA 7/17/27 — Laughlin, NV — TBA 9/24/27 — Uncasville, CT — TBA
75. 40. 20. Three numbers. One extraordinary chapter in heavy metal history. New Album available for Pre-Order now
2027 marks a unique triple anniversary for Udo Dirkschneider and U.D.O.: Udo turns 75, U.D.O. celebrate 40 years as a band, and Voodoo Ranger marks the release of the German heavy metal institution’s 20th studio album. This very special record release will be celebrated on January 8, 2027 via powerhouse label Reigning Phoenix Music.
Today, U.D.O. open this milestone chapter with the first taste of Voodoo Ranger: new single “I’ll Die Trying.” Accompanied by an official music video, the track also marks the launch of the album pre-order.
Watch the official video for “I’ll Die Trying” HERE:
Rather than launching Voodoo Ranger with an all-out metal attack, U.D.O. introduce the album with one of its most personal moments. “I’ll Die Trying” is a classic U.D.O. ballad about perseverance, self-belief and staying true to your path, carried by the unmistakable voice of Udo Dirkschneider.
Voodoo Ranger – Track-list: 01. Testify 02. The Sky Is The Limit 03. Keep Me Alive 04. Back Breaker 05. I’ll Die Trying 06. Reach For The Crown 07. Pain & Glory 08. Hell Hunt 09. Voodoo Ranger 10. Magic Life 11. Devil’s Mind 12. Movin’ On
The song also became the album’s first single through an unexpected turn of events; a change of plans that, as Udo explains, ultimately felt like the right choice.
Udo Dirkschneider comments: “‘I’ll Die Trying’ is one of the most personal songs on Voodoo Ranger. It’s about never giving up, believing in yourself and always moving forward, no matter what life throws at you. The last verse especially means a lot to me because it reflects what I’ve experienced on stage for so many years. Every concert is a special moment and as long as people want to hear me sing, I’ll keep giving everything I’ve got. I’ve always believed that a great ballad can be just as powerful as the heaviest metal songs, and throughout my career these songs have become some of the most memorable ones. ‘I’ll Die Trying’ is another one of those songs that comes straight from the heart.
We originally planned to launch Voodoo Ranger with a different song, but after Peter and Alen were injured during one of the recent concerts of the Balls To The Wall – 40th Anniversary Tour, we had to postpone the original video production. Rather than rush things, we decided to let ‘I’ll Die Trying’ lead the way. Looking back, it feels like the right choice. The song captures a side of U.D.O. that has always been important to me. Ballads have been part of my career from the very beginning, and our fans have always embraced them. At the same time, nobody should think this album is getting softer: Voodoo Ranger is packed with classic U.D.O. power and has plenty of surprises waiting.”
AndVoodoo Ranger does indeed have more than a few surprises in store.
The album finds U.D.O. as unmistakable as ever with their signature sound firmly intact. Powerful riffs, massive hooks and Udo Dirkschneider’s unique voice meet heavier and darker moments.
Written by Udo Dirkschneider, Sven Dirkschneider, Peter Baltes and Fabian “Dee” Dammers, with additional contributions from new guitarist Alen Brentini, Voodoo Ranger brings four decades of heavy metal experience into an album that sounds unmistakably U.D.O. The album was produced and mixed by Martin “Mattes” Pfeiffer, mastered by Stefan Kaufmann, while its artwork was painted by acclaimed artist Eliran Kantor.
The album is only one part of what will make 2027 an exceptional year for Udo Dirkschneider and U.D.O. The band will celebrate four decades of U.D.O. live with the extensive Triple Anniversary Tour 2027, taking the anniversary across Europe and bringing together material from throughout the band’s history.
At the same time, another major chapter in Dirkschneider’s story will be told away from the stage: his official autobiography, created together with Dan Dreyer, will be published in the very same month as Voodoo Ranger.
Album, book and tour therefore meet at a unique point in his career. After more than five decades in heavy metal, Udo Dirkschneider has plenty of history to look back on, yet Voodoo Ranger makes one thing equally clear: U.D.O. are still looking ahead.
75 years. 40 years of U.D.O. 20 albums. And the metal heart keeps beating.
U.D.O. Artist Line-Up: Udo Dirkschneider – Vocals Sven Dirkschneider – Drums Fabian “Dee” Dammers – Guitar Peter Baltes – Bass Alen Brentini – Guitar
U.D.O. – TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2027
09.01.2027 DE-Leipzig, Haus Auensee 10.01.2027 DE-Hamburg, Große Freiheit 36 11.01.2027 DE-Berlin, Huxleys Neue Welt 12.01.2027 DE-Frankfurt, Batschkapp 13.01.2027 DE-Braunschweig, Westand 15.01.2027 DE-Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle 16.01.2027 DE-Markneukirchen, Musikhalle 17.01.2027 DE-Munich, Backstage Werk 18.01.2027 DE-Stuttgart, LKA-Longhorn 19.01.2027 FR-Paris, Bataclan 21.01.2027 CH-Pratteln, Konzertfabrik Z7 23.01.2027 ES-Barcelona, Sala Apolo 24.01.2027 ES-Madrid, Revi Live 25.01.2027 ES-Villava, Sala TOTEM Aretoa 27.01.2027 ES-Seville, Sala Custom 28.01.2027 PT-Lisbon, LAV – Lisboa ao Vivo 29.01.2027 PT-Porto, Hard Club 01.02.2027 IT-Milano, Magazzini Generali 02.02.2027 SI-Ljubljana, Club Cvetličarna 04.02.2027 BG-Sofia, Hristo Botev Hall 05.02.2027 RO-Bucharest, Quantic 07.02.2027 HU-Budapest, Barba Negra 08.02.2027 CZ-Ostrava, Club Garage 09.02.2027 CZ-Brno, Sono Centrum 11.02.2027 PL-Wroclaw, Concert Center A2 12.02.2027 PL-Poznan, B17 13.02.2027 PL-Krakow, Studio Kraków 14.02.2027 PL-Warsaw, Progresja 15.02.2027 PL-Gdańsk, Stary Manez 17.02.2027 SE-Gothenburg, Pustervik 18.02.2027 NO-Oslo, Vulkan Arena 20.02.2027 FI-Tampere, Tavara-asema
We are proud to announce that our seventh full-length album, ALL THE SHADOWS, will be released on October 30th via No Remorse Records.
This is Cirith Ungol in its purest form: eight songs of epic, dark and doom-filled Heavy Metal, forged with the same fire that has driven this band from the beginning. We believe this stands among the strongest albums we have ever made.
The title track “All The Shadows” is out now, along with a brand-new lyric video.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – American heavy metal powerhouse A Sound of Thunder has officially announced its upcoming new full-length album, The Golden Hourglass, with a fan-powered crowdfunding campaign launching May 19 onBackerKit.
The band describes The Golden Hourglass as “a melodic heavy metal album to raise your spirits and empower you to keep hope alive through adversity,” blending soaring vocals, epic storytelling, and emotionally charged songwriting into what the group calls its most ambitious and personal work to date.
Written during one of the most difficult periods in the band’s history, The Golden Hourglass explores themes of resilience, perseverance, and finding hope in dark times. The album tells the story of the Izena, an advanced civilization facing world ending catastrophe, while simultaneously reflecting the band’s own struggles and rebirth.
“This album is an expression of all of our feelings throughout the past few years,” shared vocalist Nina Osegueda. “There’s a little fear, some anxiety about what’s to come, but ultimately there’s a lot of hope for the future.”
The Golden Hourglass will be the first full-length album to feature drummer Justin Finger, whose technical precision and explosive energy helped inspire what the band considers its strongest material yet. (A Sound of Thunder)
Artist Steve Stone, best known for his work on Iron Maiden’sBrave New World and Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, provides the album’s sweeping exterior and interior gatefold cover art featuring the band’s signature hourglass symbol. The album will present the cover art without title or logos to enhance its impact.
The campaign marks the band’s transition from Kickstarter toBackerKit, continuing the fully independent, fan-funded model that has sustained A Sound of Thunder for more than 15 years.
The crowdfunding campaign will feature a wide range of exclusive collector rewards, including splatter and colored vinyl editions, variant cassettes, CDs, apparel, enamel pins, embroidered patches, signed memorabilia, executive producer credits, and other limited-edition items created exclusively for supporters.
Fans can preview music from the album and pre-order now:
About A Sound of Thunder: Founded in Washington, D.C., A Sound of Thunder has built an international following through its blend of traditional heavy metal, power metal, and hard rock. Known for its independent spirit, dynamic live performances, and ambitious concept releases, the band has spent more than a decade cultivating a fiercely loyal fanbase known as the Legion of Thunder.
20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR 2027 – UK & EUROPE TOUR DATES:
16th Jan 2027 – Manchester UK – AO Arena 17th Jan 2027 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro Arena 19th Jan 2027 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena 22nd Jan 2027 – Birmingham, UK – BP Pulse Arena 23rd Jan 2027 – London, UK – O2 Arena 26th Jan 2027 – Düsseldorf, DE – PSD Arena 27th Jan 2027 – Hamburg, DE – Barclays Arena 29th Jan 2027 – Lodz, PL – Atlas Arena 31st Jan 2027 – Prague, CZ – O2 Arena *^ 2nd Feb 2027 – Munich, DE – Olympiahalle 4th Feb 2027 – Stuttgart, DE – Hans-Martin-Schleyer-Halle 7th Feb 2027 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Arena 8th Feb 2027 – Brussels, BE – Vorst National 10th Feb 2027 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena 12th Feb 2027 – Zurich, CH – Hallenstadion 14th Feb 2027 – Vienna, AT – Stadthalle 16th Feb 2027 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena 17th Feb 2027 – Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena* 19th Feb 2027 – Oslo, NO – Unity Arena 20th Feb 2027 – Stockholm, SE – Avicii Arena 22nd Feb 2027 – Helsinki, FI – Veikkaus Arena
Having made their back catalog available to a wider public via High Roller Records, Mexican speed and thrash metal force Phantom will release their third full-length assault Not Midnight Yet via the label. Recorded and mixed once again with Héctor “Northen” Ibarra at Nehtron Studios in Guadalajara and mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in Germany, this new album captures the band at their most technical and dynamic.
“I am never fully satisfied with my records and I try to push forward and expand our boundaries with every new material, without changing the soul and core of what Phantom stands for: Old School Heavy Metal,“explains mastermind J.C. García. “This record puts together very well everything that we are. Because of that, I think this is a juggernaut of an album”.
Tracks such as ‘Hordes Of Bats’ deliver relentless speed and riff-driven aggression, while ‘Dracula’s Curse’ and the title track lean into powerful midtempo dynamics and complex structures. ‘The Pale Remains Of Time’ stands out as one of the album’s most ambitious moments, combining melodic vocals, clean guitar interludes and subtle progressive touches.
“I try to break the established formula and add more textures and layers while keeping the old school spirit,” J.C. states. “It’s a very personal record and a work I’m very proud of. I think this is the most solid Phantom record to date”. With Not Midnight Yet, Phantom sharpen their identity and deliver a powerful, atmospheric statement, proof that the night is far from over.
ALBUM TRACK-LIST: 01 Hordes of Bats 02 Out of the Mausoleum 03 Dracula’s Curse 04 Morgenstern / Iron Strike 05 The Pale Remains of Time 06 Summoned to Kill 07 Not Midnight Yet 08 Solomonari 09 Sepulchral Majesty 10 Curse Your Name 11 A Trail Full of Sorrows 12 Echoes from the Fights
PHANTOM: Harel O. – Guitars J.C. García – Vocals, Guitars Raír Tavizón – Bass J.P. Alatorre – Drums
“Close To The Bone” Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available
American heavy metal icons, ARMORED SAINT, are back with their anticipated new full-length, Emotion Factory Reset, set for release on May 22nd through Metal Blade Records.
Emotion Factory Reset, the lineup’s ninth studio album since 1984’s March Of The Saint, is a resurrection of sorts, a tearing down and a rebuilding in eleven songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. Produced, as were the previous four albums, by bassist Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour), the record finds the quintet challenging themselves.
Songs like “Close To The Bone,” “Hit A Moonshot,” and “Every Man-Any Man” have ARMORED SAINT honoring their past as one of the most respected and recognizable bands in heavy music while making forward-thinking music rooted in the present.
“Each ARMORED SAINT record, to me, is like a new skin for the band, a different chapter. I don’t think we’ve ever repeated ourselves,” says Vera. “Every album has been pretty different from the previous one, a snapshot in time. In 2026, Emotion Factory Reset is where our heads are at.”
Emotion Factory Reset – Track Listing:
1. Close To The Bone
2. Every Man-Any Man
3. Not On Your Life
4. Hit A Moonshot
5. Buckeye
6. Compromise
7. It’s A Buzzkill
8. Throwing Caution To The Wind
9. Ladders And Slides
10. Bottom Feeder
11. Epilogue
“When we start coming up with songs, I always say we can do whatever we want,” notes vocalist John Bush. “Use all our influences through the years, diverse music that we listen to and love, and let that seep in and bring something new out of us. It leads to something more adventurous.”
Bush, one of music’s most respected vocalists, operates from a place of passion and presence in the studio and on stage. In fact, about 85% of his vocals from the last three ARMORED SAINT records are taken from the demo sessions, capturing the raw power.
While Vera is a granular and detailed writer, like Bush, the bassist says, “I try not to overthink and be right where I’m at that time. I really don’t look over my shoulder much, like, ‘what did I do in the past? What’s going on in the next lane?’ Once the ball starts rolling, I just sit back and let it happen.”
The collaborative nature of Emotion Factory Reset led to the album title, a phrase from guitarist Phil Sandoval. “To me, ‘Emotion Factory Reset’ means to reset yourself back to clarity. Take a pause and breathe before you respond or react. You can’t control outside events, but you can control your mind,” the guitarist says. “How you interpret things is what hurts you, not the event itself.”
His brother, drummer Gonzo notes, “the world is going through a technological upswing/awakening. I look at our planet as the factory and in the most positive way we need to realign, reimagine, reset for our better selves.”
In advance of the record’s release, the band presents the first single and album opener, “Close To The Bone.” Comments Bush, “The first track on the record sounds like vintage ARMORED SAINT, yet vintage that comes out in 2026! How did we do that? The title of the record, Emotion Factory Reset appears as the first line of the bridge. Killer riffs, awesome rhythms and attacking vocals gets this train rolling.”
Bush continues, “the title implies the human response to withdraw and keep things to yourself instead of being confrontational; Something I believe we all struggle with as humans. Do you just say, ‘aww, whatever man,’ or do you say, ‘hey, fuck you!’ Depends on the moment, I guess.”
Adds Vera, “Musically, this song was inspired by my love and appreciation for metal that was coming out around the time of the NWOBHM, which is right when ARMORED SAINT was formed. As always, I try to reimagine my early influences by giving them a slight modern twist.”
Guitarist Jeff Duncan agrees, “I like to think that ARMORED SAINT doesn’t keep making the same album over and over. Emotion Factory Reset is another musical chapter for the band. When the five of us play together, we have a special chemistry and our first single ‘Close To The Bone’ demonstrates this perfectly; it’s musically sophisticated but still retains the ARMORED SAINT signature sound.”
Watch ARMORED SAINT’s video for “Close To The Bone,” directed by My Good Eye: Music Visuals, HERE.
The record will be released on CD digipack (w/ 20-page booklet) and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
Amber Marble (US) Orange and Red Marble (US) Citron Smoke (US – Brutal Panda Exclusive) 180g Black (EU) Beige Gray Marbled (EU) Clear Black Gold Smoke (EU – Ltd. 500) Metallic Gold Black Dust (EU – Ltd. 300) Clear Gold Splatter (EU – Ltd. 200)
Additionally, a special European edition of the CD digipak includes the bonus track “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison),” only available digitally until now.
A special European edition of the single gatefold LP comes w/ insert and DL card + 7” vinyl “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison),” (only available digitally until now) w/ an etching on the B-side, a poster and slipmat.
ARMORED SAINT’s Emotion Factory Reset was recorded across several studios including 606 Studios, Secret Hand Studios, Skullseven Studios, Constantine Studios, and Bridge Recording, engineered by Oliver Roman, Bill Metoyer, Joey Vera, and Jason Constantine, and features cover art by DDKing.
Catch ARMORED SAINT live throughout the Spring and Summer months with more dates to be announced in the weeks to come.
ARMORED SAINT Live: 4/19/2026 Rainbow Bar & Grill – West Hollywood, CA w/ L.A. Guns, Pentagram, Alien Ant Farm, Boy Hits Car 5/17/2026 San Luis Metal Fest – San Luis Potosí, MX 5/22/2026 Rock Hard Festival – Gelsenkirchen, DE 6/06/2026 Milwaukee Metalfest @ The Rave/Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI 7/30/2026 Pumpehuset – Copenhagen, DK w/ Metal Church 7/31/2026 Skogsrojet Festival – Rejmyre, SE 8/01/2026 Pustervik – Gothenburg, SE w/ Testament, Metal Church 8/02/2026 Mejeriet – Lund, SE w/ Testament, Metal Church 8/05/2026 Brutal Assault – Jaroměř, CZ 8/07/2026 Alcatraz Festival – Dessel, BE 8/08/2026 Poppodium Boerderij – Zoetermeer, NL *ARMORED SAINT headlining show 8/09/2026 Keep It True Legions – Geiselwind, DE 8/11/2026 Progresja – Warsaw, PL w/ Savatage, Nevermore 8/12/2026 Collosseum – Kosice, SK w/ Vio-Lence 8/13/2026 Klub Studio – Krakow, PL w/ Testament, Metal Church 8/29/2026 Stonedead Festival – Newark, UK
Frontiers Music is proud to announce the signing of glam-metal trailblazers Zinny J. Zan and Harry Cody — founding members of Shotgun Messiah — reunited after 35 years. Welcome Zan/Cody to the family!
With a legacy built on rebellion, raw energy, and attitude, the duo is back in the studio, ready to pick up where they left off. Their 1989 self-titled debut helped define a generation of high-octane rock, and now they return with brand new music that stays true to their hard-hitting roots while embracing the grit of today’s rock landscape.
Expect swagger and uncompromising rock & roll spirit.
After the successful release of their latest studio album Forever in October 2025 via PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, followed by an extensive European tour with ALL FOR METAL, metal superheroes GRAILKNIGHTS are back with a new surprise for their fans. Today, the band unleashes the album bonus track: an epic power metal version of the timeless ABBA classic “Super Trouper!”
Known for their high-energy sound, heroic storytelling, and unmistakable style, GRAILKNIGHTS transform the iconic pop anthem into a thunderous metal spectacle. Driving guitars, powerful drums, and soaring vocals give the beloved song a completely new dimension while preserving the spirit that made it a global hit. With this release, the band once again proves that even legendary pop songs can be reborn in the world of superhero metal.
“We’re paying tribute to one of the greatest pop anthems of all time with Super Trouper – the Superhero Metal way!” comments Count Cranium (guitars, vocals). “We took this ABBA classic out of the disco and turned it into a powerful metal version that keeps the melody and its unmistakable identity, but reinterprets it with heavy riffs, epic energy, and a tongue-in-cheek sense of heroic pathos. A cover that builds bridges between genres, the dancefloor, and the mosh pit.”
Packed with anthemic choruses, powerful riffs, and the band’s trademark mix of heroism and humor, the bands latest studio offering, Forever, marks the Knights’ most dynamic and unifying chapter yet. With songs made for the moshpit and the gym alike, the album delivers everything fans love about GRAILKNIGHTS: catchy power metal, epic storytelling, and a dose of tonguein-cheek self-awareness that turns every show into a celebration.
Forever is out via PERCEPTION and available on all digital platforms and in physical formats.
Forever – Track Listing: 01. Yes Sire 02. Grail Gym 03. Necronomicon 04. Weekend Ninja 05. In The Eyes Of The Enemy 06. Snow In Bordeaux 07. Grailforce One 08. Mighty Metal Maiden 09. Animated Love [excl. jewel case-CD] 10. Powerlift 11. Forever Bonus Track: 12. Super Trouper [ABBA Cover]
GRAILKNIGHTS are: Sir Optimus Prime | vocals Sovereign Storm | guitars, vocals Count Cranium | guitars, vocals Duncan MacLoud | bass, vocals Lord Drumcules | drums
GRAILKNIGHTS Live: 08/09.05.2026 DE Braunschweig – Rock in Rautheim
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!
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