DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG have released their third single and video, “Hellbreaker” – a thunderous, full-throttle anthem that delivers another fiery preview of their upcoming full-length album, Babylon, due out in October 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music.
With “Hellbreaker” the band pulls no punches, catapulting us straight into true heavy metal! Brutal guitar riffs, bold melodies and a driving power chorus complete the picture. “Udo growls and screams like there’s no tomorrow, while Manuela’s solo vocals put the icing on the cake towards the end of the song. Mathias’ unorthodox solo guitar work is a real treat for all guitar freaks and in no way inferior to the other highlights,”states the band.
Backed by a cinematic music video, “Hellbreaker” doesn’t just build anticipation, it kicks the doors wide open for what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of the year.
Powerhouse Group Features Chris Adler, Myrone and Girish Pradhan
Today hard rock and heavy metal powerhouse FIRSTBORNE return with “Again” – the second single from the group’s awaited album. There’s an accompanying lyric video for the track viewable HERE:
“It’s an inner battle… choosing between sinking to their level or rising above the noise. When someone insults you without knowing who you are, it hurts. But the real strength lies in rising above the pettiness and channeling that energy into something greater… growth, purpose, and peace,” explains singer Girish Pradhan.
“Again” will be serviced to commercial/active rock radio and is the first cut off FIRSTBORNE’s new album, Lucky. It follows “Wake Up” which was a welcome introduction to the group’s penchant for infectious hard rock with a humorous and relatable twist, found especially entertaining by the first music video HERE: https://youtu.be/-vgQE4NKgds
The full-length, produced by the renown producer Machine (Clutch, King Crimson, Crobot) will be released on M-Theory Audio on August 8th. It will be available from all digital outlets, as well as on CD and limited-edition (300) amber wave colored vinyl. Pre-order now HERE: https://lnk.to/firstborne
FIRSTBORNE features legendary drummer Chris Adler (Lamb of God, Megadeth), virtuoso guitarist Myrone (known by some as the originator of soft shred), and electrifying vocalist Girish Pradhan who just performed last night on America’s Got Talent with his other band Girish and the Chronicles: https://www.facebook.com/reel/717507967417196
Formed in 2019, FIRSTBORNE blend high-energy riffs, soaring vocals, and thunderous rhythms to create a modern yet timeless sound rooted in classic metal, hard rock, and shred guitar. The band first gained attention through a series of independently released singles and EPs between 2020 and 2023, showcasing their signature fusion of melody, technical precision, and relentless groove.
Guitarist Myrone explains how the album came together: “When Chris, Girish, and I got connected in 2019 I said my number one goal in life was to get us all in the same room to jam. Four years later not only did we get in the same room, we went to Machine’s barn in Texas for a month to create 10 piping hot metal jams for the whole world to enjoy. I had written around 150 song ideas before stepping in the studio, and we ended up using none of them. What you hear on the record was entirely written and recorded in Texas.”
With Adler’s iconic drumming, Myrone’s signature guitar work, and Pradhan’sdynamic, powerhouse vocals, FIRSTBORNE are a force to be reckoned with in the hard rock and metal scene; delivering high-energy anthems that bridge the gap between old-school metal and modern intensity.
One band to rule them all! The final four bands from this year’s 2025 battles for Wacken Metal Battle Canada gathered in Vancouver, BC, forthe national final on May 31st at the Rickshaw Theatre. Only one unsigned Canadian band can walk away and be crowned champion to move on to perform at one of the world’s most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals, Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).
Crowning this year’s 2025 winner is Hamilton, ON’s KILLOTINE (Ontario Winner), who, after their performance, a panel of industry judges voted as Canada’s top band to play at the International Wacken Battle at Wacken Open Air. They performed alongside SOULTHIEF (Ottawa, ON – Eastern Canada Winner), BEYOND SUFFERING (Calgary, Alberta Winner), and YEGG (Nanaimo, British Columbia Winner). The special guest headliner was 2024 BC final winner, Vancouver’sArrow In The Quiver.
“What a finals we’ve just had in Vancouver. It’s so nice to see the level of the bands and the great performances from all of them. The result is that we’ve got something special this year: Killotine is the chosen one. This band has a career waiting for them, and the real beginning of that journey will be at Wacken Open Air. This really enforces what the Metal Battle is all about and how we are nurturing the next generation, the future of metal,” commentsCanadian Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, JJ Tartaglia.
This year’s panel of national final judges consisted of BRITTNEY SLAYES (Unleash The Archers), JJ TARTAGLIA (Canadian Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada), JJ CAITHCART (Founder of SCRAPE Records and Host of Different Stages Radio), KRIS SCHULZ (Founder of Empower Through Music and Owner of Horizon School of Music), ABELARDO MAYORAL (Founder, Owner, and Operator of The Invisible Orange and OrangeTickets), STAN SCHINNERS (Owner of Broken Neck Radio), JUSTIN DOBBIN (Owner and President of Main Stage Rehearsal Studios).
Hamilton, ON’s KILLOTINE is the hammer that falls without warning: relentless, unforgiving, and all-consuming. Their riffs shred through the air like jagged steel, solos burn with a fury that can’t be tamed, and blasts hit like an explosion in your chest. They don’t care about trends or softening the blow. Every note is a direct attack, every show a brutal assault. Headbanging is inevitable, the adrenaline is relentless, and the chaos is total.
This is metal in its rawest, most savage form. With their “take everything, leave only metal” mentality, Killotine isn’t here to play nice. They deliver exactly what the maniacs demand: pure, unfiltered aggression. No filler, no fake. Just a full-throttle, all-out assault that doesn’t let up, leaving you wrecked and addicted to the chaos. KILLOTINE IS COMING. STAY OUT OF THE WAY OR GET DESTROYED.
5RAND have officially signed with Art Gates Records for the release of their upcoming third album. This new alliance marks a significant step forward in the band’s evolution, as they continue to refine their signature blend of modern heaviness and cinematic atmosphere.
To celebrate the signing, the band has unveiled a brand-new single,“The Nihilist”, featuring Milofrom Fear Factory. The track delivers a fierce mix of punishing riffs, industrial undertones, and emotionally raw vocals, accompanied by a powerful music video that explores themes of identity loss and psychological inversion. “The Nihilist” offers a first glimpse into the darker, more introspective sound of their forthcoming record, due out in November 2025.
Hailing from Rome, Italy, 5RAND builds on a punishing modern metal foundation, layered with the cinematic depth of melodic death metal, creating an intense and emotionally immersive soundscape. Fronted by the dynamic dual vocals of Julia Elenoir, shifting seamlessly from visceral growls to haunting clean melodies, the band has carved out a distinctive place in the modern metal scene.
Founded by Pierluigi Carocci (guitar), Acey Guns (bass), Andrea De Carolis (drums), and Elenoir (vocals), 5RAND first made waves with their debut Sacred/Scared, followed by the critically acclaimed Dark Mother. The band has since toured extensively across Europe, sharing the stage with iconic acts such as Dark Tranquillity, Vader, Butcher Babies, Infected Rain, and many others.
In 2025, 5RAND will unveil their most ambitious work to date, a bold new album mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, featuring a powerful guest appearance by the new Fear Factory vocalist, Milo Silvestro. This upcoming release signals a sonic evolution: darker, more introspective, and conceptually daring.
The band’s name, drawn from a chance encounter with a shaman and a South African 5 Rand coin, symbolizes unexpected paths and transformative experiences. Their music explores themes of identity, emotional detachment, philosophy, and human resilience, all woven together through a multidisciplinary artistic vision that spans both sound and visuals.
Line-up:
Julia Elenoir – Voice Pierluigi Carocci – Guitar Acey Guns – Bass Andrea De Carolis – Drums
CROWBAR will join their comrades in Eyehategod for a US co-headlining tour this Summer! The journey, which will commence on August 8th in Tampa, Florida and close on August 30th in their home city of New Orleans, Louisiana, includes a performance on the Rocks Off Concert Cruise in New York City.
Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
CROWBAR w/ Eyehategod: 8/08/2025 Brass Mug – Tampa, FL 8/09/2025 Respectable Street – West Palm Beach, FL 8/10/2025 Trolley Pub – Summerville, SC 8/11/2025 529 – Atlanta, GA 8/12/2025 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC 8/13/2025 Cobra Cabana – Richmond, VA 8/14/2025 Rocks Off Concert Cruise – New York City, NY [info] 8/15/2025 Phantom Power – Millersville, PA 8/16/2025 Geno’s – Portland, ME 8/17/2025 Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA 8/18/2025 Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT 8/19/2025 Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY 8/20/2025 Preserving Underground – New Kensington, PA 8/21/2025 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN 8/22/2025 Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH 8/23/2025 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL 8/24/2025 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 8/25/2025 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO 8/26/2025 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK 8/27/2025 Club Dada – Dallas, TX 8/28/2025 House Of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX 8/29/2025 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 8/30/2025 Southport Hall – New Orleans, LA
CROWBAR’s most recent studio offering, the critically acclaimed Zero And Below, was released in April 2022 via MNRK Heavy. Led by riff lord and vocalist Kirk Windstein, with guitarist Matt Brunson, bassist Shane Wesley, and drummer Tommy Buckley, songs like “Chemical Godz,” “It’s Always Worth The Gain,” and “Bleeding From Every Hole” are unapologetic emotional outpourings, with a bare-knuckle resolve alongside its soul-searching vulnerability, reliably delivered with crushing heaviness.
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Duane Simoneaux at OCD Recording And Production in Metairie, Louisiana, Zero And Below is the band’s most unforgivably doom-driven record since their 1998 landmark effort, Odd Fellows Rest.
Lexington, KY’s heaviest export, CROP, has announced the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album S.S.R.I, due out August 22, 2025 via Third House Communications. Alongside the announcement, the band has dropped the album’s first single, “Alone” – a soul-crushing breakup song that cuts deeper than heartbreak and settles into the kind of emotional void that never really closes.
“Alone” is a brutal meditation on what it means to lose someone twice; once in the relationship, and again in the realization that their presence offered no real solace.
Backed by thunderous guitars, unrelenting drums, and vocals that walk the line between raw power and quiet devastation, “Alone” captures the emotional core of S.S.R.I; an album steeped in grief, clarity, and the jagged edge of survival. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jason Groves, S.S.R.I builds on the massive sound CROP introduced with their self-titled 2021 debut, and dives even further into the chaos of identity, loss, and mental disintegration.
The seven-track record features emotionally heavy tracks like “Formaldehyde,” “10-56,” and “Break,” and pairs crushing riffs with deeply introspective lyrics, reflecting the band’s evolution from local underground staple to national force.
Known for their blistering live shows and rising reputation in the doom and heavy grunge scenes, CROP has performed at Maryland Doom Fest, RPM Fest, and shared stages with WEEDEATER, CONAN, REZN, BONGZILLA and more. With S.S.R.I, the band delivers not just an album, but a fully immersive psychological and sonic experience.
S.S.R.I – Track Listing:
“Flatline” – 1:00
“Formaldehyde” – 5:57
“Goddamn” – 6:37
“10-56” – 6:22
“Alone” – 7:02
“Breath” – 1:06
“Break” – 6:24
CROP:
Marc Phillips – Vocals
Zach Hunter – Guitar
Braun Dabney – Bass
Andrew Beauvier – Drums
For CROP, the music is a confrontation, a refusal to look away from the darkest corners of life, and an insistence that even pain deserves to be heard at full volume.
Photo credit: Sam Jamsen L-R: Esa Holopainen (guitars), Olli-Pekka “Oppu” Laine (bass), Tomi Joutsen (vocals), Santeri Kallio (keys), TomiKoivusaari (guitars), JanRechberger (drums & percussion)
AMORPHIS are back: After taking a brief creative hiatus from the scene, the iconic Finnish metal titans return with the announcement of their 15th studio album, Borderland, arriving on September 26, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music!
Guitarist Esa Holopainen shares the band’s excitement about the forthcoming album: “Borderland is the first AMORPHIS album produced in collaboration with Danish producer Jacob Hansen. Before that, we had made three amazing records at Jens Bogren’s studio. During the planning phase of the project, we strongly felt that it was time to explore something new and see what working with a different producer might bring to the table!”
As a first introduction to Borderland, the band is thrilled to reveal that a brand new single ‘Light And Shadow’ will be released on June 6, 2025. More details to follow shortly!
Borderland will be released in time for a massive headline tour in their home country as well as a trip as part of an arena-filling package with ARCH ENEMY, ELUVEITIE and GATECREEPER. All dates & ticket info can be found below!
European “Blood Dynasty” 2025 Tour w/ ARCH ENEMY, ELUVEITIE, GATECREEPER: 10.10.2025 DE Stuttgart – Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle 11.10.2025 DE Frankfurt – Jahrhunderthalle 12.10.2025 DE Munich – Zenith 14.10.2025 HU Budapest – Barba Negra 15.10.2025 AT Vienna – Gasometer 17.10.2025 DE Berlin – Columbiahalle 18.10.2025 CZ Prague – Sportovní hala Fortuna 19.10.2025 PL Gliwice – PreZero Arena 21.10.2025 CH Zurich – The Hall 22.10.2025 IT Milan – Alcatraz 23.10.2025 FR Lyon – Radiant-Bellevue 25.10.2025 ES Madrid – Palacio Vistalegre 27.10.2025 FR Paris – Zénith 28.10.2025 NL Amsterdam – AFAS Live 30.10.2025 UK Wolverhampton – Civic Hall 31.10.2025 UK Manchester – O2 Apollo 01.11.2025 UK London – eventim Apollo 03.11.2025 LU Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal 04.11.2025 BE Brussels – Ancienne Belgique 05.11.2025 DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee 07.11.2025 SE Gothenburg – Partille Arena 08.11.2025 SE Stockholm – Annexet 10.11.2025 FI Helsinki – Helsingin Jäähalli 12.11.2025 NO Oslo – Sentrum Scene 13.11.2025 DK Copenhagen – Poolen 14.11.2025 DE Hanover – Swiss Life Hall 15.11.2025 DE Dusseldorf – Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Borderland Tour 2025 Presented by Grey Beard Concerts & Management: 05.12.2025 FI Ikaalinen – Spa & Resort 06.12.2025 FI Kempele – Zemppi Areena 12.12.2025 FI Rauha – Saimaan Areena 13.12.2025 FI Kajaani – Kajaanihalli 18.12.2025 FI Tampere – Tavara-asema 19.12.2025 FI Seinäjoki – Rytmikorjaamo 20.12.2025 FI Turku – Logomo 27.12.2025 FI Lahti – Möysän Musaklubi 31.12.2025 FI Lohja – Spa & Resort
“Hardening of the Heart” is about the emotional aftermath after a devastating loss. All that remains are shattered dreams and emptiness. The song represents the darker and personal side of GRACELESS.
Watch “Hardening Of The Heart ” (Official Video) HERE
Relentless powerhouse GRACELESS’ new album Icons Of Ruin out May 30th is the band’s most groundbreaking release to date! Massively produced, it boats crushing, unrelenting, large-scale, bombastic sonic destruction!
“Icons of Ruins is exactly what GRACELESS should sound like. This is us”, says drummer Marc Verhaar. The songs are destined to be more than just tracks; they are anthems, rallying cries for those who are also witnessing the world around them crumble and burn. “GRACELESS has become much more than a regular death metal band”, says Jasper. “We couldn’t be more proud of this album”, concludes frontman & founder David Kreft.
Listen to “Hardening Of The Heart” now available on all major digital platforms HERE
Graceless Icons Of Ruin – for fans of Bolt Thrower, Asphyx, Gorguts, Paradise Lost, Death, Bloodbath
GRACELESS – Icons Of Ruin Album Track-listing: 01 God Shines In Absence 4:11 02 Sanctified Slaughter 4:02 03 Lash Me To My Painful Death 4:50 04 Night Of The Slain 5:19 05 Hardening Of The Heart 5:17 06 Ungodliness 4:09 07 Rise Of The Blackest Sun 4:51 08 A King In The Filth 3:59 09 Beneath Starless Skies 5:47 10 Resurrection Of The Graveless 3:41
Band pics: Eus Straver
GRACELESS line up: Remco Kreft: Guitar, Vocals Marc Verhaar: Drums Jasper Aptroot: Bass Björn Brusse: Lead Guitar
Discography: Endless Spiral of Terror – split with Grond (Raw Skull – 2019) Deathbound – split with Revel in Flesh (War Anthem 2021) Shadowlands (Listenable reissue 2023) Where Vultures know your Name (Listenable reissue 2023) Chants of Purgatory (Listenable reissue 2023) Icons of Ruin (Listenable 2025)
Photo credit: Sami Teeri L-R: Jori Haukio (guitars,programming), Marko Tommila (drums), Ville Viljanen (vocals), Jarkko Kokko (guitars), Teemu Heinola (bass)
Finnish melodic death stalwarts MORS PRINCIPIUM EST announce their long-awaited ninth studio album, Darkness Invisible. Officially signed to PERCEPTION, the latest imprint of Reigning Phoenix Music, the band will once again embrace listeners with razor-sharp riffing, sweeping orchestration, melancholic harmonies, and relentless rhythmic precision – topped by Ville Viljanen’s unmistakable vocals.
Viljanen comments: “Joining PERCEPTION marks a powerful new chapter for us. We’re proud to be part of a label family that houses so many legendary titans. With their support, we’re ready to unleash our most furious, blistering and ambitious work yet. The future burns bright, shrouded in Darkness Invisible.”
“Throughout their career, MORS PRINCIPIUM EST have kept impressing me and the rest of the metal world with solid melodic death of the faster kind. Although they’ve never been the most active live band, they succeed in growing their following with each of their releases what underlines the masterfulness of their craft additionally…and in this case, ‘[Of] Death’ is really just the beginning. Welcome to PERCEPTION!”states label strategist Nils Wasko.
First single “Of Death,” also the opening track of their new record, a bone-shattering yet enormously melodic piece with a darkly majestic chorus, can be streamed here: https://mpe.rpm.link/ofdeathPR
Despite delivering MPE’s much-loved trademark elements, Darkness Invisible is not content to simply revisit old formulas, but it expands upon them: the arrangements are more cinematic than ever, layered with subtle electronic textures, ambient passages, and dynamic shifts that mirror the emotional weight carried within the lyrics – and the result is a work that feels both cathartic and devastating.
MPE are also not stingy with details above all: Darkness Invisible will finally be unleashed upon the world on September 26, 2025, and was once again self-recorded at Ansa Studio (Ulvila, Finland); Jens Bogren mixed and Tony Lindgren mastered the ten new tracks (plus CD / digital bonus song) at Örebro, Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, SEPULTURA, KREATOR etc.). Alvaro Valverde Fernandez was hired to create artwork and layout.
01. Of Death 02. Venator 03. Monuments 04. Tenebrae Latebra 05. Summoning The Dark 06. Beyond The Horizon 07. The Rivers Of Avernus 08. In Sleep There Is Peace 09. An Aria Of The Damned 10. All Life Is Evil Bonus Track (digipak / digital only): 11. Makso Mitä Makso [ISAC ELLIOT Cover]
Formats:
digipak-CD
“Venator” turquoise 1LP vinyl
jewel case-CD
digital
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST live:
22. – 24.08.2025 PT Pindelo dos Milagres – Milagre Metaleiro 05.10.2025 TR Istanbul – IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş
Following the haunting release of “Seaweed Braids” Italian all-female melodic death metal band Hellfox returns with a powerful new chapter: “Atlas,” the second single from their upcoming album The Spectrum Of Human Gravity, due out via Rockshots Records.
Combining heavy melodic death metal foundations with modern textures and acidic synths, “Atlas” is a crushing and introspective anthem. Lyrically, the song draws on the myth of the Titan condemned to bear the weight of the sky; a metaphor for the emotional burdens we carry and the silent expectations imposed by society. “We have no control over what happens around us,” the band explains, “but letting go of that weight may be the most liberating act of all.”
Hellfox’s music thrives on contrast: dual female vocals (melodic and growled), distorted layers, and atmospheric electronics merge into an emotional and immersive sound. With influences ranging from Amorphis and In Flames to Dark Tranquillity, the band has forged a distinctive identity that breaks away from traditional tropes, embracing vulnerability, rage, beauty, and discomfort in equal measure.
Cover art by Eva Marabotti
The Spectrum of Human Gravity” is a conceptual journey into the depths of the human psyche. It explores difficult yet universal emotions of loneliness, self-doubt and alienation, through allegorical storytelling and striking visual metaphors. Each song gives voice to a different “face of the self,” capturing the chaos and coherence that define our inner worlds.
With “Atlas“, Hellfox once again demonstrates their ability to balance emotional weight with sonic power, delivering a track that is as crushing as it is cathartic.
Hellfox Line Up: Greta Hammonia Antico: vocals Priscilla Poe Foresti: bass and vocals Gloria Naflekt Kaps: guitars Federica Fedi Piscopo: drums
TRACK LISTING:
Nautilus – Seaweed Braids
Empty
Water On The Ceiling
Pareidolia
Atlas
Six Times Lighter
The Centipede
The Warrior, The Child, The Healer
Voices
To celebrate the release ofThe Spectrum of Human Gravity, HELLFOX will perform a series of live shows. Dates have already been announced, and many more are on the way. Stay tuned for a full tour schedule that will soon be revealed!
06/06/2025 – Release Party at Dedolor Music Headquarters, Rovellasca (Co), Italy 07/06/2025 – with Folkstone and Vallorch at Tatoo Nerd Fest / Fiera di Parma, Italy 07/07/2025 – with Broken By The Scream at the Legend Club, Milan, Italy 18/07/2025 – with Genus Ordinis Dei at Have A Drink On Me Day 5 Fest, Brembate di Sopra (Bg,) Italy
CREDITS: Recorded at Eden Studio by Alessio Lucatti Mixed and Mastered by Domination Studio by Simone Mularoni. Cover art by Eva Marabotti.
Watch JOE STUMP’S TOWER OF BABEL’s “Days Of Thunder” video by Very Metal Art HERE.
JOE STUMP’S TOWER OF BABEL – the hard rock quintet who brings the finest European ingredients to their no-nonsense rock ‘n’ roll – will release Days Of Thunder July 4th on Silver Lining Music.
JOE STUMP’s supreme six-string shredding skills are known throughout the rock and metal scenes, both as the lead guitarist of Alcatrazz and as the shred specialist associate professor at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Having torn new earholes with their 2017 debut Lake Of Fire, STUMP and company take it a step further and higher with ten glorious slices of riff-driven, Rainbow/Deep Purple-styled anthems.
Along with the soaring vocals of Jo Amore, the tight-fist-drumming of Mark Cross, the multi-dimensional Mistheria (aka The Maestro) on keyboards, and Nic Angileri nailing down the rhythms on bass guitar, STUMP has once again prevailed in bringing heavy, energetic, yet gloriously melodic music to the table with a style and panache rarely seen in 2025.
“All of my influences are the classic European hard rock masters, whether it’s Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, or Gary Moore,” offers STUMP. “Naturally, the record gives a modern take on those classic sounds. I also love classical music of course, like Bach, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, and I wear all those influences on my sleeve. I do have more of a metal background, and my touch is quite a bit more aggressive, but this Days Of Thunder record is more of a hard rock album than it is a metal record.”
The record’s title track and first single “Days Of Thunder” propels itself off with typically blistering STUMP riffs which shimmer with dazzling technique, Amore’s vocals helping to further evoke the classic era of ‘80s European rock. STUMP comments, “It’s a badass tune that has a Rainbow vibe to it but heavier and reminiscent of early ‘classic’ Dio, something you could hear on the Dream Evil or Holy Diver albums. The band just went for it and the track immediately took on a life of its own… Jo’s great vocals, Mark’s killer playing and of course The Maestro destroying on the keys; it all matches up perfectly!”
Watch JOE STUMP’S TOWER OF BABEL’s “Days Of Thunder” video by Very Metal Art HERE.
Days Of Thunder will be available on CD and digital formats. Find preorders HERE.
On Days Of Thunder, songs such as “Sacrifice” and “The Princess” dance at the edge of speed and classic fireball rocking, the latter allowing some outrageous solos to unfold from both Mistheria and, of course, STUMP, who proudly re-establishes his pedigree as one the world’s best axesmiths. The mysterious and hazy groove of hip-swinger “Alone In The Desert” is a smokey backbeat dragging you into its soulful swagger.
All in all, taking a ride with Days Of Thunder is a Jedi mind trick of vintage sounds with ultra-fresh and vibrant sensibilities that will transport you back to the Hammersmith Odeon and the days when unabashed hard rockin’ talent, power, color, and flare were celebrated and venerated.
Days Of Thunder Track Listing:
1. Dominum
2. Rules Of Silence
3. Days Of Thunder
4. Blind Are Your Eyes
5. Alone In The Desert
6. In The Heat Of The Night
7. Sacrifice
8. Black Knight’s Prelude
9. Trust Me
10. The Princess
Days Of Thunder was produced by Mark Cross, mixed by George Aspiotis and Mark Cross at Studio Aspiotis in Greece, and mastered by Ade Emsley at Table Of Tone Mastering in the UK.
Italy’s WASTE CULT have unleashed their new single “The Warmest Shelter”, the third preview from their upcoming debut album Blame, out June 6th, 2025 via Aesthetic Death. Marking a shift in tone from the darker, more introspective cuts previously released, this new track channels a warmer, groovier energy, without sacrificing the band’s signature weight and grit.
Built around hypnotic riffs and a swaggering rhythmic pulse, “The Warmest Shelter” brings a dynamic sense of movement to the album’s overarching atmosphere of tension and collapse.
Emerging from Bologna’s underground scene in 2021, WASTE CULT continue to refine their blend of doom, stoner and post-metal with each release. “The Warmest Shelter” adds yet another layer to the rich and punishing soundscape of their forthcoming full-length.
Track-list:
1 – Ad Astra 2 – Delirium Of Manners 3 – Blame 4 – Blended As One 5 – Kerberos 6 – Pictures 7 – The Warmest Shelter 8 – Maze
All the members have experience with other punk/thrash metal projects, including Rake-Off, Hyle, Siege Stompers and Call The Cops.
The aim for WASTE CULT has been to create different sounds and atmospheres to those other projects, exploring a slower doomier approach to their sound. In mid 2022 they self-released an eponymous 4-track EP on tape, and on the back of that started playing shows across Italy.
The first full length, Blame, is the characterisation of all their different influences, with a more defined identity – taking inspiration from the doom classics to the more modern post-metal sounds. This reality took shape after years experimenting in the practice room, with Blame bearing witness to a more introspective and personal approach within both the music and lyrics.
Line-up:
Frank – Guitar and vocals Pilvia – Guitar Noise – Bass Claudio – Drums and backing vocals
Aesthetic Death has always been a fan of stoner doom sounds and like many, was schooled on the likes of Kyuss, Monster Magnet and Black Sabbath. Yet, Aesthetic Death has rarely had opportunity to work on any release with bands from these lands of sound.
South Texas metal juggernauts OVERT ENEMY have released their explosive new single, “Fire in the Skies,” along with a gripping lyric video that captures the chaos and urgency of all-out war. The track is the eighth on their upcoming concept album Insurrection, and it marks the second chapter in a three-song arc chronicling an alien invasion.
“Fire in the Skies” brings a heavy dose of hardcore-inspired riffing and battlefield energy. Originally nicknamed “hardcorish” in demo form, the song pulses with a frantic, boots-on-the-ground urgency. It is a musical call to arms for when the invasion hits home.
“This one’s about the invasion and a Red Dawn sense of urgency,” the band explains. “You roll up to your buddy’s house and you’re like, ‘dude, it’s time to go to war.’ The riffs are definitely hardcore inspired, and we’ve been playing this one live for a while now. We even dropped a live version on our Thunder in the Hill Country album.”
The new lyric video puts a visual exclamation point on the track’s unrelenting pace, pairing the high-octane riffing with images of conflict, resistance, and the looming unknown. Fans who’ve seen the band perform the song live will recognize the energy, but now it’s been captured and cranked up for the studio version.
Following their acclaimed comeback Here For None (2023), WARMEN turns the page with Band Of Brothers, their most powerful and cohesive album to date, set for release on August 15th via Reaper Entertainment.
In 2025, WARMEN presents themselves heavier, tighter, and more determined than ever before. The new record combines brutal heaviness, anthemic melodies, and cinematic atmosphere cementing the band’s evolution from a side project to a fully-fledged force in melodic death metal. “We really wrote this album together,” says band founder Janne “Warman” Wirman. “It feels like a real band, a true band of brothers.”
WARMEN’s Band Of Brothers was recorded at various locations across Finland and refined by Mikko Karmila (mixing) and Mika Jussila (mastering) at the legendary Finnvox Studios. Frontman Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum) delivers aggressive vocals and distinctive guitar solos, adding new energy and helping to define the band’s modern sound. The cover artwork was once again created by Aleh Zieliankievic, who also worked on Here For None.
The first single, the title track “Band Of Brothers,” will play a central role in the band’s 2025 live set. Following the album release, WARMEN will embark on an extensive touring schedule across Europe, including debut shows in Hungary and Switzerland, as well as a major headlining tour in Finland. The official album launch will kick off with a special release show at Summer Breeze Open Air on August 15th.
Band Of Brothers – Track Listing:
1. Band Of Brothers
2. One More Year
3. Nine Lives
4. When Doves Cry Blood
5. Out For Blood
6. Kingdom Of Rust
7. March Or Die
8. Untouched
9. Coup De Grâce
10. Dethroned
11. The Kiss Of Judas (Stratovarius Cover)
WARMEN: Janne “Warman” Wirman – keyboards Petri Lindroos – vocals Antti “Warman” Wirman – guitar Jyri Helko – bass Seppo Tarvainen – drums
Saty tuned for more on WARMEN’s Band Of Brothers to be announced in the weeks to come.
May 19, 2025 – Jerry Cantrell, whose widely praised new album I Want Blood arrived late last year, has announced a new round of U.S. tour dates, kicking off on August 16 in San Diego.
Tickets for the four-week outing, which finds Cantrell joined once again by Filter, are on-sale this Thursday at 10 a.m. local time. VIP and upgraded ticket bundles will also be available via jerrycantrell.com/tour.
I Want Blood showcases the legendary guitarist and vocalist at his most raw and resolute, blending brooding melodies with searing guitar work and introspective lyricism. The album has received widespread acclaim with the Los Angeles Times praising its “heavy, nuanced songs,” while Kerrang! calling it a “thunderous solo album that you can file alongside his best work.” Revolver, in their cover story on the iconic musician, saying the collection “delivers weighty, slippery riff and the kind of memorable rock hooks he’s been creating since the earliest days of Alice in Chains.”
The album is available on CD, digitally, and in multiple 2LP vinyl variants: https://bio.to/JerryCantrell. A deluxe spoken-word edition featuring narration by Cantrell and contributions from producer Joe Barresi, engineer Maxwell Urasky, Greg Puciato, Roy Mayorga, Gil Sharone, Rani Sharone, George Adrian, Vincent Jones, and Michael Rozon is also available both on vinyl and digital platforms. An accompanying animated video series by Boy Tillekens can be viewed here.
I Want Blood – U.S. tour dates:
August 16 San Diego, CA The Observatory North Park August 17 Anaheim, CA House of Blues August 19 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre August 20 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre August 22 Dallas, TX House of Blues August 23 Austin, TX Emo’s August 26 St. Petersburg, FL Jannus Live August 27 Orlando, FL House of Blues August 29 Columbia, SC The Senate August 30 Charleston, SC The Refinery September 2 Allentown, PA Archer Music Hall September 3 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place September 5 Cleveland, OH House of Blues September 6 Pittsburgh, PA Roxian Theatre September 7 Cincinnati, OH Bogart’s September 9 Detroit, MI Saint Andrew’s Hall September 10 Davenport, IA Capitol Theatre September 12 Minneapolis, MN Uptown September 13 La Vista, NE The Astro (Indoor Theater) September 14 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater
I Want Blood – European tour dates:
May 31 Padua, IT Hall June 1 Milan, IT Magazzini Generali June 4 Gdańsk, PL Gdańsk Shipyard June 6 Berlin, DE Columbia Theater June 7 Willingshausen, DE Rock Im Park June 8 Nürburg, DE Rock Am Ring June 10 Zagreb, HR Tvornica Kulture June 12 Nickelsdorf, AT Nova Rock June 13 Hradec Kálové, CZ Rock For People June 15 Derby, UK Download Festival June 17 London, UK O2 Forum Kentish Town June 19 Amsterdam, NL Melkweg June 20 Dessel, BE Graspop Metal Meeting June 22 Clisson, FR Hellfest June 24 Paris, FR La Machine du Moulin Rouge June 25 Nijmegen, NL Doornroosje June 26 Hamburg, DE Gruenspan June 28 Oslo, NO Tons of Rock
Photo credit: Nick Fancher
Jerry Cantrell is an iconic American troubadour, celebrated for his distinctive guitar playing, soulful vocals and profound songwriting. Known for his work in both Alice In Chains and as a solo artist, the GRAMMY-nominated musician has sold in excess of 30 million albums, has been named one of the greatest guitar players of all time by both Guitar World and Rolling Stone, and has been instrumental in shaping the sound of modern rock music.
Over his career, he has released six studio albums with Alice in Chains, four solo full-lengths, has had his music featured in films from Cameron Crowe, Judd Apatow and Ben Stiller and made cameos in “Deadwood” and “Jerry Maguire.”
Technical death metal force EXTERMINATUS has unveiled a new guitar playthrough video for “Starbound,” the third track from their latest album Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1. Shot on a vibrant spring day in Vancouver, this video captures not only the technical finesse of guitarists Elia Baghbaniyan (KIESEL) and Tabreez Azad (SCHECTER), but also a striking contrast between the band’s heavy, groove-infused sound and the serene setting of Habitat Island.
“Starbound” is one of the more melodic and rhythmically driven songs on Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1, showcasing EXTERMINATUS’s ability to weave atmosphere and groove into their technically dense compositions. The track is filled with uplifting leads, dynamic riff changes, and tight synchronization between both guitarists, making it a standout moment on the record and a fan favorite for playthrough content.
The video places Baghbaniyan and Azad in the heart of nature, juxtaposing the raw aggression of their playing with the peaceful backdrop of Vancouver’s coast. It’s a visual reminder of the scope and depth of EXTERMINATUS’s music: brutal yet precise, heavy yet thoughtful, grounded in earth yet reaching for the stars.
Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1 is now streaming on all major platforms and available for purchase at: https://exterminatus.bandcamp.com.
The album explores themes of cosmic evolution, artificial intelligence, and the existential terror of infinite recurrence, all brought to life through relentless riffs, atmospheric compositions, and blistering technicality.
EXTERMINATUS:
Tabreez Azad – Guitar/Vocals
Elia Baghbaniyan – Guitar
Luka Bresan – Lead Vocals
Max Sepulveda – Drums
Lucas Abreu – Bass
Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1 – Track Listing:
The esteemed Melvins performed at one of my favorite large clubs in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Thursday, May 15th. Napalm Death was also a headline act! I took these photos with my iPhone, sitting up in the balcony. My bad knees and legs forbid my wanting to be on the floor and up-close, nowadays. I was accompanied by my Metal Buddy Troy. This was my second time seeing the Melvins, duringmy Metal life. I was pumped from start to finish!
Buzz Osborne was on top of his game! The legend never slowed down for a second! Entire band and crowd was lit! I didn’t want their set to end; yet it was comforting to know Napalm Death was at the ready! I hope you enjoy some of these photos; it was difficult with the lightingand distance. Regardless, I’m grateful I have these to share with you all. Thank you for stopping by and Metal be thy name!
After nearly a decade since their debut, metal band PATCHWORK returns with the release of their powerful new album, Scars. The album is accompanied by the debut of a lyric video for the emotionally devastating closing track, “At The End,” available HERE.
Formed in 2010 by five longtime friends reuniting after years away from music, PATCHWORK has evolved from a thrash cover band into a formidable force of original songwriting. Scarsserves as a conceptual sequel to their 2015 debut Exit Wounds, digging deeper into the emotional and psychological aftermath of trauma. Where Exit Wounds explored the moment of impact, Scars lingers in its wake.
The album showcases PATCHWORK‘s signature fusion of thrash, power, and speed metal, sharpened by tighter songwriting, intense performances, and guest contributions from heavyweights like Bobby Gustafson, Kragen Lum, Michael Gilbert, Dallas Toler-Wade, and Ronnie Parmer. New vocalist Heith Gruner and bassist Liza Sanchez inject fresh energy into the band’s lineup, giving the record a modern edge while staying true to its roots.
Among Scars’ 13 tracks is the heart-wrenching closer, “At The End,” a tribute to late band member Mark Sheetz, who passed away from cancer in 2023. Featuring lyrics written by Dave Caruana, solos by Kragen Lum, and a final recorded message from Sheetz himself, the track stands as the album’s emotional core.
Scars was written over six years and recorded at multiple studios, including Scars Studio and The Junkyard, with reamping completed at TVR Studio. The album’s production mirrors its themes: raw, honest, and unrelenting. Scars is available for purchase HERE.
Groove/thrash metal band INCITE has released “Dolores,” the third single from their highly anticipated upcoming album, Savage New Times, which is set to be released on August 15, 2025, via Reigning Phoenix Music. “Dolores” demonstrates INCITE‘s ability to evolve while pushing the boundaries of their musical style.
The track is a sophisticated blend of melody and mayhem, maintaining a brutal core while exploring new sonic territories. It’s a testament to the band’s artistry, showcasing their skill in fusing melodic elements with their traditional heavy metal roots. The result is a complex, layered composition that highlights not only their technical proficiency but also a mature musical vision.
Frontman Richie Cavalera comments, “Dolores is the most boundary-pushing song we’ve ever made as a band. It’s shown us that we can push our sound into new areas while staying true to who we are and what we represent. It’s my personal favorite on this record, as it relates to a childhood dream I had. It’s insane to see and feel it come alive.”
Track Listing: 1. Lies 2. Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up) 3. Just A Rat 4. Chucked Off 5. Doubts and the Fear 6. Dolores 7. No Mercy No Forgiveness 8. Used and Abused 9. Never Die Once 10. Savage New Times
Gallagher (WV) – U.S. Thrash Metal quartet, Executionist, have released full-length debut album, Sacrament of the Sick, on CD and digital formats! In the four years since the release of their debut EP, Executionist has sharpened the blades of its attack, both in terms of songwriting and performance!
Sacrament of the Sick is a monumental step forward from Executionist’s previous material. Improved production, performances, and writing have made the Executionist sound nearly unrecognizable compared to the band’s debut EP, Destined for Destruction.
Each track was meticulously crafted and poured over in Executionist’s home studio, and the final product shows that it was worth every ounce of attention. With a clear focus on melody and tighter songwriting, Sacrament of the Sick is a sonic journey sure to leave a lasting impact on the listener.
Vocals/Guitar – Brett Ash Drums – Tristan Ash Bass – Austin Rose Guitar – Mike Kinder
Credits:
Music written by Brett & Tristan Ash Lyrics written by Brett Ash Vocals, guitar, bass – Brett Ash Drums – Tristan Ash Produced by Brett & Tristan Ash Engineered & Mixed by Tristan Ash Mastered by Colin Davis of Imperial Mastering Album Artwork by Mitchell Nolte Logo by ModBlackMoon & HermanTwo
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