Check out my autographed band photo of METAL CHURCH!! From left to right: Rick Van Zandt (lead guitar), Kurdt Vanderhoof (rhythm guitar), Mike Howe (vocals), Jeff Plate (drums) and Steve Unger (bass). They signed my photo after the show! The only autograph missing is Jeff Plate, due to him being with some friends chatting.
I went to see METAL CHURCH back on September 16, 2016, at Oddbody’s Music Lounge, In Dayton, Ohio. Was an incredible night! An all-time Metal memory I cherish!!
It was the second time I saw METAL CHURCH play live. The first time I saw them was back in 1985, when they opened for METALLICA at the West Hartford Ballroom, in West Hartford, Connecticut! (The late) David Wayne was the lead singer for METAL CHURCH back in 1985.
On this night (the late) Mike Howe was the lead singer and he lit up the stage! I was chest against the front stage, living my best Metal life, that night, back in 2016! See the photo below of Mike Howe and myself, taken after the show.
Stone and (the late) Mike Howe.
METAL CHURCH on that night were so gracious and humble, signing their band photo for free, while chatting away and accepting photo requests by many jubilant fans! I couldn’t thank them enough, then and now. – Stone
French heavy metal force Seven Metal Sins return with “Eternal Downfall”, the new single taken from the band’s forthcoming debut album Legacy Of Chaos, set for release in June 2026.
Following the release of “Hypocrisy” and the recent unveiling of “Wolves Of The Last Dawn”, the new track further consolidates the band’s uncompromising approach to heavy and power metal, combining razor-sharp riffing, commanding vocals, and an atmosphere fueled by tension, urgency, and raw intensity.
Formed in 2024 by former Manigance rhythm section Stéphane Lacoude and Patrick Soria, Seven Metal Sins was born from the desire to return to a more direct, personal, and aggressive vision of metal songwriting. The lineup was later completed by guitarist Antton Iriart, vocalist Claw-G. and guitarist Fred Auclerc, forging a sound rooted in classic heavy metal, power metal, and old-school speed metal traditions while embracing a sharper contemporary edge.
Lyrically, “Eternal Downfall” perfectly reflects the dystopian and socially conscious vision at the core of Legacy Of Chaos. Inspired by environmental collapse, authoritarianism, greed, and humanity’s destructive trajectory, the band channels its frustration and rage into a heavy metal framework enriched by dark futuristic imagery and apocalyptic undertones.
The band describes its sound as “powerful – strong – heavy – sharp – huge”, delivering “pure, hard-hitting metal in the vein of cult bands that have marked different eras”.
Track Listing: 1. The Fall (Intro) – 0:57 2. Scars of Injustice – 4:35 3. No Sanctuary – 4:22 4. Hypocrisy – 4:07 5. Eternal Downfall – 4:57 6. Feel the Steel – 4:20 7. Wolves of the Last Dawn – 4:36 8. Beyond the Breaking Point – 4:01 9. Sun Eaters – 5:00 10. Rise of the Phoenix – 3:55 11. King of Sorrow – 6:25
Produced by Seven Metal Sins, Legacy Of Chaos was mixed by Jérémie Garat at Reseda Prod and mastered by Simon Capony at Basalte Studio, while the album artwork and layout were created by Marco Orlando.
Modern metal act A COLD PARADISE have released a new music video for their latest single “Here I Rise”. The project is led by Antonio Calanna, known to many metal fans as the former vocalist of ALL FOR METAL. Marking a bold new chapter, the track combines modern heaviness, emotional intensity and soaring energy into a powerful statement of intent.
Driven by massive riffs, cinematic atmosphere and an uncompromising performance,“Here I Rise”perfectly captures the core identity of A COLD PARADISE. The song reflects themes of growth, resilience and transformation while channeling raw emotion into an explosive and deeply personal listening experience.
Calanna comments: “‘Here I Rise’ is a statement. After our first live shows, we felt the connection with the audience and knew this was just the beginning. This song captures exactly what A Cold Paradise stands for: the will to grow, to rise, and to turn emotion into something powerful. It’s raw, energetic, and unapologetically intense.”
A COLD PARADISE is a modern alternative metal band founded in 2025 by Antonio Calanna, signed to Perception – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music. The project was born from a desire to emphasize atmosphere, melody, and emotional depth within heavy music, without compromising its force.
Rooted in genuine feeling, A COLD PARADISE builds its sound from the inside out, letting emotion guide both songwriting and production. Heavy riffs collide with expressive melodies, cinematic atmospheres and carefully woven electronic elements that shape the emotional arc of each song.
The band works with a defined collective identity: music, lyrics, and visuals all feed into the same artistic world, where storytelling, contrast, and emotional weight matter as much as the breakdowns. Living in the tension between vulnerability and force, A COLD PARADISE blends modern metal and rock with immersive textures to create a dynamic, evocative, and unmistakably human sound.
A COLD PARADISE Artist Line-Up: Antonio Calanna | vocals Paolo Avanzini | guitars, vocals Luca Birocco | guitars Fortunato De Negri | bass Daniele Motta | drums
The new hardcover book, …And Justice For Art: Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers – Ultimate Edition, is now available.
…And Justice For Art: Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers – Ultimate Edition includes 372 color pages, 700 graphics, and more than 120 exclusive interviews about the making of hundreds of iconic metal album covers. This epic journey through the art of heavy music features stories about the sleeve artworks for albums like Black Sabbath’s Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden’s Killers, Metallica’s …And Justice For All, Cynic’s Focus, At The Gates’ Slaughter Of The Soul, Slayer’s Reign In Blood, Opeth’s Heritage, Darkthrone’s A Blaze In The Northern Sky, Suffocation’s Effigy Of The Forgotten, Tiamat’s Wildhoney, Neurosis’ Times Of Grace, among many others.
The stories behind these iconic artworks are told through hundreds of exclusive comments and interviews with metal icons like Max Cavalera (Soulfly, Nailbomb, ex-Sepultura), Jeff Walker (Carcass), David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel, Vltimas), Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Esa Holopainen (Amorphis), Fenriz (Darkthrone), Tom Angelripper (Sodom) and many others. The book also includes insightful interviews with legendary illustrators such as Eliran Kantor, Dan Seagrave, Travis Smith, Valnoir, and Costin Chioreanu, who also designed the book’s cover.
“This hardcover book features 372 glossy color pages, more than 700 images and firsthand information about hundreds of graphics, which are presented in extremely high quality,” author Ramon Oscuro comments. “This is a complete reinvention of the original …And Justice For Art book published in 2015, which have been out-of-print for almost a decade. Instead of just reprinting the original volume, I decided to rewrite, redesign and update every page. I also added 108 new pages featuring new chapters, new interviews and hundreds of new graphics. It’s a completely new book, an epic journey through heavy music imagery from 1970 to 2025.”
According to Vltimas/ex-Morbid Angel frontman, David Vincent, who penned the book’s foreword, this is “a historical document about the importance of Metal album covers.” Soulfly’s Max Cavalera has thanked the author “for helping to keep alive the ritual of the album cover.” Cattle Decapitation vocalist Travis Ryan assured that “this is exactly what the music world needs to remind us how important album covers have been to all of us that grew up surrounding ourselves with physical media.”
Watch a trailer for …And Justice For Art: Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers – Ultimate Edition HERE.
This is a limited edition of 500 copies. It’s only available at THIS LOCATION. Use the discount code AJFA15GOOD to save 15% on your purchase.
Journalist/musician, Ramón “Oscuro” Martos García, was born in Cuba in 1975. His interest in heavy music started at a very early age after discovering the music of bands like Queen, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Sepultura, among others. He graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Santiago de Cuba before emigrating to the Dominican Republic in the early 1990s, where he played in several metal bands, including Necro, Divinis Invocat, and Los Recalcitrantes, and founded the country’s first rock/metal fanzine, Esperando El Final. After moving to the United States in the 2000s, he started writing for publications like MetalUnderground.com, This Is Metal Magazine, PureGrainAudio.com, among others.
In 2011, Ramón formed the Metal art community …And Justice For Art, which is the result of his longtime obsession with visual arts, especially heavy music art. This community and the book series ...And Justice For Art – Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers (which has spawned five volumes during the last decade) have provided exclusive information about the making of thousands of metal album covers, the work of hundreds of graphic artists and other related topics.
An explosive offering awaits from the Raleigh, NC, based ensemble CRIMSON STEEL. As the band gear up to unveil their forthcoming full length album, Show No Fear, CRIMSON STEEL present their first single release in “No Absolution“. Show No Fear is set to arrive on October 2nd, 2026, via Heaven and Hell Records.
“No Absolution” showcases the dynamic characteristics of CRIMSON STEEL‘s sound. While inspired by traditional styles, progressive metal and power metal, the single delivers a modern feel. “No Absolution” provides haunting melodic moments alongside ferocious rhythms. Throughout the track, emotional vulnerability is entwined with heavy power.
Lyrically, CRIMSON STEEL delve into themes surrounding guilt, condemnation, and spiritual isolation. The imagery evokes a sense of a being who is trapped with their own internal suffering, unable to atone or make amends for past actions. “No Absolution” explores an inability to escape from the torment that exists within oneself.
CRIMSON STEEL focus on storytelling through their music. Each track across the album contributes to the larger emotional narrative experience. At its core, Show No Fear explores the human experience often drawing on fantasy and mythical imagery to convey the central themes of fear, transformation, power, and perseverance.
Show No Fear – Track List:
As Above, So Below 1:11
Dark Rider 4:39
No Absolution 5:53
Purifier 4:18
Final Phase 5:44
Prelude to the Blade 0:45
Century Sword 5:18
Bleed into One 6:30
Show No Fear 4:52
Show No Fear was produced by Wendy Brancaccio and recorded and mixed at Vintage Noise Studio with Wendy Brancaccio and Bill Spears. The album was mastered by Anthony Focx. Cover artwork and design for Show No Fear isby Johnathan @gerardster.
Guest vocals on “Bleed into One” were provided by James Rivera, recorded at Hombre Malo Studio and engineered by Larry Barragán.
About CRIMSON STEEL:
With a style rooted firmly in classic metal, Raleigh, NC based CRIMSON STEEL combine elements from traditional metal and power metal to produce a high octane sound with a modern feel. Initially formed in 2022 by bassist Joel McGee, the quartet draws influence primarily from the likes of JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, SAVATAGE, CRIMSON GLORY, and QUEENSRŸCHE.
Alongside McGee is vocalist Tina Langevin, both of whom performed together as teenagers before unexpectedly reconnecting in this new musical endeavor. The line-up is completed with David Ryan on guitars and backing vocals, along with Will Adkins delivering percussion in addition to backing vocal duties.
Entwining story-driven songwriting with the intense energy of crowd-participation and the live stage, CRIMSON STEEL is preparing to unveil their debut album Show No Fear on October 2nd, 2026, via Heaven and Hell Records.
Italian symphonic death metal titans FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are storming New York City on May 15, 2026 for a show at The Palladium. To celebrate, they have teamed up with Handcraft Burgers & Brew, a top-ranked New York City restaurant. The “Opera Of Ruin Burger” features the following ingredients:
Smashed beef and sausage patty
Garlic aioli
Arugula
Tomatoes
Provolone cheese
Chili crunch
Parmigiano crisp
Balsamic glaze
Crispy bacon
Brioche bun brushed with garlic butter on top
This special, limited-edition burger is only available until May 15, so check it out at Handcraft Burgers & Brew before the show.
Watch the video for “Killicon Valley (Silicon Dust)” at this location.
Kansas City thrash masters HELLEVATE have posted the official music video for the title track off their new album, Killicon Valley. This five-minute thrash-fest aims its rage at the use of AI in today’s culture.
“This song is the result of several years of us watching the development of AI and ranting about it with each other. So many songs out there about AI have their hearts in the right place, but they always sing about it like it’s Skynet or SHODAN; some unstoppable robot overlord coming to bring the apocalypse,” comments guitarist Joshua Cole about the song.
“Then you actually use it and it’s a crappy productivity tool that only helps create more noise and BS that we all have to wade through, all because some idiot billionaires decided they liked the idea of a computer that could do all their thinking for them and replace those pesky employees. The lyrics fit the music perfectly, as it’s nasty, aggressive, relentless, and fast! If you like your thrash metal played pissed off and at warp speed, we’ve got you covered with this one!”
Vocalist Robert Browne expands on the song’s lyrical theme, “The so-called “leaders” of the tech industry have made shit more expensive, turned a multitude of careers upside-down, and gotten this moronic presidential administration to give them access to sensitive systems. And for what? It fucks up simple tasks. It fills our news feeds with garbage and lies. It gives mediocre idiots with no skill the delusions that they can make art with no effort, all at the cost of the planet that sustains our lives. Older folks who fear AI think it’ll be like a Terminator 2 thing. It’s much worse; I’d rather be blown up than starve.”
Watch the video for “Killicon Valley (Silicon Dust)” at this location.
Killicon Valley is relentless in execution. Eleven tracks of the bullshit-free, ‘thrash-or-be-thrashed’ attitude the band has cultivated over their nearly 20 years of existence. Today, that fury has escalated beyond the breaking point. The result is an album that true fans of old-school thrash can blast with pride.
Watch the video for the album’s first single, “In the Long Grass,” at youtu.be/4pvJtJcOrvo.
Robert Browne – Vocals Dan Whitmer – Guitar Joshua Cole – Guitar Zack Burke – Bass Ruben Lopez – Drums
HELLEVATE will mark the release of Killicon Valley with an album release show at Warehouse on Broadway in Kansas City, MO. Support will come from Jackson Country 5, Meat Shank, and Bloodscent. Check the event page for details.
NEW VIDEO FOR “THEY FOUND ONE OF MY GRAVES” RELEASED
“The old school never gets old” – Fenriz
In a year marking four decades since their first incarnation as Black Death, 2026 sees the return of Norwegian duo Fenriz and Nocturno Culto, better known as Darkthrone. The new studio album Pre-Historic Metal, out now via Peaceville, is fueled by a long-running obsession with invoking the spirit of old-sounding metal, and doing things in their own, uncompromising way.
Venturing out once more from their Northern cave with a new batch of timeless riffs, the band fly the Pre-Historic Metalbanner high, leaning into the raw, timeworn sound for their latest primal offering.
As Fenriz himself proclaims of the title’s symbolic origin, “Prehistoric is a loose term.I just figure it’s our VIBE, our take on things and it’s more a statement that we use old style to create something new”.
To coincide with the album’s release there is a new lyric video for the album opener “They Found One Of My Graves”, created by Matthew Vickerstaff (Darkwave Arts).
A continuation of 2024’s stellar ‘It Beckons Us All’, ‘Pre-Historic Metal’ is a ferocious slab of primal epics & gargantuan riffs with organic sound, graced with the ever-present permeating spirit of the 70s and 80s. This next chapter in Darkthrone’s unyielding saga presents a vast odyssey through the sonic landscapes of Thrash, Black, Heavy and Doom Metal and, adorned with a punishing and “in your face” guitar presence, Darkthrone stirs the cauldron of savage creativity with a nod to the writing methods which were indicative of their earlier works of the late 80s, but with a more refined craft.
Photo credit – Peer Olav Kittilsen
Summarising what the album represents, Fenriz explains: “It means that we are metal. With very loud guitars. “Frightfully barbaric but not without finesse”, I call it. We collaborated in the studio more than ever, who’s playing what is still in a purple haze, but last but not least it was a sort of hardening of the arteries – we decided to tighten the tourniquet and do 8 effective songs brimming with riffs instead of the airy plodding we so much enjoy usually”.
‘Pre-Historic Metal’ was recorded at Chaka Khan Studios, Oslo, with production work conducted by Ole Øvstedal, Silje Høgevold & Mads Luis. Mastering was carried out by Jack Control at Enormous Door, and Maor Appelbaum Mastering.
Pre-Historic Metal – Track listing:
They Found One Of My Graves (05:17)
Pre-Historic Metal (04:19)
Siberian Thaw (06:45)
Deeply Rooted (04:58)
The Dry Wells Of Hell (06:12)
So I Marched To The Sunken Empire (03:21)
Eat Eat Eat Your Pride (04:51)
Eon 4 (05:24) Pre-Historic Metal is available on
A Deluxe box set special edition featuring:
Exclusive splatter 180gm heavyweight vinyl with gatefold sleeve & exclusive alternate cover artwork by Maciej Kamuda.
Exclusive cassette edition.
CD edition.
Booklet including an interview by Harald Fossberg on the making of ‘Pre-Historic Metal’.
2 posters
LP on black & white splatter vinyl – available exclusively at the Peaceville label stores
LP on purple marble vinyl – available at the Peaceville label stores + select stores worldwide
LP on classic black vinyl
LP on white vinyl (available exclusively in Germany)
LP on dark green vinyl (available exclusively in Norway)
LP on silver vinyl (available exclusively in Sweden)
LP on transparent orange vinyl (available exclusively in North America)
LP on coke bottle green (available at independent records stores in North America)
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
SEVEN KINGDOMS has announced their 6th full length record Sono Sola. The band will return to their long established crowdfunding model with a plan to release the record in the fall. The crowdfunding campaign will launch on May 26th and run until June 26th.
Guitarist Camden Cruz shares, “We are really excited for this record! We took a lot of new chances on this record and got to spend a lot more time working on it. The record contains the soul of this band. We bring the highest level and heaviest release of our career to you with this album. We worked again with Jim Morris who wrote and produced the record with us. We also worked on the record with Francesco Cavalieri who also helped produce songs with us on this album. Sabrina is at the top of her game and the band is firing on all cylinders. It will be your favorite Seven Kingdoms album. We cannot wait to share this with you!”
Producer Jim Morris comments, “This is the most melodic and heaviest Seven Kingdoms record that we have ever done. We got to spend more time than ever working on the music. I am very excited for this new music and I believe it’s going to open a lot of new doors for the band!”
Sono Sola was recorded at Morrisound Recording in April and May 2026 with Jim Morris (SAVATAGE, WARRANT, DEATH). SEVEN KINGDOMS wrote the record together with Jim Morris, who also produced the record along with co-producer Francesco Cavalieri (WIND ROSE). The album artwork for Sono Sola was done by Bo Bradshaw. The Track listing will be released at the end of the Crowdfunding Campaign along with more news.
SEVEN KINGDOMS:
Sabrina Cruz – Vocals Camden Cruz – Guitars Kevin Byrd – Guitars Keith Byrd – Drums
The epic return of Los Angeles progressive power metal group. Two years on from their last single “Ironsides” and eight years after their explosive debut, ‘Legends,’ the LA shred-lords NOVAREIGN return with some new music with a new digital single and their first music video. “Sun & Moon” is filled guitar frenzy, intricate rhythmic complexity and soaring anthemic vocals, and when we say filled we mean it cause this track clocks in over ten minutes.
While online now at all digital streaming and download platforms, make sure and view the band’s performance in all its hairy glory as they work their way through the music’s challenging and eventful passages.
“This song holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. Musically, it is supposed to be a love letter to all things Heavy Metal that inspired my playing for so many years, while showcasing the bombastic talents of each member of the band in a way that I hope feels old-school and modern at the same time,” explains guitarist Balmore Lemus.
“Lyrically, it is a message from father to son to hold true to their heart and spirit through the inevitable dark times that life can and will likely present, as well as a reminder that they are a culmination of love, light, and an unbridled fire that is capable of so much more than they could even imagine.
We hope you enjoy the tune as much as we’ve enjoyed playing it live. It’s been a staple in most recent shows for a while now and man does it feel good to have it come to light, finally! Thank you guys for sticking with us this far!“
“Along the lines of this good news is that NOVAREIGN have delivered a finished album… finally it’s reality. If you follow the label you’ve noticed for the past few years us tease a new NOVAREIGN album is in the works. We have finished the master and layout delivered and the album is slated for a July 17th release. And we’re starting pre-orders today for what NOVAREIGN have entitled “ShiftingThe Axis Of The World” at our webstore or Bandcamp.”
NOVAREIGN gained quite a bit of traction with their 2018 album, Legends, which was praised as “a bombastic mix of epic metal” (BraveWords), “an instrumental fireworks show” (Metal Bandcamp) and “one of the most addictive power metal records I’ve heard in a long time” (Two Guys Metal Reviews).
Additionally, the ensuing live shows that followed its release included dates with Michael Schenker, Exmortus, Angra, White Wizzard, Rhapsody Ov Fire, Act of Defiance, Bonded By Blood, GloryHammer, Graveshadow, PowerGlove and Holy Grail, in addition to festivals like Mad With Power, Hyperspace, Ruinfest and Frost And Fire.
In the downtime, NOVAREIGN endured a couple of lineup changes implementing new drummer Ulises Hernandez (ex-Judicator, Anubis), while guitarist Balmore Lemus split his time with Judicator, Lunar and Dire Peril. On and off NOVAREIGN have been writing and recording the follow-up to Legends and after too much time a new effort is on the horizon.
Swedish power metal force TUNGSTEN are ready to unleash their fifth studio album Ashes, set for release on October 9via PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, and celebrate the announcement with their brand-new video single “Joker”. The band has further revealed co-headline tour dates with INDUCTION; find all dates listed below!
About the new single, guitarist Nick Johansson remembers; “In 2015 I randomly stumbled across a clip of Franzl Lang. I was seriously impressed by how insanely good he was at yodeling, so I went through a short Franzl phase. Not long after that I was standing by a lake with a perfect echo and decided to try a little yodel myself. It sounded absolutely terrible, of course but, I immediately understood the technique. Since then I’ve only yodeled for fun now and then. Somehow, after almost 10 years of casual nonsense-yodeling, it has quietly improved on its own.”
Lead singer Mike Anderssonadds: “Joker is a real stompy banger! I’ll never forget the reactions from our friends and partners at Reigning Phoenix Music when we played them the demo over dinner in Stuttgart. The excitement around the table was amazing.
Following a strong entry into the metal scene with their 2019 debut We Will Rise and a steady rise through albums like Tundra, and Bliss, the band now return with a powerful new chapter. Between touring and live performances throughout 2025, TUNGSTEN focused on writing material for their upcoming album, aiming to create a worthy follow-up to 2024’s The Grand Inferno.
1. Joker 2. Bite My Tongue 3. Fuego Del Sol 4. Supernova 5. Happy 6. Ted The Exorcist 7. Sunshine Of Fall 8. The North Will Rise (feat. Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica) 9. For Thee 10. Ruin 11. The Forge
TUNGSTEN are: Mike Andersson – Lead Vocals Karl Johansson – Bass, Keyboards, Vocals Nick Johansson – Guitar Anders Johansson – Drums
Ashes sees TUNGSTEN continue their crusade, delivering irresistible metal with anthemic choruses and a fresh surge of energy that pushes their signature sound even further. The album captures everything the band stands for: powerful songwriting, massive hooks, and a dynamic mix of melody and heaviness that makes it one of their strongest and most focused releases to date!
INDUCTION & TUNGSTEN LIVE – ANTHEMS OF STEEL TOUR 2026:
07.10.26 – DE – Herford @ Kulturwerk 08.10.26 – DE – München @ Backstage 09.10.26 – DE – Leipzig @ Hellraiser 10.10.26 – DE – Passau @ Zauberberg 11.10.26 – DE – Karlsruhe @ Die Stadtmitte 12.10.26 – CH – Aarburg @ Musigburg 13.10.26 – AT – Salzburg @ Rockhouse 14.10.26 – DE – Mörlenbach @ Live Music Hall 15.10.26 – DE – Hamburg @ Bahnhof Pauli 16.10.26 – DE – Lingen @ Alter Schlachthof 17.10.26 – DE – Solingen @ Laut und Hart Festival 18.10.26 – DE – Selb @ Rockclub Bayern
Originally formed in 2016 by drummer Anders Johansson together with his sons Nick and Karl Johansson, TUNGSTEN soon completed their lineup with vocalist Mike Andersson and quickly established themselves as a force in the European metal scene. With a sound rooted in classic heavy metal but sharpened by a contemporary edge, the band has built a reputation for powerful songwriting, a clear identity and relentless forward momentum, earning growing attention well beyond their Scandinavian home base.
The band has toured extensively alongside acts such as BLOODBOUND, FIREWIND, SONATA ARCTICA, and ALL FOR METAL, and appeared at major festivals including Sweden Rock Festival, Leyendas Del Rock, Midalidare Metal Fest and Riverside Rock Fest, continuously building a strong live reputation. In July 2026, TUNGSTEN is confirmed to perform at Germany’s RockHarz Festival, among many more live appearances in support of their much-awaited new albumAshes. Find all upcoming dates HERE.
Performing at Loud As Hell Open Air Festival 2026 w/ Fallujah, Allegaeon, Summoning the Lich, Crimson Shadows, Edge of Paradise, and more!
Fresh off the release of their debut album This Is The Way, West Coast extreme‑metal force Gravemass has announced a run of Western Canadian tour dates for summer 2026. The trek, appropriately titled “This Is The Way Tour 2026,” will see the band unleash their ferocious live assault across British Columbia and Alberta from July 31st to August 8th (dates listed below).
The tour follows the eruption of This Is The Way, a debut forged from decades of West Coast metal lineage. Featuring members of Zimmers Hole, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation, Just Cause, West of Hell, Savannah, Process, Subversion, and The Golers, Gravemass is the convergence of long‑standing forces within Vancouver’s extreme‑music underground.
Guitarist Mayan Hate, who wrote the album’s music in an intense two‑month burst, describes the project as a natural evolution among lifelong friends.
“We’re all West Coast metal heads who’ve known each other for decades. I wrote the music between breaks in other projects and showed it to Lorde Heathen. He immediately wanted in. From there, we recruited the rest of the band, guys we’ve all known forever.”
Vocalist Lorde Heathen also adds;
“Brutal, angry, fast, dark, and evil, this album delivers exactly that: an unrelenting barrage of sinister riffing, death‑metal vocal ferocity, and rhythmic devastation. It draws from the chaos of the modern world. All the lyrics come from the shit‑hole world order that exists right now.”
Track Listing: 1. Slaves To Pain – 2:38 2. This Is The Way – 3:45 3. Horned King – 2:54 4. Harvest of Souls – 2:53 5. Spitting Hell – 2:07 6. Black Bell – 2:50 7. Fallen – 3:27 8. Gravemass – 3:51 9. Abandon – 2:01 10. Poison Temple – 3:11 Album Length: 29:41
While This Is The Way was written by Mayan Hate with lyrics by Lorde Heathen, the band confirms that album two is already underway and will be a fully collaborative effort.
Gravemass will also appear at Loud As Hell Open Air Festival 2026, joining a stacked lineup featuring Fallujah, Allegaeon, Summoning the Lich, Crimson Shadows, Edge of Paradise, and more. Festival info is available at: https://www.loudashell.ca.
Known for channeling the ferocity of their influences, Slayer, Venom, Morbid Angel, Watain, and Napalm Death, Gravemass promises a live show that is nothing short of a full‑scale assault.
“The live show is where we bring it all together. We want to bring this experience to the masses,” says Lorde Heathen.
With This Is The Way unleashed March 6, 2026, via End Game Records Inc., Gravemass now turns its focus to the stage, marking the beginning of a new chapter in West Coast extreme metal. More music, more brutality, and a deeper collaborative evolution lie ahead.
Gravemass – Western Canada – This Is The Way Tour 2026: July 31 – Bridgeview Theater – Kamloops, BC Aug 1 – Loud As Hell Open Air Festival – Drumheller, AB Aug 3 – Temple – Edmonton, AB Aug 4 – The Owl – Lethbridge, AB Aug 5 – The Royal – Nelson, BC Aug 6 – The Globe – Nanaimo, BC Aug 7 – The Lucky Bar – Victoria, BC Aug 8 – Green Auto – Vancouver, BC
With their new album It Takes The Village arriving May 8th, New Jersey heavy metal powerhouse WHO ON EARTH continue the momentum with the release of their latest single and video, “Shadows” – a towering anthem packed with galloping riffs, soaring harmonies and the band’s signature no-frills approach to modern heavy metal.
The third single from the forthcoming album, “Shadows” channels the spirit of classic metal while reinforcing the band’s sharp lyrical perspective. Built on thunderous grooves, dual guitar harmonies, and an arena-ready chorus, the track delivers both nostalgia and urgency in equal measure.
Bassist Pete Rizzi comments:
“‘Shadows’ is our third single from It Takes The Village, and it truly epitomizes what we are all about. It’s got that old school metal vibe with a catchy chorus, guitar harmonies reminiscent of old Maiden & Priest, and a locked-in rhythm section. The lyrics also speak to a concept we touch on quite often: deception and the need to be vigilant about what you see, hear, read, eat, watch, etc., because there are a lot of bad actors trying to profit from us through manipulation, deceit, and outright lies. We don’t write love songs. Ha!”
“Shadows” follows the previously released singles “Vigilance” and “Any Other Way,” both of which offered fans an early glimpse into the sonic force of It Takes The Village—WHO ON EARTH’s most dynamic and fully realized record to date.
WHO ON EARTH will kick off a string of shows with FOZZY beginning later this week.
1. Vigilance 2. Any Other Way 3. Shadows 4. Good Man Down 5. Closer 6. Too Close 7. Double or Nothing 8. Monster! 9. Oh, Set Me Free 10. We Don’t Belong Here 11. Ascension 12. The Unbeaten
WHO ON EARTHTour Dates w/FOZZY:
May 8 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend May 9 – Waynesboro, VA – The Foundry May 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts May 13 – Harrisburg, PA – Capitall City Music Hall May 15 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre May 16 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
Lineup: Coosh – Vocals Pete Rizzi – Bass Johnny James Barone – Guitar Jimmy Kocha – Guitar Howie Fallon – Drums
Italian thrash metal pioneers EXTREMA are set to release Thrashing ‘Till The End – Live at Slaughter Club – a high-impact live document celebrating the 30th anniversary of their legendary debut Tension At The Seams. The performance was recorded at Slaughter Club in Paderno Dugnano (Milan) on October 7th, 2023 – exactly three decades after the album that helped redefine the sonic and cultural framework of Italian metal.
The full show will be rolled out as an episodic live video series on the band’s official YouTube channel, alongside a digital release across all major streaming platforms.
Released in 1993, Tension At The Seams stands as a cornerstone of European thrash: a record built on razor-sharp riffing, percussive precision, and an uncompromising compositional approach that pushed beyond genre orthodoxy. Its impact extended well beyond the Italian scene, setting new benchmarks in terms of arrangement density, production clarity, and expressive aggression.
To mark its 30th anniversary, EXTREMA returned to the stage with a purpose-built show engineered for maximum impact – conceived as a full-contact, no-compromise live assault. The setlist moves with surgical intent: a dominant portion of the debut album performed with renewed intensity, seamlessly integrated with key tracks from across the band’s catalog, culminating in material from their latest release, Headbanging Forever.
Thrashing ‘Till The End – Live at Slaughter Club captures that performance in its entirety, preserving the raw kinetic energy of the band’s live delivery while enhancing it through a modern visual production pipeline.
Beginning April 29th, all 16 tracks from the show will be released on a weekly schedule via the band’s official YouTube channel, with three videos dropping per week, structuring the release as a sustained content cycle designed to maintain engagement and narrative continuity.
Filming and direction were handled by Daniele Farina, with the production delivered in 4K. The visual language combines tight shot sequencing, dynamic camera movement, and performance-focused editing, resulting in a final product that translates the physical intensity of the live set into a sharp, high-definition audiovisual experience.
Line-up: Tommy Massara – Guitars Tiziano “Titian” Spigno – Vocals Marco Cassone – Guitars Gabri Giovanna – Bass Francesco “Frullo” La Rosa – Drums
Musician, actor, and celebrated 80s icon Courtney Gains, is building momentum on the music charts with two new singles beginning to break nationally.
Gains’ track “Wander & Dream” has been steadily climbing the SMR (Secondary Market Radio) charts, reaching #61 this week. The single “Been Forgotten” has spent the last two weeks sitting at #87 on the Top 40 Radio charts, following a recent surge from the #103 spot.
Both songs are set to appear on Gains’ forthcoming album, Liberation Day, scheduled for release this August on Curtain Call Records.The album will also feature “Fear the Boogie,” initially released last fall as part of the soundtrack for Gains’ upcoming film “The Barn III.” The retro slasher film will premiereMay 23inPittsburgh, PA.
Live appearances are also on the horizon, with Gains set for September dates opening for Lita Ford, followed by an appearance on the Boo’s Cruise in October.
Courtney Gains Live Dates: 9/31 – 9/7 – Smokin’ Cole’s Bike Rally & Rodeo w/ Lita Ford – Bloomville, OH 10/28 – 11/1 – Boo’s Cruise – Margaritaville Islander at Sea
Follow Courtney Gains on Instagram and Facebook for updates and additional live appearances.
About Courtney Gains:
2024 saw Gains celebrate the 40th anniversary of Children of the Corn with a slate of horror-con appearances and a 35MM screening of the film at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain, regarded as the biggest horror/sci-fi festival across Europe. Recent projects include The Wrath of Becky, Thy Will Be Done, October 31, Christmas Cowboy, and a standout role in the heavy-metal-infused horror film, Infernal. The Grime House Films production won Best Horror Feature Film at the Clout Film Fest. Watch the trailer here.
The screening for Infernal took place at the infamous Bastrop, TX gas station featured in the 1974 classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Gains and his band played an exclusive set at the event. A live recording of the performance is forthcoming.
In 2023, Gains released his Safe Haven EP, a six-track blend of rock, folk, and Americana that highlights his gritty vocals and honest songwriting. The critically acclaimed record captures a raw, roots-driven sound that reflects Gains’s hands-on approach and unfiltered style
Check out my IRON MAIDEN shot glass! I received it as a holiday gift this past Winter. Incredible design of Eddie The Trooper and the inside is stainless steel. Metal be thy name!
The resin is hand-painted and this is an officially licensed product.
Thank you for looking & visiting Metal Odyssey! Have a safe week and be cool to your fellow human beings. – Stone
Vicky Psarakis (SICKSENSE) returns to the battlefield lending her compelling melodic cleans and fierce harsh performances to “No One There“. Composed by Kevin Sherwood, “No One There” features in Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7.
On her second collaboration with Call Of Duty, Vicky Psarakis shares:
“Surprise… I’m back Zombies! I’m so excited to be giving my voice once more to the one and only Call Of Duty franchise! You’ll find ‘No One There’ as the featured EE track on the latest BO7 map: Totenreich.
2 years ago, Kevin Sherwood invited me to feature on BO6 with the song ‘Slave’, which ended up becoming a fan favorite. We loved the track so much, we decided to add it to our setlist with my band SICKSENSE and saw many COD fans come out to hear it live. Fast forward to today, here I am again with a new song! I can’t thank Kevin enough for putting his trust and fully allowing me to bring my own stamp to his music.
I had an absolute blast working on this song! This one goes hard, I promise you. It truly showcases many different facets of my voice, a huge range of dynamics accompanied by incredible musicianship from the dream team who put this together! Who knows, maybe one day we’ll get to play ‘No One There’ for you live?”
Emerging into a discordant soundscape, “No One There” strikes into life with rhythms that leave nothing but devastation in their wake. Balancing dark emotions and untamable power, the instrumentation and vocal performance by Psarakis traverse treacherous plains culminating in an epic sonic impact. “No One There” concludes with a truly monstrous vocal display of Psarakis’ soloed screams.
Composed by Kevin Sherwood, “No One There” was produced and mixed by Joey Doherty, with both Doherty and Sherwood performing guitars on the track. Bass was provided by Jacob Umansky and Nathan Bulla performed drums for the track. “No One There” was mastered by Tyler Smyth.
With the previously-released Celestial EP laying a powerful foundation, Australian/Finnish dark progressive gothic metal collective THE ETERNAL return with a striking new chapter: an animated lyric video for their brand new single “Lament For The Hollow.” The track offers a first glimpse into their upcoming studio album Obscured Horizons, set for release on September 18th via Reigning Phoenix Music!
Following the widespread acclaim of their 2024 full-length Skinwalker and the evocative successor Celestial earlier this year, which was praised by fans and media alike for its melancholic atmospheres, doom-laden heaviness and progressive depth, the band now pushes forward with a composition that feels both expansive and deeply personal. First album single “Lament For The Hollow” opens with a grand, sweeping guitar harmony, unfolding into goosebump-inducing melodies and deeply moving vocals.
The accompanying cinematic animated video mirrors the song’s emotional intensity. Set against a stormy, restless high sea, it visually captures the track’s dark yet captivating atmosphere, both destructive and mesmerizing.
Mark Kelson (vocals, guitars) reveals:“Lament for the Hollow really come from a place of confronting that moment when everything you thought was solid – your identity, your direction – starts to fracture. I was exploring the idea of stripping away illusion, of recognising the voices and influences around you that aren’t real or honest, and having the strength to cut them off. Time is the ultimate truth-teller, eventually everything false gets washed away, whether you’re ready for it or not. The recurring imagery of waves and erasure ties into that cleansing force, but it’s not gentle, it’s destructive, almost violent. ‘Lament For The Hollow’ is about facing fear, selfdoubt, and betrayal, and what happens when people allow themselves to be consumed by emptiness or led astray. It’s both a warning and a kind of catharsis. In a way ‘Lament For The Hollow’ is an anthem for the disenchanted, disillusioned and disenfranchised.”
With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, joined by Niclas Etelävuori (bass, ex-AMORPHIS/FLAT EARTH) and Jan Rechberger (drums, AMORPHIS) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL have solidified themselves as a truly international collaboration. Their music resonates with fans of acts such as KATATONIA, SWALLOW THE SUN, and ANATHEMA – dark yet luminous, heavy yet emotionally transcendent!
Further album details and new singles will be unveiled in the weeks ahead. The band’s latest EP, Celestial, was released in January through Reigning Phoenix Music and is available digitally and as a limited, eco-friendly recycled vinyl LP edition.
French melodic heavy/power metal band Kingcrown return with “Lost Horizon“, the first single taken from their forthcoming album Moonfall, due for release on September 4th, 2026, via Rockshots Records.
Following the strong reception of “Nova Atlantis“, the band opens a new chapter with a track that immediately reinforces their identity while expanding the narrative framework introduced in previous releases.
“Lost Horizon” serves as a direct sequel to “Endless Journey“, continuing a storyline rooted in time distortion and speculative fiction. The track follows a WWII B-17 pilot suddenly caught in a temporal vortex and propelled into the year 2045, merging amazing storytelling with a tightly constructed heavy/power metal framework.
Musically, the single is driven by fast-paced riffing, dynamic vocal delivery, and an anthemic, hook-oriented chorus, balancing immediacy with structural precision. The band’s approach remains firmly grounded in the European heavy/power metal tradition. At the same time, the production handled by Kingcrown and refined through mixing and mastering by Simone Mularoni (Domination Studio) delivers clarity, weight, and definition across the entire sonic spectrum.
Founded by brothers Jo Amore (vocals) and David Amore (drums), former members of Nightmare, Kingcrown have progressively built a cohesive and recognizable identity within the European metal landscape. The current lineup – Jo Amore, David Amore, Sébastien Chabot (bass), Bob Saliba (guitars) and Ced Legger (guitars) – continues to operate with a strong sense of continuity, a key factor in the band’s increasingly focused sound.
With Moonfall, Kingcrown further develops a conceptual direction centered on dystopian themes, technological evolution and the fragility of human existence. Within this context, “Lost Horizon” stands as a fundamental entry point, introducing both the narrative scope and the sonic approach that define the album.
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!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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