“We could not be more excited for this show announcement! The 40th anniversary of our debut only happens once, and to fall on Paul Baloff’s birthday, on a Friday, we KNEW we had to crush the Bay Area. Bonded By Blood. Played in its entirety. Only Baloff era songs. Once in a lifetime moment for us. So killer that we added a second show in Southern California to show our appreciation to both regions. Joining us our some dear friends, especially Death Angel. Don’t miss this. Posers must die!”
Artist Presale: Thursday, January 23rd at 10am local – 10pm local (PW: BONDED) Local/promoter/venue presale: Thursday, January 23rd at 10am local – 10pm local Public Onsale: Friday, January 24 at 10am local
Above: Best of John Sykes -album cover – (2000) – Mercury Records Japan
Heavy Metal and Hard Rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriting legend John Sykes passed away on Monday, January 20th at the age of 65. Metal Odyssey expresses condolences to the family, friends. fans and all past bandmates of John Sykes; God Bless him and may he rest in peace.
John Sykes’ illustrious career included being a former member of 1980’s bands Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and his very own Blue Murder, along with being a successful solo artist. John Sykes also toured Europe in 1983 with the late Phil Lynotts’ solo (live only) band named The Three Musketeers.
Above: Thin Lizzy – Thunder and Lightning – album cover – (1983) – Warner Bros.
Above: Whitesnake S/T – album cover – (1987) – Geffen Records
Above: BLUE MURDER S/T – album cover – (1989) – Geffen Records
John Sykes was born in Reading, England on July 29, 1959.
Check it out! That’s my Ozzy Osbourne Funko POP! ROCKS mint-in-box! It’s also a Funko.com exclusive, whatever that means. Sounds important though. The date on the lower back cover is 2023. Thanks for visiting and looking, I appreciate it!
Back cover gives date at bottom, in teeny tiny type. Above: side panel
“EXODUS have parted ways with Steve “Zetro” Souza. We thank Steve for his years fronting the band and all the killer music we made during that time. We wish him only the best in the future and much success with anything he does.
And please help us welcome Rob Dukes back to EXODUS! We are beyond stoked to have Rob back ripping up the stage with us and he’s looking forward to crushing everything like only he can.
Next chapter begins, new record rolls along as planned and the beatings will continue.”
Los Angeles (CA) – Doom/Thrash trio THE CIMMERIAN set a crushing tone for the new year with today’s release of An Age Undreamed Of…, the band’s first full-length album! This rogue set conjures images of high adventure and mayhem with an aggressive mix of sludgy-based rumblings, caustic fuzz-filled riffs, and sonorous war drumming that recalls High on Fire, among others.
THE CIMMERIAN: Bass/vocals: Nicolas Rocha Guitars: David Gein Drums: David Morales
The groundwork for THE CIMMERIAN was laid in 2021 by guitarist David Gein and bassist Nicholas Rocha, two-thirds of crossover thrash group Septik Onslaught. The two were writing what would become the band’s first EP when a Craigslist ad brought drummer David Morales – armed with unyielding energy and a bag of Halloween candy to the fold.
THE CIMMERIAN delivers a wall of sound that draws inspiration from the likes of Motörhead, Black Sabbath, Venom, and Gates of Slumber. Lyrical themes informed by a deep understanding of world history, mythology, and historical literature weave throughout this chainmail tapestry.
The band released their debut EP, Thrice Majestic, in the summer of 2022. By early 2023, they returned to Robert Frank’s Minor Chord Studio to record the two-track cassette/digital release, Sword & Sorcery Vol. I.
Follow THE CIMMERIAN, for it is Crom’s will. If you don’t – to hell with you!
Track Listing:
1) Shadow Kingdom 2) Neck Breaker of The Mountain 3) Silver and Gold 4) Darkwolf 5) Mournblade 6) Black Coast Tigris 7) Deathstalker 8) Monarch
Death metal gladiators EXDEO, the Juno-nominated project of KATAKYLSM frontman Maurizio Iacono, have unleashed their highly anticipated new EP Year Of the Four Emperorson Reigning Phoenix Music, via its partnership with Distortion Music Group. The album is out now digitally and on CD, with a limited edition vinyl to follow on March 14th, 2025. To celebrate, the band has also unveiled a stunning lyric video for the EP’s penultimate track “Vitellius”. The lyrics reveal a man driven by bloodlust, yet powerless to escape his fate. Vitellius’ violent end is portrayed with haunting finality, a reminder of Rome’s volatile power.
The band is also currently on tour in Europe in support of DARK FUNERAL and FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE. They will follow this up with a North American tour in the spring in support of SEPTICFLESH and VLTIMAS.
1/10 Burgos, SPA Sala Anden 1/11 Madrid, SPA Sala del Wizink 1/12 Barcelona, SPA Razzmatazz 2 1/14 Lyon, FRA La Ryaonne 1/15 Trezzo sull’Adda, ITA Live Club 1/16 Zurich, SWI Komplex 457 1/17 Munich, GER Backstage Werk 1/18 Budapest, HUN Barba Negra 1/19 Zagreb, CRO Boogaloo 1/21 Vienna, AUT Simm City 1/22 Kosice, SLO Colloseum 1/23 Wroclaw, POL A2 1/24 Prague, CZE Meet Factory 1/25 Leipzig, GER Hellraiser 26.01.2025 NL Utrecht – TivoliVredenburg * * w/ FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE only
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
2/10 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall 2/11 Dallas, TX Granada Theater 2/12 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater 2/13 Mesa, AZ Nile Theater 2/14 San Diego, CA Brick by Brick 2/15 San Francisco, CA DNA Lounge 2/16 Los Angeles, CA 1720 2/17 Las Vegas, NV Sinwave 2/19 Denver, CO The Oriental Theater 2/20 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater 2/21 St. Paul, MN Amsterdam Bar & Hall 2/22 Joliet, IL The Forge 2/23 Cleveland, OH TempleLive Cleveland @ Asylum 2/24 Toronto, ON Concert Hall 2/26 Ottawa, ON Overflow 2/27 Montreal, QC Le Studio TD 2/28 Worcester, MA The Palladium (upstairs) 3/1 Albany, NY Empire Live 3/2 New York, NY Gramercy Theater
Belgium’s most ferocious metal band BARK returns to the spotlight with their highly anticipated fifth studio album, The Time Has Come, set to be released on The 25th of April, 2025. This marks the band’s second collaboration with renowned French Metal label Listenable Records, solidifying their presence in the global scene.
The Time Has Come encapsulates BARK’s relentless energy and raw power, delivering an unapologetic onslaught of heavy riffs, thunderous drums, and guttural vocals. The album showcases the band’s evolution while staying true to the no-holds-barred sound that has earned them a devoted following. With a mix of blistering anthems and dark, groove-laden tracks, ‘The Time Has Com’e cements BARK’s reputation as one of Europe’s most formidable forces in modern metal.
“This album is a statement,” says singer Ron Bruynseels. “We’ve poured all our passion into these songs. It’s about living the moment, confronting challenges head-on. We are telling stories that resonate with the listener because we have lived them first hand. We’re excited to unleash this beast with Listenable Records by our side again.”
Line up: Ron Bruynseels – Vocals Martin Furia – Guitar Toon Huet – Guitar Jorn Van der Straeten – Bass Ward Van der Straeten – Drums
Recorded at their own studio Jurassic Recordings, under the guidance of guitarist Martin Furia (producer for Destruction, Nervosa, Toxik, Chemicide…) the album boasts a production that amplifies BARK’s signature sound while pushing their sonic boundaries even more to achieve their most brutal album to date.
Debut single “Negativist” out on the 12th of February, 2025 offers a glimpse into the diverse yet cohesive journey that awaits listeners.
The band describes it as “A brutal fast-paced plea to stop making bullshit excuses, living lies and embracing the mirror as your friend. BARK understands the very definition of rock bottom because they lived by the devil’s hand. Extreme situations call for extreme actions. This song is a reflection of that mentality.”
BARK will be hitting the road shortly after the release, bringing their explosive live performances to fans across Europe.
30.04:30 years Kid’s, Antwerp 31.05 Skallyfest, Halle 10.08 Alcatraz Metal Festival, Kortrijk
BARK – The Time Has Come AlbumTrack Listing: 1 Negativist 2 Shaman 3 Dodge the Bullet 4 On No One’s Word 5 Whisky Rivers 6 Faceless 7 Wanted Man 8 Seven 9 Wildheart 10 Lord Of The Skies 11 Wrath Unchained 12 The Curse From Above
Discography: Bark ep (Self released – 2015) Voice of Dog (Sideburn – 2016) Like Humans Do (Sound of the Hound Records – 2017) Written in Stone (Sound of the Hound Records – 2020) Rambler of Aeons (Listenable – 2022) The Time has Come (Listenable – 2025)
Haunt hits the road this spring with the mighty Hitten from Spain. March and April of 2025 will feature Haunt’s return to both Hell’s Heroes in Houston, 2 Minutes To Tulsa in Oklahoma, as well as several other cities throughout the U.S. Tickets available through venue websites. GET STOKED⚡️
⛓️Spring Break 25 w/ Hitten⛓️ 3/14 LOS ANGELES, CA – KNUCKLEHEAD 3/15 OCEANSIDE, CA – POUR HOUSE 3/16 LAS VEGAS, NV – SINWAVE 3/17 ALBUQUERQUE, NM – LAUNCHPAD 3/19 AUSTIN, TX • MOHAWK 3/20 SAN ANTONIO, TX – 502 BAR 3/21 HOUSTON, TX – HELL’S HEROES 3/23 NEW ORLEANS, LA • SIBERIA 3/24 PENSACOLA, FL • HANDLEBAR 3/25 ORLANDO, FL • CONDUIT 3/27 ATLANTA, GA – ALTAR AT MASQUERADE 3/28 LITTLE ROCK, AR • STICKYZ 3/29 TULSA, OK • 2 MINUTES TO TULSA 3/31 MILWAUKEE, WI – X-RAY ARCADE 4/1 CHICAGO, IL • LIVE WIRE 4/2 LAWRENCE, KS • BOTTLENECK 4/3 DENVER, CO – HQ 4/4 SALT LAKE CITY, UT • ACES HIGH 4/5 RENO, NV • CELLAR STAGE 4/6 SAN FRANCISCO, CA – BOTTOM OF THE HILL
On April 11th, Italian pagan/folk metal masters ELVENKING will release their new full-length, Reader Of The Runes – Luna, via Reaper Entertainment. The album marks the spectacular conclusion to the Reader Of The Runes trilogy and promises to close the saga with epic melodies, dark mysticism, and untamed energy in an unforgettable way. In advance of the record’s release, today the band unveils latest single, “Luna,” along with a spectacular music video directed by Matteo Ermeti.
“Luna” serves as the emotional centerpiece of the album and perfectly embodies ELVENKING’s essence. Guitarist and songwriter Aydan describes the song as “a piece that shows ELVENKING in its purest form – epic, powerful, and filled with deep emotion.”
Watch ELVENKING‘s “Luna” video HERE. Stream the track HERE.
Watch ELVENKING‘s official visualizer for the album’s first single, “Throes Of Atonement,”HERE.
Additionally, ELVENKING‘s brand new online shop is now live at shop.elvenking.net. Fans can find preorders for Reader Of The Runes – Luna in various formats, including CD, vinyl (with limited Splatter and Glow-In-The-Dark editions), and a luxurious boxset, available in both CD-only and CD + Marbled vinyl versions, limited to 500 copies worldwide.
With Reader Of The Runes – Luna, ELVENKING not only closes their most ambitious musical journey but also sets a new benchmark in their impressive career. Frontman Damna sums it up perfectly, “This album is the culmination of all our previous work, a project we are incredibly proud of.” Dive into the world of ELVENKING and let their unique magic enchant you!
Reader Of The Runes – Luna Track Listing:
Season Of The Owl
Luna
Gone Epoch
Stormcarrier
Starbath
On These Haunted Shores
The Ghosting
Throes Of Atonement
The Weeping
Reader Of The Runes – Book II
ELVENKING is currently part of the legendary Paganfest Tour in Europe and has a special treat: a limited CD single featuring the tracks “Luna” and “Throes Of Atonement.” This exclusive release is limited to 500 copies and includes a voucher, redeemable in the new shop when purchasing the album — a gift for their loyal fans.
CYHRA, the champions of melodic metal, have unleashed their latest single “Superman” today, heralding a new era since the release of their third album, The Vertigo Trigger.
The track explodes with headbang-inducing riffs, as vocalist Jake E teases its epic, melody-rich chorus against a backdrop of sharp instrumentals. The almost spoken verses escalate to a larger-than-life chorus, culminating in irresistible, sing-along choirs that emphatically signal CYHRA‘s trajectory is set to soar above and beyond at breakneck speed!
Sometimes, life tests our limits, but when we choose to rise, dream, and believe, we find the strength to be unstoppable. Because deep down, we all have a ‘Superman’ within us,” comments CYHRA on the song’s meaning.
“Superman” not only marks CYHRA‘s latest single but also their debut release with the burgeoning label Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), which has recently become their new record label home. This track was mastered by renowned audio engineer Maor Appelbaum, known for his work with HALFORD, SABATON, and EQUILIBRIUM, among others. The artwork for “Superman:” was crafted by Gustavo Sazes, a longtime collaborator who has designed for SOILWORK, DYNAZTY, and VLTIMAS. Sazes has been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of CYHRA’s previous three studio albums as well.
Vocalist Jake E states: “We are thrilled to announce that we have officially signed with Reigning Phoenix Music! This marks an exciting new chapter in our journey, and we couldn’t be prouder to join a family that shares our passion for music and artistry. Reigning Phoenix Music is home to a roster of incredible talent and a team of dedicated professionals, many of whom we’ve had the pleasure of working with earlier in our careers.
Reuniting with such familiar faces feels like coming home, and we’re confident that this partnership will allow us to reach new heights together. We’re already hard at work with new music, and with Reigning Phoenix Music by our side, we’re more inspired than ever to create something truly unforgettable for our fans. Thank you for your continued support – it means the world to us!”
“We are are excited to welcome CYHRA to our family and for the opportunity to work with them again. Their talent, passion, and energy align perfectly with our vision of elevating artistry to new heights. Together, we’re setting the stage for an incredible journey!”adds the RPM team.
CYHRA are: Jake E | vocals, keys Euge Valovirta | guitars, bass Jesper Strömblad | bass, guitars Marcus Sunesson | guitars Alex Landenburg | drums
Little Rock (AR) – Beatdown Death Metal Horde, Open Kasket, will release their debut full-length album, Trials of Failure, on February 7!
A crushing slab of Death Metal, Trials of Failure comes to you on digital and cassette formats by California-based label, Barbaric Brutality Records. The album will also be available via the Open Kasket Bandcamp page.
Thematically, Trials of Failure revolves around self deprecation and full criticism of one’s self. Sonically, the album is a demolition demonstration of caustic riffing and relentless pummeling. Add guest vocal spots on “Internal Threat” (Stan Liszewski of Terminal Nation), “Chain Whip” (Bryson Sherick of Backbiter), and “Chemical Death” (Jackson Edwards of Zashed), and the package is complete. Subtly is anathema. Force is paramount.
The album’s first single, “Internal Threat” feat. Terminal Nation), will be released on January 17.
Track Listing:
1. Ersatz (Sine Die)
2. No Value
3. Internal Threat (feat. Terminal Nation)
4. Bruised Sprainstein
5. Should
6. Putrid Existence
7. Defective
8. Chain Whip (feat. Backbiter)
9. Chemical Death (feat. Zashed)
10. Ripped Up
Line-Up:
Fox Stillman – Vocals Jacob Stillman – Guitar Ethan Graham – Guitar Jake Rasch – Bass/Vocals Ryan Thibault – Drums
BIO:
Open Kasket is a Beatdown Death Metal band straight from Little Rock, AR. Formed in 2022, the band’s sound revolves around slamming riffs, groovy drums, and monstrous bass. These components together create the all out violent sound that the band delivers.
Credits:
Drums engineered at Wolfman Studios. Mixed/Mastered/Reamped by Conor Haines at Corruption Studios.
Polish Death Metal Legends VADER have posted on their Facebook Page wrapping up 2024 and revealing some predictions for 2025, which has just begun. In fact, the new year will also be full of news for the death metal band, which will release the EP “Humanihility” in spring, while in autumn 2025 they will begin recording for the new full-length album. Also planned for this year, are the reissue of the classic “Black To The Blind”, and the summer tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the album “Litany”, which for the occasion will be performed live in its entirety.
Vader stated: “The year 2024 is coming to an end. How was it for the band? As usual, it was very busy. We continued the 40th anniversary of Vader on tours in the USA/Canada and Europe. We played a few festivals in the summer – including Jarocin after 30 years of absence! At the end of August we returned to Grindstone Studio to record brand new material for an EP. We ended the year with the “Freezing Hell” tour, which went around the Baltic Sea. 2024 is also another year played with Michal Andrzejczyk behind the drums. A few months ago, Michał also joined the happy endorsers of TAMA drums.
And what about plans for 2025? The new year will be even more intense. First of all, this spring will see the release of the completely new EP “Humanihility” since the release of “Solitude In Madness” in 2020, as well as the long-awaited reissue of the classic album “Black To The Blind” from 1997 in a new cover with the original cover by Jacek Wiśniewski. Both titles will be released by Nuclear Blast. The recording session for the next full length Vader album will also start in the fall of 2025! Next year will also be Vader’s return to the stages of summer festivals. And we will appear at 20 of them. 2025 will also be the 25th anniversary of the release of the album “Litany”. Therefore, in the summer season, you will be able to hear the entire album as part of a concert set. Most of the songs from this classic album for the band have not been played since its premiere in 2000, and some have never been played. So 2025 will be absolutely explosive and truly vaderish \m/ And we already INVITE you ALL!! Expect our arrival under the banner of Massive Music \m/”
On upcoming EP, Vader issued the studio update: “Yesterday in “Spiderclass” studio in Wroclaw we were working on leads to the upcoming NEW Vader EP “Humanihility” for Nuclear Blast. Mauser works on His part in home studio in UK too. This was a last step before final mix & master of the recording. Scott Atkins should finish the production in Grindstone Studio by middle of January. More details coming soon….”
SABER is an LA-based metal band known for their uniquely sleazy take on the NWOBHM sound. The band emerged organically in 2018 after lead guitarist Joel Dominguez – who was already working on some similar material with rhythm guitarist Jesus Delgado and bassist David Sanchez, received a message from singer Steven Villa about starting a new 80s inspired project.
A series of thundering tracks followed soon after, which were refined into their 2021 debut album Without Warning. Produced and released with the help of Trevor William Church, who also filled in as the drummer, the album was overwhelmingly positively received, being named as one of Bandcamp’s best albums of the year and outranking Exodus and Iron Maiden on BraveWords’ annual Top 30 list.
Sonically and aesthetically, Saber’s artistic identity is firmly rooted in the 80s. With Jesus now as their drummer and the addition of guitarist Antonio ‘Yogi’ Pettinato, the fearsome fivesome pass influences from Judas Priest and Queensryche to Riot and Iron Maiden through a unique lens, creating a distinctly energetic audiovisual experience that resonates with their diverse and growing fanbase.
SABER: Steven Villa – Lead Vocals Joel Dominguez – Lead/Rhythm Guitar Jesus Delgado – Drums David Sanchez – Bass Guitar Antonion Pettinato – Rhythm/Lead Guitar
CREDITS: Sub-Genre: Heavy Metal | Producer: Trevor William Church | Cover Artwork: The Pit Forge, Daniel Porta | Photographer: | Artist Origin: USA
Live Lineup – Top Left – Ramon Cazares – Guitars, Vocals – Top Right – Izaak Chavez – Guitar Bottom Left – Jake Lahniers – Bass, Backing Vocals – Bottom Right – Adrian Galindo – Drums
Texas, USA’s metal powerhouse Abolishment of Flesh has just released the intense lyric video for “Words Defy Truth” taken from their latest EP “Resurrecting Misanthropy”, which was released in 2023. The video, now streaming online, offers fans a visceral visual accompaniment to the band’s uncompromising sonic assault that blurs the lines between black, thrash, and death metal. Founder and multi-instrumentalist Ramon Cazares comments on the track:
“‘Words Defy Truth’ was written almost 10 years ago. I’m a big melody and somewhat tech fan, so this has been both challenging and fun to write and perform. This song is about some of the stuff that I saw and experienced when I was involved in church. It seemed like the deeper I got involved, the darker things got. It wasn’t necessarily nefarious but the manipulation, control, fear, and empty hope and promises were enough for me to walk away from religion.”
Track Listing: 1. Words Defy Truth (4:00) 2. Hater of Man (3:23) 3. Disavowed (4:04)
The track runs four minutes of pure, unadulterated metal aggression, which demonstrates why Abolishment of Flesh continues to push the boundaries of extreme music. With themes rooted in war, violence, disease, corruption, and the systematic collapse of human civilization, Abolishment of Flesh delivers an anti-human message about death and destruction.
“Resurrecting Misanthropy” is out now at: Abolishmentofflesh.bandcamp.com and Spotify to satiate the appetites of metalheads worldwide. It is especially recommended for those with an interest in Kataklysm, Suffocation, and Deicide.
Seattle (WA) – Action Metal War Machine, Hyperstrike, has released the aptly named debut single, “Warning Shot,” on all digital platforms!
“Warning Shot” is an electrifying showcase of the band’s collective power. Chop Daddy lays down thunderous slap bass lines, driving the track’s explosive groove, while The Claw shreds through with razor-sharp, incendiary guitar riffs. Goblin commands the rhythm with machine-like precision and relentless intensity on drums, setting the stage for Brain Lord’s fierce, dynamic vocals to unleash the song’s raw energy. Together, the band delivers a high-octane anthem about a man pushed to his limits, crafting a powerful narrative of tension and resolve that hits as hard as their sound.
“Warning Shot” is available at the following links:
Born in the Blade, forged in chaos—Hyperstrike is Seattle’s action metal war machine. Founded in 2024 by bass-slapping juggernaut Ben “Chop Daddy” Bennett, this band doesn’t play music; they drop sonic bombs. With a shadowy past tearing through thrash titans Warbringer and Bonded by Blood, and reigning as the “Lord of the Low End” in sci-fi shredders Xoth, Bennett knew exactly what kind of beast he was building.
First, he wrangled in Ilya, the shredder known as “The Claw,” an assassin with riffs sharper than steel. Then came Adon, the “Brain Lord“—a maniacal force spitting venomous truths, carrying the fire from his days in Ghost Ship Octavius and the twisted depths of Spiritual Suicide. Together, they built a soundtrack for the end of the world: songs about nuclear meltdowns, cage fighters, and kings of the slain.
The final weapon in their arsenal? Josh, a drum-detonating powerhouse known as “Goblin Hammer,” whose percussive assault forged their chaos into a relentless onslaught. Hyperstrike is a raw, unfiltered force with hearts of steel and a taste for mania. No apologies. No survivors. Just unrelenting aggression. Brace for impact because once the trigger drops, nothing will ever be the same.
Lyrics and music by Hyperstrike. Mixed and mastered by Joe Cincotta at Full Force Studios. Drums recorded at One Shot Studios – Engineered by Josh Richins. Produced by Ben Bennett. Artwork by Ilya (Siberian Claw) Ignatov. Logo by Dipayandas Arts.
We will release Savage Master‘s fifth album, Dark & Dangerous, on March 28th on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette. Since 2013, the band has redefined occult heavy metal with their electrifying sound and dynamic live shows. Influenced by Judas Priest and Jag Panzer, Dark & Dangerous delivers arena-ready hooks and Stacey Savage’s signature vocals. Blending personal struggles and dark fantasy, the album invites listeners to embrace their inner fire. Preorder details arrive February 2nd.
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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