Reading, Pennsylvania-based progressive death metallers RIVERS OF NIHIL will embark on a full European tour in February. Support comes from Prog legends CYNIC as well as BEYOND CREATION and labelmates DÅÅTH! Full dates below.
Comments RIVERS OF NIHIL: “We can’t wait to return to Europe on The Aggressive Progressive Tour this February. We are honored to have Cynic, Beyond Creation, and Dååth along with us for the ride. This lineup truly embodies both the ‘aggressive’ and ‘progressive’ nature of what this tour is all about. We can’t wait to see all of you, and who knows? Maybe even bring some new music along for the trip.”
THE AGGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE EU/UK TOUR 2025 RIVERS OF NIHIL w/ CYNIC, BEYOND CREATION, DÅÅTH:
28.02.25 Germany Köln Essigfabrik 01.03.25 Belgium Antwerp Zappa 02.03.25 France Paris La Machine 04.03.25 UK Glasgow Slay 05.03.25 Ireland Dublin Academy 06.03.25 UK Bristol The Fleece 07.03.25 UK Southampton Engine Rooms 08.03.25 UK Manchester Club Academy 09.03.25 UK London Electric Ballroom 10.03.25 UK Birmingham XOYO 12.03.25 Netherlands Haarlem Patronaat 13.03.25 Germany Hamburg Gruenspan 14.03.25 Sweden Stockholm Fryshuset Klubben 16.03.25 Finland Helsinki Tavastia 18.03.25 Norway Oslo John Dee 19.03.25 Denmark Copenhagen Pumpehuset 21.03.25 Poland Warsaw Proxima 22.03.25 Germany Berlin Columbia Theater 23.03.25 Germany Nürnberg Z-Bau 24.03.25 Austria Wien Flex 25.03.25 Hungary Budapest Dürer Kert 26.03.25 Germany München Backstage 27.03.25 Italy Milan Slaughter Club 28.03.25 Switzerland Aarau Kiff 29.03.25 Germany Karlsruhe Substage
Ticketing details and further information can be found at: lnk.to/RON-EUROPE2025 – ticket sale starts October 25th at 11am CET.
“Embrace The Lie” Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available
“I never intended to pick up with THE GATES OF SLUMBER ever again in 2014. While I did start the band and wrote most of the first album it was never intended to be a one man show.”
— Karl Simon, 2024
Indiana-based doom metal behemoths THE GATES OF SLUMBER return with their self-titled new full-length, set for release on November 29th via Svart Records. The record serves as the band’s first new output since 2011’s The Wretch and their sixth overall.
In advance of the record’s release, the band has unveiled a video for “Embrace The Lie,” an ode to lying news media outlets and political talking heads.
Watch THE GATES OF SLUMBER’s “Embrace The Lie” video at THIS LOCATION. Stream the track at THIS LOCATION.
The Gates Of Slumber will be available on CD and digitally as well as vinyl in the following color variants: Black/White Marble, Transparent Blue (limited), and Black. Find physical preorders HERE and digital preorders HERE.
THE GATES OF SLUMBER was formed by Karl Simon in 1998 and underwent various lineup incarnations between 1998 and 2001, when the Blood Encrusted Deth Axe demo was recorded with Jamie Walters aka Dr. Phibes/Athenar (Boulder, Midnight) on drums and bass. In 2003, Jason McCash took over all bass duties and was a long-time member of the band until his untimely passing in 2014, after which Simon decided it was time to call it quits.
That was until 2019 when renowned metal festival Hell Over Hammaburg wanted to bring the band back to the stage to perform at the festival’s 2020 edition. Simon reformed the band with its original drummer Chuck Brown and bassist Steve Janiak. “We’d been asked several times to play Hell Over Hammaburg. But there was no ‘we’ to play,” said Simon. “The germ of the idea started. We started re-learning songs from the first LP. It wasn’t too long into the rehearsals that we started coming up with new songs.”
Following a short reunion tour, the COVID pandemic decelerated the band’s writing process. Half of the album was written; however, the remaining half was left to stew in its juices. But they toiled on ultimately composing six wholly engrossing new hymns of true doom metal excellence. With chest quaking songs honoring such greats as Saint Vitus and Penance, straight forward bangers, lyrics inspired by the Black Death and John Carpenter’s The Fog, The Gates Of Slumber is a truly crushing work to behold.
Oct. 15, 2024, LOS ANGELES – Jerry Cantrell’s new album, I Want Blood, arrives this Friday, and to celebrate its arrival the iconic musician has announced a North American tour of the same name.
The trek kicks off on Jan. 31 in Niagara Falls and makes its way across the country, concluding in Cantrell’s home state of Washington.
Tickets go on-sale this Friday at 10 a.m. local time with an exclusive artist pre-sale starting Wednesday at 10 a.m. For ticket information, visit jerrycantrell.com/tour. Filter supports on all dates.
“[This album] packs a punch and it hits you in the face,” Cantrell shared in a recent interview with Loudwire adding, “I couldn’t think of a more impactful title than I Want Blood.”
Ahead of the album’s release, Cantrell has been featured on the cover of Revolver, participated in a career-spanning conversation with Rick Beato, and has received widespread praise album for the collection’s heavier sound. Metal Hammer described I Want Blood as having an “iconic sound, sludgy guitars and soulful vocals.”
I Want Blood was recorded at Joe Barresi’s JHOC Studio in Pasadena, Calif., and features contributions from Duff McKagan (Guns N’Roses), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Greg Puciato (Better Lovers, ex-Dillinger Escape Plan), Gil Sharone (Team Sleep, Stolen Babies), and Lola Colette.
Jerry Cantrell tour dates:
October 17 Pioneertown, CA Pappy & Harriet’s SOLD OUT
November 8 Huechuraba, Chile Fauna Primavera November 10 Comuna 15, Argentina C Complejo Art Media November 12 São Paulo, Brazil Audio
January 31 Niagara Falls, ON Fallsview Casino Resort February 1 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom February 2 Portland, ME Aura February 4 Boston, MA Citizens House of Blues Boston February 5 New York, NY Irving Plaza February 7 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore – Silver Spring February 8 Bensalem, PA Parx Xcite Center February 11 Huntington, NY The Paramount February 12 Norfolk, VA The NorVa February 14 Raleigh, NC The Ritz February 15 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre February 16 Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom February 18 Columbus, OH The Bluestone February 19 Indianapolis, IN Murat Egyptian Room at Old National Centre February 22 St. Louis, MO The Hawthorn February 23 Chicago, IL The Vic Theatre February 25 Tulsa, OK Tulsa Theater February 26 Houston, TX House of Blues Houston February 27 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre March 1 Mesa, AZ The Nile Theater March 2 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues Las Vegas March 4 Los Angeles, CA The Belasco March 5 Ventura, CA The Majestic Ventura Theater March 7 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory – Spokane March 8 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom March 9 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
I Want Blood is available on CD, digitally, and multiple 2LP vinyl variants: https://bio.to/JerryCantrell. A bonus spoken word version of each song on I Want Blood is included with each vinyl release.
Photo credit: Darren Craig
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, three 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.”
Anticipated New Album Out January 17th Pre-Order Now
HAZZERD, one of thrash metal’s most exciting young contenders, have released the new single and lyric video for “Deathbringer” – the first taste of their awaited new album. Check out “Deathbringer” now on all streaming/download platforms, or watch the video, created by Raf Orteaga, HEREhttps://youtu.be/-_C6HBXaq-U
“Deathbringer” comes from the Canadian band’s forthcoming album, The 3rd Dimension, which is scheduled for release January 17th on CD and limited-edition colored vinyl variants (300 copies) including Mars Attacks and Angry Sea, as well as 100 limited run of cassettes.
The 3rd Dimension is the anticipated follow-up to 2020’s Delirium, one of the best and consistent sellers at M-Theory Audio that even received a nod from Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine who championed the group as a promising thrash hopeful, alongside Power Trip.
“Following the release of our second album, Delirium, an album which focused heavily on darker subject matter such as human agony, insanity, death and disease. This time we wanted the album to be less involved in the darker side of humanity, and made it a goal to make it much more fast-paced and to the point,” notes drummer/singer Dylan Westendorp.
“The 3rd Dimension portrays our human influences through media. Whether that be television, movies, music, or video games. Each song tells its own story through a narrative inspired by something created in the 3rd Dimension (3D media),” explains Dylan. “We’re also depicting the continuing decay of our mascot Mitsy, with his new Cyberpunk aesthetic brought to life by the one and only Andrei Bouzikov! We can’t wait for you all to decipher the tracks and tell us how you interpret them!”
The 3rd Dimension will be released January 17thand pre-orders launch today at our webstore and at Bandcamp https://lnk.to/hazzerd with more EU and retail outlets and a digital pre-save adding as we near release date.
“Thank you all for being so patient with us while we worked on the band as a whole and the new album over the last few years,” states Dylan. “We really can’t wait for you to hear it. This is for you — the fans, the underground.”
HAZZERD was initially formed by Westendorp and guitarist Brendan Malycky, two Calgary teens who were inspired by the early work of thrash legends such as Overkill, Metallica and Anthrax. After solidifying their lineup with the addition of lead guitarist Toryin Schadlich (also of Traveler) and bassist David Sprague, the group recorded their full-length debut, Misleading Evil, which was released via Canada’s World War Now Records.
HAZZERD caught the attention of M-Theory Audio who snapped up the promising outfit and released Delirium in 2020 taking the band to the next level. The album, like The 3rd Dimension, was mastered by Johnny Gasparic (Into Eternity) and features cover artwork once again by Andrei Bouzikov (Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust, Skeletonwitch).
Earlier this year, HAZZERD were invited to contribute two exclusive songs, “Skin Peeler” and “Stella Screams,” in collaboration with author Julie Hiner from Killers & Demons for her horror book project, Thrash Track. HAZZERD wrote the music to Julie’s lyrics for an experimental side adventure.
In recent years, HAZZERD has performed alongside the likes of Hatchet, Striker, Vicious Rumors, Archspire, Spellcaster and Grim Reaper in addition to playing noted Canadian festivals such as Loud As Hell and Armstrong MetalFest.
HAZZERD 2024: Drums/lead vocals: Dylan Westendorp Lead Guitar: Toryin Schadlich Bass: David Sprague Rhythm Guitar: Nick Schwartz Rhythm guitar on the album recorded by: Brendan Malycky
Get ready to dive headfirst into the electrifying world of HELLOWEEN with their new live album Live At Budokan, a colossal release that immortalises their iconic performance at Tokyo’s legendary Nippon Budokan! Dropping on December 13, 2024 through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), this release will be available in a plethora of formats: 2CD-digipak, 3LP vinyl in trifold, Blu-ray, DVD and digital.
Each version is meticulously crafted to suit the metal community’s diverse tastes, ensuring every fan can relive the raw, unfiltered energy of HELLOWEEN. Pre-order/pre-save the album here: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR
To tide fans over until Live At Budokanarrives, the band have launched the first single “Best Time (live)”. This electrifying live version of the hit single and most streamed track (more than 11 million streams on Spotify) from HELLOWEEN‘s self-titled reunion album [2021] can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT1ITfb76-0
Guitarist Sascha Gerstner comments: ‘“Best Time'” captures the energy and the moment when everything fits together perfectly and you leave everything negative behind. For me, this track is an anthem for all those nights when you’re heading towards the future. That’s why it conveys exactly this mood in concert as if you were living in a single great moment that lasts forever.”
This release celebrates the grand finale of HELLOWEEN‘s epic world tour from 2022 to 2023. Spanning over 30 countries on three continents, the tour was nothing short of a triumph, drawing massive crowds and showcasing the band’s undying appeal, the sold-out concert inTokyo is the crowning glory of the cycle.
Known for their explosive stage presence and high-voltage performances, HELLOWEEN‘s shows are fueled by the unique chemistry among the band members. Triple lead-guitar attacks from Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, and Sascha Gerstner alternate with goosebump inducing duets from vocalists Michael Kiske and Andi Deris, occasionally supported by Kai Hansen, the band’s original singer and third voice. He also takes the spectators on a journey back in time with a medley from the band’s early days, returning to the origins of their sound – HELLOWEEN, the godfathers of melodic speed metal.
Choosing the Nippon Budokan for this live recording was no coincidence. A venue rich in musical history, it has hosted countless legendary concerts and is an accolade for every music group that has played there. HELLOWEEN are the first German band ever to record a live album in the Nippon Budokan, and for the members it was a dream come true.
Lead vocalist Michael Kiske described the show as “surreal, with the electrifying fan energy creating a magical atmosphere.” Bassist Markus Grosskopf spoke of the venue’s profound personal and historical significance, expressing how humbling and inspiring it was to perform in a place that shaped their own musical journeys.
The live recording’s technical brilliance is another highlight. With 29 cameras capturing every nuance, the production team ensured that each moment of the concert is preserved in stunning detail. This attention to detail means the Blu-ray and DVD versions offer an immersive viewing experience, making fans feel like they are right there in the front row.
The setlist of this live album is a treasure trove of surprises, contains the entire 2-hour+ show and offers a fresh experience compared to previous releases like United Alive [2019]. This thoughtful song selection honors both the die-hard fans craving something new and the band’s rich musical legacy, showcasing their evolution and expansive repertoire.
This live album is more than just a concert recording; it’s a celebration of HELLOWEEN‘s enduring impact on the metal scene. It promises to bring the magic of an unforgettable performance straight into fans’ homes, offering a piece of music history that embodies the spirit and energy of a legendary band at their peak.
HELLOWEEN are: Michael Kiske – vocals Andi Deris – vocals Kai Hansen – guitars, vocals Michael Weikath – guitars Sascha Gerstner – guitars Markus Grosskopf – bass Daniel Löble – drums
CATEGORY 7, featuring John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Phil Demmel (Kerry King, Machine Head), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), Jack Gibson (Exodus), and Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Overkill), today announces their 2025 first ever tour in support of their self-titled Metal Blade debut.
The fourteen-show trek commences on March 6th in Baltimore, Maryland and runs through March 23rd in Atlanta, Georgia. Direct support on all shows will be provided by Exhorder (except Milwaukee). Additional support will be provided by Hand Of The Tribe on all dates, as well as Dead By Wednesday on the first four dates, and Engineered Society Project on the remainder of the tour, starting in Warrendale.
Comments vocalistJohn Bush, “Looking forward to CATEGORY 7 blowing off the roofs of some venues on the East Coast and Midwest in March of 2025. This will be the first time the band will be playing live so come and check out some killer musicianship. Playing songs from the debut record should be fun. See ya there!”
Adds guitaristPhil Demmel, “Batten down your hatches because the C7tempest is about to touch ground in the US this March! We are all so thrilled to launch this band and bring our show through the states! See you in the eye of the storm!”
Presales on Blabbermouth.net and Knotfest.com will begin tomorrow, October 9th with the general on sale beginning Friday, October 11th. VIP upgrades will be available for all shows at category7official.com. The VIP purchase does not include the show ticket. See all confirmed dates below.
CATEGORY 7 w/ Exhorder, Dead By Wednesday, Hand Of The Tribe: 3/06/2025 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 3/07/2025 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ 3/08/2025 Middle East – Downstairs – Cambridge 3/09/2025 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA w/ Exhorder, Engineered Society Project, Hand Of The Tribe: 3/11/2025 Jergel’s – Warrendale, PA 3/12/2025 The Asylum At Temple Live – Cleveland, OH 3/14/2025 The Machine Shop – Flint, MI 3/15/2025 The Forge – Joliet, IL 3/16/2025 The Rave II – Milwaukee, WI ** 3/18/2025 Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN 3/19/2025 Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE 3/21/2025 Pop’s – St. Louis, MO 3/22/2025 Exit/In – Nashville, TN 3/23/2025 The Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA ** w/ H1Z1, Misfire, Engineered Society Project, Hand Of The Tribe (no Exhorder)
Category 7 was released on July 26th to worldwide critical acclaim and debuted at #8 on the Billboard Rock Chart. The band has released four videos to date for the tracks “In Stitches,” “Exhausted,” “Mousetrap,” and “Apple of Discord.” The band has received major support from the Sirius XM channel Liquid Metal.
Category 7 was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Mike Orlando at Sonic Stomp Studios with art and layout by Carlos Fides at Artside Studio (Angra, Evergrey, Kamelot). Stream and purchase the record at: metalblade.com/category7.
Florida’s own power metal force, SEVEN KINGDOMS, is thrilled to announce their signing with Reigning Phoenix Music. This exciting partnership marks a new chapter for the band, kicking off with the highly anticipated release of their upcoming EP, The Square, on November 8th, 2024
In celebration of this announcement, SEVEN KINGDOMS has dropped a brand-new single and accompanying music video for the EP’s title track, “The Square.” The song delivers the band’s signature blend of high-energy riffs, soaring vocals, and epic power metal melodies, while the video brings the track to life with a captivating, cinematic experience that fans are sure to love. Watch the video for “The Square” HERE.
Guitarist Camden Cruz comments: “It’s an honor and privilege to join the RPM family alongside bands like Helloween, Kerry King, Meshuggah, Sonata Arctica and many more! We’ve been independent for some time, and we’re thrilled to join a team where that independence can coexist with a proper label. With this EP we have best of both worlds behind us and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship here with Reigning Phoenix Music!”
“The Square is our latest offering. In this EP we deliver a sampling of what sounds and feels we are aiming to bring to the next full release which will also come out on RPM late next year! We hope you love it as much as we do, and we will bring this material on our North American Headlining tour with Striker and Lutharo in November and December and also to Europe when we support Unleash The Archers in February and March 2025!”
Reigning Phoenix Music states: “RPM is very excited to start our new partnership with DMG (Distortion Music Group) and Maurizio Iacono, and offering a new song from Seven Kingdoms is a great way to kick it off!”
Manager Maurizio Iacono further adds: “With the new firepower that RPM will be providing to DMG artists, you can bet that American power metal sensation Seven Kingdoms will be making a lot of noise in the coming year. The Floridians are one of the fastest-rising heavy metal bands from North America, and we expect them to make waves worldwide with their virtuoso guitar skills, impressive vocal range, catchy anthems, and entertaining live shows.”
Sabrina Cruz – Vocals Camden Cruz – Guitars Kevin Byrd – Guitars Keith Byrd -Drums
In addition to the EP’s release, SEVEN KINGDOMS will embark on an extensive touring schedule. The band will kick off with a North American headlining tour in November and December, joined by STRIKER, LUTHARO, and OSYRON for select dates. Following that, they will support power metal legends UNLEASH THE ARCHERS on a European tour in February and March 2025.
11/9 – Boozers Rock Bar – Corpus Christi, TX 11/10 – Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 11/11 – Haltom Theater – Haltom, TX 11/12 – 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK 11/13 – Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM 11/14 – Vultures – Colorado Springs, CO 11/16 – Last Exit Live – Phoenix, AZ 11/17 – Sinwave – Las Vegas, NV 11/18 – Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 11/19 – Knucklehead – Los Angeles, CA 11/20 – DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA 11/21 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR 11/22 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA 11/23 – Jacknife – Kelowna, BC 11/25 – Dicken’s – Calgary, AB # 11/26 – The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB # 11/27 – The Black Cat – Saskatoon, SK # 11/28 – Sidestage – Winnipeg, MB # 11/30 – Reggies – Chicago, IL 12/1 – Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 12/3 – Meadows – Brooklyn, NY 12/4 – Metro – Baltimore, MD 12/5 – Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 12/6 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA 12/7 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL 12/8 – Conduit – Orlando, FL
# = Osyron Joins
European Tour Supporting UNLEASH THE ARCHERS:
12.02 – Substage – Karlsruhe, DE 13.02 – Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE 14.02 – Live Music Hall – Cologne, DE 15.02 – De Kreun – Kortrijk, BE 16.02 – The Underworld – London, GB 17.02 – La Machine – Paris, FR 19.02 – Dynamo – Zurich, CH 20.02 – Legend Club – Milan, IT 21.02 – Backstage – Munich, DE 22.02 – Masters Of Rock Cafe – Zlin, CZ 23.02 – Barba Negra – Budapest, HU 25.02 – Szene – Vienna, AT 26.02 – Kwadrat – Cracow, PL 27.02 – Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE 28.02 – Rockhal – Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU 01.03 – Kronensaal – Hamburg, DE 02.03 – Patronaat – Haarlem, NL
Featuring Cameos from Members of Metal Church, Manowar and Immortal Guardian
Austin (TX) – Returning with their latest call-to-arms, Texas metal warlords IGNITOR are once again battle-ready with the release of their new album, Horns and Hammers.
Another storm-the-gates, metal onslaught, Horns and Hammersdelivers all the dramatic power and fury that landed previous albums Haunted by Rock ‘N’ Roll and The Golden Age of Black Magick in the hallowed realms of Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Raven, Dio, Accept and other legendary keepers of the metal creed.
From the title track’s speed-metal war cry and the Maiden-esque “Imperial Bloodlines” to the cowbell-driven “Shattered Crosses” and the 70s-inspired heavy metal of “Ferocious the Martyrs” (featuring guest keyboardist Gabriel Guardian of Immortal Guardian) the 11-track Horns and Hammers a mighty mix of classic heavy metal spiked with NWOBHM, thrash, power metal and the atmospheric textures of prog-metal and fantasy.
Photo Credit: Steve Miller
“We raised the bar high with our last two albums so we couldn’t settle for anything less than a full-on metal assault,” said founding guitarist Stuart “Batlord” Laurence. “We’ve always honored our influences, but we’re also very insistent that our music – first and foremost – sounds like IGNITOR. With Horns and Hammers, we’ve covered the spectrum of metal and taken Ignitor to a whole new level.”
Fronted by the soaring vocals of Jason McMaster (Watchtower, Dangerous Toys, Broken Teeth), IGNITOR’s strength is further forged by guitarist Robert Williams, bassist Billy “Chainsaw” Dansfiell and drummer Pat Doyle. Whether charging and pounding like clashing titans (“Dark Horse,” “Chaos Maximus Eternal”) or luring the listener into gothic tales of doom and deceit (“Suicide Anthem,” “Taken Up With Serpents”), IGNITOR delivers with shuddering impact.
Check out the promotional video for music, interviews, and album info at: youtu.be/ip1xGHaGH_4.
“Robert brought a ton of songs and riff ideas to the table and Billy had some great ideas that blossomed into full-blown songs,” Laurence said. “Once we started jamming with Pat’s pummeling backbeat, we knew we had something special.”
“As the arrangements started coming together, I found myself completely immersed and inspired to come up with the lyrical themes and characters to carry the songs to completion,” McMaster added. “I’m really proud of the band’s individual and collective contributions, and I think we all agree that Horns and Hammers is a triumph by any measure.”
The album’s stunning cover art – featuring a medieval warrior and his mighty steed surveying a hellish killing field – comes courtesy of renowned fantasy/sci-fi artist Claudio Bergamin, whose credits include Judas Priest (Firepower), Burning Witches (The Witch of the North), Cassius King (Field Trip) and Klassik ’78 (Phantoms), among others.
Produced and mastered by Stuart “Batlord” Laurence at Emphatic Audio in Austin, TX, Horns and Hammers was mastered for vinyl by Cris Burns. “Hell Shall Be Your Home” was recorded live in Austin TX at Kick Butt Coffee in 2019, and engineered by Ernie Basaldua with mixing by Stuart “Batlord” Laurence.
U.S. residents can pre-order the CD directly from the band at ignitorband.com/merch. Orders will ship no later than October 15.
Track Listing:
1. Horns And Hammers 2. Imperial Bloodlines 3. Dark Horse 4. Cyber Crush 5. Shattered Crosses 6. Taking Up With Serpents 7. Ferocious The Martyrs 8. Suicide Anthem 9. Chaos Maximus Eternal 10. Machine Gun (Saxon cover)* 11. Terminous
Note: “Hell Shall Be Your Home” appears on the Metal On Metal Records version.
All songs written, recorded and performed by Ignitor, except *“Machine Gun,” originally written, recorded and performed by Saxon, Carrere Music Ltd 1980.
Vinyl and CD versions wil be distributed through Revolt Vinyl Records in North and South America in November. This version will include a bonus track of the Saxon classic “Machine Gun,” featuring guest appearances by Ross The Boss (Manowar, Dictators), Marc Lopes (Metal Church, Let Us Prey, Ross The Boss) and Gabriel Guardian (Immortal Guardian). Look for the companion video of that song very soon. This version will soon be available for streaming and purchase on all digital platforms.
The vinyl version of Horns and Hammers will be released on Metal World Records in Europe.
ENEMY INSIDE is back with a vengeance, releasing their new single, “Should Have Known Better.”
The modern metal outfit delivers a track that blends fierceness and finesse, unafraid to challenge and redefine the genre. The lyrics drive this message home with a steadfast resolve, showcasing the band’s knack for blending introspective storytelling with raw emotion and heavy-hitting energy, digging deep into themes of betrayal and resilience. “It’s a reminder that you cannot look into someone’s head and should watch out for those uninterested in your success and well-being,”the band explains. “It’s for all the fake friends talking behind your back or only sticking around in your best moments but not at your worst. You tried to play the wrong person – you should have known better.”
The accompanying music video mirrors the song’s fierce narrative. Frontwoman Nastassja Giulia takes on the role of a high-society icon, confidently dominating a high-stakes gambling table. The video, crafted by Nastassja alongside creative collaborator and guitarist Evan K, and mixed and mastered by Christoph Wieczorek, seamlessly intertwines sophistication and defiance. It captures the essence of the song’s message — standing strong in the face of betrayal, reclaiming power, and serving a taste of karma to those who have underestimated you.
ENEMY INSIDE European Tour 2025 Special Guests: Letters Sent Home 20.02.2025 DK Copenhagen – Rust 21.02.2025 DE Hamburg – headCRASH 22.02.2025 DE Berlin – Privatclub 23.02.2025 DE Hanover – Béi Chéz Heinz 27.02.2025 DE Bochum – Rockpalast 28.02.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 01.03.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Club) 06.03.2025 DE Cologne – Helios 37 07.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann (Studio) 08.03.2025 CH Aarburg – Musigburg 13.03.2025 DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 14.03.2025 CZ Prague – Storm Club 15.03.2025 PL Kraków – Klub Zaścianek 16.03.2025 PL Warsaw – Klub Hydrozagadka 21.03.2025 NL Utrecht – De Helling 22.03.2025 NL Maastricht – Muziekgieterij 28.03.2025 FI Tampere – Olympia-kortteli * 29.03.2025 FI Helsinki – On the Rocks * w/o LSH
About ENEMY INSIDE: Defiant. Empowered. Unstoppable. Enemy Inside has cemented themselves as a force in the modern metal scene, blending haunting melodies with intense, aggressive riffs. Their music captures the struggle of battling inner demons, resonating with a growing fanbase worldwide.
Garnering over 9 million streams on Spotify and 3 million YouTube views, their previous albums, Phoenix and Seven, have solidified their reputation for delivering as thought-provoking as hard-hitting music while sharing stages with some of the biggest names in metal and performing at festivals like Wacken Open Air, Full Metal Cruise, Nummirock and Dynamo Metal Fest.
Watch more: “What We Used To Be” – YouTube “Sayonara” – YouTube
The Mighty Saxon are pleased to announce the extensive “Hell, Fire And Steel” European tour. The Tour will see us perform our classic album Wheels of Steel in its entirety on what will be its 45th anniversary, plus all the hits, fan favourites and songs from our new album Hell Fire and Damnation.
This is a Saxon tour like no other and one you are not going to want to miss! The “Hell, Fire And Steel” tour kicks off in Bremen in Germany on February 4th, a listing of dates are below.
Tickets are available via general on sale Friday 4th October with various pre-sales prior, with Sweden general on sale Monday 7th October.
Tickets on sale for Milan and Tilburg as of Tuesday 1st October ** Tickets on sale for Copenhagen, Prague, Kraków, Vienna and Warsaw as of Wednesday 2nd October
FEB 04 – Aladin Music Hall, Bremen (DE) FEB 06 – Amager Bio, Copenhagen (DK)** FEB 07 – Conventum, Orebro (SE) FEB 08 – Värmekyrkan, Norrköping (SE) FEB 09 – Slagthuset, Malmö (SE) FEB 11 – Rockefeller, Oslo (NO) FEB 13 – Trädgär’n, Gothenburg (SE) FEB 14 – Folkets Park, Huskvarna (SE) FEB 15 – Cirkus, Stockholm (SE) FEB 17 – Docks, Hamburg (DE) FEB 19 – Lucerna Music Bar, Prague (CZ)** FEB 20 – Studio, Kraków (PL)** FEB 21 – Gasometer, Vienna (AT)** FEB 23 – Progresja, Warsaw (PL)** FEB 25 – Muffathalle, Munich (DE) FEB 26 – Live Club, Milan (IT)* FEB 28 – Volkshaus, Zurich (CH) MAR 01 – Central, Erfurt (DE) MAR 02 – 013, Tilburg (NL)* MAR 04 – Huxleys, Berlin (DE) MAR 05 – Haus Auensee, Leipzig (DE)
PRIMAL FEAR & Reigning Phoenix Music announce the new studio album Domination; welcome new members & unveil initial 2025 tour dates!
Spanning more than 25 years of pure heavy and power metal, PRIMAL FEAR have face numerous challenges since their formation in 1997. Despite these obstacles, the band have repeatedly risen from their lowest points, like a phoenix from the ashes. After a recent line-up change, which saw Thalìa Bellezecca join on guitar and André Hilgers on drums, the group are now in the final stages of completing their upcoming 15th studio album, Domination, which is currently being recorded.
“We’ve entered the studio and we can choose from a pool of about 25 songs! We’re absolutely happy!” smiles founding member Mat Sinner (bass, vocals). Produced by Sinner and co-produced by Ralf Scheepers and Magnus Karlsson, the new offering will be mixed and mastered by the group’s confident partner Jacob Hansen at his Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark by the end of this year.
Long-time guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who has recently returned to the PRIMAL FEAR live touring crew, is once again a vital part of the creative process as well. He adds: “I can’t wait to hit the stage with PRIMAL FEAR again! It’s going to be an incredible ride! We’re going to create something truly special together, both live and in the studio, and I’m so grateful to share this journey with all you metalheads! Metal is forever!”
The metal titans are determined to outdo themselves once again and to surpass the success of their recent album Code Red, which achieved the highest chart notations in the band’s history. Their efforts are progressing exceptionally well. Vocalist Ralf Scheepers states about the current process: “I haven’t felt as great in a long time as I did singing some of the new songs!”
But that’s not all: behind the scenes, preparations are in full swing, and PRIMAL FEAR fans should mark September 5, 2025 on their calendars. This date not only marks the release of Domination but also the launch of a European tour, starting in Hamburg, Germany, and spanning eight countries to celebrate the album’s debut. The tour will be preceded by several festival appearances (more details to be announced soon, so stay tuned!), with their first performance featuring the highly energized new line-up set for Rock in Rautheim next May. Contact: ITM.
The Run For Your Lives World Tour will kick off on May 27th next year in Budapest followed by 27 stadium, festival & arena shows around Europe. The tour marks 50 years since Steve Harris formed the band in late 1975 and to celebrate this Maiden fans are promised a very special set list, spanning the nine studio albums from ‘Iron Maiden’ to ‘Fear Of The Dark’, with their most spectacular and elaborate show ever!
Special Guests for the first half of the tour, including the London & Dublin outdoor shows (but not the UK arenas), will be American rockers Halestorm. The second half of the tour sees Sweden’s Avatar as guests. And, finally, British metal band, The Raven Age, will open all UK & Ireland shows.
*Halestorm | ^The Raven Age | **Avatar
Tickets go on general sale next week! Check http://IronMaiden.com for dates/times and to read the whole announcement.
You can now pre-order the all-new studio release from Todd Michael Hall (Riot V), “Off the Rails” featuring Kurdt Vanderhoof! Check out all the details and get in on some exclusive LTD print bundles at this link: https://ratpakrecordsamerica.com/toddmichaelhall
On October 4th, the complete discography of Mantic Ritual will be reissued in a beautifully repackaged and expanded 2LP for the band’s debut album’s 15th Anniversary, officially licensed from Nuclear Blast Records. Plus, we’re adding the 2022 ‘Heart Set Stone’ EP and a unreleased bonus track – the band’s take on the Scorpions classic “Blackout” recorded during the ‘Executioner’ sessions. Limited to 300 copies on Clear with Black Splatter vinyl. Includes 4-panel insert with lyrics, credits, extra photos and personal liner notes from the members recalling memories of the time.
MANTIC RITUAL originally formed as Meltdown in Pittsburgh in 2005. Building a buzz with Northeast heavy metal fans over the next two years they moved across the country to Los Angeles in 2007, where performances alongside leaders of the budding Southern California thrash revival such as Warbringer, Fueled By Fire, and Merciless Death earned them attention from discerning metal audiences and a record deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
Changing their name to MANTIC RITUAL, the quartet flew to Germany to record with producer Andy Classen, and released their full-length record ‘Executioner’ in March 2009. Cover artwork provided by Colin Marks (Aborted, Exodus, Allegaeon).
The album received critical acclaim at the time of its release, with MetalSucks praising the band’s “ability to display solid songcraft while maintaining a high-level of heaviness,” Blabbermouth taking note of their “passion, chemistry and intensity,” and the Washington Post noting that “MANTIC RITUAL’s old-school sensibilities act like a group hug that brings punks and headbangers together.”
MANTIC RITUAL fell apart after tours with Rotting Christ and Destruction in 2010. But reformed in 2021, with Carlos Cruz (Warbriner, Exmortus, Hexen) on drums, to release the 6-song ‘Heart Set Stone.’ Now both albums, plus their unreleased cover of the Scorpions classic “Blackout” has been compiled in one set for your (re)discovery and enjoyment.
The spiritual successor to God is Myth and Ars Magna Recordings, AlteSeelen is a new US-based label supporting the extreme metal underground and adjacent subgenres.
Founded by the heads of God is Myth and Ars Magna Recordings, Alte Seelen aims to produce high-quality releases while illuminating the bands, artists, and individuals who contribute to the music that is our life’s blood. In time the label hopes to expand its reach to provide unique items, ranging from prints to wood carvings and leatherwork.
While the label acknowledges and draws upon the experiences of the past, Alte Seelen represents a conscious decision to leave those ventures dormant and dreaming.
A new banner has been raised… Halloween 2024 will see the release of the first two Alte Seelen titles.
Ringare – Sorrow Befell (majestic black metal / dark synth), CD and digital (originally released on vinyl by Iron Bonehead).
Kveldstimer – Scripture of the Woods (primitive, yet majestic Black Metal), CD and digital (limited-edition cassette released by Altare Productions).
In late fall/early winter, Alte Seelen will release By The Grace of Death from atmospheric black metal band Canis Dirus. Bindrune Recordings will handle vinyl treatment.
In celebration of their 10th band anniversary, German power metal act SERIOUS BLACK will unleash their forthcoming, sixth studio album, entitled Rise Of Akhenatonon September 27, 2024 via AFM Records. A video clip for their latest single, “Take Your Life” is now premiering below!
Band mastermind Mario Lochert comments: “For me personally, this song is something special, not just because my daughter Emilia sang in the 3-part children’s choir. The song also describes my path in the music industry, when people laughed and said you’re crazy and won’t be able to do it. But at the end of the battle the dead are counted – these are the times when the heroes colide.”
Stream “Take Your Life” – out now on all digital services at:
TRACKLISTING: 01. Open Your Eyes 02. We Are the Storm 03. Silent Angel 04. Take Your Life 05. Shields of Glory 06. When I´m Gone 07. United 08. Rise of Akhenaton 09. Virtual Reality 10. I Will Remember 11. Metalized
SERIOUS BLACK: Nikola Mijic (Vocals) Dominik Sebastian (Guitar) Bob Katsionis (Guitar) Mario Lochert (Bass) Rami Ali (Drums)
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"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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