Archive for the Heavy Metal Category

FRANK BLACKFIRE Leads New Wave of Additions to HELLS BELLS FESTIVAL 2026

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on March 7, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

SŁOŃ, DROWNED IN SILVER and DIVING STOVE also confirmed for Szczecin’s debut edition

Szczecin, Poland; 26 February 2026Hells Bells Festival has unveiled thrash metal royalty Frank Blackfire as the spearhead of its latest line-up announcement. The legendary guitarist, renowned for his work with Sodom and Kreator, will arrive in Szczecin with a set specifically curated from the cult thrash metal anthems he helped create. Festival attendees can expect a trip through the history of Teutonic thrash, featuring tracks from iconic albums such as Persecution Mania, Agent Orange and Coma of Souls.

The festival also welcomes Słoń, a pioneer of horrorcore/death rap in Poland and the head of Brain Dead Familia. Słoń has built a reputation for live shows that rival any metal concert in intensity. With a performance style that ignites walls of death and mosh pits in the audience, his presence on the Łasztownia waterfront bridges the gap between extreme rap and the metal underground.

The atmosphere will shift toward the mystical with the addition of Drowned In Silver. Despite their recent debut album Mothers, via the respected Pagan Records, the band consists of seasoned veterans from across the black metal and experimental scenes. Their music provides a unique balance between occult rock and trance-like expression: dark, heavy and deeply immersive. 

Rounding out the announcement is Diving Stove, a fresh force that has taken the Polish scene by storm. Known for their wild and unpredictable live performances, the band’s most recent release is their stellar thrash masterpiece, Atavism.

These new additions join previously confirmed acts: Dirkschneider (All-Accept set), Grave DiggerPossessedNunSlaughter, The Materia, Pretensje, Cockney Rejects, VaderDischargeFuriaDezerterBelzebongThe StubsDolaHamulec and Seks W Czasach Wojny.

Tickets: https://hellsbells.pl/

Hells Bells Festival will take place in the heart of Szczecin, Poland, on 26-27 June 2026. The venue is the scenic Plac Gryfitów on Łasztownia, a historic island district in Szczecin known for its iconic “Craneosaurs” (historic port cranes) and stunning views of the Oder River. 

Early bird weekend tickets have sold out but general weekend tickets are still available via the official festival website. One-day tickets will be available in mid-March following the conclusion of the band announcements. This will also be the moment when festival prices increase, so attendees are encouraged to purchase their passes today to secure the current rate. Discounted options, including the Youth Pass (ages 13-18) and Family Pass (adult with child under 13), remain available.

Secure your entry nowhttps://hellsbells.pl/

Source: 3nation

UNEARTH – Rejoins Metal Blade Records + New Management, Booking Agency and Live Dates Announced

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , on March 7, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Photo By Angel Mejia 

Metal Blade Records is pleased to announce their re-signing of UNEARTH

Nothing short of standard-bearers and keepers of the faith for American metalcore, UNEARTH was the band born in the breakdown who never wavered from their love of European death metal melodicism, supercharged by American thrash and hardcore. Now, nearly three decades into a career that’s seen the Massachusetts mob play innumerable gigs and massive festivals on six continents, sell hundreds of thousands of records, and inspire some of the most important bands in extreme metal today, they remain a force with which to contend. And their reunion with Metal Blade Records, their label from their halcyon days of the 2000s first decade, only increases the ferocity of that force.

UNEARTH’s change back then from hardcore-focused Eulogy Recordings to one with “Metal” literally in the name aligned with their sound’s sharpening into a more brutal “Blade.” This time it’s more about going home to the host of genre-defining albums like The Oncoming StormIII: In The Eyes Of Fire, and The March.

It’s not to say they haven’t made great albums (see Watchers Of Rule and the latest LP The Wretched; The Ruinous) with great partners MNRK Heavy – formerly eOne Music and Century Media, respectively and the lightning here has the chance to strike twice and UNEARTH are ready to ride it.

Comments vocalist Trevor Phipps, “Getting another shot at working with Metal Blade Records feels nothing short of coming home. We truly got our best chance at making a life of creating music and touring during our first run with Metal Blade from 2004 to 2011. Working with so many familiar faces we trust and appreciate is something we wholeheartedly welcome. The music we’re cooking is as heavy and boundary-pushing as we’ve ever been, and we look forward to sharing it with you all in 2027.”

They gave us our start; now, they’re part of our future,” says guitarist Peter Layman. “After fifteen years apart, we’re back with Metal Blade, the home of some of our defining records. With the writing process well underway, we felt Metal Blade was the perfect fit for us and the direction we’re headed. We’re thankful that they feel the same way and know that what comes next will be our best offering yet.”

Adds Michael Faley, Metal Blade Records A&R, “It is an honor to have UNEARTH back in the Metal Blade family. Our history with the band includes some truly incredible moments in this label’s catalog. Reconnecting with them now, at a time when both the band and the label have grown so much, is a massive win. We’ve always believed in their vision, and we’re honored to be the ones helping them tell the next chapter of their story. A new Storm is coming!” 

Additionally, UNEARTH is pleased to announce their new management home of AISAmusic and European booking agency, Cobra.

Says Phipps, “We are excited to team up with AISAmusic for a new era of UNEARTH. Simon Füllemann has been a friend, peer, and colleague of ours for almost 25 years, while Bradley Zorgdrager has proven to be an ally in this business in the few short years we’ve known him. With new music, tours, and partnerships coming, we are eager to get in the studio and back on the road to riff with you all.”

“We couldn’t be happier to join the AISAmusic team for management,” notes Layman. “Heading down a new path with Simon and Bradley at our side has instantly had a positive impact, and we know it’s only the beginning. Their professionalism, knowledge, experience, and level of planning gives us the best opportunity to be successful moving forward.”

Phipps continues, “We want to thank the good people at Cobra Agency for bringing us onto their killer roster for Europe and Asia. We look forward to spending a lot of time on the road with you all, starting this summer with a European festival and club run.”

Layman concurs, “We are incredibly proud to announce our partnership with Cobra Agency for booking throughout Europe and Asia. One of the best parts about being in a band is sharing your art while visiting incredible places around the world. We know that working with Cobra Agency gives us the best opportunity to continue doing this.”

UNEARTH’s nearly thirty year ride has been wild enough thus far. As one of the key bands of the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal (NWOAHM), they rose alongside the likes of Killswitch Engage, Lamb Of God, Shadows Fall, Darkest Hour and more. “It was a healthy competition between all of us,” recalls Phipps. “It made for some great music and opened up a new chapter in American metal.” And though the Wave ain’t so New anymore, the great music continues as UNEARTH opens a new chapter of their own.

UNEARTH Live:
7/25/2026 Barba Negra – Budapest, HU *
7/31/2026 Afdreiht Un Buten Festival – Goldenstedt, DE
8/01/2026 Full Rewind Festival – Löbnitz, DE
8/03/2026 Magnolia Open Air – Milan, IT ^
8/04/2026 Dynamo – Zurich, CH ^
8/05/2026 Brutal Assault Festival – Jeroměř, CZ
8/07/2026 Frischluft Open Air – Linz, AT ~
8/13/2026 Motocultor Festival – Carhaix, FR

  • w/ In Flames
    ^ w/ Of Mice & Men
    ~ w/ The Ghost Inside

https://unearthofficial.com

https://www.facebook.com/unearthofficial

https://www.instagram.com/unearthofficial

https://www.metalblade.com

Source: EARSPLIT PR

BLOODHUNTER Unleash Video For New Single “The Outspoken”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , on March 6, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Hot on the heels of “The Devil’s Own,” Spain’s BLOODHUNTER have unveiled the official music video for their new single “The Outspoken.”

This track hits hard. Fast-paced drums, razor-sharp melodic leads and crushing riffs collide with Diva Satanica’s commanding vocal delivery. The result is a relentless melodic death metal rager that balances aggression with sharp hooks and tight songwriting. “The Outspoken” doesn’t waste a second. It builds, strikes, and leaves its mark.

Lyrically, the song serves as a defining statement for the band. Vocalist Diva Satanica comments:

“It’s like a hymn that defines the identity of this band. We can be many things, but we will never stop being honest with other people and with ourselves. It’s a very powerful song that speaks about our own identity as a band over the years.”

With “The Outspoken,” BLOODHUNTER reaffirm their place in modern melodic death metal: intense, direct, and unapologetically honest and leave fans hungry for more music that will hopefully follow soon!

Listen: https://bloodhunter.rpm.link/outspokenPR

Watch the video premiering here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea8_IwSBJxQ

For More Info Visit: 

Official Sitehttps://bloodhunter.rpm.link/sitePR

Facebookhttps://bloodhunter.rpm.link/facebookPR

Instagramhttps://bloodhunter.rpm.link/instagramPR

TikTokhttps://bloodhunter.rpm.link/tiktokPR

Spotifyhttps://bloodhunter.rpm.link/spotifyPR

Apple Musichttps://bloodhunter.rpm.link/applePR

Visit RPM ROAR online:

Homepagehttps://www.roar-records.de

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/rpmroar

Source: C Squared Music

FLESHGOD – APOCALYPSE Announce North American Headline Dates 

Posted in Death Metal, death metal bands, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on March 6, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Italy’s FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are preparing to shroud stages across North America in their haunting, symphonic-infused death metal and have unveiled a series of headline dates for this spring. This follows the announcement that the band will be joining AVATAR on their “Don’t Go in the Forest 2026” tour with guests FROZEN SOUL

The band comments, “Could we come to North America and completely forget Dallas (TX), St. Louis (MO), Albany (NY), or let our Canadian friends in Montreal (QC) down? Of course we could not! That’s why we have added four exclusive headlining shows alongside the massive spring trek supporting Avatar this April and May. Expect a longer setlist, a bigger production, and some extra surprises! Our Texan friends FROZEN SOUL will be joining us for these dates, so you know exactly what to do. See you there folks!”

2026 Headline Dates:
4/21 – Dallas, TX – Granada*
4/27 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
5/17 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
5/18 – Montreal, QC – Beanfield Theatre

* no FROZEN SOUL

Purchase tickets HERE.

2026 Tour Dates with AVATAR and FROZEN SOUL:
4/16 Sacramento, CA Channel 24
4/17 Los Angeles, CA Novo
4/19 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theater
4/20 Albuquerque, NM Revel
4/22 San Antonio, TX Aztec
4/23 Oklahoma City, OK Criterion
4/25 Omaha, NE Steelhouse Omaha
4/26 Des Moines, IA Val Air
4/28 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall
4/29 Moline, IL The Rust Belt
4/30 Grand Rapids, MI GLC Live at 20 Monroe
5/1 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Club Stage
5/2 Fort Wayne, IN The Clyde
5/4 Huntsville, AL VBC Mars Music Hall
5/5 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
5/6 Knoxville, TN Mill & Mine
5/7 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
5/8 Daytona Beach, FL Welcome to Rockville
5/10 Raleigh, NC The Ritz
5/12 Richmond, VA The National
5/13 Philadelphia, PA Franklin Music Hall
5/14 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2026
5/15 New York, NY Palladium Times Square
5/16 Buffalo, NY Buffalo Riverworks
5/19 Wallingford, CT The Dome
5/20 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino

Opera Track – Listing:
1. Ode to Art (De’ Sepolcri)
2. I Can Never Die
3. Pendulum
4. Bloodclock
5. At War With My Soul
6. Morphine Waltz
7. Matricide 8.21
8. Per Aspera Ad Astra
9. Till Death Do Us Part
10. Opera

Source: C Squared Music

New Metal Songs Highly Endorsed By Metal Odyssey!

Posted in Metal, Heavy Metal, Music, metal music, news, metal bands, music news with tags , , , , , , , on March 6, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Metal Church has released a couple of new songs from their upcoming studio album Dead to Rights. Let me just say that these songs are unbelievable thrash ecstasy! Metal Church is back with a vengeance! The songs are: “F.a.F.O,” and “Brainwash Game.”

Artillery returns! Their new single “Ghost In The Machine” is pure Thrash Metal glory, from start to finish! I have this song in my brain and it serves me right!

BATTLEGRAVE have released their new blistering single “BONESAW” and it’s an extreme metal gift from these metal warriors.

Broken and Blind” is a rather short yet killer song from the legendary Black Label Society. I love this song for its swift kick to my cranium. This song is on their forthcoming studio album Engines of Demolition, out on March 27th through MNRK Heavy / Spinefarm.

Thank you for checking these highly recommended metal song choices out! Stay safe out there and Metal be thy name. -Stone

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE – U.S. Tour June 2026 | With Machine Head, Iron Reagan & Havok | Dates, Cities & Venues Listed

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on March 4, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE on tour with MACHINE HEAD, IRON REAGAN and HAVOK:

June 03 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
June 05 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore Minneapolis
June 07 – South Bend, IN @ Four Winds Field
June 09 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz
June 11 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
June 12 – Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
June 13 – Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center
June 16 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
June 17 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
June 19 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom
June 20 – Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
June 21 – San Antonio, TX @ Boeing Center at Tech Port
June 23 – Albuquerque, NM @ Revel Entertainment Center
June 24 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
June 25 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
June 27 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE are: Jesse Leach (vocals), Adam Dutkiewicz (guitar), Joel Stroetzel (guitar), Mike D’Antonio (bass) and Justin Foley (drums). 

https://www.killswitchengage.com/

SLOMOSA: Norwegian Riff Giants To Kick Off First Ever North American Headlining Tour, Later This Month 

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , on March 4, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Maria Helena Konttinen Nerhus

Norway’s sludge-fueled heavy groove titans SLOMOSA will bring their riffs to North American stages later this month! The Breaking Ice Tour 2026 will commence on March 26th at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City and close on May 1st at The Grog Shop in Cleveland. Support will be provided by The Mainliners. The journey marks the band’s first ever US/Canadian headlining tour.

Tickets are on sale now at slomosamusic.com/#tour with many shows already sold out! See all confirmed dates below.

SLOMOSA w/ The Mainliners:

3/26/2026 The Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY * Sold Out *
3/27/2026 Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA * Sold Out *
3/28/2026 Union Stage – Washington, DC
3/29/2026 Richmond Music Hall – Richmond, VA
3/31/2026 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC
4/01/2026 Eulogy – Asheville, NC
4/02/2026 The Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA
4/03/2026 The Blue Room – Nashville, TN * Sold Out *
4/06/2026 Club Dada – Dallas, TX
4/07/2026 Brushy Street Commons – Austin, TX
4/09/2026 The Rebel Lounge – Phoenix, AZ * Sold Out *
4/10/2026 El Rey – Los Angeles, CA * Sold Out *
4/11/2026 Bottom Of The Hill – San Francisco, CA * Sold Out *
4/12/2026 Harlow’s – Sacramento, CA
4/14/2026 Mission Theater – Portland, OR * Sold Out *
4/15/2026 Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA * Sold Out *
4/17/2026 Neurolux – Boise, ID
4/18/2026 Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT * Sold Out *
4/20/2026 The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
4/21/2026 Marquis – Denver, CO * Sold Out *
4/23/2026 The Record Bar – Kansas City, MO
4/24/2026 7th St. Entry – Minneapolis, MN * Sold Out *
4/25/2026 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL * Sold Out *
4/26/2026 El Club – Detroit, MI
4/28/2026 The Garrison – Toronto, ON * Sold Out *
4/29/2026 Preserving Underground – Pittsburgh, PA
4/30/2026 A&R Music Bar – Columbus, OH
5/01/2026 The Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH

Carved from a foundation of groove-rich heft, melodic bite, and frostbitten desert attitude, SLOMOSA’s sound channels the legendary Palm Desert scene mixed with the raw intensity of Nordic rock.

Since dropping their self-titled 2020 debut, the band has bulldozed through 350+ shows in 20+ countries, sharing stages with High On Fire, Mastodon, Alkaline Trio, Helmet, Elder and more, earning a reputation as one of the most commanding live acts in heavy music.

In April of 2025, SLOMOSA won the Spellemann Award (“Norwegian Grammys”) for Rock Album Of The Year with their critically acclaimed sophomore release, Tundra Rock (September, 2024). The album vaulted them into the global spotlight, solidifying their place as the new vanguard of Nordic heaviness. Last Summer, the band dropped a blistering 14-track live concert film, captured at the iconic USF Verftet in their hometown of Bergen, a high-decibel testament to their atmospheric, distortion-soaked live presence.

Their rise has earned the attention of bona fide rock royalty: Adam Jones (Tool) has publicly championed the band. At the same time, Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri of Kyuss fame have both declared themselves fans of SLOMOSA’s crushing sonic force.

SLOMOSA:
Ben Berdous – vocals, guitar
Marie Moe – vocals, bass
Tor Erik Bye – guitar
Jard Hole – drum

https://www.slomosamusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/slomosa

https://www.facebook.com/slomosaband

Source: EARSPLIT PR

TWISTED SISTER – Announces Sebastian Bach as Vocalist for Handful of Dates

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , on March 4, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

From Twisted Sister Facebook:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Twisted Sister members Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda are thrilled to announce that iconic vocalist and front man Sebastian Bach will be fronting the band for a handful of select dates this fall. These appearances do not affect or conflict with Sebastian’s current or future solo touring schedule, which remains fully intact.

KAMELOT – Dark Asylum World Tour ~ North America PT 1 | Dates, Cities & Venues Listed

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on March 2, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

From KAMELOT Facebook:

North America, we’re coming for you, too! We will headline a North American tour of epic proportions, beginningAugust 28 in Orlando, FL and hitting a month of dates before ending in Silver Spring, MD on September 27.

Each night will feature very special guests Visions of Atlantis as direct support, with Frozen Crown opening each show.

https://kamelot.com

KAMELOT North America 2026 – w/ VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, FROZEN CROWN

08/28/26 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live

08/29/26 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven)

08/31/26 – Dallas, TX – The Studio at the Factory

09/02/26 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren

09/03/26 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues

09/04/26 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues

09/05/26 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

09/07/26 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre

09/08/26 – Seattle, WA – Neptune

09/10/26 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell at The Complex

09/11/26 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall

09/12/26 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman

09/14/26 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

09/15/26 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave

09/17/26 – St. Charles, IL – The Arcada Theatre

09/18/26 – Cleveland, OH – Globe Iron

09/19/26 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre

09/20/26 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS

09/22/26 – Quebec City, QC – Theatre Capitole

09/24/26 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre

09/25/26 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium

09/26/26 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square

09/27/26 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring

OVERKILL Taking Over – Revisiting A Thrash Metal Classic From 1987

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news, nu metal with tags , , , , , , , on March 2, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

My first taste of the invincible OVERKILL was their second studio album Taking Over. Released back in 1987, this masterpiece of thrash metal has stood the test of Metal time, for me. Taking Over should be filed under mandatory old-school Metal, if one is to create such a list.

I purchased this album first on vinyl at a regional record store chain called Strawberries Records & Tapes, while living in Connecticut. This retail chain no longer exists, closing its doors in 2006. Years later I bought Taking Over on CD. I never owned this gem on cassette.

My favorite song on Taking Over is the powerful thrash hym: In Union We Stand. To this very day, this song galvanizes my Metal soul and creates positive chills through my body. Electro-Violence encapsulates everything that a thrash song should be; speed, aggression, explosive and short guitar solos with a blistering rhythm section that induces moshing and head-banging madness.

Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth is still my favorite thrash vocalist of all-time. I always felt that his vocals are so unique that no other vocalist remotely sounds like him. This OVERKILL lineup, with Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth were truly pioneering and legendary, with drummer Rat Skates, bassist D. D. Verni and guitarist Bobby Gustafson.

• Taking Over is the last OVERKILL studio album that drummer Rat Skates would perform on.

Taking Over – Track List:

01. Deny The Cross

02. Wrecking Crew

03. Fear His Name

04. Use Your Head

05. Fatal If Swallowed

06. Powersurge

07. In Union We Stand

08. Electro-Violence

09. Overkill II (The Nightmare Continues)

Metal Odyssey Celebrates Its 17th Anniversary!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , on March 1, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Yes, on March 1st, 2009, Metal Odyssey was launched. 17 years later, we’re still here! I want to thank EACH and EVERY human being that has subscribed and/or visited Metal Odyssey over these years! Without you, there’s no reason for this blog.

I also want to thank ALL the PR agencies, contributors, musicians and bands for your press releases, written articles, music and input. I live for Metal. Metal is a driving force in my life. Metal Odyssey will continue to spread the Metal word on underground and mainstream Metal for hopefully many more years to come. Metal be thy name – Stone.

SONATA ARCTICA – Release Brand-New Single “Freedom Concept”!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , on March 1, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Stream / Download “Freedom Concept”: https://sonataarctica.rpm.link/freedomPR

Finnish power metal pioneers SONATA ARCTICA have unleashed a brand-new single titled “Freedom Concept.” The track arrives as a powerful statement in the band’s 30th anniversary year, followed by an extensive touring schedule, and delivers the melodic intensity and energy fans have come to expect.

“Freedom Concept” captures the signature blend of soaring melodies, driving rhythms and emotional depth that has defined SONATA ARCTICA for three decades. At the same time, the song explores a thoughtful and timely subject: the complex idea of freedom and the responsibility that comes with it.

Frontman Tony Kakko comments”Freedom Concept”, a song about understanding and misunderstanding the concept of freedom, often forgetting it comes paired with responsibility, and how what ever values and thoughts you may have are not automatically transferred to your offspring and how in most cases that’s an effin great thing…(breath in) has been sitting on my desk for a while and we figured this kind of melodic power metal blast we’re known of would be a good way to celebrate the 30th anniversary ”tourette” we’ve started at the end of January 2026 WHILST also working on our next studio album. This song’s NOT gonna be on it. So…extra special snack in between meals. Enjoy!”

Stream/Download “Freedom Concept”: https://sonataarctica.rpm.link/freedomPR

SONATA ARCTICA:
Tony Kakko (vocals)
Elias Viljanen (guitars)
Tommy Portimo (drums)
Henrik “Henkka” Klingenberg (keyboards)
Pasi Kauppinen (bass)

SONATA ARCTICA 30th Anniversary Tour:
28.02.2026 (FI) – Kemi – Kemi Areena
09.04.2026 (SE) – Johanneshov – Slaktkyrkan
10.04.2026 (SE) – Göteborg – Pustervik
11.04.2026 (DK) – Roskilde – Gimle – Epic Fest
23.04.2026 (IT) – Ciampino – Orion Live Club
24.04.2026 (IT) – Trezzo Sull’adda – Trezzo Sull’adda
12.06.2026 (FI) – Hyvinkää – Hyvinkään Vilatehdas – Hyvinkää Rock
13.06.2026 (FI) – Vaasa – Moottorikatu Vasikiluoto – Lisää Löylyä Festival
18.06.2026 (BE) – Dessel – Graspop Metal Meeting
19.06.2026 (HU) – Székesfehérvár – FEZEN Fesztivál
25.06.2026 (SK) – Snina – Rock Pod Kamenom
03.07.2026 (FI) – Oulu – Rokki Raikaa
09.07.2026 (DE) – Balingen – RV Bang Open Air Festival
10.07.2026 (FI) – Turku – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali
24.07.2026 (FI) – Tampere – Rokki Raikaa
07.08.2026 (FI) – Vantaa – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Vantaa
13.08.2026 (CZ) – Moravsky Krumlov – Rock Castle Open Air
14.08.2026 (FI) – Lahti – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Lahti
28.08.2026 (FI) – Jyväskylä – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Jyväskylä
29.08.2026 (FI) – Valkeakoski – Waltikan Venetsialaiset
09.09.2026 (MX) – Chihuahua – Pistoleros House Of Show
10.09.2026 (MX) – Torreón – Centro de Convenciones de Torreón
11.09.2026 (MX) – Monterrey – Cafe Iguana
12.09.2026 (MX) – Ciudad Obregón – Centro Magno
14.09.2026 (MX) – Ciudad de México – FORO TEAMBRO
16.09.2026 (MX) – Santiago de Querétaro – Foro Arpa
17.09.2026 (MX) – León – Teatro Manuel Doblado
18.09.2026 (MX) – Guadalajara – C3 Stage
20.09.2026 (CR) – Zapote – Pepper Disco Club
22.09.2026 (CO) – Bogotá – Ace Of Spades – Club
23.09.2026 (EC) – Quito – Teatro San Gabriel
24.09.2026 (EC) – Guayaquil – Auditorio Simón Bolivar – MAAC Cine
25.09.2026 (PE) – Lima – Centro de Convenciones Teatro Leguia
27.09.2026 (CL) – Santiago – Teatro Coliseo
29.09.2026 (AR) – Buenos Aires – El Teatro Flores
30.09.2026 (UY) – Montevideo – Live Era
02.10.2026 (BR) – Limeira – Studio Mirage Eventos
03.10.2026 (BR) – São Paulo – Audio
26.10.2026 (UK) – London – O2 Forum Kentish Town – w/ Beast In Black
27.10.2026 (BE) – Bruxelles – Ancienne Belgique – w/ Beast In Black
28.10.2026 (NE) – Tilburg – Poppodium 013 – w/ Beast In Black
29.10.2026 (DE) – Leipzig – Haus Auensee – w/ Beast In Black
31.10.2026 (AT) – Wien – Gasometer – w/ Beast In Black
01.11.2026 (HU) – Budapest – Barba Negra – w/ Beast In Black
02.11.2026 (CZ) – Zlín – NOVESTA SPORT, Ltd., Sports Hall Euronics – w/ Beast In Black
03.11.2026 (PL) – Gliwice – Prezero Arena Gliwice – w/ Beast In Black
05.11.2026 (DE) – Berlin – Columbiahalle – w/ Beast In Black
06.11.2026 (DE) – Hannover – Swiss Life Hall – w/ Beast In Black
07.11.2026 (DE) – Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena – w/ Beast In Black
08.11.2026 (DE) – Offenbach – Stadthalle Offenbach – w/ Beast In Black
09.11.2026 (FR) – Paris – L’Olympia – w/ Beast In Black
11.11.2026 (ES) – Barcelona – Razzmatazz 1 – w/ Beast In Black
12.11.2026 (ES) – Madrid – Sala Riviera – w/ Beast In Black
13.11.2026 (ES) – Bilbao – Sala Santana 27 – w/ Beast In Black
14.11.2026 (FR) – Ramonville-St-Agne – Le Bikini – w/ Beast In Black
15.11.2026 (FR) – Villeurbanne – Transbordeur – w/ Beast In Black
17.11.2026 (CH) – Zürich – Komplex AG – w/ Beast In Black
18.11.2026 (IT) – Milan – Alcatraz – w/ Beast In Black
20.11.2026 (DE) – München – Zenith – w/ Beast In Black
21.11.2026 (LU) – Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal – w/ Beast In Black
22.11.2026 (DE) – Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle – w/ Beast In Black
23.11.2026 (DE) – Hamburg – Inselparkhalle – w/ Beast In Black
24.11.2026 (SE) – Göteborg – Eriksbergshallen – w/ Beast In Black
25.11.2026 (SE) – Stockholm – Fryshuset – w/ Beast In Black

More on SONATA ARCTICA:
Websitehttps://www.sonataarctica.info

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/sonataarctica

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sonataarcticaofficial/

reigningphoenixmusic.com

Source: C Squared Music

IRON MAIDEN Burning Ambition – Opens Exclusively in Theaters on May 7th

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, movies, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on February 28, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

From Iron Maiden Facebook:

Experience the electrifying documentary charting the band’s rise from small pubs to the world’s largest stadiums in IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION!

Exclusively in theaters May 7th for a limited time only. Tickets on sale March 18th. Sign up for more info at: http://www.ironmaidenfilm.com

With unprecedented access to official band archives, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition charts five decades of one of the most iconic journeys in music history.

Featuring interviews with the band and contributors such as Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich and Chuck D, this electrifying film offers an intimate look at their uncompromising vision and unwavering connection with their global army of fans.

METALITE – Sign Worldwide Deal With PERCEPTION And Unleash Brand New Single “Our Time Has Come”

Posted in Heavy Metal, melodic metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on February 27, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Swedish modern power metal force METALITE have officially signed a worldwide contract with PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, marking a major new milestone in the band’s rapidly ascending career!

Following the signing, the band have unleashed their brand-new single, “Our Time Has Come”, a high-energy anthem that showcases everything fans have come to expect from METALITE: massive melodies, driving riffs, and a futuristic edge wrapped in razor-sharp production.

Guitarist, producer, songwriter and founder Edwin Premberg comments“We’re beyond excited to finally share our new single Our Time Has Come with you. This song kicks off a powerful new chapter for METALITE and marks the beginning of our upcoming concept album ‘Discovery’ where the story continues on a new planet and humanity begins a new life. It’s a classic METALITE track – full of high energy, soaring melodies, and that unmistakable METALITE sound. This is only the beginning, and we can’t wait to take this journey together with you”.

With its soaring vocal lines, pounding rhythm section, and cinematic synth layers, “Our Time Has Come” captures METALITE at full throttle. The track blends melodic precision with modern production punch, delivering an arena ready chorus that’s impossible to ignore.

Stream/Download “Our Time Has Come” here: https://metalite.rpm.link/ourtimePR

ABOUT METALITE:

Formed in 2015 by guitarist Edwin Premberg and vocalist Emma Bensing, the band quickly gained recognition for its fresh and modern take on melodic metal and their 2017 debut album Heroes in Time set the stage for METALITE’s rise.

In 2019, the band entered a new era with Biomechanicals, marking the debut of vocalist Erica Ohlsson. Their evolution continued with A Virtual World in 2021, an album that expanded on their sci-fi themes while delivering massive soundscapes and powerful melodies.

With Expedition One (2024), METALITE embarked on their most ambitious project to date. A visionary concept album set in the year 2055, it tells the story of a renegade team searching for a new world, exploring themes of human evolution, technology, and survival.

In 2024, the band welcomed drummer Erik Junttila to the lineup, bringing new energy and power to their sound. His premiere gig with the band took place in Linköping at the beginning of 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in METALITE’s journey.

More on METALITE:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Spotify

More on PERCEPTION:
perception.music • Facebook Instagram • TikTok

Source: C Squared Music

LOVE.NOISE.FREEDOM FESTIVAL: Exile On Mainstream Records Presents Maiden UK Installment Of Curated Label Event In London, September 19th

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal festivals, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , on February 26, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

On September 19th, the LOVE.NOISE.FREEDOM FESTIVAL lands in the UK for the very first time, featuring sets from Might, Bulbul, Confusion Master, Noisepicker, and Endure.

LOVE.NOISE.FREEDOM, the beating heart behind every gathering curated by Exile On Mainstream has always been a statement. A celebration of heavy music, stubborn independence, and the deep bonds that hold this scene together. And now, that legendary, road-worn, heart-driven vibe finally takes over Downstairs at the Dome in London for one intense, unifying day. This is not a random lineup. This is family.

Might brings their uncompromising blend of crushing heaviness and raw melody, a band forged in volume and conviction, known for turning every stage into a cathartic release. Their sound balances massive riffs with emotional weight, the kind that lingers long after the amps cool down. Their sound is massive, yes, towering riffs and crushing low end, yet beneath the volume lies vulnerability. When they hit, it feels like standing in a storm that somehow holds you upright.

Bulbul, underground lifers from Austria, have built their legacy the hard way, through decades of stubborn independence and fearless experimentation. Hypnotic, abrasive, uncompromising, they prove that repetition can become ritual, and noise can become transcendence. They are a reminder that art survives because people refuse to let it die.

With sparse need for words, Confusion Master speaks through colossal instrumental passages that blur the line between doom, sludge and psychedelic drift. Their music feels like a slow-burning horizon; meditative, heavy, and deeply human. It’s the sound of patience meeting power.

UK powerhouse Noisepicker brings grit, groove and heart. Road-worn, hook-laden, and unapologetically loud, they channel the raw pulse of heavy rock ’n’ roll into something immediate and communal. Sweat on the walls. Smiles in the crowd. Riffs that feel like old friends.

And then there’s Endure – a new chapter written by members of Hands Of Omega. Born from experience, loss, growth and persistence, Endure embodies an evolving spirit: heavy, honest, and driven by connection.

LOVE.NOISE.FREEDOM isn’t about hype. It’s about shared vans, shared stages, shared stories. It’s about a label that built its reputation on loyalty and artistic freedom, finally bringing its community across the Channel. This is about showing up. For the music. For each other. For the idea that independent art still matters, not as nostalgia, yet as necessity. One day. One stage. One circle of trust. A gathering.

London, get ready to feel what Exile On Mainstream has always stood for: LOVE. NOISE. FREEDOM.

Tickets for LOVE.NOISE.FREEDOM FESTIVAL are available RIGHT HERE, and more info is posted HERE.

Exile On Mainstream Presents: 

LOVE.NOISE.FREEDOM FESTIVAL – w/ Might, Bulbul, Confusion Master, Endure, Noisepicker

9/19/2026 Downstairs At The Dome – London, UK [info]

https://www.mainstreamrecords.de

https://www.youtube.com/@exileonmainstream3639

https://www.instagram.com/exileonmainstream_official

Source: EARSPLIT PR

HIGHGATE – Sign to Horror Pain Gore Death Productions | Prophecies Of Eternal Horror to Release on March 27th

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on February 25, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Single & Pre-orders Live Now

Kentucky’s Doom laden Sludge lords HIGHGATE have joined the Horror Pain Gore Death Productions roster for the release of their new full-length album, Prophecies Of Eternal Horror. 

Emanating from the hills of Northern Kentucky, HIGHGATE unleash a Sludge filled, Doom laden yowl that speaks of years of struggle and despair. Prophecies Of Eternal Horror finds the dead bodies stacking to the sky as HIGHGATE grapple with global war atrocities, religious fanaticism and class warfare.

HIGHGATE has shared the album’s first single, “At Paranoia’s Poison Door.” The song is described as a blackened-doom battle cry against an overreaching government that wants us too scared to think or act for ourselves. The lyrical refrain of “crawl to your masters”speaks to the song’s theme of government capability to brainwash citizens into cowering boot-lickers.

HIGHGATE:
Greg Brown – vocals
Steve Porter – battery & vocals
Jamie Porter – guitar, bass & vocals

Prophecies Of Eternal Horror is set to be released on March 27.

Stream the song now at: youtu.be/_CQJ2x6vwHc.

For fans of Grief, Primitive Man, Mizmor, Eyehategod and Rwake. Stream more from HIGHGATE on Spotify.

Prophecies Of Eternal Horror – track listing:

  1. Terraforming Hell
  2. Death Comes
  3. At Paranoia’s Poison Door
  4. Deceiver
  5. The Writhing Dawn

Album pre-order links: 

Spotify pre-save – ffm.to/highgate

CD ($10) – shop.horrorpaingoredeath.com/products/highgate-prophecies-of-eternal-horror-cd

Digital Download ($6.66) – hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/prophecies-of-eternal-horror

More on HIGHGATE:

Bandcamp: www.highgatedoom.bandcamp.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Highgatedoom

Source: ClawHammer PR

BURNING WITCHES – Witches Over North America | Dates, Cities & Venues Listed

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , on February 25, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

From Burning Witches Facebook:

North America!
Are you ready!? We are beyond excited to finally be returning across the pond in less than three weeks! Grab your tickets and VIP upgrades now before they are gone ! See you all very soon! Ready To Fight!

03/14/26 – West Palm Beach • FL
03/15/26 – Tampa • FL
03/17/26 – Atlanta • GA
03/19/26 – Covington • KY
03/20/26 – Westland • MI
03/21/26 – McHenry • IL
03/22/26 – Cleveland • OH
03/24/26 – Pittsburgh • PA
03/25/26 – Harrisburg • PA
03/26/26 – Sellersville • PA
03/27/26 – Teaneck • NJ
03/28/26 – New Bedford • MA
03/29/26 – Hampton Beach • NH
04/01/26 – Annapolis • MD
04/02/26 – Virginia Beach • VA
04/04/26 – Sanford • FL
04/10/26 – Katy • TX
04/11/26 – San Antonio • TX
04/12/26 – Dallas • TX
04/16/26 – Hollywood • CA
04/17/26 – Glendale • AZ
04/18/26 – Las Vegas • NV
04/20/26 – Montreal • CAN
04/21/26 – QUEBEC CITY • CAN
04/22/26 – Ottawa • CAN Ontario
04/23/26 – Toronto • CAN Ontario

Ticket info: https://tix.soundrink.com/tours/burning-witches-north-america-headline-tour-2026/

DEATH ANGEL – Act III U.S. Tour 2026 | Dates, Cities & Venues Listed | With Guests VIO-LENCE & INCITE

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 24, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

ACT III U.S. Tour 2026 ~ Performing the album ACT III in its entirety:

5/1/26 – Phoenix, AZ – Marquee Theater
5/3/26 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
5/5/26 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
5/7/26 – Daytona, FL – Welcome to Rockville
5/10/26 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
5/11/26 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
5/12/26 – Hobart, IN – Hobart Theater
5/14/26 – Detroit, MI – St Andrews Hall
5/15/26 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
5/16/26 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall
5/19/26 – Wilmington, DE – The Queen
5/20/26 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
5/21/26 – Buffalo, NY – Electric City
5/22/26 – Allentown, PA – Archer Music Hall
5/24/26 – Baltimore, MD – Maryland Deathfest
5/27/26 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Hell
5/28/26 – Orlando, FL – The Abbey
5/29/26 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
5/30/26 – Tampa, FL – Orpheum
6/2/26 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
6/3/26 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
6/5/26 – Milwaukee, WI – MKE Metal Fest
6/6/26 – St Louis, MO – Red Flag
6/8/26 – Wichita, KS – Wave
6/9/26 – Greeley, CO – Moxi Theater
6/10/26 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
6/11/26 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
6/12/26 – Boise, ID – Shrine Ballroom
6/14/26 – Seattle, WA – Showbox
6/16/26 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
6/17/26 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
6/18/26 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater
6/19/26 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
6/20/26 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall
6/21/26 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalys

More DEATH ANGEL info: https://www.deathangel.us/

On This Day In OVERKILL History ~ February 24th

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 24, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

February 24, 1995OVERKILL performed at Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio. Their 15th studio album, W.F.O., was released in 1994.

February 24, 2006OVERKILL shared the stage with PRONG at Harpos Concert Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. The bands’ 13th studio album, RELIXIV, was released a year earlier in 2005.

February 24, 2009OVERKILL performed at Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany. Exodus, Gama Bomb and Torture Squad were also on the bill. OVERKILL were touring in-between studio albums, with 2007’s Immortalis being their most recent at the time.

February 24, 2010OVERKILL performed at Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton, England, UK. Opening bands were: Suicidal Angels, Savage Messiah and Cripper. OVERKILL were touring in support of their 15th studio album: Ironbound.

February 24, 2013OVERKILL performed at Wooly’s in Des Moines, Iowa. The band were continuing to support their 2012 album release: The Electric Age.

February 24, 2017OVERKILL performed at Slim’s in San Francisco, California. They were touring to support their 18th studio album: The Grinding Wheel.

More OVERKILL info: https://wreckingcrew.com/Ironbound/

TOMAHAWK Announce First Live Shows Since 2013 ~ U.S. Summer Tour Features Special Guests THE MELVINS

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on February 23, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

February 23, 2026 – Tomahawk return to the road this summer for their first live performances in 13 years, with the month-long U.S. run marking the band’s 25th anniversary and reuniting Tomahawk with labelmates the Melvins for their first tour together since 2003’s “Geek Show” trek.

Featuring Duane Denison, Mike Patton, John Stanier, and Trevor Dunn, Tomahawk last toured in support of 2013’s Oddfellows before returning in 2021 with Tonic Immobility, which was released during the pandemic and never performed live.

Denison says of the upcoming outing: “In the spirit of the Olympics, Team Tomahawk has decided to rise up and go for the gold once again – also competing will be our cohorts the Melvins.”

“This tour is a no brainer. I can’t wait. A Melvins/Tomahawk trek will be a stone groove,” says Buzz Osborne, who brings the Melvins out in their four-piece incarnation featuring Osborne, Dale Crover, Steven McDonald, and Coady Willis.

Tickets are on-sale this Friday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. local time, with an Ipecac pre-sale available Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. local time (password: Flashback). Ticketing links are available via Ipecac.com.

A Huge Waste of Your Time and Money2026 U.S. Tour dates:

July 18 – Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl
July 20 – Austin, TX Emo’s
July 21 – Dallas, TX Granada Theater
July 23 – New Orleans, LA House of Blues
July 24 – Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
July 26 – Washington, DC 9:30 Club
July 27 – Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
July 28 – Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Steel
July 30 – Boston, MA House of Blues
July 31 – Buffalo, NY Electric City
August 1 – Cleveland, OH House of Blues
August 3 – Detroit, MI The Fillmore
August 4 – Chicago, IL The Riviera Theatre
August 5 – Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
August 7 – Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
August 8 – Salt Lake City, UT The Union Event Center
August 10 – Portland, OR Pioneer Courthouse Square
August 11 – Seattle, WA The Showbox
August 12 – Seattle, WA The Showbox
August 14 – San Francisco, CA The Warfield
August 15 – Los Angeles, CA The Belasco

The Melvins also have a trio of headlining dates in the lead-up to the Tomahawk dates:

July 13 – Albuquerque, NM Launchpad
July 16 – Kansas City, MO Record Bar
July 17 – St. Louis, MO Old Rock House

Photo courtesy of Tomahawk

About Tomahawk:

Tomahawk — guitarist Duane Denison (the Jesus Lizard, The Unsemble, etc.), vocalist Mike Patton (Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Fantômas, etc.), drummer John Stanier (Helmet, Battles, etc.), and bassist Trevor “field mouse” Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, etc.) — show up just when we need them. The first time was in 2001 with the self-titled Tomahawk. Following Mit Gas (2003) and Anonymous (2007), they dropped Oddfellows during 2013. It marked their best chart debut, reaching #9 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums Chart.

All kinds of touring and festivals followed before the members went back to their gazillion other gigs in 2014. Then on their 20th anniversary, they finally returned with their fifth full-length album, Tonic Immobility, and now on their 25th anniversary, they have returned to the stage.

Photo credit: Chris Casella

About the Melvins:

Formed in 1983 in Montesano, Washington, the Melvins are one of modern heavy music’s most influential bands. Led by Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover and currently featuring Steven McDonald (Redd Kross) and Coady Willis (Big Business, High on Fire), the band has released more than 30 albums across a four-decade career that helped shape the sound of heavy music. Their latest release, Tarantula Heart, arrived last year, with a new collaborative album with Napalm Death, Savage Imperial Death March, due this Spring.

Ipecac.com

Ipecacrecordings.bandcamp.com

Instagram.com/Tomahawktheband

Facebook.com/Tomahawkband

Instagram.com/melvinsdotcom

Facebook.com/melvinsarmy