U.S. Progressive/Melodic Death Metal duo, IAPETUS, have returned! The band is set to release their first new album since 2019’s critically acclaimed, The Body Cosmic! Willowtip will release the new opus, The Mother Void, on October 16.
Joining core members Matthew Cerami and Jordan Navarro on the album is featured vocalist Fabienne Erni of Eluveitie, along with several notable guest musicians, including drummer Brody Taylor Smith (Invent Animate), guitarist Benji Baret (Ne Obliviscaris), and vocalist Frank Harper (Caelestra).
The forthcoming album was mixed and mastered by the legendary Jens Bogren & Tony Lindgren.
IAPETUS released the following statement concerning The Mother Void:
“The Mother Voidis the story of a mother and a son; of mankind and the cosmos; of feeling destined to failure in a world designed to destroy. It is a conceptual record, meant to be digested in whole; the conclusion to a trilogy of albums dedicated to the tension between mortal existence and immortal space. It is our most personal record to date, and its scope is mirrored in size only by the passion that accompanied its creation. We claw fromThe Mother Void.”
The official video for “Red Giant,” the album’s first single, is available now at: youtu.be/Jx-F1uWgClU
Guest Vocals recorded by: Valentin Voluta. Drums performed by: Brody Taylor Smith. Drums arranged by: Jordan Navarro & Brody Taylor Smith. Drums recorded by: John Douglass (Vorticist Studios). Additional Synths + SFX: Mark Lazeski. Guest Guitar Solo on “TON”: Benjamin Baret (Ne Obliviscaris). Guest Vocals on “TON”: Frank Harper (Caelestra).
Produced by: Fascination Street Studios. Recorded by: Alexander Backlund. Mixed by: Jens Bogren. Mastered by: Tony Lindgren. Additional Recording by: Ricardo Borges. Mix Assistant: Johan Martin.
Cover Art by: Vanessa Lemen. Album Layout and Artwork by: Alex Eckman-Lawn.
Colombian melodic black/death metal band ESHTADUR announce their new full-length album, In Darkness All Shadows Gone, due for release on October 2nd, 2026 through Rockshots Records.
The announcement is accompanied by “Into The Woods”, the first single and official video introducing the musical and conceptual journey behind the record.
Developed over four years, In Darkness All Shadows Gone consists of twelve compositions combining melodic black and death metal, symphonic arrangements, layered vocals, Tuvan throat singing and atmospheric passages. Recorded with the Caldas Symphonic Orchestra, the album expands the band’s established sound while maintaining the combination of heavy riffing, dark melodies and orchestral textures that has shaped its identity.
The album follows a conceptual journey through mysticism, transformation and inner transmutation. At the centre of the narrative stands The Crow, a shamanic figure moving between existence, death, emptiness and the unknown. Acting as both master and apprentice, The Crow guides the listener through a process of isolation, self-discovery and spiritual awakening, where darkness becomes not only an oppressive force but also a path towards understanding the self.
Across the record, ESHTADUR explore the relationship between darkness and the light contained within each individual. The songs draw upon occult symbolism, cosmic philosophy, ancestral knowledge and human emotion, forming a continuous narrative rather than a collection of disconnected tracks. Musically, black and death metal alternate as leading forces throughout the album, supported by melodic writing, cinematic orchestration and folk-rooted elements.
Jorg August comments on the creation of the album:
“We worked on this material for four years. It is a long album with twelve tracks, symphonic arrangements, a real orchestra, many vocal layers and Tuvan voices. At times, it felt like a giant puzzle, but everything finally came together. We are proud of the result and grateful to everyone who helped us build it. A crow is calling.”
The first single, “Into The Woods,” represents the call to initiation and the first step into the album’s inner world. The listener is invited to leave behind external noise and enter the forest alone, confronting silence, memory, and self-delusion. Inspired by contemplative philosophies and the idea of returning to nature as a means of self-discovery, the song presents the forest as both a physical place and a metaphorical descent into consciousness.
Musically, “Into The Woods” combines fast melodic and aggressive guitar riffs, alternate-picked passages, dark orchestration, dissonant elements, ancestral chants and forceful vocals. The track establishes the balance between aggression, melody and atmosphere that continues throughout the album, while its lyrics address inner turmoil, past trauma and the need to confront fear before transformation can begin.
The accompanying official video focuses on frontman Jorg August, who is guided by the symbolic Crow into the forest and towards the first dimension of the album’s narrative. The visual interpretation reinforces the song’s themes of solitude, initiation and departure, presenting the journey as an individual mission in search of a deeper understanding of the self.
Track Listing: 1. Age of Antumbra – 2:00 2. Into The Woods – 4:41 3. Umbra – 6:22 4. August’s Burdens – 4:59 5. Fire Above Mountain Below – 5:08 6. Old Shaman Blind – 5:08 7. Thunderground – 3:40 8. Ruler of the Lake – 5:14 9. A Black Winged Waltz – 9:23 10. Nebulae (Virgo) – 5:09 11. Omen of Millennia – 3:56 12. Soy Real – 5:11
In Darkness All Shadows Gone will be available from October 2nd, 2026 through Rockshots Records. The album can be pre-ordered now from the Rockshots Records store at: https://rockshots.eu/cuhb5ys9ncs1ndx
ESHTADUR are: Jorg August – Vocals, guitars Camilo Barbosa – Lead guitars Andres Gonzalez – Bass David Lopez – Drums
The album was produced by Jorg August, who also wrote the music, lyrics, compositions, and orchestral arrangements. The recordings took place at RockStar Studios Colombia, while the orchestra was recorded at Batuta’s Theater in Manizales, Colombia. The album was mixed and mastered by Tomasz “Zed” Zalewski, with additional mixing and mastering by Chris Clancy on “Fire Above Mountain Below” and “Umbra.” The cover artwork was created by Valesia Obscura.
For fans of: Septicflesh, Dissection, At The Gates.
Michigan Melodic Death Metal Icons Return to Europe with a Career-Spanning Headline Tour
The Black Dahlia Murder today announce “Two Decades Of Nocturnal,” a European headline tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their landmark 2007 album Nocturnal. The tour will see the Michigan melodic death metal veterans perform a special set drawing heavily from the landmark album alongside fan favorites spanning their entire catalog, bringing one of extreme metal’s most beloved records back to European stages this winter for a series of headline shows.
Current Lineup: Brian Eschbach – vocals Ryan Knight – guitar Wes Hauch – guitar Max Lavelle – bass Alan Cassidy – drums
Comments vocalist Brian Eschbach: “Super excited to announce this celebration of Nocturnal’s 20th anniversary which we will present across Europe this winter. The set will feature a great deal of material off the band’s third release. Can’t wait to see y’all again“
Released on September 18, 2007 via Metal Blade Records, Nocturnal marked a defining moment in The Black Dahlia Murder‘s career and in American extreme metal at large. Recorded with Eric Rachel at Trax East and mixed by Jason Seucof at Audiohammer, the album debuted at No. 72 on the Billboard 200 and earned the band Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Award for Best Underground Band.
With its visceral combination of flesh-searing riffage, mind-bending guitar solos, and disgustingly poetic lyricism, Nocturnalpushed the boundaries of melodic death metal with an intensity and craft that resonated far beyond American shores. It remains, nearly two decades on, widely regarded as the gold standard of modern US melodic death metal and one of the most important extreme metal records of the 21st century.
European metal press recognized Nocturnal‘s significance from the moment of its release. Metal Hammer UK honored the album’s release era by naming the band Best Underground Bandat their Golden Gods Awards– a prize The Black Dahlia Murder were too busy touring to collect in person.
Kerrang! has consistently cited the record as a cornerstone of modern melodic death metal, while Distorted Sound has described the band as “one of melodeath’s greatest, most consistent bands” – praise rooted firmly in the standard Nocturnal set.
The Black Dahlia Murderhave faced extraordinary challenges since Nocturnal‘s release and emerged from each one stronger. The passing of beloved co-founder and vocalist Trevor Strnad in 2022 threatened to end the band entirely, but the remaining members, led by co-founder Brian Eschbach, who stepped into the vocalist role, chose to honor Trevor’s legacy by carrying the band forward. Their tenth studio album, Servitude (Metal Blade Records, September 2024), marked Eschbach’s recorded debut as lead vocalist and lyricist, and was met with near-universal critical acclaim across Europe and beyond.
Kerrang! declared that Eschbach’s vocal performance “fits perfectly,” and that Servitude “faces down existential concerns with determination and defiance. Forged from tragedy and loss, it honours their fallen friend while celebrating the survival of The Black Dahlia Murder as an ongoing entity.”
Metal Hammer UK praised the record, writing that the band “skillfully picked up where they left off… deciding to channel and celebrate him instead and the results are glorious.” Distorted Sound noted that “Eschbach is a commanding, venomous presence and never feels like a hollow recreation of Strnad,” reaffirming The Black Dahlia Murder‘s place as “one of melodeath’s greatest, most consistent bands.“
The band’s return to European stages in 2024, their first since 2019, saw them perform at some of the continent’s most prestigious festivals, including Download Festival (UK), Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium), Hellfest (France), Wacken Open Air (Germany), Brutal Assault (Czech Republic), Party San Open Air (Germany), Alcatraz Metal Festival (Belgium), and Bloodstock Open Air (England).
Fresh from a triumphant Spring Fling 2026 US headline run and an ongoing co-headline North American tour with Arch Enemy,The Black Dahlia Murder arrive in Europe at the peak of their powers – bolstered by the addition of acclaimed guitarist Wes Hauch (Alluvial, ex-The Faceless) as a full member of the lineup.
TOUR DATES: 01/14/2027 Frankfurt, DE – Batschkapp 01/15/2027 Köln, DE – Essigfabrik 01/16/2027 Bochum, DE – Matrix 01/17/2027 Berlin, DE – Columbia Theater 01/18/2027 Hamburg, DE – Grünspan 01/20/2027 Copenhagen, DK – Pumpehuset 01/21/2027 Stockholm, SE – Debaser 01/22/2027 Oslo, NO – John Dee 01/23/2027 Gothenburg, SE – Filmstudion 01/24/2027 Hannover, DE – Faust 01/25/2027 Prague, CZ – Futurum 01/26/2027 Krakow, PL – Kwadrat 01/27/2027 Budapest, HU – Dürer Kert 01/28/2027 Ljubljana, SLO – Kino Siska 01/29/2027 Vienna, AT – Flex Club 01/30/2027 Salzburg, AT – Rock House 01/31/2027 München, DE – Backstage 02/02/2027 Paris, FR – Petit Bain 02/03/2027 Lille/Wasquehal, FR – The Black Lab 02/04/2027 London, UK – The Dome 02/05/2027 Tilburg, NL – O13 Next Stage 02/06/2027 Drachten, NL – Drachten Deathfest 02/08/2027 Nantes, FR – Le Ferrailleur 02/09/2027 Toulouse, FR – Le Rex 02/10/2027 Fribourg, CH – Fri-Son 02/11/2027 Winterthur, CH – Gaswerk 02/12/2027 Audincourt, FR – Le Moloco 02/13/2027 Metz, FR – Haunting The Chapel 02/14/2027 Karlsruhe, DE – Substage
Delve into the chaos of the cosmos with “Limitless,” the new single release from the US and Mexico based melodic death metal band FALSIMONIAN. The quartet’s dynamic heavy sound is influenced by Mexican folk and Latin-American roots music, as well as progressive elements and jazz. FALSIMONIAN‘s forthcoming EP For Survival issetto arrive independently on November 7, 2026.
Drawing inspiration from concepts such as autotheism, the big bang, and relativity, the band takes a more abstract approach with their lyrics in “Limitless”. The track’s narrative is positioned from the perspective of a celestial being, leaning into the cosmic horror realm, which is a personified form of the universe.
A chaotic mood emerges from “Limitless” which begins with an onslaught of sharp and aggressive rhythmic stabs. The violent intensity creates a sense of disturbance and discomfort. Stylistically, “Limitless” is rooted in melodic death metal though progressive sections and groove passages are incorporated across the track. This song also features the first guitar solo heard by Cesar Robles on the upcoming EP in a display that is initially melodic before developing into intricate, technical shredding.
Presented through the lens of a fictional, dystopian world, the EP considers the everyday impact onto individuals who are living under the threat and fear of a world-ending catastrophe. “Limitless” is a key moment for the narrative’s protagonist in which, through a moment of introspection, they decide to take action against the imposing darkness.
For Survival was produced by Jesus Fuentes Valverde, with mixing and mastering by Gil Andrade. Drums engineering was undertaken by Ruben Sanchez at Urvn Studios, with guitars and keyboards recorded by Jesus Fuentes Valverde and vocals recorded by Erick Valverde. Guitar and vocal editing, and bass programming, was by Jesus Fuentes Valverde. Additional guitars on “Limitless”, “Judgment” and “For Survival” were recorded and edited by Cesar Robles.
For Survival Track-list:
Freefall – 3:57
The Enemy – 4:02
Limitless – 3:44
Judgment – 4:48
For Survival – 5:05
All artwork photography for the EP and single releases are from X-Rays Erick Valverde has taken over the last 10 years. The artworks utilize original photographs of a colorful sunset as the light source behind the X-Rays. These colors are commonly seen in the desert skies of the US/Mexico border. Ariadne Willis, adjusted the photographs for the layout and design of the EP and single covers. Erick’s accidents and health struggles have also indirectly influenced the overall theme of the EP. Additional photography by Rancho Creativo Studios.
FALSIMONIAN:
Erick Valverde – Vocals Jesus Fuentes Valverde – Guitars, Keyboards Cesar Robles Sanchez – Lead Guitars Mauricio “Moritz” Gonzalez – Drums
TIL THE END’s self-titled Lifeforce Records debut album will be released on September 11th and is up now for preorder/ presave.
New single Until the End up now on all digital platforms.
With their widely acclaimed debut EP Dark Kings, TIL THE END made an impressive entrance into the melodic death metal community last year, immediately winning over a broad audience. With the release of their first full‑length album, the band now takes the next major step. The self‑titled record on LIFEFORCE RECORDS is a clear statement: an expression of confidence, artistic determination, and an unwavering focus on what matters most – the music. And the music speaks for itself.
The line‑up of the group, founded in 2023, brings together four musicians firmly rooted in the international scene: vocalist Antony Hämäläinen (Nightrage, Armageddon), guitarist Kostas Sotos (Mystic Prophecy, Crystal Tears), drummer Márton Veress (Orgy, Armageddon), and bassist/rhythm guitarist Nic Svensson (Slaves For Scores, Swede Studios). TIL THE END is their shared vehicle to pay tribute to the legendary Gothenburg sound while simultaneously pushing it forward with modern energy and a contemporary artistic vision.
01. Form the Beginning (Genesis) 02. Lava 03. Dismal Paradise 04. These Little Voices 05. I’m Falling Apart 06. Awakening 07. Hybrid Fragments 08. Cemetery Trees 09. Higher and Beyond 10. Until the End
Album Artwork by Gustavo Sazes (Soilwork, Nightrage, Firewind, etc.)
Lifeforce Records is thrilled to welcome international Melodic Death Metal band TIL THE END to its family!
TIL THE END, formed in 2023, boasts a lineup of battle-tested musicians: Antony Hämäläinen (Nightrage, Armageddon) on vocals, Kostas Sotos (Mystic Prophecy, Crystal Tears) on guitar, Márton Veress (Orgy, Armageddon) on drums, and Nic Svensson (Slaves For Scores) on bass/rhythm guitar.
The band shared their excitement about the signing:
“After three years of dedication and countless late nights in the studio, we’ve found the perfect partners at LifeForce Records. We’re incredibly proud to join the family! Get ready for an exciting new chapter!”
Vocalist Antony Hämäläinen added, “Returning to LifeForce feels like coming home! I’ve always valued the passionate culture Stefan fosters here, and I’m excited to contribute another amazing release to the label’s legacy.”
TIL THE END offers razor-sharp melodies, relentless energy, and a deep understanding of what makes melodic death metal truly captivating. Fans of Slaughter of the Soul-era At the Gates, early In Flames, and modern Arch Enemy will find TIL THE END’s sonic assault incredibly familiar.
The Lifeforce Records debut album is scheduled for release in September 2026, with the first single dropping on June 19th.
In the meantime, please check out the band’s already released singles on your favorite streaming platform or the band’s YouTube channel.
STREAM THE NEW SINGLE/VIDEO, “OF RADIANCE AND LEVITATION,” NOW!
New England’s revered and fast-rising melodic death metal band FIRES IN THE DISTANCE will release their eagerly awaited third full-length album, Circadian Promise, on June 12 via Prosthetic Records.
Serving as the follow-up to 2023’s acclaimed Air Not Meant For Us, Circadian Promisesees FIRES IN THE DISTANCE refining their melancholy, synth-embroidered sound to cathartic new heights. The result is a record that is both virtuosic and visceral, progressive yet authentic, further establishing the band as one of the genre’s most compelling emerging forces.
Circadian Promise also ushers in an exciting new chapter for the band, introducing vocalist/guitarist Brendan Hayter. He joins founding songwriter, lyricist, and guitarist Yegor Savonin, bassist Craig Breitsprecher, and drummer Jordan Rippe.
Commenting on the forthcoming record, Hayter states:
“I think this is the album the band was destined to make. When I heard the demos, the word ‘timeless’ continuously came to mind. All four of us pulled out all the stops to make Circadian Promise exactly what it wanted to be. For me personally, as a new member and a vocalist, I thought the music was begging for new expressions through the human element—clean vocals and different timbres of screaming to channel various stages of the emotional process. Thankfully everyone embraced the vocal diversity, and it’s been an honor to push myself to new limits on this record.”
Today, the band has unleashed the album’s lead single, “Of Radiance and Levitation,” alongside an accompanying music video directed by Jayson Cessna.
Adding about the crushing new track, Savonin says:
“As the introduction to the new record, this track encapsulates the essence of what’s to come and brings forward new elements of melodic vocals to complement a variety of themes, including loss, abandonment, healing, reprieve, and determination.”
By This Time Tomorrow (Feat. Johan Reinholdz of Dark Tranquillity)
Once the Silence Takes Your Place
Agonal Dreaming
Originally conceived in 2016 as founding guitarist Yegor Savonin’s solo project, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE quickly evolved into a full band, earning acclaim with 2020’s Echoes From Deep November and 2023’s Air Not Meant For Us. Following a high-profile 2024 North American tour, the group reunited with producer Dave Kaminsky and orchestrator Randy Slaugh, while welcoming new vocalist/guitarist Brendan Hayter. The resulting six-track album—some songs stretching beyond nine minutes, is their bleakest yet most embracing work, blending cinematic orchestration, organic production, and dynamic vocal contrasts.
Lyrically and thematically, Circadian Promiseexplores spiritual erosion, mortality, and the search for acceptance, balancing existential weight with hard-won optimism. Recorded in Connecticut and North Carolina, the album retains a resonant human warmth even in its most technical passages, pairing atmospheric strings and expansive leads with Hayter’s serrated growls and somber cleans.
Singles like “Of Radiance and Levitation,” “To You, Author of My Fade,” and “By This Time Tomorrow” reflect deeply personal meditations on depression, self-awareness, and grief, while showcasing the band’s cinematic scope and emotional intensity. With touring planned for 2026 and beyond, Circadian Promise continues FIRES IN THE DISTANCE’s decade-long pursuit of catharsis, melding Savonin’s introspective vision with powerful songwriting, immersive arrangements, and evolving musical ambition.
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE: Lineup: Yegor Savonin – guitar/lyrics/songwriting Brendan Hayter – vocals/guitar/additional lyrics Craig Breitsprecher – bass/backing vocals Jordan Rippe – drums
North Carolina’s BLACKWATER DROWNING is pleased to present their video for “Devour.” The track comes off the band’s latest full-length, Obscure Sorrows, out today on Bleeding Art Collective and Blood Blast Distribution (Nuclear Blast Records/Believe).
Comments vocalist Morgan Riley, “I wrote the lyrics for ‘Devour’ in the midst of a breakdown of a long-term friendship. I realized this person had been taking advantage of my kindness and generosity for a long time, and when I started calling them out on certain behaviors as a friend, they got increasingly more adversarial. I realized they’d never take accountability for anything they did, instead preferring to immerse themselves in yes-men and substances. ‘Devour’ is about that feeling of realizing this person was never the friend I thought they were.”
Watch BLACKWATER DROWNING’s previously released video for “Eye Of The Storm” HERE and “The Sixth Omen” HERE.
Order Obscure Sorrows HERE. Find new merch items HERE.
BLACKWATER DROWNING recently wrapped up a short run of dates with Butcher Babies. The band will play alongside Filth in March and Infected Rain in May with more performances to be announced in the weeks to come. See all confirmed shows below.
BLACKWATER DROWNING Live w/ Filth:
3/06/2026 The Shop Live – Dunbar, WV
3/07/2026 Lurking Class Skate Shop – Salisbury, MD
3/08/2026 The Canal Club – Richmond VA
3/09/2026 Zen West – Baltimore, MD
3/10/2026 Reggie’s 42nd Street – Wilmington, NC
3/11/2026 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC
w/ Infected Rain:
5/13/2026 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC
5/14/2026 Scandals Live – Virginia Beach, VA
5/15/2026 Zen West – Baltimore, MD
BLACKWATER DROWNING is a five-piece US melodic death metal/metalcore band from North Carolina. Forged by singer Morgan Riley and guitarist Jeremy Bennett, the band is completed by guitarist Ron Dalton Jr, bassist Aria Novi, and drummer Aamon Dalton. Since the band’s inception, BLACKWATER DROWNING has recorded two EPs and a debut album (Sonder//Satori) and has supported iconic acts such as Soulfly, Jinjer, Crypta, and many others.
The band now unleashes Obscure Sorrows. Mixed and mastered by Cryptopsy guitarist Christian Donaldson (Shadow Of Intent, Suffocation, Ingested), the album features guest solos by Greg Burgess of Allegaeon and Japanese guitar virtuoso Yo Onityan as well as stunning album art by Giannis Nakos (Emperor, The Agonist, Aborted).
BLACKWATER DROWNING: Jeremy Bennett – guitar Morgan Riley – vocals Aamon Dalton – drums Aria Novi – bass Ron Dalton Jr. – guitar
Spain’s ferocious melodic death metal act BLOODHUNTER are back with a vengeance. Following their recent signing with ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music, the band now present the first grim taste of what’s to come: their brand-new video single “The Devil’s Own”!
Forged in Galicia, BLOODHUNTER have carved out a strong position within the international extreme metal scene through uncompromising songwriting, intense live performances and a clear artistic vision. Fronted by the unmistakable Diva Satanica, the band fuse razor-sharp riffing, massive grooves and sweeping melodies with a fierce vocal attack and strong conceptual identity.
“The Devil’s Own” shows BLOODHUNTER pushing beyond familiar territory. The track blends oppressive heaviness with haunting melodic lines, creating an atmosphere that feels both brutally aggressive and eerily beautiful. It is darker, more personal and more daring than anything the band have released so far, while still hitting with unmistakable BLOODHUNTER force.
Visually, the accompanying video mirrors the song’s inner conflict and darkness, underlining the emotional weight of the track while embracing the band’s extreme-metal aesthetic.
Diva Satanica explains the intense personal background behind the song: “I wrote the lyrics while being on my last tour in South America with another band. It was a very intense period of my life when I had to take some of the hardest decisions in my career, so it speaks about that. It was one of our faves since the beginning because it’s very different from what we’ve done so far: it’s pure evil but with lots of beautiful melodies.”
After joining forces withROAR, “The Devil’s Own”serves as a first harbinger of BLOODHUNTER’s upcoming new album, which will be released in the hopefully not-too-distant future. If this single is any indication, the next record will be the band’s most fearless and uncompromising statement yet!
Colombian blackened melodic death metal force ESHTADUR has released their latest single, “Fire Above Mountain Below“, off of their latest album, Symphonic Crows – Live at the Santiago Londoño’s Theater.
Grandiose symphonic elements provide a powerful backdrop for ominous riffs and snarling vocals. In signature ESHTADUR fashion, “Fire Above Mountain Below” balances crushing heaviness with a catchy, cinematic earworm of a chorus.
Vocalist and guitarist Jorg August comments: “The shapes that can be explored with a symphonic orchestra reminds me of why I enjoy music so much: the character and the intensity of 40 people giving the music their all. That’s very ritualistic and powerful. This new live album is something I wanted to do for so long.”
Italian melodic death metal force KARMIAN open a new and uncompromising chapter with the release of their first single, “Beastmaster of the Void”, taken from the forthcoming full-length Horror Vacui. The track arrives accompanied by an official visualizer published on the Rockshots Records YouTube channel.
“Beastmaster of the Void” stands among the album’s most direct and unrelenting compositions – a surge of sharp riffing, relentless pacing, and psychological intensity. Drawing from the real-life crimes tied to the Bestie di Satana case, the song transforms adolescent alienation, obsession, and spiritual distortion into a violent descent through the existential void that defines the entire record. Here, the band channels the chaos, confusion, and moral collapse at the heart of the narrative, turning true events into stark allegory.
The single also offers a first glimpse into the conceptual breadth of Horror Vacui: a collection of nine songs, each inspired by a different Italian murderer, revealing how psychological emptiness, social disintegration, and spiritual vacuum mutate into violence.
Rather than glorifying crime, the album examines the roots of human collapse – the internal abyss that corrodes empathy, identity, and meaning. Musically, it merges the ferocity of melodic death metal with narrative tension and introspective depth, confirming the band’s distinctive approach to extreme music.
Horror Vacui was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Luca Cocconi and Simone Sighinolfi at Audiocore Studio, with artwork and the new Karmian logo created by Sheila Franco. All songs were written by Andrea Baraldi and Nicholas Badiali, with lyrics by Andrea Bertolazzi and arranged collectively by Karmian.
Karmian Line-Up: Andrea Bertolazzi – Vocals Andrea Baraldi – Guitars Michele Perla – Guitars Luca Marmi – Bass Nicholas Badiali – Drums
With a career stretching from their early beginnings in 2005 to their present incarnation, Karmian have become one of the most distinctive voices of Italian melodic death metal, known for merging aggression, drama, and conceptual storytelling. Their upcoming full-length marks their most mature and introspective work to date, deepening the psychological and existential focus that has defined their evolution.
For fans of: The Haunted, Kataklysm, Heaven Shall Burn, At The Gates, early Dark Tranquillity, and early In Flames.
LIK, the modern-day purveyors of classic Swedish death metal, return to glorious action with a video for “They.” Taken from their latest full-length Necro, which was released last April via Metal Blade Records, the video was directed by the band’s own Joakim Antman.
LIK will return to stages next March when they kick off the Necrofeeling Over Europe Tour 2026! The band comments, “In March and April we drag Necro across European soil, a procession of stinking, rotten, and unspeakable volume. Join the march or be buried beneath it.”
LIK Live – Necrofeeling Over Europe 2026: 3/26/2026 Brewgata – Oslo, NO 3/27/2026 Östgötaslakt – Linköping, SE 3/29/2026 Monument – Gothenburg, SE 3/31/2026 Voodoo – Warsaw, PL 4/01/2026 Zascianek – Krakow, PL 4/03/2026 Kabinet Muz – Brno, CZ 4/04/2026 Modra Vopize – Prague, CZ 4/05/2026Dark Easter MetalMeeting – Munich, DE 4/07/2026 Urban Spree – Berlin, DE 4/09/2026 Stengade – Copenhagen, DK 4/11/2026 BD Riots – Borlänge, SE 4/12/2026 Kollektivet Livet – Stockholm, SE
Other festivals: 8/14-15/2026 Blasphemy Festival – Slnečné Skaly, SK
Standing loud and proud over so many imitators, LIK’s Necro is the musical equivalent of a classic shock-horror movie that’s drenched in blood and gore and packed with over-the-top extremities. Delve beyond the zombified cover art created by Stockholm-based tattooist and artist Jens Olsson (Ink Fanatics), Necro serves as a reminder of just how special and exciting the genre is: packed with blood-curdling fantasy stories about war, death, zombies, world apocalypse and murder all stacked with disgustingly-good rotten riffs.
Once again using uber-producer Lawrence Mackrory (Meshuggah, Katatonia, High Parasite, Decapitated), all music was recorded live over a three-day period, before vocalist/guitarist Tomas Åkvik headed to Uppsala to record his vocals at Mackrory’s Rorysound Studios. Mackrory has worked with LIK – whose name translates to “corpse” in Swedish, since their 2015 debut Mass Funeral Evocation and throughout their Metal Blade Records’ career that started with 2018’s Carnage.
Within Necro‘s ten tracks, LIK has created a seamless album, diverse in tempo but without losing any of their blood-soaked intensity and relentless in-your-face attitude listeners have come to expect. There are twists and turns that keep LIK on a progressive path without straying from their old-school trademark sounds inspired by the godfathers Dismember, At The Gates and of course, Entombed.
“We didn’t really want to repeat ourselves, but of course we wanted the LIK sound,” explains Åkvik on the writing trajectory of Necro.
LIK: Tomas Åkvik – vocals, guitar Niklas “Nille” Sandin – guitar Chris Barkensjö – drums Joakim Antman – bass
Helsinki-based progressive melodic death metal band NUMENTO unleashes their new single “Wrath” from their upcoming EP, a relentless, hard-hitting track exploring the dark side of human nature. Inspired by people forming abusive “relationships” with AI chatbots, the lyrics take the abuser’s perspective to question empathy, control, and violence in the digital age.
Listen to the single on music services: (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.) – https://push.fm/fl/numento-wrath
The band’s guitarists, Atte Asikainen and Aleksi Vehmassalo, tell a bit more about the new single. Aleksi states the following about composing and producing the song: “We started writing the song with the idea of making Numento’s heaviest song to date, one that would showcase our death metal influences. That’s what the song turned out to be, but we also added a few clean vocal phrases, albeit doubled with growls. Still, the song is our most aggressive song to date.”
Atte Asikainen continues about the production: “We continued the production together with German producer Chris Herrle to ensure that the world-class quality and impact familiar from our third album would also be present in the new music. However, this time we used less synths and focused more on the core sound of the band.”
01. Wrath
Composers: Atte Asikainen, Katri Hiovain-Asikainen, Simo Mattila, Aleksi Vehmassalo, Mikko Virtanen
BLOOD OF ANGELS returns with their powerful new single “Minds of the Broken,” offering a gripping preview of their upcoming concept album Les Agnst ov Thanatou. Known for their dynamic fusion of melodic death metal, blackened atmospheres, and thought provoking lyrical themes, the band continues to expand their creative vision while delivering the intensity that has earned them international acclaim.
Their forthcoming album was written during a period marked by uncertainty, isolation, and widespread loss, and its emotional gravity can be felt throughout every track. Les Agnst ov Thanatou explores the universal human struggle with mortality, the rituals surrounding death, and the emotional aftermath that binds the living to the departed.
Each song examines a different aspect of how we experience grief and the ways death shapes the human psyche. From orchestral tension to dissonant melodic textures, the album blends brutality with introspection and dives into new musical terrain for the band.
“Minds of the Broken,” written by vocalist Randy Reyes, focuses on the internal devastation carried by soldiers returning from the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Reyes drew inspiration from friends who survived the battlefield yet continue to struggle with the psychological toll of war. The song captures insomnia, survivor’s guilt, and the haunting memories of fallen comrades.
Crushing riffs collide with tense, atmospheric passages that mirror the instability of a mind fighting battles long after the war has ended. Percussion patterns evoke the sudden shock of flashbacks while layered melodies summon memories that refuse to fade. Reyes delivers a vocal performance shaped by despair, anger and the quiet torment of those living with invisible scars.
The album was tracked at Underground Studios in Tampa, Florida with engineer Bob Noxious, whose punk background added a fresh edge to the recording process. Mixing was handled by Preston DiCarlo at Mastersound Studios and the final mastering touch was completed at Soundlab Studios in New York City, giving the record its polished and immersive sound.
“Minds of the Broken” stands as one of the most emotionally charged moments on Les Agnst ov Thanatou, a reminder that some battles never truly end. BLOOD OF ANGELS invites listeners to confront the darkest corners of the human experience and to emerge transformed. The full album is set for release in the summer of 2026.
“After 12 years in Arch Enemy, we have parted ways. I am forever thankful to the thousands of amazing fans I have met along the way. Thank you, Beastlings! I can’t wait to share what I have been working on with you all (with some big surprises in store). Stay tuned for big news in 2026 and see you very soon.”
From Alissa White-Gluz Facebook, regarding her new solo music video:
“I hope you love this first offering from my upcoming solo album. You can watch the whole video on my YouTube Channel.”
“The Room Where She Died is a song that feels truly satisfying to me; like I get to express myself in so many ways that have been dormant for years. This upcoming album is diverse; and I love the idea of opening up this new chapter with this song and video, which I wrote the script for.”
“Can’t wait to share more with you!”
The Room Where She Died by Alissa White-Gluz and Oliver Palotai
Vocals performed, recorded and written by Alissa White-Gluz Music by Oliver Palotai Video script by Alissa White-Gluz Video by iCode
Watch Alissa White-Gluz perform in her newly released music video for her new solo song “The Room Where She Died” here: https://youtu.be/MvnKywEnTZI
Photographer: João Fitas (@joao.fitas) L-R – Bruno Martins (Bass), Daniel Rodrigues (Drums), Ricardo Pereira (Lead Vocals), Pedro Quelhas (Guitar), Luís Dias (Guitar)
Cover EP Angels, Blood And Enemies Out In Feb 2026
Portuguese melodic death metal force Moonshade has unveiled their latest single, a thunderous, emotionally charged cover of Stromae & Pomme’s “Ma Meilleure Ennemie.”Accompanied by a lyric video, the track will be featured on their upcoming three-song EP,Angels, Blood And Enemies, set for release in February 2026.
Inspired by an unforgettable scene from the Netflix series Arcane, Moonshade’s cover strips away the original’s trip-hop shell and rebuilds it with their signature blend of epic, brutal, and atmospheric metal. The band’s connection to Arcane and League of Legends runs deep, with members Pedro and Ricardo being longtime Stromae fans.
Watch the lyric video for “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” created by Jöel Martins from Titanforged Productions (Wolfheart, Analepsy, Dark Oath).
“We annoyed the rest of the band to exhaustion to make this cover happen. But they’re always tolerant of our eccentricities, and now we have a metal version of this brilliant Belgian trip-hop artist. We wanted to highlight the song’s emotional intensity using our own sonic palette. We’ve never done covers before, and there’s probably not much overlap between our fanbase and Stromae’s. But we had fun, we’re proud of it, and that’s what matters. Moonshade’s fans are open-minded and adventurous, traits that make this cover EP a natural fit,” says vocalist Ricardo Pereira, who also performs clean vocals alongside drummer Daniel, adding layers to the song’s theme of love-hate duality.
The single’s artwork, designed by Rui Carneiro (Lorna Shore, Polaris, Chelsea Grin), draws from Guido Reni’s Archangel Michael Defeating Satan, visually anchoring the EP’s title, Angels, Blood And Enemies. Carneiro also created the remaining two artworks for the EP, whose tracklist remains a mystery for now.
With Angels, Blood And Enemies,Moonshade invites fans into a new chapter, one of fearless reinterpretation, emotional depth, and genre-defying creativity.
If you love Insomnium, Heaven Shall Burn, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, or Omnium Gatherum, Moonshade’s sound will feel like home.
The neoclassical melodic death force BURNED IN EFFIGY has released the official music video for “The Racking,” the third single off their forthcoming new album, Tyrannus Aeternum.
The world premiere for the official music video for “The Racking” comes via The Circle Pit. Watch the video now at this location.
Rising from the heart of the Midwest metal scene, this Chicago-based quintet has announced a fall release for their much-anticipated second full-length, Tyrannus Aeternum. Following the 2022 release of their debut album, Rex Mortem, BURNED IN EFFIGY has sharpened their sound to a lethal edge. The result is an 11-track onslaught that blends the band’s skillful musicianship and technicality with volcanic brutality.
Tracklist:
1) Befouled Benefaction
2) Retribution
3) Masquerade
4) Procession
5) Wage of Exile
6) Sacrificial Seance
7) Monstrosity Reborn
8) Gallows Hymn
9) The Racking
10) Crown Crusher
11) Citadel
Line-up:
Mark “Smedy” Smedbron – Vocals Steve Bacakos – Guitar Mike Hisson – Guitar Matt Watkins – Bass Eddie Dec – Drums
Tyrannus Aeternum was recorded at Beal Audio and Bricktop Recording, with production, engineering and mixing by Jordan Beal. Orchestration and keyboards on the album were provided by Graham Southern. Album artwork by Timon Kokott.
Finnish melodic death metal band Bloody Moon is set to release their second studio album Lost & Damned on October 31st 2025 via Inverse Records. The third single “I’ll Torn ‘Em Apart” is unleashed today and the music video is available here: https://youtu.be/XBsHpi7YNBU
“I’ll Torn ‘Em Apart is one of the first songs we composed for the upcoming album. It’s arguably the most intense track on the record, both musically and lyrically, the title alone speaks of tearing things to pieces. The lyrics capture that extreme rush of adrenaline you can only experience while performing live on stage.
BassistNisse Nurminenshares: “This one’s never boring to play, there’s definitely no shortage of energy. Also, the track features a 5-string bass on the album, which we used to bring more depth to the song. We spent a while searching for the right bass tone, and once we found it, I was finally able to lay down the take.”
BIOGRAPHY: Bloody Moon is a metal band from Laitila, Finland, that has been active since 2021. The band’s music is characterized by tearing riffs and catchy choruses, accompanied by a thunderous rhythm section.
On their latest album Lost & Damned, these ingredients come together to create a tight and energetic whole that everyone should experience at least once in their lives.
Intense Indifference, the latest full-length from Swedish melodic death/thrash metal outfit VITTRA, is out today!
Intense Indifference follows VITTRA’s critically lauded debut, Blasphemy Blues, released in 2022, and centers on one’s own emotional journey, soul searching while simultaneously fighting an inner battle, all while presenting an untroubled, almost indifferent attitude. Inevitably, it all cracks.
In celebration of the release, the band has unleashed a video for opening track, “MOFO.” Comments guitarist Johan Murmester, “‘MOFO’ is the opening track of the new album and it sort of sets the tone for the whole creation. You got some thrash, death, and folk music vibes, and that music is about having fun!
“In the building where the recording studio is located,” he continues, “there used to be a research lab, now abandoned, that to some extend has turned into a film studio, where they do all sorts of movies and TV series. We got the opportunity to explore this environment with the amazing Snovonne during two days and the outcome is the video for ‘MOFO!’”
Watch the band’s previously released video for “The Leap” HERE.
Intense Indifference was recorded and engineered by Simon Johansson (Soilwork, Wolf), produced by Johan Murmester, and mixed and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory (Lik, Bloodbath, Katatonia).
The record includes several guest appearances including John Lönnmyr (Night Flight Orchestra) who adds piano to “Transylvanian Buffet,” Bastian Thusgaard (Soilwork) who contributes the shaker on “Burn(h)er” and vibra-slap on “Transylvanian Buffet,” and Linus Öhrn (Valkyrja) who contributes backing vocals on several tracks. Cover art for Intense Indifference was created by Hjules (Accept, Destruction, Jungle Rot) and based on his own interpretations of the record’s lyrics.
Intense Indifference is available on LP and digital formats. Stream/order the record at THIS LOCATION.
Intense Indifference – Track Listing:
1. MOFO
2. Reign Supreme
3. Burn(h)er
4. Transylvanian Buffet
5. Soul Searcher
6. The Leap
7. Bound By Blood
8. Hate
9. End To It
10. Piece By Piece
VITTRA: Alex Smith – drums David Döragrip – vocals Gustav Svensson – bass Johan Murmester – guitars Lars Elofsson – lead guitar
Originally called Vildvittra, based on the characters created by Astrid Lindgren as part of Ronja Rövardotter [Swedish for Ronia, The Robber’s Daughter, a children’s fantasy book first published in 1981], their name later evolved into VITTRA, inspired by the mythical creatures appearing in Swedish folk stories. And while Swedish folk is a recurring theme weaving in and out of their music, the band is firmly rooted in melodic death and thrash metal in the vein of At The Gates, Dissection, and Megadeth.
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