Stream THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT’s “Closer To The Sun” HERE.
As THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT, the new venture from former founding Symphony X bassist Thomas Miller, prepares to release its eponymous debut through Sensory Records in October, the label presents the album’s second single, “Closer To The Sun.”
Thomas Miller started his music career in central New Jersey and played in numerous cover and original bands influenced by progressive bands from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1986, he met Michael Romeo, a local progressive and classically influenced guitarist, with whom he then recorded and played in several bands. In 1994, they formed Symphony X and recruited the rest of the band members to complete the lineup and sign with Japanese record label, Zero Records.
After international critical acclaim for their albums Symphony X, Damnation Game, The Divine Wings Of Tragedy, Twilight In Olympus, and A Prelude To The New Millenium, they did various tour dates in Japan, Europe, and NYC. Shortly afterwards, due to personal issues, Thomas stepped away from the band.
Continually writing and recording on various projects and honing his writing skills, Miller collaborated on a recording project with vocalist Hollywood How Portney in 2017, and after interactions with fans over the years and realizing his chemistry with How, he decided to start writing for a new project, which would become THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.
Two former Symphony X bandmates, guitarist Michael Romeo and keyboardist Michael Pinnella, would also lend their talents to the project, and Eric Rachel – producer of Symphony X’s first six albums as well as Black Sabbath, The Black Dahlia Murder and countless others, was enlisted to mix and master the album, which is completed with art and design by Rodrigo Gudiña.
The result is an epic, forty-nine-minute progressive metal opus, inspired by majestic themes and various musical overtones. Fans of Symphony X, Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Redemption, Kamelot, and other grand progressive metal acts should immediately check out THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.
Miller delves, “‘Closer To The Sun’ takes a more progressive direction than the first single, ‘When Darkness Falls.’ This song represents the combination of mythological lyrics, middle eastern tonalities and aggressive guitar and bass rhythms. I also liked the idea of acoustic guitar and violin to add another layer to the musical atmosphere, setting the story line as a buildup to the main rhythmic themes.”
THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT’s “Closer To The Sun” is now playing on Bandcamp HERE and YouTube HERE.
Sensory Records will release Thomas Miller’s Lazarus Effect on CD, LP, and digital platforms on October 30th. Preorders are live at the label webstore HERE and on Bandcamp, the standard audio HERE and the 24-bit hi-res HERE.
Stand by a new video and more on the album to drop over the coming weeks.
ABSOLUTE POWER have shared the title track of their forthcoming second album, “Needs Must When The Devil Drives”, due out on November 6, 2026 via Time To Kill Records. The song features former Judas Priest and Iced Earth vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, contributing his unmistakable screams to one of the album’s most powerful statements.
For Shane Embury, the track is also deeply personal, looking back at the environment in which he and Simon Efemey grew up and the role heavy metal played during their formative years:
“This song, whilst being title track of our new record, also talks about how both Simon and I grew up in the West Midlands listening to heavy metal of 1980’s, all the classics as you would expect. The areas where we both came from were very much industrial areas! Working class families and for us, as teenagers, heavy metal was our escape from the everyday realities of our areas. You did what you had to, just to get by. Needs Must When the Devil Drives!”
Fifteen years after the release of their self-titled debut, the heavy metal project founded by vocalist and producer Simon Efemey and Napalm Death bassist Shane Embury returns with a powerful celebration of classic heavy metal.
Drawing inspiration from the timeless legacy of Judas Priest, Saxon, Black Sabbath, Dio and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, “Needs Must When The Devil Drives” combines old-school riffs, unforgettable melodies and larger-than-life songwriting, with the energy and attitude of a new era.
The world is in meltdown and we’re all going to hell in a handbasket. Thankfully, ABSOLUTE POWER are here to offer maximum-volume resistance to the madness, with their monumental second album, “Needs Must When The Devil Drives”.
ABSOLUTE POWER is the brainchild of vocalist and producer Simon Efemey and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Shane Embury, two heavy metal lifers who, between them, have left an indelible imprint on modern music.
Embury is the longtime bassist of grindcore pioneers Napalm Death, a band that began pushing music to its furthest extremes in the 1980s and has never stopped evolving. Efemey is one of the most influential British metal producers of his generation, having shaped the modern scene through his work with artists including Paradise Lost, The Wildhearts and Napalm Death, while also developing a reputation as one of the most charismatic figures behind the scenes.
Together, they spent five years crafting “Needs Must When The Devil Drives”, an exhilarating tribute to the classic heavy metal they grew up with, infused with the energy and attitude of 2026.
“I want people to have a good time in the old school way,” says Efemey of the album. “I want them to forget the mundane, boring or horrible parts of their jobs. I want them to forget themselves for a couple of hours. That’s what good music should allow us all to do.”
The album continues the vision that originally brought ABSOLUTE POWER together: a desire to recapture the sense of adventure, grandeur and excitement that defined the heavy metal of their youth.
“When we did the first album, we wanted to make songs like our heroes, Judas Priest, Saxon, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, everything we liked as kids,” explains Efemey. “When we were on tour buses, we’d have a few drinks and start blasting old-school heavy metal like Black Sabbath or Dio. One day we said we should write our own tunes like that.”
The debut album was embraced by fans of traditional metal, and “Needs Must When The Devil Drives” expands on that foundation, delivering a collection of songs built around powerful riffs, memorable hooks and a strong sense of identity. The title itself comes from an old proverb that Efemey and Embury would jokingly repeat to each other during the recording sessions.
Alongside the title track, “Saviour” the song “Kernschmelze” showcases the band’s most direct and energetic side, while “Mountain Of Hope” increases the epic dimension that’s always been central to ABSOLUTE POWER. “Within” temporarily strips away some of the heaviness in favor of a more atmospheric and hypnotic approach, recalling the psychedelic spirit of 1970s classics such as Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan”.
The album features a reinterpretation of Queen’s 1978 classic “Sheer Heart Attack”, preserving the original’s punk-driven energy while adding the unmistakable personality of ABSOLUTE POWER.
Efemey and Embury invited several respected musicians to contribute to the album’s expansive sound. Former Judas Priest and Iced Earth vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owensreturns after appearing on the first record, delivering his unmistakable screams on the title track. The Mission and Tricky guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite adds subtle layers and textures to several songs, expanding the band’s traditional metal foundation.
“I’ve known him for years,” says Efemey. “I recorded a demo for his old band years ago. I sent him some tracks and he put some magic on them. He added a little goth flavour to some of those tracks. It took it further than the first album, which was just straight-down-the-line traditional metal.”
Also appearing on the record are Napalm Death guitarist John Cooke and drummer Carl Stokes, whose career includes collaborations with bands such as Cancer and The Groundhogs.
At the heart of ABSOLUTE POWER, however, remains the partnership between Efemey and Embury. Both grew up in the West Midlands and shared formative experiences attending concerts at Birmingham’s legendary Odeon before following very different paths: Embury becoming one of extreme metal’s defining musicians, and Efemey establishing himself as a highly respected producer.
“Over the years our paths crossed, and we realized we had a similar love for music and a similar sense of humour – Monty Python, The Young Ones, really dark humour,” says Efemey.
Throughout his career, Efemey has worked with artists ranging from British indie heroes The Wonder Stuff to extreme metal pioneers Napalm Death, but his influence has always extended far beyond production. His larger-than-life personality and his approach to music have made him a unique figure within the British scene.
“You hear the stories from back in the day about these legendary bands and the mad stuff they’d get up to,” he says. “For me, that’s part of rock’n’roll. I never wanted to just be the guy sitting there in the studio nodding along with what bands say. It was more about entertaining people and entertaining ourselves.”
Yet behind all the chaos, Efemey has always remained focused on the most important element being the songs.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we’re serious about the music,” he says of ABSOLUTE POWER. “We reject ideas that aren’t good enough. Every song needs a good riff and a catchy melody. I wouldn’t let anything go out that was just fodder. That approach has always been prevalent in my work.”
That philosophy defines “Needs Must When The Devil Drives”. The album carries the confidence of a band that knows exactly what it wants to achieve, embracing the foundations of classic heavy metal while sounding fully alive in 2026. As the world falls apart around them, ABSOLUTE POWER stand tall, armed with riffs, melodies and songs built to last.
“I can’t think of many new British bands doing what we do,” says Efemey. “I think people like our stuff because it’s old-school with melodies you can sing along to. We use the formula from the 70s and 80s because we know it works. We make this kind of music because we love it and we want people to sing along with us.”
Track-list:
1. Needs Must When the Devil Drives (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens) 2. Saviour 3. Kernscmelze 4. Stand Up and Be Counted 5. Within 6. Mountain of Hope 7. Insanity 8. Hammer of Justice 9. Praise the Fire 10. Sheer Heart Attack 11. Orphans of the Storm
Line-up:
Simon Efemey – vocals Shane Embury – Bass, Additional Instruments
Guests musicians:
Tim “Ripper” Owens – vocals (ex Judas Priest, Iced Earth) Mark Gemini Thwaite – guitars (The Mission, Tricky) John Cooke – guitar (Napalm Death) Carl Stokes – drums (Cancer, The Groundhogs) Joe Taylor – drums Dominik Gryzbon – lead guitar Ilsa Nielson – lead guitar
Swedish heavy metal squad RAM presents their latest single and video for “Night Blade.” The track appears on their forthcoming new long player, Against, set to drop on October 9th through Metal Blade Records.
Comments vocalist Oscar Carlquist, “The return of the riff! Before writing this song, I had been contemplating about the fact that ‘70s and early ‘80s metal was a lot more about the riff than what you hear and have heard for a long time. I wanted to bring that back and wrote a typical super simple oldschool riff to carry the song. A perfect song to headbang to.”
Watch RAM’s previously released video for “Ghost Emperor” HERE.
It has been nearly seven years since RAM’s The Throne Within, an album defined by its spiritual and metaphysical themes. With Against, RAM takes a more grounded approach, focusing on the experience of being pushed beyond reasonable limits and refusing to comply. The album captures that moment of resistance, “that fire of defiance, which ultimately defines its title and message,” as the band collectively states.
Musically, guitarists Harry Granroth and Martin Jonsson continue to favor bridge pickups, maintaining a sharp and aggressive tone. The equipment used on Against reflects a classic approach, contributing to a sound that feels both timeless and direct. Sonically, Againstwas conceived as a return to classic recording philosophies.
Against Track Listing:
1. Obsession
2. Ghost Emperor
3. One Vs. All
4. Abattoir
5. Out of Control
6. Leaving
7. Against
8. Night Blade
9. Rising Again
10. 1984
11. The Final Hour
The album artwork, created by Carlquist himself, also reflects a conscious shift toward simplicity. In contrast to previous covers filled with symbolism, the focus is placed squarely on the band’s iconic ram-horned skull emblem, ensuring that the identity of the band remains unmistakable.
Drawing inspiration from the early works of Dio, MSG, and Sweet, the goal was to create an honest and unpolished sound. What you hear is what you get! In a music landscape increasingly divided into countless subgenres, the band positions itself deliberately outside of categorization. The title Against itself reinforces the band’s longstanding identity as nonconformists, viewing heavy metal as a form of sonic rebellion.
One of the most noticeable aspects of the record is its concise songwriting. Where earlier work may have leaned toward complexity, this album embraces clarity and precision. This evolution reflects a broader maturation, with the Swedes recognizing that restraint and focus can be more impactful than technical display.
RAM’s Against full-length will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
180g Black Clear Lilac Marbled Purple Melt (Ltd. 300) Crystal Clear Blackdust (Ltd. 300) Silver Black Splatter (Ltd. 250)
Ultimately, Against stands as a statement of intent, a reaffirmation of identity and purpose. Or, as they put it themselves: “Fear the return of the Heavy Metal Tyranny!”
In related news, after 17 years as the bassist for RAM, Tobias “Tobbe” Petterson has decided to step down from the band. Petterson has been a pivotal part of both RAM‘s recordings and live shows and his steadfast bass playing and ferocious stage presence will be missed.
The band comments, “Petterson will always remain a part of the RAM family and we part as brothers, still united by the power of heavy metal. But the heavy metal tyranny must proceed, new horizons await and these will be shared with our new bass player Desekrator of Voodus and Stormdeath fame. Desekrator has been close to the band for decades and through being a die hard fan he is already well versed with the true spirit of RAM. This combined with his bass skills makes him the perfect replacement for Tobbe. Onward Upon The Black Path!”
Petterson will perform his final show with RAM on October 9th in Gothenburg, the band’s record release show.
RAM Live: 9/12/09/2026 Candelabrum Metalfest – León, MX 10/09/2026 Skjulet – Gothenburg, SE *Record Release Show w/ Portrait 12/04/2026 Spectrum – Murcia, ES 12/05/2026 Peter Rock – Valencia, ES 12/06/2026 Upload – Barcelona, ES 12/07/2026 Urban – Vitoria, ES 3/12-13/2027 Heavy Metal Thunder Fest – Pisek, CZ 5/20-22/2027 Iron Fest – Ohmbachsee, DE
RAM Recording Lineup: Oscar Carlquist – vocals Morgan Pettersson – drums Harry Granroth – guitar Martin Jonsson – guitar Tobias Petterson – bass
We are proud to announce that our seventh full-length album, ALL THE SHADOWS, will be released on October 30th via No Remorse Records.
This is Cirith Ungol in its purest form: eight songs of epic, dark and doom-filled Heavy Metal, forged with the same fire that has driven this band from the beginning. We believe this stands among the strongest albums we have ever made.
The title track “All The Shadows” is out now, along with a brand-new lyric video.
Japanese metal pioneers Sigh are back today with news of their new album ‘Goh-ka’; a new highlight of atmosphere, technical mastery, and meticulously arranged epics of metallic grandeur. Main-man Mirai Kawashima notes this as being as equally personal an album as ‘Shiki’, both musically and lyrically.
From a musical perspective, if you were to place the main ingredients of Celtic Frost, Voivod, Black Sabbath, horror movies and Japan into a cauldron and stir it, you will get ‘Goh-ka’. Numerous additional spices such as psychedelic rock, prog rock and classical music are also evident over the album’s close to one-hour duration.
The album title ‘Goh-ka’ has a triple meaning, being: 業火 infernal fire scorching sinners, 劫火 a huge fire that burns down the world at the end of time, and 業果 karma. The primary theme permeating the album is Kuso-zu; a series of Buddhist paintings or illustrations depicting the nine stages of a human body’s decomposition after death, created to encourage meditation on the impermanence of life, the inevitability of death, and the detachment from physical beauty and worldly attachment.
It openly shows the harsh reality that no matter how beautiful you are, you’ll be dead and rot sooner or later. And Kuso-shi is a poem based on these paintings. The artworks on the cover and in the booklet of ‘Goh-ka’ are therefore Kuso-zu themselves.
Joining Mirai Kawashima and Dr Mikannibal along with guitarist Nozomu Wakai, are Frédéric Leclercq (Kreator) on bass, plus renowned US drummer Mike Heller.
Among the additional contributors to the album, Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth notably delivers a special guest guitar solo on the track, ‘Unputenpu’.
‘Goh-ka’ was recorded across multiple studios, and once again mixed and mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD studios in Germany.
PRE-ORDERS OF THE ALBUM FROM THE PEACEVILLE STORE AND BAND STORE WILL COME WITH THE FREE ‘LEGACY OF HORRORS’ 10-TRACK SIGH SAMPLER.
Japanese metal pioneers Sigh formed in 1989/1990. Their genre-classic Black Metal debut ‘Scorn Defeat’ arrived in 1993, and with a subsequent journey through the strange and the psychedelic, incorporating a whole eclectic mix of genre styles & ideas throughout their career, Sigh has remained a vital creative force in the avantgarde field whilst maintaining their old school roots, as witnessed on the 2022 album (and first for Peaceville Records), ‘Shiki’.
This was followed by the remaking of their ‘Hangman’s Hymn’ album as part of the band’s 35th anniversary celebrations, in the shape of ‘I Saw the World’s End: Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV’ (2025).
SIGH TOUR DATES:
EUROPE OLD-SCHOOL SET (AS A TRIO) 07/09 DE Torgau In Flammen Open Air (Scorn Defeat Set) 07/10 DK Fredericia Metal Magic (Special Old School Set) 07/11 UK London Downstairs at the Dome (Special Old School Set)
US 07/26 Fire In The Mountains 07/28 Seattle WA El Corazon 07/29 Portland OR Star Theater 07/30 Sacramento CA Cafe Colonial 07/31 Berkeley CA Cornerstone 08/01 Los Angeles CA 1720
EUROPE 09/03 PL Aleksandrow Lodzki Summer Dying Loud 09/04 PL Cracow Zaścianek 09/05 CZ Ostrava Metal III 09/07 DE Munich Hansa 39 @ Feierwerk 09/08 DE Leipzig Moritzbastei 09/09 DE Berlin Badehaus 09/10 DK Copenhagen Beta @ Amager Bio 09/11 DE Hamburg Betty 09/12 DE Oberhausen Death & Damnation Fest 09/13 NL Leeuwarden Neushoorn 09/14 NL Utrecht DB’s 09/15 FR Paris Backstage By The Mill
French melodic heavy/power metal band Kingcrown return with “Lost Horizon“, the first single taken from their forthcoming album Moonfall, due for release on September 4th, 2026, via Rockshots Records.
Following the strong reception of “Nova Atlantis“, the band opens a new chapter with a track that immediately reinforces their identity while expanding the narrative framework introduced in previous releases.
“Lost Horizon” serves as a direct sequel to “Endless Journey“, continuing a storyline rooted in time distortion and speculative fiction. The track follows a WWII B-17 pilot suddenly caught in a temporal vortex and propelled into the year 2045, merging amazing storytelling with a tightly constructed heavy/power metal framework.
Musically, the single is driven by fast-paced riffing, dynamic vocal delivery, and an anthemic, hook-oriented chorus, balancing immediacy with structural precision. The band’s approach remains firmly grounded in the European heavy/power metal tradition. At the same time, the production handled by Kingcrown and refined through mixing and mastering by Simone Mularoni (Domination Studio) delivers clarity, weight, and definition across the entire sonic spectrum.
Founded by brothers Jo Amore (vocals) and David Amore (drums), former members of Nightmare, Kingcrown have progressively built a cohesive and recognizable identity within the European metal landscape. The current lineup – Jo Amore, David Amore, Sébastien Chabot (bass), Bob Saliba (guitars) and Ced Legger (guitars) – continues to operate with a strong sense of continuity, a key factor in the band’s increasingly focused sound.
With Moonfall, Kingcrown further develops a conceptual direction centered on dystopian themes, technological evolution and the fragility of human existence. Within this context, “Lost Horizon” stands as a fundamental entry point, introducing both the narrative scope and the sonic approach that define the album.
German heavy metal veterans MOB RULES have announced Stories From The Verdant Vale, set for release on August 21 via ROAR – A Division Of Reigning PhoenixMusic. To mark the announcement, the band unveil the first single, “Master Of The Black Crow”, a high-energy track that pulls no punches!
Driven by a striking, Celtic-inspired guitar hook, the song stands out for its uncompromising compactness. In its direct approach and razor-sharp structure, the track recalls the raw energy of Black Sabbath’s classic Paranoid: not a single ounce of excess, no detours: the song gets straight to the point and unleashes its full impact in the shortest possible time.
With Stories From The Verdant Vale, MOB RULES return to the narrative world introduced with their latest album Rise Of The Ruler (2025), which was widely praised and marked a major milestone in the band’s career. The material originates from songs written during the final stages of those sessions, now presented as a special standalone release.
As vocalist Klaus Dirks explains: “During the final stages of completing the album, we discussed possible bonus material for the earbook edition with the label. We were reluctant to use demo versions or similar material. This motivated us to write a few new songs. We were well aware of what we were getting ourselves into, but we also wanted to challenge ourselves a little.”
The songs reveal a slightly more direct and compact approach compared to Rise Of The Ruler while staying true to the band’s signature blend of melodic power metal, atmosphere and storytelling. Expanding the original concept from a different perspective, the material forms a natural extension of Rise Of The Ruler, while each track also stands strong on its own.
Originally conceived in part as exclusive material, Stories From The Verdant Vale now receives a proper release on vinyl and digital platforms. The record was mixed by Markus Teske, with artwork created by Stan W. Decker.
Coast To Coast (2014 Version, feat. Chity Somapala)
End Of All Days (2014 Version, feat. Amanda Somerville)
Broken
MOB RULES: Klaus Dirks – Vocals Sven Lüdke – Guitar Florian Dyszbalis – Guitar Markus Brinkmann – Bass Jan Christian Halfbrodt – Keys Sebastian Schmidt – Drums
About MOB RULES Formed in Northern Germany in the early 1990s, MOB RULES have established themselves as a constant force in melodic power metal. Known for their concept-driven albums, strong melodies and atmospheric depth, the band has built a loyal international following over the decades.
With ten studio albums to date, including the critically acclaimed Rise Of The Ruler, MOB RULES have continuously refined their sound while staying true to their roots. Their blend of classic heavy metal influences and modern production has secured them a lasting place within the genre.
“Wow! Amazing! Goliath has charted higher than anything we’ve ever done, this is just so epic on so many levels! Thanks to every single person who helped make this possible. 15 on the Billboard 200! And these other countries charts are off the hook! Squeezed our way in there with all the pop and rap and country, somehow we forced our way in! STOKED!!”
In a year marking the 40th anniversary of their initial formation, under the moniker Black Death, 2026 sees the return of the imperishable Norwegian duo and influential genre legends Fenriz and Nocturno Culto and their new studio album Pre-Historic Metal, set for release on May 8th via Peaceville Records.
Following swiftly on from the recently released The Fist in the Face of God boxset covering the band’s revered early Black Metal period, it is time for the Norwegian riff-meisters to emerge from their caves once more, for their new opus of high calibre old metal, under the banner of Pre-Historic Metal.
As Fenriz himself proclaims of the title’s symbolic origin, “Prehistoric is a loose term.I just figure it’s our VIBE, our take on things and it’s more a statement that we use old style to create something new”.
A continuation of 2024’s stellar ‘It Beckons Us All’, ‘Pre-Historic Metal’ is a ferocious slab of primal epics & gargantuan riffs with organic sound, graced with the ever-present permeating spirit of the 70s and 80s. This next chapter in Darkthrone’s unyielding saga presents a vast odyssey through the sonic landscapes of Thrash, Black, Heavy and Doom Metal and, adorned with a punishing and “in your face” guitar presence, Darkthrone stirs the cauldron of savage creativity with a nod to the writing methods which were indicative of their earlier works of the late 80s, but with a more refined craft.
Photo credit – Peer Olav Kittilsen
Summarizing what the album represents, Fenriz explains: “It means that we are metal. With very loud guitars. “Frightfully barbaric but not without finesse”, I call it. We collaborated in the studio more than ever, who’s playing what is still in a purple haze, but last but not least it was a sort of hardening of the arteries – we decided to tighten the tourniquet and do 8 effective songs brimming with riffs instead of the airy plodding we so much enjoy usually”.
Photo credit – Peer Olav Kittilsen
Pre-Historic Metal was recorded at Chaka Khan Studios, Oslo, with production work conducted by Ole Øvstedal, Silje Høgevold & Mads Luis. Mastering was carried out by Jack Control at Enormous Door, and Maor Appelbaum Mastering.
Pre-Historic Metal – Track listing: 1. They Found One Of My Graves (05:17) 2. Pre-Historic Metal (04:19) 3. Siberian Thaw (06:45) 4. Deeply Rooted (04:58) 5. The Dry Wells Of Hell (06:12) 6. So I Marched To The Sunken Empire (03:21) 7. Eat Eat Eat Your Pride (04:51) 8. Eon 4 (05:24)
Ushering in a new wave of heavy metal, New Jersey hellraisers WHO ON EARTH have announced their forthcoming album, It Takes The Village. Set for release on May 8th, the band’s second full-length features 12 headbanging tracks of unfiltered, high-octane mayhem.
Commenting on the new album, bassist Pete Rizzi says:
“It Takes The Village is a true representation of the diversity of Who On Earth, demonstrating the lack of self-imposed boundaries in our music. Our brand-new material showcases our continued growth as songwriters, and we’ve also included a few reimagined versions of earlier tracks that feel fresh and more powerful than ever. After five years of building, this release is our way of saying, ‘This is Who On Earth.”
Coinciding with the announcement, WHO ON EARTH have unveiled their second single, “Any Other Way” – an anthemic rocker primed for the stage, arriving just ahead of the band’s upcoming U.S. tour with FOZZY.
Rizziadds:
“‘Any Other Way’ is a rearranged, re-recorded, remixed, and remastered version of ‘Black Swan’ from our debut album, Blame. It’s a song about accepting the events in our lives and the choices that brought us here. Regret has no place in that process, the past is the past. Would we do things differently? Of course. But maybe everything had to unfold exactly as it did. It’s about embracing where you are, learning from it, and ultimately saying, ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way.’”
The new single follows the previously released track “Vigilance,” which also appears on It Takes The Village.
1. Vigilance 2. Any Other Way 3. Shadows 4. Good Man Down 5. Closer 6. Too Close 7. Double or Nothing 8. Monster! 9. Oh, Set Me Free 10. We Don’t Belong Here 11. Ascension 12. The Unbeaten
Lineup: Coosh – Vocals Pete Rizzi – Bass Johnny James Barone – Guitar Jimmy Kocha – Guitar Howie Fallon – Drums
WHO ON EARTH Tour Dates w/FOZZY:
May 8 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend May 9 – Waynesboro, VA – The Foundry May 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts May 13 – Harrisburg, PA – Capitall City Music Hall May 15 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre May 16 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
Today, German power metal force BRAINSTORM are kicking off their upcoming tour run and celebrate the moment with a special release: their cover version of “Celebrate Youth” is now available digitally for the very first time! The track was previously only available as an exclusive CD bonus track on their latest studio album Plague Of Rats, released via RPM in 2025.
“With ‘Celebrate Youth,’ we chose a song that meant a lot to me personally in my early Youth,”Andy B. Franck reveals. “Yes, not a metal song but a song that perfectly reflected that era and my feeling as a young person of wanting to achieve a lot. Listening to the younger generation, giving them a voice… I don’t think I’ve ever really matured that much deep down, I’ve retained that feeling and still think and feel like a young guy. This thing rocks, and we had a lot of fun recording it. The Youth, then and now, needs to be heard and understood. This song is the perfect statement about that topic.”
The digital release follows the overwhelming response to the band’s cover of Don Henley‘s classic “Boys Of Summer”, which was released in August last year and quickly gained strong traction across streaming platforms.
Released in early 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music, Plague Of Rats marks another milestone in BRAINSTORM’s long career. The album combines the band’s trademark sound – powerful riffs, soaring melodies and gripping choruses, with a renewed intensity and modern production. With over nearly three decades of history, worldwide touring and numerous chart placements, BRAINSTORM remain one of the most consistent and respected acts in German metal. Order Plague Of Rats here: https://brainstorm.rpm.link/plagueofratsPR
BRAINSTORM: Andy B. Franck (Vocals) Torsten Ihlenfeld (Guitars) Milan Loncaric (Guitars) Danij Perl (Bass) Kevin Lütolf (Drums)
BRAINSTORM Tour Dates supporting ANGUS McSIX – Album Release Tour w/ Bloodbound
February 23, 2007 – MANOWARGods Of War was released first in Germany. The album cover was created by (the late) fantasy artist Ken Kelly. This was the last MANOWAR studio album to include (the late) Scott Columbus.
Gods Of War – Track-List:
01. Overture To The Hymn Of The Immortal Warriors 02. The Ascension 03. King Of Kings 04. Army Of The Dead, Part I 05. Sleipnir 06. Loki God Of Fire 07. Blood Brothers 08. Overture To Odin 09. The Blood Of Odin 10. The Sons Of Odin 11. Glory, Majesty, Unity 12. Gods Of War 13. Army of the Dead Part II 14. Odin 15. Hymn Of The Immortal Warriors 16. Die For Metal (bonus track)
MANOWAR – band lineup on Gods Of War:
Eric Adams – lead vocals
Joey DeMaio –bass guitars
Karl Logan – lead & rhythm guitar, keyboards
Scott Columbus – drums & percussion
Record label: Magic Circle Music, Ltd. Distributed by SPV GmbH in Europe and USA.
Arthur Pendragon Wilshire provided narration for the song “Glory Majesty Unity”.
Joe Rozler (composer) – orchestral and choir arrangements.
Gods Of War was recorded, engineered and edited at Haus Wahnfried in New York. Produced by Joey DeMaio. Mixed by Ronald Prent at Galaxy Studios in Mol, Belgium and mastered by Darcy Proper at Galaxy Mastering in Mol, Belgium.
The 16 pages of text for the album booklet was written in the runic alphabet.
February 20, 1996 – SEPULTURA released in Europe, their sixth studio album,viaRoadrunner Records: Roots. Album artwork by Michael Whelan.
February 20, 1996 – IN FLAMES released their second studio album: The Jester Race. Album artwork by Andreas Marschall.
February 20, 2006 – Swedish death metal warriors DISMEMBER released their seventh studio album, The God That Never Was, via Candlelight Records. Album cover artwork is by Dan Seagrave.
February 20, 2008 – LOUDNESS had their 21st studio album, Metal Mad, released only in their home country of Japan. Album cover artwork by Katz-Miyake.
February 20, 2012 – The menacing AUTOPSY saw their EP compilation album, AllTomorrow’s Funerals, released via Peaceville Records. Album cover artwork by Matt Cavotta.
February 20, 2026 – SYLOSIS have their seventh studio album, The New Flesh, released today via Nuclear Blast. Artwork & layout by Snakehed.
By no means is this list complete! There are many, many more Metal albums that have been released on February 20th. Feel free to comment your addition to this list!
Thank you for visiting Metal Odyssey, be kind to animals and your fellow humans. Metal be thy name – Stone.
“Cryogenically Frozen” is the latest single from UK progressive death metallers CRYPTIC SHIFT. The track comes off the band’s Overspace & Supertime full-length, set to drop on February 27th through Metal Blade Records.
Issues vocalist/guitarist Alexander Bradley:
“Contrasting the prolonged, cinematic opening of our previous album [Visitations From Enceladus] ‘Cryogenically Frozen’ wastes no time by bursting into a flurry of jazz fusion-esque movements as if metal had an alternate timeline progressing from the lineage of masters like Cynic, Pestilence, and Allan Holdsworth, whilst still remaining true to our death/thrashing tendencies with lightning riffs tailor-made for the headbangers and circle pitters! Simultaneously, all aspects of our songwriting propel our new character, ‘The Recaller,’ through her sci-fi adventures, beginning with a cybertronic shootout and meditations in dreams and consciousness. Being one of the shorter songs on the album defined by a pulsing verse and chorus, it ends with a moment of calm before the true centerpiece of Overspace & Supertime begins with the 29-minute ‘Stratocumulus Evergaol’ which we can’t wait for all Astrodeath freaks to explore on February 27th.”
Watch CRYPTIC SHIFT’s previously released video for “Hexagonal Eyes (Diverity Trepaphymphaszym)” HERE.
While not commonly known as an extraterrestrial hotspot, Leeds faced an encounter of another kind in 2015 when Bradley and drummer Ryan Sheperson set out to accomplish a project embodying their joint passion for the art of science fiction and heavy metal music. The band unveiled their debut full-length, Visitations From Enceladus, in 2020. The offering received critical acclaim for its adventurous, progressive technical death thrash compositions, a twisted form of extreme metal simply referred to as the “Phenomenal Technological Astrodeath.”
Overspace & Supertime continues the conceptual and musical themes of their debut and delivers a new standard of technical thrash/death metal showmanship, including returning influences of progressive writing, harmonized with their fantastical storytelling.
“The concept of Overspace & Supertime plays as an alternative reality to the happenings of Visitations From Enceladus, taking our character into new dimensions filled with both greater adventures and more bizarre encounters,” notes Sheperson.
“Whilst the concept themes of our sci-fi tale have grown, so have our efforts in synthesizing it with the ultimate Astrodeath soundscape. The record takes the listener on a deeper journey through the fusion of our influences, with some exciting twists and turns along the way.”
CRYPTIC SHIFT: Alexander Bradley – vocals, guitars Joss Farrington – guitars John Riley – bass Ryan Sheperson – drums
Overspace & Supertime was produced by Jack Helliwell and mastered by Greg Chandler (Esoteric, My Dying Bride) and features the stunning artwork of Jesse Jacobi.
The record will be released on CD and digital formats as well as 2xLP in the following color variants:
180g Black
Cloudscape Orange Vinyl (Orange Red Marbled) – (Ltd. 600)
Ancient Storm Swirl Vinyl (Violet Blue W/ Black, Blue & Red Smoke) – (Ltd. 250)
Ice Cauldron Blue Vinyl (Blue/Purple Merged) – (Ltd. 250)
2/28/2026 Boston Music Rooms – London, UK * Record Release Show
5/21-24/2026 Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, MD
In an advance 9/10 review of the record, Metal Hammer UK writes, “CRYPTIC SHIFT are operating on a higher plane of prog metal consciousness, and Overspace & Supertime is a potentially life-changing act of artistic audacity.”
Deaf Forever Germany concurs with a 9.5/10 rating, “In the future, all technical thrash/death bands from the Vektor/Voivod/Blood Incantation school will be measured against this record!”
Adds Sweden Rock Magazine with a 9/10 score, “This is already a candidate for the year’s, if not the best, then definitely the most ambitious work.”
CYCLONE are an underrated cult favorite amongst metal fans having released two solid thrash albums in 1986 and 1990. The Belgian band has now added a new 5-song EP, Known Unto God, to their arsenal. Available online or in stores Known Unto God showcases immediately intense and infectious intensity throughout, sure to please fans of thrash, hardcore and traditional speed metal. Check out their new lyric video for “Nothing Is Real” for more proof.
Known Unto God is available as a limited (200) silver bullet colored vinyl (with download code) or as Digipak CD via M-Theory Audio. Order now at: www.m-theoryaudio.com
The 5 new songs were all written by core members singer Guido Gevels and guitarist Stefaan Daamen and recorded by Guido backed by a younger and invigorated lineup with vocal and drum production, along with mix and mastering handled by Martin Furia (Destruction, Nervosa, Evil Invaders). The artwork of Known Unto God is courtesy of Ivan S. Bragin (October Tide, The Gathering).
The first chapter of CYCLONE history dates back to 1980 when 5 teenagers obsessed with NWOBHM decided to start a band. Experience they have not, but enthusiasm aplenty. A few years later, and after a series of shows with then established Acid, the quintet release their In The Grip of Evil demo – a cornerstone of European extreme metal.
The demo is supported by opening slots for Anthrax, Overkill, Agent Steel, Kreator and Destruction which leads to label interest with the band choosing to sign with Roadrunner Records. The monstrous Brutal Destruction is released followed by tours supporting Metallica and Slayer.
Times change, people change and hard choices have to be made, resulting in Guido and Stefaan working with three new players on 1990’s ‘Inferior To None.’ A European tour with Blessed Death is made to support the album, followed by another continental run with Sadus, The Obsessed and The Accused but by 1993 CYCLONE decide to call it quits. Now with a new lease on life and today’s release CYCLONE continue to write their story.
Scottish progressive metal band DVNE announces the release of their powerful performance at Hellfest Open Air 2023. Live At Hellfest features a selection of songs exclusively from DVNE’s acclaimed album Etemen Ænka, showcasing the band’s crushing heaviness, atmospheric depth, and commanding live presence. Recorded in front of a massive festival audience, the release captures the raw energy and immersive sound that has made DVNE one of the most compelling acts in modern progressive metal.
Live At Hellfest arrives as DVNE prepares to hit the road as support for Igorrr, marking an exciting new chapter for the band and offering fans a raw snapshot of their live presence.
Formed in Edinburgh in 2013 by displaced Frenchman Victor Vicart and native Scot Dudley Tait, post-metal prog-sludge artisans DVNE have been building a powerful head of steam since their second album, 2021’s kaleidoscopically mesmerizing Etemen Ænka. Their first release for the legendary Metal Blade Records label, the LP was a concerted hike up the greasy pole for this enigmatic outfit, enabling DVNE to embark on UK and European headline tours and win spots at such discerning festivals as Hellfest, ArcTanGent, Desertfest, Damnation, and Resurrection. Then the stunning third album Voidkind in 2024 propelled this expanded five-piece lineup (welcoming Maxime Keller on keyboards) to the top of their game.
Certainly, Voidkind succeeds in finding new modes of expression for DVNE. The songs are more pointed, direct and memorable, but the soundscape still has a radiant, evolving, hypnotic flow, the effect achieved with fewer layers of sonic ornamentation, consciously urging closer to DVNE’s incendiary live sound.
The band will embark on their European tour as support for labelmates Igorrr today:
DVNE w/ Igorrr, Thoughtcrimes:
2/05/2026 La Boite Noire – Meisenthal, FR
2/06/2026 Im Wizemann Hall – Stuttgart, DE
2/07/2026 Backstage Werk – Munich, DE
2/08/2026 Alcatraz – Milan, IT
2/10/2026 Kino Siska – Ljubljana, SI
2/11/2026 Gasometer – Vienna, AT
2/12/2026 Roxy – Prague, CZ
2/13/2026 Barba Negra – Budapest, HU
2/14/2026 Progresia – Warsaw, PL
2/16/2026 Loftas – Vilnius, LT
2/17/2026 Helitehas – Tallinn, EE
2/18/2026 Kulttuuritalo – Helsinki, FI
2/20/2026 Fryshuset – Stockholm, SE
2/21/2026 Rockefeller – Oslo, NO
2/22/2026 Amager Bio – Copenhagen, DK
2/24/2026 Metropol – Berlin, DE
2/25/2026 FZW – Dortmund, DE
2/26/2026 Tivoli – Utrecht, NL
2/27/2026 L’Aeronef – Lille, FR
2/28/2026 Le 106 – Rouen, FR
DVNE: Victor Vicart – guitars, vocals Daniel Barter – guitars, vocals Dudley Tait – drums Alexandros Keros – bass Maxime Keller – keys
WINTERSUN S/T – released back in 2004, via Nuclear Blast. Cover art by Kristian Wåhlin aka Necrolord.
Tobias Sammet’s AVANTASIA The Mystery Of Time – released back in 2013, via Nuclear Blast. Album cover art by Rodney Matthews.
Cinderella Long Cold Winter – released back in 1988, via Mercury Records. Yes, it’s surely been a long cold Winter.
SONATA ARCTICA Talviyö – released back in 2019, via Nuclear Blast. Cover photograph and editing by Finnish photographer Onni Wiljami. Layout by Janne Pitkänen.
Immortal At The Heart Of Winter – released back in 1999, via Osmose Productions. Cover artist: Jean Pascal Fournier. Graphic design by Grafik Sarl.
Thank you for visiting and checking out these album covers that scream Winter. I applaud all the artists that created the above album art! Stay safe out there and be kind to your fellow humans. – Stone
SLAYER’s iconic second studio album, Hell Awaits, is set to receive a 40th anniversary edition reissue via Metal Blade Records next Spring!
Formed in 1981, SLAYER assaulted the world with a new hybrid of metal and punk – heavier, faster, and darker than the rest and set a new standard, defining not only a genre, but an attitude. Throughout SLAYER‘s history, the band never faltered in unleashing their extreme and focused aural assault, and repudiating temptations, SLAYER always chose to remain crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the mainstream.
“It’s the record where SLAYER became SLAYER.” That’s what Kerry King says about Hell Awaits. He knows of what he speaks. As the band’s guitarist, co-songwriter, and co-lyricist, he was in the trenches with vocalist/bassist Tom Araya, guitarist Jeff Hanneman (R.I.P.) and drummer Dave Lombardo, creating what has become one of heavy metal’s greatest albums.
A significant departure from SLAYER’s 1983 debut, Show No Mercy and every SLAYER album that came after it, Hell Awaits is both an outlier and a solidification of form. Show No Mercy was the mission statement, but Hell Awaits is a more developed and intricate execution of SLAYER’s speed, chops and aggression.
Released in April of 1985 by Metal Blade Records, Hell Awaits was the pinnacle of an action-packed thrash year that saw debut albums from the likes of Megadeth, Exodus, Kreator, Possessed, Destruction, Hirax, and Overkill. Heavily influenced by Mercyful Fate, the longer, more progressive arrangements on Hell Awaits marked a new era for SLAYER. Whereas most of the songs on Show No Mercy were less than four minutes long, three of Hell Awaits’ seven tracks go beyond the six-minute mark.
“Jeff and I were still trying to figure out who we were as musicians, and we were both infatuated with Mercyful Fate’s Melissa album during the writing process for Hell Awaits,” King says. “That’s why there’s so few songs and most of ‘em are pretty long. That’s the only time anything like that ever happened with us.”
Tom Araya’s performance is similarly impressive. The vocalist spat lyrics a mile a minute on the likes of “Kill Again” and “Praise Of Death.” “I don’t recall the songs being hard to sing,” he says. “Singing fast and clearly has always been something that I strived for.”
The reissue arrives May 15th, 2026 in three physical formats and digitally. Preorders are available now at: metalblade.com/slayer.
Find all details below:
3 LPs total: 7-track Hell Awaits + 18-track live bonus audio (Live From Bochum 1985):
– 60-page book (12” size)
– Hell Awaits album (in gatefold sleeve, 1xLP) mastered and restored from original 1985 production tapes by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in February 2025. Vinyl color = Fire Splatter
– Live From Bochum 1985 (in gatefold sleeve, 2xLP) – 18 live tracks never before released physically or digitally
“Ghoul Infested Mausoleum”is the latest single from blackened death thrash project MORBIKON. The harrowing new hymn comes by way of the band’s Lost Within The Astral Crypts full-length set for release on November 21st via Tankcrimes.
The creative effort of guitarist/bassist Phil “Landphil” Hall (Municipal Waste, Cannabis Corpse, Iron Reagan) with Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns (Finntroll, …And Oceans) on vocals, MORBIKON is guided by the second wave of Scandinavian black metal and melodic death metal scenes of the ‘90s. The band released their debut full-length, Ov Mournful Twilight, in 2022 via Tankcrimes.
“This album feels like some of my darkest material yet,” says Hall of Lost Within The Astral Crypts. “I filled these songs to the brim with atmosphere and riffs. There are moments during the album that truly feel soaked in classic ‘90s underground blasphemy.”
Of today’s single, Hall elaborates, “‘Ghoul Infested Mausoleum’ takes the technicality up a notch and grinds out some super-fast shredding along with the dark melodic attack.”
MORBIKON’s Lost Within The Astral Crypts was written by Phil Hall with lyrics by Quotidius, vocals by Mathias Lillmåns and Quotidius, drums by Pierce Williams (Aenigmatum, ex-Skeletal Remains), solos by Blake Hibberd (Unburier), and additional instrumentation by Adam Gilliams (guitar, Cannabis Corpse) and Thomas Saltman (synths). The record was mixed by Rob Cauldwell, mastered by Alan Douches, and features cover art by Par Oloffson.
Lost Within The Astral Crypts – Track Listing:
Heavens That Burn And Eons Divided
Unending Legions Of Ball
Flames That Bind And Shadows Cast
Numeric Portal Ascendency
Sworn To Their Beheaded King
Masters Of Eternal Night
Ghoul Infested Mausoleum
Lost Within The Astral Crypts
Lost Within The Astral Crypts will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
Liquid Filled (Ltd. 75) Crystal Clear (Ltd. 90 x Decibel Magazine Exclusive) Neon Violet w/ Black Splatter (Ltd. 250) Metallic Blue (Ltd. 500)
Find CD preorders HERE, vinyl preorders HERE and digital orders at Bandcamp HERE where first single, “Heavens That Burn And Eons Divided,” can be streamed.
And if the release of Lost Within The Astral Crypts isn’t enough cause for celebration, MORBIKON supplied Decibel Magazine’s Flexi Series with an exclusive cover of Aura Noir’s classic “Gaping Grave Awaits” off of 2008’s Hades Rise! Want to hear the track yourself? Be sure to sign up for a deluxe Decibel subscription by Friday, October 31st at noon ET HERE to secure this ripping testament to the power of black thrash. Oblivion’s pendulum is swaying, so don’t wait!
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!
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