Metal Blade Records is proud to announce the signing of GRADIENCE, the uncompromising Danish metal act forging a bold new path with their explosive fusion of black metal, deathcore, metalcore, and trap rap.
With their critically acclaimed debut EP Ironsight, produced by Chris Kreutzfeldt (Cabal, MØL), GRADIENCE has already turned heads for their fearless genre experimentation and raw, personal storytelling tackling themes of alienation and the inner turmoil that comes from being seen as an outsider.
Just ahead of today’s announcement, the band independently released their latest single “Lucid.” A collaborative effort with Danish progressive metalcore powerhouse Ghost Iris, “Lucid expands GRADIENCE’s sound with towering vocals, pummeling grooves, and a heightened sense of emotional urgency.
“We’re beyond excited to welcome GRADIENCE to the Metal Blade family,” says EU label manager Markus “Bart” Grasseck. “Their innovation, intensity, and fearless creativity embody everything we stand for. The future of heavy music runs through bands like this.”
The band’s debut EP Ironsight, praised by Metal Hammer UK as, “a tease of GRADIENCE’s grizzly potential” — was nominated for “EP Of The Year” at the 2024 Danish Heavy Awards, with GRADIENCE also recognized as a nominee for the “Hope Of The Year” award. Earlier this year, the band performed at the exclusive When Copenhell Freezes Over showcase hosted by Copenhell at the legendary VEGA venue in Copenhagen.
Metal Hammer UK also hailed their debut single “This Abyss” as, “Astounding… GRADIENCE are exactly that, the Danish duo mixing hip hop and explosive black metal with both elements delivered to the highest quality.”
Following impactful collaborations with Hexis (“Crushed By The Tide”) and UK’s Love Is Noise (“Save Me”), GRADIENCE continues to break boundaries with each release. Now, under the wing of Metal Blade Records, their next chapter is set to be their most ferocious yet.
Swedish metal outfit Stygian Fair return with a brand-new single titled “Abide Your Master”, now available on all digital platforms. The track offers a first taste of their forthcoming full-length album, The Hidden Realm slated for release via Rockshots Records.
With a strong discography that includes Panta Rei (2018), Nadir (2020), Equilibrium (2021) and the critically acclaimed Aradia (2023), Stygian Fair continue to carve out their own path, defying trends and embracing pure, emotionally resonant metal.
“Abide Your Master” takes on the dangers of blind obedience; of abandoning your conscience to follow a demagogue without question. Heavy, urgent and unflinching, it asks what happens when we stop thinking for ourselves… and start worshipping the very force that’s leading us over the edge.
While details about The Hidden Realm remain under wraps, the album sees Stygian Fair pushing further than ever before; more direct, more melodic, and more accessible without losing the edge that defines them. They’ve sharpened both their sound and their message; the songs hit faster, dig deeper, and speak louder.
Lyrically, The Hidden Realm explores everything from political collapse and mass delusion to natural disaster, ancient mysteries, and inner reckoning. It’s a record about the worlds we ignore, the truths we tend to bury, and the consequences of silence.
For fans of Tad Morose, Memento Mori, and those who long for metal with both weight and heart, “Abide Your Master” is a compelling invitation into the world of Stygian Fair. A world where music is crafted with intention, passion, and no compromises. We’re opening a door. Welcome inside
The Hidden Realmwill be released on July 11th, 2025, via Rockshots Records.
Track Listing: 1. The Hidden Realm 2. Abide Your Master 3. Into The Well 4. Peel The Layers Off 5. What You’re Fighting For 6. All Of Us 7. Dawn 8. Meteor 9. Anthem Of The Lost 10. Rise From The Shadows 11. Ferwor Of Fools
STYGIAN FAIR – Line Up: Andreas Stoltz: Vocals, Guitar Emil Holmqvist: Guitar Anders Hedman: Bass P-O Jonsson: Drums
All songs written by Andreas Stoltz, Emil Holmqvist, Per-Olov Jonsson and Anders Hedman. Produced by Stygian Fair and recorded at Ballerina Studios in Umeå. Mixed by Marcus Jidell and mastered by CJ Grimmark.
Today marks the epic convergence of three cultural titans: Diablo®, the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre; acclaimed manga,Berserk; and Finnish heavy metal band, BEAST IN BLACK, who have collaborated to launch an exclusive track ‘Enter The Behelit.’ Releasing on limited-edition vinyl and worldwide digital distribution, a music video has debuted as well, to mark the unleashing of this unholy event.
The crossover event with Berserk – the beloved, classic manga written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura – will take place in Diablo® IV and its mobile instillation, Diablo Immortal, beginning May 6 and May 1 respectively. Both Diablo and Berserk explore themes of good versus evil against a backdrop of terrifying darkness, making this crossover a perfect match for fans.
The Maxi Single
The limited-edition maxi single will feature a brand-new song ‘Enter The Behelit’ from BEAST IN BLACK, inspired by Berserk and produced exclusively for the game, as well as remastered versions of fan favourite tracks ‘Die By The Blade’ from the album From Hell With Love, and ‘The Fifth Angel’ from the band’s debut album, Berserker.
With many songs taking inspiration from Berserk story and characters, the Finnish heavy metal band’s music often reflects the undercurrents of struggle, fighting against overwhelming odds, and battling inner demons – themes that are prevalent in the games of the Diablo franchise.
Two hundred maxi singles have been lathe cut on black and red marbled vinyl and feature artwork from Diablo IV and Diablo Immortal, all created hand in hand the Diablo art team and the Berserk IP holders. The front of the vinyl heroes Diablo IV, while the back features key art from Diablo Immortal. The vinyl also includes a turntable zoetrope slipmat, band stickers, behind the scenes negative photos and concept art from the Diablo IV development team behind the Berserk partnership.
“The essence that swells in boundless volumes from the juxtaposition of light and darkness, angels and demons, good and evil, the carnal and the spiritual, is the key that seamlessly binds together the aesthetics and narratives of Diablo, Berserk and Beast In Black’’, said Anton Kabanen, guitarist and songwriter on BEAST IN BLACK.
“To somewhat poetically reflect on this extraordinary yet congruous collaboration I can say it feels almost as if this newborn and destined-to-be trinity has been designed by the God Hand itself. On behalf of Beast In Black’s team I express our sincerest gratitude to the dedicated teams at Blizzard, Berserk and Nuclear Blast. Thank you for making this happen. And finally, my individual acknowledgement and bottomless gratitude goes – as always – to Kentaro Miura’’.
The track will be digitally distributed by Beast in Black’s record label, Nuclear Blast, and has gone live on streaming platforms on April 28th, with a music video being launched on Nuclear Blast’s YouTube.
Photo credits: Jarmo Katila, Toni Kilpinen, Dennis Båvenmark
‘Enter The Behelit’ is accompanied by a bespoke video from award winning director, Katri Ilona Koppanen, who also directed the music videos forBEAST IN BLACK tracks: ‘Moonlight Rendezvous’, ‘Hardcore’, ‘Power Of The Beast’ and ‘One Night In Tokyo’. The exclusive video features an animated trailer, inspired by Diablo and Berserk and incorporates the band’s love of the manga and gothic art of Diablo, bringing the story of ‘Enter The Behelit’to life.
Shot in Helsinki, Finland, the music video will also receive a behind the scenes making of video showcassing the collision of the dark worlds of Diablo x Berserk, with the support of Beast in Black.
Berserk Crossover in Diablo Games
Diablo IV Season 8: Belial’s Return, has launched on 29th April and heralds the return of Belial, one of Diablo’s Great Evils, and marks the continuation of Diablo’s dark storytelling in the form of challenging boss fights and even greater spoils.
For the month of May, Diablo players will have the chance to slaughter demons donning iconic Berserk-themed cosmetics. to date and incredible in-game content.
In Diablo IV, this includes the Berserker armour for the Barbarian, Skull Knight skin for the Necromancer, as well as the “Chimimoryo” as an in-game pet. Additional items can also be earned through gameplay or for purchase in the in-game shop.
In Diablo Immortal, players will be able to gear up in Guts’ Berserker armour or Griffith’s incarnated armour, play alongside a Golem as a familiar, and even face off against iconic characters from the Manga series. The crossover includes a boss fight with Nosferatu Zodd, one of the most formidable foes of the Berserk series, an eclipse inspired Survivor’s Bane mini-game and Griffith and Guts inspired cosmetics for every class of the game.
You can find out more details about Diablo IV: Belial’s Return and the Crossover between Diablo and Berserk here:
Portland blackened death-metal band DROUTH has unveiled the title track from their impending album, The Teeth of Time, that’s out May 16th from Eternal Warfare Records.
Commenting on the single, the band states:
“‘The Teeth of Time’ was an obvious choice for us to make the title track and centerpiece of the album, as it encapsulates the lyrical and musical themes most central to Drouth at this moment. It is the fullest realization of our artistic ambition yet, and having our friends Laurie Sue and Christy Cather contribute guest vocals was truly an honor. Their projects, Ludicra in particular, are huge sources of inspiration for us and we knew their distinctive styles would fit perfectly with the song.“
The face-melting and mind-bending torrential new song was first revealed at DecibelMagazine.com and follows the previously released track “False Grail.”
Adding about the record, the band has said:
“We are proud to present The Teeth of Time, a culmination of several years of blood, sweat and pain. It is a nightmare made manifest, and we are both eager to share our creative work and grateful to the many people who helped make it possible.”
The Teeth of Time Tracklist: 1. Hurl Your Thunderbolt Even Unto Death 2. False Grail 3. The Teeth of Time 4. Through a Glass, Darkly 5. Exult, Ye Flagellant
Drouth: Matt Stikker: Guitar, vocals, lyrics Patrick Fiorentino: Drums John Edwards: Guitar, vocals Matt Solis: Bass
AboutDROUTH: Portland’s Drouth formed in 2012, originally under the name Contempt before changing their moniker following the release of their 2014 EP Skinwalker. The band stirred the local scene with their potent mixture of black metal, death metal, doom, and crust, and went on to release another EP, Vast, Loathsome (2015) and two albums Knives, Labyrinths, Mirrors (2017) and Excerpts From a Dread Liturgy (2020).
Their follow up, The Teeth of Time was recorded and mixed with legendary engineer Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Cattle Decapitation) and mastered by Justin Weis (Agalloch, Hammers of Misfortune) and features five tracks of vicious, melodically adventurous black/death metal, spread across 40 unrelenting minutes.
The theme of the album revolves around the title, as it explores the mindset of a person who has been pushed to the edge mentally, with no way out. The lyrics, as usual, touch on the darker side of life, but also address the current state of the world. The compositions on the album are somewhat darker than those on the previous release, Shattered. There is also a song on the album, titled “The Creator,” which is a bit different from the band’s usual style. Falling From Grace‘s characteristic energy and aggression are also present on this release.
At The Edge combines various genres of metal, with a focus on groove metal and melodic death metal. The songwriting is once again handled by the band’s guitarist Timi Tonteri.
Nils Courbaron (Sirenia, Bloodorn, T.A.N.K.) is featured on the album’s last track “The Creator.”
“With At The Edge, we’ve taken a step forward from the last album and incorporated elements we haven’t used before. The timing of the album release is perfect, with Tuska Festival just around the corner, where we will also perform.”
Album cover by Sami Leppäaho
Falling From Grace – At The Edge – Track list:
1. At The Edge 2. Final Hour 3. Downfall 4. Egoistic 5. Poseur 6. Crawling Back To The Dark 7. The Abyss 8. Shadow 9. Revolt Unleashed 10. The Creator
Pillars Of Creation pays tribute to the elephant trunks of interstellar gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula photographed by the Hubble Telescope from NASA on April 1, 1995. The EP’s lyrical themes include space exploration, artificial intelligence, human consciousness and death. The sound of the EP blends the varied metal influences of members Damien and Simone. The music contains a mix of of influences from bands such as Aborted, All Shall Perish and Dying Fetus, while Simone’s growling vocals are largely influenced by bands like Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation.
All music and lyrics by Damien. All arrangements by Encelado. Recorded and Mixed at Umbra Studio (Italy). Band logo by Damien. Artwork layout by Damien.
BIO: ENCELADO is a project created by two old time friends sharing a passion for extreme metal. Between the end of 2023 and 2024, Simone (vocals) and Damien (guitars, bass guitars) started to work on some demo material that resulted in debut EP Pillars Of Creation.
With the dust still settling following the release of their acclaimed Volume Six LP on Cursed Blessings Records in February, Ontario thrash metal veterans SACRIFICE have sanctioned several rare live performances this year in support of the album.
Already announced earlier this year is the rapidly approaching Modified Ghost Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia May 17th, where SACRIFICE will headline with support from Anciients, Bewitcher, and more, which will serve as the official release show for Volume Six.
SACRIFICE now expands the year’s live schedule with two more performances, including the band’s first hometown show in nine years – which also serves as their Toronto album release show, headlining The Concert Hall in Toronto on October 11th. SACRIFICE has also been added to the Chile Terrorfest in Santiago, Chile on December 6th with Triptikon, E-Force, and more.
SACRIFICE Live: 5/17/2025 Modified Ghost VII Festival @ Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver BC w/ Anciients, Bewitcher, more 10/11/2025 The Concert Hall – Toronto ON [tickets] 12/06-07/2025 Chile Terrorfest @ Teatro Caupolicán – Santiago, CL w/ Triptikon, E-Force, more
SACRIFICE’s sixth album, and first in over sixteen years, Volume Six features ten new originals and a cover paying homage to the Toronto scene from which they originally emerged. The songs on Volume Six run the gamut from speedy, breakneck thrash (“Comatose,” “Explode,” “We Will Not Survive”) to more nuanced, layered, metallic compositions (“Underneath Millenia,” “Your Hunger For War”).
Two instrumental tracks on the album show yet another side of the band’s songwriting while still clearly being SACRIFICE songs: “Lunar Eclipse” is a showcase for Rico and Urbinati’s excellent twin guitar leads, while “Black Hashish” is SACRIFICE at their most psychedelic. The album’s final track, “Trapped In A World,” is a cover of ‘80s Toronto hardcore band Direct Action, a group that had a massive influence on the members of SACRIFICE during their formative years. The song features guest vocals by Youth Youth Youth vocalist and Toronto music legend Brian Taylor, who operated the Diabolic Force label in the eighties and produced the band’s first three albums, bringing everything full-circle three decades later with his appearance here.
Working once again with engineer Darius Szczepaniak – who was also at the helm for SACRIFICE’s 2009 effort The Ones I Condemn – Volume Six was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Phase One Studios.
Stream SACRIFICE’s Volume Six everywhere including Bandcamp HERE, and watch the lyric videos for “Missile” HERE and “Antidote Of Poison” HERE.
Tracked over a period of sessions between September 2023 and May 2024, the record was produced by vocalist/guitarist Rob Urbinati and features the band’s original lineup, with lead guitarist Joe Rico, bassist Scott Watts and drummer Gus Pynn. They are one of, if not the only, 1980s thrash band that still has its original lineup intact and playing together, and on Volume Six, the band hits it out of the park. The stunning front cover artwork for Volume Six was painted by Propagandhi bassist and lifelong SACRIFICE fan Todd Kowalski.
Volume Six is out now on all digital platforms including Bandcamp HERE and on CD, MC, and LP in Blue, White, and Black variants through the Cursed Blessings Records webshop HERE. The record is available in Europe, Asia, and Australia through High Roller Records.
US band playing thick, groovy, bludgeoning death metal
After offering various kinds of death metal on the label this year – blackened death, dissodeath, tech death, prog death, post-punk death – we’re happy to offer a more brutish form of death metal and Thorn doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Their corpulent grooves are sure to satiate your primal cravings. Check out two of their songs from their latest album AT THIS LINK.
Thorn – Nebulous Womb of Eternity (Death Metal)
Thorn has a knack of churning out punchy, rotten death metal hymns rife with some nasty, lurching grooves. The album will have the listener rocking back and forth in its asphyxiating grasp like a pin-pricked voodoo ragdoll. The stench of sickness is thick and pervades the entire recording.
Brennen has come up with meatier, denser, chuggier songs on this record while retaining the band’s primal essence and there is more death metal than doom found on this recording. There are still moments where gleaming leads come in and brighten up the proceedings but it remains a dark, fetid and glutinous affair through and through.
The corpulent grooves stand out the most and form the bulk of this recording. If you like the idea of death metal sounding massive, ponderous, and packed with heaving, earth-rumbling parts, this album is most certainly meant for you.
For fans of: Mortician, Fumes, Wharflurch, Fluids, Intestine Baalism, Retching
Line up info – Cover illustration by Arifullah Ali (KanvasKarat). Mixing/Mastering by Daniel Bonofiglio (Fumes, Gutvoid, Intestinal Hex, Grotesque Mass, Internal Infestation).
All music and lyrics written by Thorn*
*Guest solo written and performed by Daniel Bonofilgio on track 4 *Guest vocals performed by Ryan Fairfield on track 7
SCREENING, Q&A AND MEET & GREET TO BE HELD IN BROOKLYN, NY ON MAY 8TH – ONLY 60 TICKETS AVAILABLE
TesseracT proudly announce the premiere screening of Live at Radar — their full headline performance filmed at Radar Festival 2024, taking place at Nitehawk Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY on Thursday, May 8th.
Following the screening, guests will be invited to a Q&A and meet-and-greet, where each attendee will receive a signed, personalized souvenir print.
Presented in collaboration with Metal Injection, this exclusive screening offers fans an early look at the show ahead of its wider release via streaming and Blu-ray in late 2025. The event coincides with TesseracT’s 2025 U.S. tour, which includes dates across North America and select performances with Devin Townsend.
TESSERACT ‘LIVE AT RADAR’ PREMIERE SCREENING VIP EVENT TICKET PRICE: $100 – LIMITED TO 60 TICKETS TIME: 18:30 – 22:30, Thursday May 8th VENUE: NITEHAWK WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN NY
Speaking on the upcoming event, TesseracT songwriter and bassist Amos Williams shared the following – “Radar was a huge event for us. It felt like the culmination of not just TesseracT’s ambition, but also Radar Festival’s vision. Drawing from not only War Of Being, but also our entire back catalogue, we had such a great time exploring and expanding upon these songs, aided by the phenomenal Choir Noir. Their involvement allowed us to bring an extra dimension to the show unlike anything we have ever experienced before.
To then have our longtime collaborator Richard Oakes from Dark Fable Media there to film and produce the resulting movie was perfect.
So we are once again privileged to bring this film to a cinema for the North American premiere, for our friends in the US to enjoy along with us. Radar is a step up for TesseracT, and a small hint at the journey that lies before us.”
North America shows with Devin Townsend: May 2 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works May 3 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle May 4 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues (Orlando) May 6 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s May 7 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz May 9 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square May 10 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring May 11 – Boston, MA – House of Blues May 13 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS May 14 – Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre May 16 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Cathedral Theatre May 19 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theatre May 21 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre May 23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
The War of Being World Tour closes out in North America with a run of intimate West Coast shows this May and June. TesseracT will be joined by special guests Daedric for these shows.
To celebrate 15 years of Concealing Fate, the EP that started it all, TesseracT will be hosting a special VIP experience before each show, where they will perform Concealing Fate: Perfection, Epiphany, and Origin.
The VIP is limited to just 15 tickets per night and is a chance for fans to become part of Concealing Fate history.
Chilean death-doom cult DEVS MORTVORVM will unleash their new EP on June 6, 2025 via Apocalyptic Productions, delivering a putrid sermon steeped in the stench of traditional death metal and the mournful crawl of doomed melodies.
The first single “Love for the Dead” is now streaming HERE.
Formed in 2015 by David Briones (guitar) and Claudio Carrasco (vocals), DEVS MORTVORVM emerged with a clear mission: to play Graveyard Doom Death, inspired by legendary acts such as Goatlord, Derketa, early Cathedral and Autopsy. The band is now completed by Andrés Henríquez on drums and Felipe Vuletich on bass, bringing even more weight and rot to their already imposing sound.
This upcoming EP features five tracks, three original compositions, a crushing cover of “Acid Orgy” by U.S. cult legends Goatlord, and a raw live track that captures the band’s visceral stage presence. Every aspect of this release, the lyrics, artwork, and music, is a unified expression of DEVS MORTVORVM’s devotion to the morbid spirit of doom-death and necrolatry.
Line-up:
David Briones – Guitars Claudio Carrasco – Vocals Andrés Henríquez – Drums Felipe Vuletich – Bass
Musically, the EP offers an enticing blend of shadow-drenched, vicious death-doom, where sludgy riffs clash and intertwine with serpentine melodies, creating a dynamic tension that keeps each track unpredictable and alive. It’s a masterclass in sonic decay, where every note drips with the dampness of the tomb.
Track-list:
Orgy in the Graveyard
Love for the Dead
The Oldest Crypt
Acid Orgy (Goatlord cover)
Orgy in the Graveyard (live)
Recorded between july 2023 and september 2024 at Black Sheep Studios. All Music composed by David Briones except “Acid Orgy” by Goatlord. Lyrics and vocal lines by Claudio Carrasco except “Acid Orgy” by Goatlord. Live track recorded at MiBar 20/12/2024. Artwork by Julián Mora.
L-R – Fred Element – Guitar, Martin Demontigny – Vocals, Charles-Etienne Lafrance – Drums, Stephane Filion – Lead Guitar
Returning from their recent Japan tour this past April, Montreal, Canada’s deathcore outfit Deadwood announces their next trek with four USA tour dates this coming July, which includes a performance during this year’s Inkcarceration Festival (dates listed below).
“We’re extremely excited about this opportunity! We are going to do the after-show of one of the biggest festivals in North America, Inkcarceration Fest, and spread the metal to our metalhead family to the south!”
Other Dates: May 24 – Quebec City, QC – Quartier de Lune w/ Burning The Oppressor, Unpunished June 14 – St-Calixte, QC – VodFest
USA Tour Dates: July 16 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground July 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Smiling Moose July 18 – Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration Festival (Campground Performance) July 22 – Hampton Beach, NH – Wally’s
In additional news, Deadwood unveiled their most harrowing work to date with “Heretic”, the lead single from their upcoming EP Rituals of A Dying Light slated for release later this year. The accompanying video plunges viewers into a nightmarish realm that perfectly complements the band’s brutal, fast-paced sonic assault.
The comment on the single and what the audience should expect:
“This is the first song we’ve written for the next EP and one of the ones we’re most proud of, it’s fast, heavy, and technical. We are a very intense show with a very percussive and tight guitar sound. We have a lot of samples between the songs to create a horror movie atmosphere. The fans go back home with a slap in the face. Heretic represents our darkest material yet.”
The Montreal-based collective, known for its mission to ‘Make Deathcore Angry Again,’ draws inspiration from centuries-old horror stories and myths. The track delivers the uncompromising heaviness and terrifying atmosphere that have become Deadwood‘s signature since its 2020 formation.
The band’s unique blend of death metal and hardcore elements reaches new heights of intensity with this release, promising an unforgettable auditory experience for fans who crave pure brutality. They are recommended for fans of Whitechapel, Despised Icon, and Meshuggah.
The third and potentially most destructive single off the new album from Topeka, Kansas based brutal death metal horde UNMERCIFUL is now streaming. “Miracle in Fire” is live now at Heavy Blog is Heavy. Check out the exclusive premiere for the song at this location.
Devouring Darkness marks a new era of relentless violence and sonic brutality! With ten tracks of scorching intensity and distorted vengeance, the album is filled with blistering blast beats, intricate kick drum patterns, and destructive riffing.
“Miracle in Fire” will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming services on Friday, May 2. Additional selections from Devouring Darkness are now streaming on all major platforms.
Devouring Darkness is set for release on CD, digital, and vinyl formats on May 23 on Willowtip Records.
UNMERCIFUL has announced the first of many live assaults in support of Devouring Darkness. The band will host an album release show on June 20 at Warehouse on Broadway in Kansas City, MO, alongside Torn The Fuck Apart, Garoted, and Hossferatu. Details and tickets are available here.
UNMERCIFUL: Clinton Appelhanz – Guitars/Bass Jeremy Turner – Guitars/Bass Trynt Kelly – Drums Josh Riley – Vocals
Devouring Darkness sees the return of longtime member Jeremy Turner to guitar and introduces Josh Riley as the band’s new vocalist, further intensifying the group’s punishing sound.
The album was engineered and produced by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, with mastering handled by the legendary Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, etc.). Artwork by Santiago Francisco Jaramillo.
UNMERCIFUL is seeking a bassist for live performances and/or a permanent position. Serious inquiries only. Contact the band for details.
April 30, 2025, AUSTIN – Following their much-anticipated reunion, The Sword has announced their first slate of U.S. tour dates. The legendary Austin band heads west this summer, performing the epic Warp Riders album in its entirety to mark the record’s 15th anniversary.
“This is probably the only chance people will have to see us perform the entire album, so don’t miss out!” says JD Cronise.
Tickets are on-sale this Friday at 10 a.m. local time via TheSwordOfficial.com. Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol and Pink Fuzz will support on all dates.
A special, limited-edition reissue of Warp Riders was released for Record Store Day. Remastered by J. Robbins, the “Sea of Pyres” vinyl variant features an embossed mirror board jacket and sold out within hours.
Upon its 2010 release, the 10-track Warp Riders was praised by the BBC for its “level of fantastical grandeur… on par with the bands who built the power metal subgenre,” while The Quietuscalled it “brilliant,” and Pitchforkdubbed it “Camaro-ready riff-rock.”
Warp Riders 15th Anniversary Tour:
August 17 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom August 18 Albuquerque, NM Sister Bar August 19 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre August 20 Salt Lake City, UT Metro Music Hall August 22 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory August 23 Seattle, WA Neumo’s August 24 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater August 25 Boise, ID Knitting Factory August 27 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall August 28 Pioneertown, CA Pappy & Harriet’s August 29 San Diego, CA Belly Up Tavern August 30 Los Angeles, CA The Bellwether
The Sword previously announced a run of European festival performances with headlining dates in the Netherlands and Sweden:
June 19 Copenhagen, DK Copenhell Festival June 21 Netphen, DE Freak Valley Festival June 22 Nijmegen, NL Doornroosje June 25 Gothenburg, SE Monument June 26 Stockholm, SE Slaktyrkan June 28 Oslo, NO Tons of Rock Festival
Photo credit: Dave Creaney The Sword is: JD Cronise (vocals, guitar), Bryan Richie (bass, keyboards), Kyle Shutt (guitar, vocals), and Santiago Vela (drums)
Following their 2003 inception, The Sword quickly became one of the most revered names in heavy music. With a blend of crushing riffs, intricate storytelling, and a sound that bridges classic metal and modern rock, The Sword has released six albums: Age of Winters (2006), Gods of the Earth (2008), Warp Riders (2010), Apocryphon (2012), High Country (2015) and Used Future (2018).
Some years ago, my Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale gifted me this fabulous Black Sabbath Born Again tour book. I thank him to this day!
The Black Sabbath Born Again World Tour began on August 7, 1983 and ended on March 4, 1984. The new lead vocalist for this Black Sabbath era was Ian Gillan of Deep Purple fame. Ian Gillan sang on the 1983 Born Again album as well. Of course, TonyIommi and Geezer Butler are on this tour. Geoff Nichols played keyboards on this tour.
Above: back cover
The one other band lineup change for this tour was the addition of Bev Bevan as drummer; famous for his tenure with Electric Light Orchestra. However, Bill Ward was the drummer on the Born Again album.
Above: inside back cover
Back in 1983, I was a junior in high school and very much a fan of both the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of Black Sabbath. I did not have the opportunity to see Black Sabbath on this tour and I would’ve loved to. Can’t see them all; yet it still sucks to miss that tour. Born Again has always been a favorite metal album of mine my entire life. I believe it’s a classic.
Above: tour credits page
I just really dig the dark and sinister vibes from the songs and it’s heavy as hell! My top 3 songs from Born Again are “Trashed,” Disturbing The Priest” and “Zero The Hero.” Yes, I’ve loved the album artwork since I first saw it. It’s f’n Metal, after all.
I didn’t show band photos from this tour book due to any potential copyright issues. Thank you for checking out my tour book and visiting! Stay safe and Metal be thy name. – Stone
Legendary heavy metal supergroup DOWN – featuring vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower, and bassist Pat Bruders – is pleased to announce their official signing with Nuclear Blast Records! The band is currently in the final stages of recording their long-awaited new full-length, slated for release in 2026.
In a collective statement, Nuclear Blast comments, “Nuclear Blast is proud to be in the trenches with NOLA legends DOWN as their partner in their long overdue return to the metal world. In addition, we are excited to bring some of their key past catalog releases back into the spotlight, especially on the vinyl side. There are so many longtime DOWN fans at Nuclear Blast who are excited to be working with one of their all-time favorite bands. 2026 can’t come soon enough!”
Adds the band:
“It’s good to sign with Nuclear Blast Records. It’s a good label home and we’re ready to make some awesome recordings!” – Philip H. Anselmo
“Having already been a part of the Nuclear Blast family with Corrosion Of Conformity, it is an honor and a privilege to be here as well with my brothers in DOWN. The team at Nuclear Blast is a well-oiled machine and you can definitely tell they love what they do. We are in the right place.” – Pepper Keenan
“Nuclear Blast is a great label that put out some excellent records. It’s an honor to have them work our jams!” – Jimmy Bower
Updates on new DOWN music will be unveiled in the months to come. In the meantime, don’t miss DOWN when they headline night one of this year’s edition of Milwaukee Metal Fest. For more info, visit: therave.com/metalfest. The show follows the band’s recent Western US tour with Danzig.
DOWN Live:
5/16/2025 Milwaukee Metal Fest @ The Rave/Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI
You know it’s DOWN as soon as you hear them. There’s no mistaking those gargantuan riffs, swamp blues leads, crashing drums, and hypnotic howls for absolutely anybody else under the sun. The band upholds a certain tradition that countless fans celebrate, expanding their own musical mythos as they leave its pillars intact and untouched.
Nothing can beat the thrill of thrash at its best, and no one is keeping the spirit and sound of the genre alive quite like Berlin’s SPACE CHASER. With the release of their new single, “Ignite The Skies,” we see the beginning of a new chapter with the German thrash metallers! Guitarist Leo Schacht has taken on vocal duties in addition to guitars, which finds the band heading into a new direction; more razor-sharp, defined, and rougher than ever before. SPACE CHASER had been aiming for something darker and more brutal than on previous releases. From the ashes they will rise!
Watch SPACE CHASER’s video for “Ignite The Skies” HERE. Stream the track HERE.
SPACE CHASER is set to perform live at a series of festivals in Germany this Spring and Summer. See all confirmed dates below.
SPACE CHASER Live: 4/25/2025 Stockrock Festival – Hagen, DE 4/26/2025 Bangers & Maniacs – Schwerin, DE 5/02/2025 Goldgrube – Kassel, DE 5/03/2025 Skullcrusher Festival – Freiburg, DE 5/31/2025 Turock – Essen, DE 7/19/2025 Rude Open Air – Bertingen, DE 7/23/2025 Headbangers Open Air – Brande-hörnerkirchen, DE 8/12/2025 Summer Breeze – Dinkelsbühl, DE
SPACE CHASER: Leo Schacht – guitars, vocals Martin Hochsattel – guitars, backing vocals Matthias Scheuerer – drums Sebastian Kerlikowski – bass
Metal Blade Records is proud to announce the signing of Germany’s rising heavy metal force, THE NIGHT ETERNAL. Known for their electrifying fusion of ‘70s and ‘80s guitar-driven metal with a dark and unique edge, THE NIGHT ETERNAL has carved their name into the hearts of fans worldwide.
Formed in 2019, THE NIGHT ETERNAL quickly gained momentum with the release of their debut EP, followed by the critically acclaimed albums MoonlitCross (2021) and Fatale (2023). Their latest record not only resonated with their loyal fanbase but also secured top rankings in leading metal publications such as Deaf Forever (#1), Rock Hard (#1), and Metal Hammer (#2).
The band’s relentless passion and precision on stage have led them to major festival appearances at Wacken, Summer Breeze, and Party San Open Air, along with high-profile tours supporting legendary acts like Blind Guardian, Angel Witch, and Lucifer. In 2024 alone, they delivered an astonishing fifty-five shows, cementing their status as one of the most exciting forces in contemporary heavy metal.
Now, THE NIGHT ETERNAL is gearing up for the next thrilling chapter of their journey, joining the prestigious Metal Blade Records roster. With new material in the works and highly anticipated performances at Hellfest and Alcatraz Open Air, the band is set to unleash their most ferocious music yet.
The band comments, “It comes together what belongs together, we live for heavy metal with every fiber of our beings and are therefore very proud to announce that we signed with Metal Blade Records, a label that has been carrying heavy metal’s torch for the last forty-three years. What an honor! Expect nothing but bangers from this collaboration.”
With their signing to Metal Blade Records, THE NIGHT ETERNAL is poised to reach even greater heights, continuing to honor the legacy of heavy metal while forging a path that is uniquely their own.
THE NIGHT ETERNAL Live: 5/02/2025 A Chance for Metal – Ochtendung, DE 5/09/2025 Gazarte – Athens, GR 6/06/2025 Chronical Moshers Open Air – Hauptmannsgrün, DE 6/07/2025 Rock Hard Festival – Gelsenkirchn, DE 6/19-21/2025 Hellfest – Clisson, FR 7/18/2025 Kloster Open Air – Villingen- Schwenningen, DE 7/25/2025 Headbangers Open Air – Brande-Hörnerkirchen, DE 8/07-10/2025 Alcatraz – Kortrijk, BE 9/04/2025 Summer Dying Loud – Lodz, PL 9/06/2025 Palladium – Cologne, DE w/ Blind Guardian 11/27-11/29/2025 Metal Hammer Paradise – Weißenhäuser Strand, DE
Metalcore stalwarts, Age of Ruin, are primed and ready to release new album, Nothingman, on October 17! But first… a new single (and b-side)! “Heavy is the Crown” is the first single from the forthcoming album.
As an added bonus, the band has released a “b-side” (or non-album track) to coinicide with the new single. Have yourself a listen to “Holding on” via Spotify and Apple Music, and check out the lyric video.
Nothingman, Age of Ruin’s forthcoming album, is a collection of 10 songs that cuts a path to the heart with harmony and angst that others would be naïve not to mimic. The band sacrificed blood and sweat for two years to expel Nothingman.
Age of Ruin began the recording process in October of 2023, and after nine months of tracking on location in Richmond, VA, at the Bakery Studio, in Washington, DC, at Ivakota Studio, and at the Riff Dojo in Takoma Park, MD, (the record was produced by Mike Schleibaum of Darkest Hour), Nothingman was complete. This is the biggest, most richly woven tapestry from the band yet, and the time to unleash it is near.
In 2023 and 2024, Age of Ruin did some precursory promotion of Nothingman’s material, traveling up and down the east coast, dousing nonbelievers with their fire, with such acts as Black Flag, Madball, Jimmy’s Chicken Shack, and Anvil. Yes, that Anvil.
Photo Credit: Jason Worcester
Line-up:
Benjamin Swan – vocals Daniel Fleming – guitar Jonathan Clay – guitar Christopher Fleming – bass Hendrik Osinga – drums
Ripping guitars, unforgivably brutal drums, bass sounds that have shaken the underworld, and screeching vocals are just the beginning of this incarnation of a true headbanger’s incantation. What we saw unearthed back in 1998 has now grown. The road worn warriors of the Age of Ruin have forced enough breakdowns to overwhelm any AAA mechanic, with miles on the highway ahead.
Their punk and metal roots hold firm, and their thrash tendencies are on full display as this towering presence of a band branches out over new tonal terrain and soundscape; reminding all who fall under its shadow, that the light shining through is a new dawn in the Age of Ruin. Nothingman will be celebrated in all formats and on all streaming platforms on October 17.
Age of Ruin released the stand-alone “Dying Days” single earlier this month. A music video for the track is available at youtu.be/cgH9I3s5_jo. The single is also available on Spotify and Apple Music. “Dying Days” was reimagined with the first recording featuring Ben Swan (vocals) since 2004’s Tides of Tragedy.
Track Listing:
1. The Fixation
2. Heavy is the Crown
3. Lost in Shadows
4. The Traveler
5. Nothingman
6. An Awakening
7. The Ghosts We Carry
8. Promise Me
9. Bleed for Better Days
10. Lovesong
Credits:
Produced by Mike Schleibaum / The Riff Dojo.
Mixed and mastered by Will Beasley / The Bakery.
Original artwork, Oil on Canvas titled “Forest Mother” by Zack Dunn.
Dublin based metallers THE RISEN DREAD will release their sophomore album, Death From Above, on June 13th 2025 via Time To Kill Records.
Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Marco Mastrobuono (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hour Of Penance) at Bloom Studios in Guidonia, Rome, Italy, “Death from Above”marks a significant shift towards a heavier and more aggressive sound. While retaining their signature blend of intensity and melody, the band has incorporated stronger thrash metal and melodic death metal influences, seeking a sharper and more relentless edge.
The first single “A Conversation With God” is now available:
1. The Day I Died 2. In Fear We Trust 3. Endgame Symphony 4. Circle of the Damned 5. Azadi 6. Death From Above 7. Burn My Angels 8. A Conversation With God 9. Slay 10. Beyond My Final Breath
Marco Feltrin – Vocals William Ribeiro – Guitars Mat Maher – Bass Marcos Batata – Drums
Bio:
THE RISEN DREAD is a metal band from Dublin, Ireland. Since forming in 2019, they have risen from the Irish underground scene to become an international touring act, earning a reputation for their intense sound and energetic live performances.
Their debut EP, Delusions (2019), introduced them to the scene and set the stage for their first full-length album, Night Hag, released in January 2022. Written and recorded during the global pandemic, the album showcased the band’s evolution and featured guest appearances, including Andreas Kisser of Sepultura on the single “White Night”.
THE RISEN DREAD has made its mark on major stages, performing at Wacken Open Air in 2022 and joining Vader and Marduk for the United Titans tour across Europe and the UK.
In 2024, with the release of the single “Betrayal” and an extensive South American tour playing in Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, the band continued to expand its reach.
I bought this Ronnie James Dio Funko Pop! Rocks a couple of weeks ago, at a store called Petez Popz located in Kettering, Ohio. This store is amazing if you are a collector of Funko collectibles. They also have a fine website & online store here: https://petezpopz.com/
My love for Ronnie James Dio has been well documented, over the years here on Metal Odyssey. I’m shocked that it took me this long to finally get a Pop! Rocks of RJD! There are other variations of a RJD Funko out there, I’m certain; for that’s pretty much the standard with how Funko produces any of their characters from across the pop culture universe.
Above: back cover of box
My first introduction to the vocals of RJD were with his first two albums with Black Sabbath: Heaven And Hell (1980), Mob Rules (1981). I quickly learned of his albums with Rainbow and I was forever hooked by RJD. This was back in the days when I thought having my own rotary phone in my bedroom was a privilege. Rotary phone, imagine that.
I later gobbled up all of RJD’s solo albums on vinyl, then to the CD versions. My biggest thrill was being able to see the iconic RJD and his band DIO in concert, during a stop on his Dream Evil tour in New Haven, Connecticut. Megadeth and Savatage were the opening bands for DIO on that magical evening of December 29th, 1987. Incredible. That old New Haven coliseum where I saw DIO perform was torn down back in January of 2007; yet the Metal memories remain!
Thank you for reading this and visiting Metal Odyssey. Stay safe out there and Metal be thy name! – Stone
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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