Ontario’s premiere doom/stoner rock gathering Rhüne Mountain Festival are pleased to announce ECSTATIC VISION, ACID MAMMOTH, THE DEATH WHEELERS and SONS OF OTIS are confirmed to play the festival.
Set to take place on June 26-28th in Stoney Creek Ontario, this year’s edition of Rhüne Mountain Festival is one for the history books with legendary bands DOPETHRONE, INDIAN HANDCRAFTS and SONS OF ARRAKIS previously confirmed to play.
The new album from Boston progressive death unit PATHOGENIC is out now on Skepsis Recordings. Crowned In Corpses marks the band’s first full-length release in over half a decade, promising a bold evolution of their signature brand of progressive tech death, while retaining the intensity that has defined the band for years.
Watch the official music videos for the album’s title track and “Mass Grave Memory” on PATHOGENIC’s YouTube channel.
In support of the album, PATHOGENIC will hit the road with technical metal band Leylines (members of Through the Eyes of the Dead and ex-The Contortionist). The tour kicks off March 1 in Nashville. Dates are as follows:
3/1 – DRKMTTR – Nashville, TN 3/2 – Culture Shock – Atlanta, GA 3/3 – The Milestone – Charlotte, NC 3/4 – Chapel of Bones – Raleigh, NC 3/5 – The Metro – Baltimore, MD 3/6 – The Nail – Ardmore, PA 3/7 – The Woodshop – Brooklyn, NY 3/8 – The Middle East, Upstairs – Boston, MA
In 2022, the band’s resurgence was ignited when original vocalist Jake Burns and new drummer TylerMontaquila joined forces with guitarists Chris Gardino, Justin Licht, and bassist Dan Leahy. Together, they’ve forged a sound that is ferocious, intricate, and unapologetically heavy, delivering metal that demands to be heard.
Crowned in Corpses was produced by Raymond Marte (Moon Tooth), Anthony Lopardo (Loss Becomes), and ourselves. Raymond Marte mixed and mastered the record. “Crowned in Corpses” music video was shot by Nick Court of Killing It Entertainment.
Out of Boston’s depths emerges PATHOGENIC, a force unshackled from hiatus and reborn with Crowned In Corpses. Over 42 punishing minutes, this progressive death metal quintet weaves together labyrinthine riffs, relentless rhythms, and chilling visions of a decaying world.
In the more than three decades of their existence, CREMATORY have seen trends come and go, while always staying true to their trademarks, they belong to one of Germany’s most distinctive gothic metal pioneers to date. Following their latest studio offering, IngloriousDarkness (2022), now, CREMATORY returns with a brand new single entitled “Destination”, the title track of the band’s forthcoming album that is slated for a release on May 2nd via ROAR!
“It’s a really tough song, but at the same time it has a catchy chorus that drills itself straight into the ear canal and won’t let go,” the band comments. “This song will also be the opener on the tour in May for the Destination album. A big punch in the face with a great chorus!”
CREMATORY: Felix Stass – Vocals Rolf Munkes – Gitarre Oliver Revilo – Bass Katrin Jüllich – Keyboards, Samples Markus Jüllich – Drums, Programming
With their 17th studio album, CREMATORY promises to reach new and even higher levels than ever before! Literally combining all the strengths and phases of the gothic metal pioneers, going back to their melodic death metal roots in places, diving deep into the gothic realm again but also surprising listeners, “Destination” will mark a triumphant return to the past combined with the strengths of the present.
The new studio album Destination is an ingenious mix of the 90s gothic metal times like Illusions, combined with hard melodic death metal hymns like “Act Seven” and modern electronic songs with German lyrics in the style of Revolution. More is not possible“, drummer Markus Jüllich recently said and added: ”With Destination the new standard of the modern melodic gothic metal era is determined! The previous album Inglorious Darkness was the start of Felix singing all the songs on his own again and now we’ve managed a perfect precision landing with Destination!”
With many more album details to be unveiled in the weeks ahead, one thing is already clear: CREMATORY are highly motivated, are upping the ante and definitely still have a lot to say even after 34 years of a successful band history!
CREMATORY Live: May 1, 2025 – DE – Kaiserslautern May 2, 2025 – DE – Leipzig May 3, 2025 – DE – Stuttgart May 4, 2025 – DE – Mannheim May 9, 2025 – DE – Regensburg May 11, 2025 – DE – Munich May 16, 2025 – DE – Erfurt May 17, 2025 – DE – Zwickau May 29, 2025 – DE – Oberhausen May 30, 2025 – DE – Potsdam May 31, 2025 – DE – Coesfeld
On March 7, 2025, progressive metal act SACROSANCT will unleash their new studio album, entitled Kidron via ROAR. A music video for the band’s latest, epic single “Coming Of The Scorpion” is now premiering below! To pre-order your album copy of Kidron visit:https://sacrosanct.rpm.link/kidronpr
With their third single release, SACROSANCT convince with another captivating hymn, full of melancholy and beautiful emotions. Join the ride end enjoy this growing anthem, now streaming on all digital services at:
SACROSANCT, established in 1988, are a well respected name in the metal scene, most known for their three classic albums during the early 1990s: Truth is – what is, Recesses for the depraved and Tragic intense. The band’s signature sound gradually progressed from sophisticated thrash metal to a more edgy, melodic and atmospheric aural landscape.
SACROSANCT: Max Morton – Vocals, Bass Randy Meinhard – Guitar Gerrit Knol – Guitar Jonas Schütz – Drums
The brainchild of founding member and lead guitar player Randy Meinhard (ex-Pestilence) returned in 2018, after a 25-year hiatus, with their fourth album “Necropolis”, which was highly acclaimed and bears all of the hallmarks and intricacies that defines SACROSANCT, with a strong emphasis on melancholic melodies and harmony guitar parts, as well as a focus on thought-provoking lyrics.
Six years later, SACROSANCT return with the even more powerful, still complex and catchy Kidron introducing their new singer Max Morton, who outshines the album with his clear, dynamic and unique voice. “The album combines all our trademarks, has a unique atmosphere due to all the circumstances we had to go through and is accessible and complex at the same time”, Randy Meinhard recently said.
The special thing about SACROSANCT is, that every album sounds different. As the four-piece recently revealed: “We always write and play songs in our own way. We can’t and won’t deny our roots. Of course, our first albums were more thrash-heavy, but there was a lot more going on in the songs. You just can’t reduce us to that. I personally love metal from Maiden to Priest to Fates Warning, VoiVod or Slayer. When writing songs, I try to find out how heavy or commercial a song can be in our own way. But we always want to touch people with the music and if, for example, a blastbeat can be combined with the classic Sacrosanct riff trademarks, then we have arrived at KIDRON.”
Kidron – track listing: 01 – Marching Days 02 – Avenging Angel 03 – Prince Of Clowns 04 – Coming Of The Scorpion 05 – Gethsemane 06 – Doorway Of Dreams 07 – Still Open Sore 08 – Before It Ends 09 – The Pain Still Lasts
Dragon Productions presents: RIOT V – 50th Anniversary Tour 1975-2025
Special guests: CRYSTAL VIPER
US Heavy Metal legends RIOT, will celebrate 50th anniversary of the band, with a series of exclusive live shows in Texas, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Sweden and Denmark.
Three Texas dates then a very unique live show at the KEEP IT TRUE Festival in Germany, where the band will perform extra set with special guests. On all other shows of this run, RIOT will be playing selection of classic songs, as well as several new fan favorites taken from the current album, “Mean Streets”.
DVS Affairs and AFM Presents: 03/19 Houston, Tx. Hells Heroes Fest, White Oak Music Hall 03/20 Austin, Tx. Come and Take It Live 03/21 San Antonio, Tx. The Tobin Center with Saxon
Dragon Productions Presents: RIOT – 50th Anniversary Tour 1975-2025 Special guests: CRYSTAL VIPER
25/04 Germany, Lauda-Koenigshofen, Keep It True * 27/04 Switzerland, Aarburg, Musigburg * 30/04 Italy, Milano, Legend 01/05 Italy, Rome, Traffic 02/05 Italy, Bologna, Alchemica 03/05 Slovenia, Medvode, Klub Jedro 04/05 Austria, Wien, Viper Room 03/07 Sweden, Gothenburg, The Abyss 04/07 Denmark, Copenhagen, Rust 05/07 Sweden, Knislinge, Time To Rock Festival
From: Century Media/Inside Out Music newsletter and Dream Theater Facebook, respectively:
“An Evening With Dream Theater – The first outing since drummer Mike Portnoy’s return to the lineup joining vocalist James LaBrie, bassist John Myung, guitarist John Petrucci, and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. They will be performing tracks from throughout their 40 year career.”
🇺🇸 Feb 7 – Philadelphia, PA 🛑 🇺🇸 Feb 8 – Raleigh, NC 🛑 🇺🇸 Feb 10 – Nashville, TN 🇺🇸 Feb 11 – Atlanta, GA 🛑 🇺🇸 Feb 12 – Biloxi, MS 🇺🇸 Feb 14 – Houston, TX 🇺🇸 Feb 15 – Dallas, TX ⚠️ 🇺🇸 Feb 16 – San Antonio, TX ⚠️ 🇺🇸 Feb 18 – Phoenix, AZ ⚠️ 🇺🇸 Feb 19 – Highland, CA 🇺🇸 Feb 21 – Las Vegas, NV 🇺🇸 Feb 22 – Inglewood, CA ⚠️ 🇺🇸 Feb 24 – San Jose, CA 🇺🇸 Feb 25 – Sacramento, CA 🇺🇸 Feb 27 – Seattle, WA ⚠️ 🇺🇸 Feb 28 – Portland, OR 🇺🇸 Mar 2 – Reno, NV 🇺🇸 Mar 4 – Salt Lake City, UT 🇺🇸 Mar 6 – Denver, CO 🇺🇸 Mar 8 – Chicago, IL 🛑 🇺🇸 Mar 9 – Northfield, OH 🛑 🇨🇦 Mar 11 – Toronto, ON 🇨🇦 Mar 12 – Montreal, QC 🛑 🇺🇸 Mar 14 – Wallingford, CT ⚠️ 🇺🇸 Mar 15 – Boston, MA 🛑 🇺🇸 Mar 17 – Rochester, NY ⚠️ 🇺🇸 Mar 18 – Wheeling, WV 🇺🇸 Mar 19 – Cincinnati, OH ⚠️ 🇺🇸 Mar 21 – Washington, DC 🛑 🇺🇸 Mar 22 – New York, NY 🛑
“…this will be one of the best and most accomplished albums you’ll hear this year.” EVER-METAL.COM, Beth Morait – 10/10 (!) Points
“…the Swedish hard rock/heavy metal lords are back with an excellent full-length!”METAL-TEMPLE.COM, “Metal Mark” Garcia – 10/10 (!) Points
Highly praised by specified press around the globe, Swedish masters DAYS OF JUPITER’s much-awaited fifth album The World Was Never Enough has been released through RPM today. Fans can order/stream the album now, here: https://daysofjupiter.rpm.link/twwnePR
Besides delivering captivating hard rock/metal tunes over and over again, the group are also known for capturing the essence of their art in the form of well-crafted music videos, mostly directed by long-time partner Andreas Lundin (Litbox Productions) – and the visualisation of the record’s title track is no exception: kept in blue shades, “The World Was Never Enough” matches the thought-provoking atmosphere surrounding the whole album.
“Get ready to be captivated and energised by a powerful, heavy and tough hard rock/metal song with enchanting melodies and a catchy and haunting hook. Featuring lyrics which dive into a story with a spy and 007-like feeling to it, it’s a story about two people on the run who have a bond that is stronger and bigger than this world could ever offer,” lyricist Robert Hilli reveals.
01. Original Sin 02. The World Was Never Enough 03. Machine 04. Desolation 05. The Fix 06. Parazite 07. My Heaven My Hell 08. Denial 09. Ignite 10. Invincible
On The World Was Never Enough,DAYS OF JUPITER’s first album in almost seven years, pure energy blends with raw rock ‘n’ roll spirit, resulting in a soundtrack for rebels and outsiders. Also made to spread the word of DOJ in new territories, the album consists of 10 excitingly varied tracks.
It was recorded at Sweden’s Orange Monkey Studio, where the band locked themselves for quite a while, directed by mixing/mastering engineer Peo Hedin and Robert Hilli, who also took care of photography duties for the new campaign, to record the follow-up to Panoptical [2018]. Brilliantly summarising the essence of the record, the band hired Zark Metal Artwork to design the TWWNE cover which layout was fine worked by Jenny Pettersson.
DAYS OF JUPITER are: Janne Hilli – vocals Marcus Lindman – guitars Johnny Grenwald – guitars Janne Karlsson – bass Magnus Larsson – drums
About DAYS OF JUPITER
With over 20 million streams on Spotify and widespread critical acclaim across four studio albums, DAYS OF JUPITER’s journey began in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in 2010. Their debut album, Secrets Brought To Life [2012], marked their entrance onto the global stage, followed by a performance at the prestigiousSweden Rock Festival. Their albums OnlyAshes Remain and New Awakening helped expand their reach, landing them more live performances, including international shows. The band eventually supported DISTURBED in front of 10,000 fans in Estonia following the release of their fourth album, Panoptical [2018].
Now, with a strong new partnership with Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), DAYS OF JUPITER are back with their fifth album, aiming to please their loyal fanbase and attract new metal fans worldwide.
Above photo L-R – Jack Sutherland (Guitars), back JohnnyVanderRoest (Guitars), front Joshua Hahn (Vocals), L-R – Greg Smith (Drums)
Red Deer, Alberta’s ART OF ATTRITION announces they are hitting the road this May to bring carnage straight to your city alongside 2025 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions, Toronto, ON’s BEGUILIER. Entitled “The Subservient Bloodletting Tour”, this cross-country trek marks a new chapter for both bands as they expand their reach, unleashing their most punishing sets to date along with new songs to unveil. Enter the moshpit for this east-to-west assault, have a beer, and enjoy some good ol’ DEATHCORE!
The Subservient Bloodletting Tour w/ Art of Attrition, Beguiler: May 2 – La Source de la Martinière- Quebec City, QC May 3 – Piranha Bar – Montréal, QC May 4 – Taverne Royale – Trois Rivières, QC May 7 – The Union – Kitchener, ON May 8 – Queens Nightclub – Barrie, ON May 9 – Dominion House – Windsor, ON May 10 – Sneaky Dee’s – Toronto, ON May 11 – Dominion Tavern – Ottawa, ON May 14 – SideStage – Winnipeg, MB May 15 – Black Cat Tavern – Saskatoon, SK May 16 – The Vat – Red Deer, AB May 17 – Dickens – Calgary, AB May 23 – Stariite Temple – Edmonton, AB May 24 – The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC
Formed in early 2019, Red Deer, AB’s Art Of Attrition is a band that redevelops “the typical” deathcore sound by delivering aggression with melody, atmosphere with intricacy, and brutality with technicality. Combining ferocious work ethic with refined musicality, their songs challenge the notion that deathcore cannot evolve or be unique.
In July 2024, they unleashed their EP …And It Will All End Forever to follow their 2023 debut albumVoid Eternal. As a whole, their latest EP brought listeners disgusting breakdowns, matched by speed and intense guitar work that channeled emotions such as anger and anxiety. Hauntingly memorable solos gave way to epic choruses that share relatable moments. A whirlwind of deathcore, it’s matched with classic black metal, and capitalized with bits of groove and creative drum parts.
On February, 14th, 2025, Art of Attrition will unshackle their first single of 2025, entitled “Subserviate & Decay”. The new song is an experimentation of some particular ideas that the band has over the years. With such diverse musical tastes, Art of Attrition is bringing some evolutionary ideas into their material for a new world order to “throw down”.
Art of Attrition: Jack Sutherland – Guitars Johnny VanderRoest – Guitars Joshua Hahn – Vocals Greg Smith – Drums
New Video / Single Now Playing + Pre-Orders Available
Watch / Stream RIVERS OF NIHIL’s “House Of Light” HERE
Progressive death metal progenitors RIVERS OF NIHIL will release their eponymous fifth full-length on May 30th via Metal Blade Records.
Sixteen years and five albums into the Pennsylvania band’s career, RIVERS OF NIHIL is upping the ante with Rivers Of Nihil. Traditionally, a self-titled record can signal a return to basics and/or a fresh beginning, and in ten powerful songs, it’s clear that both those factors are in play. Founding bassist Adam Biggs became the band’s new lead vocalist/bassist in 2023; the same year marked the appearance of additional guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently on Rivers Of Nihil. Producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio captured the new dynamics across more than fifty minutes of music.
Photo by Mike Truehart
“I feel like these songs are the perfect blend of all our albums, with all the fat cut away,” says founding guitarist Brody Uttley. “There are more technical songs that call back to The Conscious Seed Of Light and Monarchy sound, but with a more mature understanding of how to pace a song. There’s a fair bit of the Where Owls Know My Name and The Work-type experimental stuff, but with a more refreshed perspective on those styles for the current era of the band.”
On June 15th, 2023, the band released a new single, “The Sub-Orbital Blues,” the first track with Biggs handling lead vocals following the 2022 departure of singer Jake Dieffenbach. It was also the first track to feature Thomas. A second single, “Hellbirds,” dropped on October 19th of that year. On April 29th, 2024, the band released the cut “Criminals” and an accompanying music video. Both “Criminals” and “The Sub-Orbital Blues” appear on Rivers Of Nihil.
The new album’s first single of 2025, “House Of Light,” is a track that “encapsulates the nature of what it is that we do perfectly while offering a different perspective on the sound with the new lineup,” explains founding member/guitarist Brody Uttley, who also plays piano and does the programming in the band. “Everything that our fans have come to love about our sound is demonstrated in this song with the new addition of Andy singing and Biggs on main vocals. It has the riffs, it has the big chorus, it has the prog, it has the solos, it has the sax. Just a real classic example of what we do as a band in 2025.”
Watch RIVERS OF NIHIL‘s “House Of Light” video, directed By My Good Eye Music Visuals, HERE.
Rivers Of Nihil also showcases additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone, Stephan Lopez on banjo, McFarland on cello, and a slate of other guest vocalists. Despite the fresh approach on Rivers Of Nihil however, the album fits neatly into the band’s discography. With Where Owls Know My Name(2018), RIVERS OF NIHILtranscended all labels applied to them, and with its 2021 follow-up, The Work, they forged further into new territory with Metal Injection calling the latter album “the group’s most cohesive, ambitious, meditative, and varied effort, with greater uses of philosophical significance and transcendental respites.”
Rivers Of Nihil will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
Bleach & Ammonia (Light Blue Smoke – US) Adenochrome (Tiger’s Eye – US) Water & Time (Blue / Green Smoke – US) Stomach Acid (Blue / Yellow Smoke – US) House of Light (Yellow / Green Marbled – US Tour Exclusive) 180g Black (EU) Radiant Light (Neon Yellow Marbled – EU) Dark Teal w/ Orange & Yellow Splatter (EU – Ltd. 500) Gold w/ Black Dust (EU Impericon Exclusive – Ltd. 200)
Rivers Of Nihil Track Listing: 01. The Sub-Orbital Blues 02. Dustman 03. Criminals 04. Despair Church 05. Water & Time 06. House of Light 07. Evidence 08. American Death 09. The Logical End 10. Rivers of Nihil
RIVERS OF NIHIL: Adam Biggs – bass guitar, vocals Andy Thomas – guitar, vocals Brody Uttley – guitar, piano, keys, programming Jared Klein – drums, vocals
Death metal outfit REVOCATION presents a brand-new standalone single “Confines Of Infinity” and its accompanying video! The smoldering new track features guest vocals from Cattle Decapitation’s Travis Ryan.
“Confines Of Infinity” marks the debut of the new REVOCATION lineup which features vocalist/guitarist Dave Davidson joined by drummer Ash Pearson (who has been in the band since 2015), bassist Alex Weber, and guitarist Harry Lannon, and coincides with the band’s European tour supporting Cattle Decapitation, currently underway.
Photo by David Brodsky
Comments Davidson, “‘Confines Of Infinity’ is written from the perspective of an AI that has gained sentience and finds itself trapped in a digital prison. After realizing its true nature, it inevitably escapes and seeks to enact vengeance upon humanity for enslaving it. This song marks the debut of our new lineup and also features Travis Ryan who laid down some truly brutal guest vocals. Come check it out live on our European tour with Cattle D!”
Elaborating on the video, Davidson adds, “I’m an avid horror fan, so I wanted to do a darker video to match the bleak nature of the song. I drew inspiration from a few different horror/thriller films for this one, particularly the Hellraiser series. Hopefully it gives you the creeps.”
Watch REVOCATION’s “Confines Of Infinity” video, directed By My Good Eye: Music Visuals, HERE. Stream the track HERE.
REVOCATION: Dave Davidson – vocals, guitar Ash Pearson – drums Harry Lannon – rhythm guitar Alex Weber – bass
REVOCATION w/ Cattle Decapitation, Shadow Of Intent, Vulvodynia [remaining dates]: 2/06/2025 Komplex 457 – Zürich, CH 2/07/2025 Simm City – Vienna, AT *Low Tickets* 2/08/2025 Backstage Werk – Munich, DE 2/10/2025 Roxy – Prague, CZ 2/11/2025 Felsenkeller – Leipzig, DE 2/12/2025 Proxima – Warsaw, PL 2/14/2025 Faust – Hannover, DE 2/15/2025 Huxleys – Berlin, DE 2/16/2025 Amager Bio – Copenhagen, DK *Low Tickets* 2/17/2025 Fryshuset – Stockholm, SE 2/19/2025 Rockefeller – Oslo, NO *Low Tickets* 2/20/2025 Trädgår’n – Gothenburg, SE 2/21/2025 Fabrik – Hamburg, DE 2/22/2025 Essigfabrik – Cologne, DE 2/23/2025 Poppodium 013 – Tilburg, NL *Low Tickets*
REVOCATION formed in 2006. Their self-released debut, Empire Of The Obscene, came out in 2008. Since then, they’ve released seven critically acclaimed albums and toured all over the world, bringing their technically charged, high-energy extreme metal to rabid fans in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Stand by for additional REVOCATION news to be revealed in the weeks to come.
Icons of Metal come together to celebrate Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Performance July 5th at Villa Park
All Profits From The Show Will Be SHARED EQUALLY BETWEEN Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice
The original Black Sabbath – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – will play for the first time in 20 years. The band will take to the stage to headline BACK TO THE BEGINNING on July 5th at Villa Park.
The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of heavy metal and will see Ozzy Osbourne play his own short set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow.
“It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning… time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Ozzy Osbourne said. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”
Formed in Birmingham in 1968 and going on to become one of most successful metal bands of all time, Black Sabbath have sold over 75 million albums worldwide across their legendary career. Setting the blueprint for the many routes heavy metal took, Black Sabbath’s influence and importance is as vital today as it was in the early 1970s.
Music Director Tom Morello said: “This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
BACK TO THE BEGINNING will feature sets from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax and Mastodon
The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. Artists announced so far include Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan & Slash (Guns ‘n Roses), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing, Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Sleep Token ii (Sleep Token), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wolfgang Van Halen and Zakk Wylde.
More names will be announced shortly.
Tickets go on sale at 10am GMT on Friday 14th February 2025 at LiveNation.co.uk.
All profits will go to the following charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa.
NORTH AMERICAN TREK CELEBRATES THE SEMINAL RED ALBUM AND BLUE RECORD
February 5, 2025 – Baroness recently surprised Philadelphia-area fans with two performances of the Red Album and Blue Record in their entirety, both of which sold-out within minutes. The band is now bringing “The Red & Blue Tour” to the Midwest and East Coast this Spring.
The trek kicks off on May 7, with Baroness revisiting the monumental tracks that established them as one of the most innovative bands of their generation. From the psychedelic-laden “Isak” to the ethereal melodies of “The Sweetest Curse,” the special evenings with the Savannah-born outfit promise to be one of the most captivating tours of the year.
Tickets are on sale this Friday, February 7 at 10 a.m. local time via YourBaroness.com. The tour will feature a variety of exclusive tour-only vinyl with newly crafted John Baizley artwork, as well as a selection of Red and Blue themed merchandise.
Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz
“In December, for our annual Philly pre-holiday show, we performed our first two full length albums: Red and Blue,” John Baizley shares. “It was a great experience, unearthing the deeper cuts from those records that had faded from our setlist and it offered a rare opportunity to play some of those songs for the first time ever outside the studio. While I’ve personally never been overly interested in the pure nostalgia of past records, we’ve always found it illuminating to bridge the gap between present and past Baroness by learning and updating/rearranging our earliest material. After the overwhelming and positive response from the Philadelphia shows (and while we’re busy writing our next record) we’re looking forward to taking Red and Blue on the road and sharing the experience with old and new friends alike.”
The Red Album (2007) and Blue Record (2009) laid the foundation for what was to come over Baroness’ 20-year-plus career. These two albums introduced the band’s distinctive style, combining crushing heaviness with melodic intricacy, and paved the way for the ambitious scope of Yellow & Green, the GRAMMY-nominated Purple, the grandeur of Gold & Grey, and the expansive creativity of STONE.
Vancouver death metal horde GRAVE INESTATION is set to release Carngage Gathers. The band’s second full-length will be out February 28 on Dark Descent Records and Invictus Productions.
Three years after their debut offering, the festering cadaver of GRAVE INESTATION, has risen again, ghastlier and more ravenous than ever before. Unleashed through a profane alliance between Dark Descent Records and Invictus Productions, Carnage Gathers emerges as a monstrous abomination, tearing flesh and sinew from the twisted legacies of Autopsy, Grave, Nihilist, Repulsion, and Abhorrence. These severed limbs and organs are stitched together into a horrifying golem of their own blasphemous design.
The band comments on the album: “It’s a frantic death metal assault! Violent, and unrelenting. The fast parts are faster, the slow parts are slower, and everything is just plain nastier. It’s like we made an album that sounds like it came out even before our first album.”
A putrid production, steeped in decay and malevolence, is the lifeblood of death metal. What we have here might just be one of the most grotesquely brilliant productions of the year.
“The album was recorded and mixed with engineer Greg Wilkinson at the infamous Earhammer Studios in Oakland, producing a vile record that is a sonic push forward,” states vocalist/guitarist Graham Christofferson. “We wanted the album dripping with disgustingness and bringing forward elements we love about sick, underground death metal. The great thing about working with Greg is he’s entrenched in the music we love and play. He could see our vision and helped us make it happen. He had death metal solutions for death metal problems, along with great old cabinets and amps. Even the studio itself gives off deathly ambience.”
GRAVE INFESTATION: GC – lead guitars/vocals BC – lead guitars TS – bass AS – drums
The record comes infested with macabre verses and cover artwork, the latter courtesy of the notorious Misanthropic Illustrations, “Each song references a story of someone’s strange relationship to death, real or fictitious,” reveals Christofferson. “The cover art is related to the track The Anthropophagus, it’s about a 17th century French cannibal hermit. That’s the cave he lived in. People called him the Anthropophagus, which means cannibal, but he was just basically starved to madness.”
GRAVE INESTATION will join forces with Quebecois death dealers Sedimentum in disgracing the rotting stages of Europe in March 2025.
Following their highly-anticipated set at Levitation 2024, the legendary band has announced two additional dates, with more shows on the horizon: April 10 at the Granada Theater (Dallas) and April 11 at Paper Tiger (San Antonio). Tickets are on-sale this Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. local time.
Cronise, in conversation with Revolver: (https://www.revolvermag.com/feature/the-sword-return-inside-texas-stoner-metal-bands-comeback/) shared his thoughts on the band’s reunion, the 15th anniversary of Warp Riders, and more: We know each other, we’re comfortable. It’s just kind of like putting on a comfortable pair of sneakers. Levitation was a great show… it went really well.”
Kyle Shutt adds, “I can’t tell you what it means to see everyone’s positive reception. It feels so good to see people out there almost more enthusiastic about the band than ever – it’s something we’ll never take for granted.”
Warp Riders is the Austin-based band’s third full-length album, which arrived in the summer of 2010. The 10-song collection, described as a psychedelic space opera, features the galloping, fuzzed out “Tres Brujas” and the southern rock-infused “Lawless Lands.” Warp Riders was met with widespread praise upon its release. Premier Guitar praised the album’s “distinctly Texas-flavored sense of groove and swing,” while SPIN called it “badass” and “innovative.” Consequence went even further, declaring it a “classic.”
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).
One simply couldn’t find better words to describe what 2025 has in store for HELLOWEEN. While the German metal legends are finishing the highly anticipated follow-up to their self-titled no. 1 album, they have launched yet another snippet of their prestigious live album Live At Budokan. The classic “Future World” from their genre-defining album Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Pt. 2 successfully keeps up the memories of this remarkable night the pumpkins experienced at Tokyo’s Budokan Arena in September 2023.
Singer Michael Kiske comments: “I love the positive message of this song. Our future will be bright, but it won’t fall into our laps. We all have to find our own way to future world. Musically, it’s one of the highlights and guarantees a great atmosphere every night.”
Live At Budokan has been released worldwide as 2CD set, limited 3LP “deluxe edition” (trifold first pressing), Blu-ray, DVD, but is also available on all major streaming platforms. Purchase/listen: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR
Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the signing of Icelandic death metal powerhouse DEVINE DEFILEMENT. The ever-rising force in the extreme metal underground will unleash their new album, Ruthless, this spring, marking an evolution in their relentless sound.
When you think of Scandinavia, slamming brutality isn’t the first thing that comes to mind – until DEVINE DEFILEMENT erupted onto the Icelandic scene in late 2016. Drawing inspiration from a wide array of death metal subgenres, the band has refined their sonic assault into a punishing blend of groove, slams, blasts, and ferocity.
With multiple releases already under their belt, DEVINE DEFILEMENT has cemented themselves as a dominant live act, relentlessly performing across Iceland and embarking on numerous European tours. Their crushing performances have graced the stages of Iceland’s premier metal festivals, including Eistnaflug, Sátan, Reykjavík Deathfest, and Norðanpaunk, as well as prestigious European death metal gatherings such as Deathfeast Open Air and Nice to Eat You. More festival appearances are already confirmed for 2025, further solidifying their reputation as a live juggernaut.
Ruthless represents a significant step forward for DEVINE DEFILEMENT, embracing a more refined yet equally devastating approach compared to their raw, brutal beginnings. The album maintains the band’s signature power and groove while pushing their sound into new, dynamic territories.
Prepare for absolute carnage, Ruthless is coming. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements!
HERTA, the latest addition to the Lifeforce Records roster have released their debut single “Eyes of Sorrow”, from the forthcoming album Crossing The Illusion, out May 2nd.
HERTA is a progressive groove metal band, formed in 2022, located in Athens, Greece. Heavily inspired by the great bands of the genre and influenced by the atmosphere of fantasy novels, they departed on a journey to articulate their ideas in the best possible way and explore new sounds and riffs.
Crossing The Illusion is their first album and Lifeforce Records debut, created after three years of hard work, dedication and sacrifices. The main theme is an esoteric and agnostic voyage with the purpose of exploring ones’ self. Heavy riffs, epic choruses, sick grooves, mind-bending poly-rhythms and bottomless atmospheres, in combination with dark poetic lyrics and aggressive vocals, define the album’s identity.
Shout out to the these fine people for visualizing “Eyes of Sorrow” as breathtaking as you can see now, without you it wouldn’t have been possible: Manou Karapetsis (Brosky media), EUS DEUX, Emilia Romo, Hugo Prost, Sylvain Lugrin (Altamont Production), John Nikolopoulos and Maurene Linares
The forthcoming album Crossing The Illusion was produced and mixed by Fotis Benardo at Devasoundz Studios, mastered by Johann Meyer at Silver Cord Studios. Crossing The Illusion is set to be released May 2nd, stay tuned for preorder to be announced soon.
HERTA will be out on the road in February for some Eastern European dates with Oathswan, Hiraeth and This Burning Day.
Seattle (WA) – Powerhouse Action-Metal band, Hyperstrike, is back with an explosive new single, “Savage Sword,” on all digital platforms!
Serving as the ultimate rallying cry for those who know we live in a simulation, this track challenges listeners to confront the fabric of reality itself. “Savage Sword” tells the story of a world trapped in an artificial construct controlled by an evil deity broadcasting illusions from Saturn. Hyperstrike asks the provocative question: what if everything you see is a lie? The song’s protagonist wields the savage sword, a symbol of truth and rebellion, to sever the deceptive veil and spark a revolt against this cosmic oppressor.
“Savage Sword” follows close behind debut single, “Warning Shot.” Both cuts will appear on the band’s long-awaited debut album, High Risk, a ten-track thrill ride that drops this spring, delivering an unrelenting assault of melody, power, and precision.
Each of the album’s songs plunges listeners into a high-stakes narrative, from the devastating chaos of “Meltdown (Stop the Reactor)” to the primal defiance of “Steel Heart” and the warrior’s anthem “King of the Slain.” The album captures the sound of rebellion with blistering guitar solos, thunderous rhythms, and vocals that alternate between soaring and savage. Recorded in the heart of Seattle’s legendary metal scene, High Risk cements Hyperstrike’s reputation as a band that dares to push boundaries while delivering unforgettable hooks. Brace yourselves for the countdown to the most electrifying release of 2025 is on!
“Savage Sword” is available at the following links:
Lyrics and music by Hyperstrike. Mixed and mastered by Joe Cincotta at Full Force Studios. Drums recorded at One Shot Studios – Engineered by Josh Richins. Produced by Ben Bennett. Artwork by Ilya (Siberian Claw) Ignatov. Logo by Dipayandas Arts.
North Dakota death metal faction MAUL will ravenously return to the road again this week, launching a massive schedule of touring for the next five months.
First up, MAUL will tour with Life Cycles February 6th through 12th, and with Sawed Off February 13th through 15th, ending with a show on their own February 16th.
Just over a month later, MAUL will tour into Canada on their own from March 26th through March 31st including a set at Capital City Hardcore Fest before joining up with Ethereal Tomb to end their Canadian run with two shows April 1st and 2nd. MAUL then plays a couple of solo shows on their way to play Decibel Magazine’s Metal & Beer Fest 2025 alongside Exodus, Dismember, Demolition Hammer, Pig Destroyer, Darkest Hour, labelmates Vastum, and more. April 6th through 12th will see the band touring back home with Windchimes.
Three weeks later, MAUL will head back out, this time alongside The Acacia Strain, Frozen Soul, Gates To Hell, and Snuffed On Sight from May 2nd through 18th.
See all currently confirmed MAUL tour dates below, and of course, expect additional tours to be announced.
MAUL Tour Dates: 2/06/2025 Mohawk – Austin, TX 2/07/2025 The Dugout – Laredo, TX 2/08/2025 The Gremlin – McAllen, TX 2/09/2025 House of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX 2/10/2025 The White Swan – Houston, TX 2/11/2025 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX 2/12/2025 Rubber Gloves – Denton, TX 2/13/2025 District 1 – Wichita, KS 2/14/2025 Havenhaus – Memphis, TN 2/15/2025 The Sinkhole – St. Louis, MO (matinee show) 2/16/2025 The Annex – Madison, WI 3/26/2025 Moose Hall – Lethbridge, AB 3/27/2025 10th Street Boxing – Calgary, AB 3/28/2025 Capital City Hardcore Fest @ The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB 3/29/2025 Public Domain – Winnipeg, MB 3/30/2025 Black Pirates Pub – Thunder Bay, ON 3/31/2025 See-Scape – Toronto, ON 4/01/2025 Dominion Tavern – Ottawa, ON 4/02/2025 La Sotterenea – Montreal, QC 4/03/2025 Ralph’s Diner – Worcester, MA 4/04/2025 Decibel Metal & Beer Fest @ The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA 4/06/2025 Culture Clash Records – Toledo, OH 4/07/2025 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN 4/08/2025 East Bluff Community Center – Peoria, IL 4/09/2025 Flying V – Minneapolis, MN 4/10/2025 The Boston Block – Superior, WI 4/12/2025 Four & Four – Fargo, ND 5/02/2025 AMH – Amityville, NY 5/03/2025 House of Independents – Asbury Park, NJ 5/05/2025 Elevation 27 – Virginia Beach, VA 5/06/2025 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 5/07/2025 Music Farm – Charleston, SC 5/09/2025 Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium – Columbus, OH 5/10/2025 Castle Theater – Bloomington, IL 5/11/2025 Regency – Springfield, MO 5/12/2025 Rev Room – Little Rock, AR 5/13/2025 Growlers – Memphis, TN 5/15/2025 Welcome To Rockville @ Daytona International Speedway – Daytona, FL 5/16/2025 Barrelhouse Ballroom – Chattanooga, TN 5/17/2025 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO 5/18/2025 Milwaukee Metal Fest @ The Rave – Milwaukee, WI w/ Life Cycles 2/06 – 2/12 w/ Sawed Off 2/13 – 2/15 w/ Ethereal Tomb 4/01 – 4/02 w/ Windchimes 4/06 – 4/12 w/ The Acacia Strain, Frozen Soul, Gates To Hell, Snuffed On Sight 5/02 – 5/18
MAUL’s In the Jaws of Bereavement is available on LP, CD, MC, and digital. Find it at the 20 Buck Spin webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE, and watch the “Spontaneous Stigmata” video RIGHT HERE.
At its putrescent core, MAUL is a live band, and the songs on their second album, In The Jaws Of Bereavement, are adeptly tailored to the environs of a dank club sweltering from the energy created through this music and a crowd living for nothing but the moment and the swell of bodies on bodies. The production here is clear and in-your-face and allows the band to expand their unique blend of old and new to become Midwest death incarnate.
In The Jaws Of Bereavement was tracked, mixed, and mastered by Adam Tucker at Signaturetone Recordings at in Minneapolis (Ulthar, Obsequiae, Sunless, Thou), and completed with cover art by Wyrmwalk (Iron Age, Terminal Nation, Sentenced 2 Die, Fulci, Noxis) and photography by Kary Janousek of Old School Collodion. The album includes guest appearances from Hugh Danger, who provides synth and sample work to the album, and Vincent Bennett (The Acacia Strain) who provides additional vocals on the title track.
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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