Consisting of two guitars, bass, drums and a powerful singer, BENTHIC playing a mixture of powerful hardcore and grooving metal with sustaining melodies. Dark guitar walls and angry roars are constantly being broken down to give room for emotions. An association with the elemental forces of maritime nature in all its beauty and brutality.
Some of you may recognise some familiar faces and you’re right. The band, featuring founding member Sebastian Formella of long-defunct German metal core act DESTINY aka THE DESTINY PROGRAM and Siegmar Holzfuß of progressive rock act EDEN CIRCUS, was formed in Hamburg in 2012.
Taking a long period of writing, countless rehearsals and a few line-up changes, they finally joined as BENTHIC in 2014. Their debut EP called THE MESS was released in 2016.
After a long break, BENTHIC now has found a new label home at LIFEFORCE RECORDS and will be back in 2025 with the first full-length SANGUINE. With this work, which has matured in complexity and arrangements, BENTHIC wants to create new horizons and is looking forward to a future on large and small stages of this world.
“Shattered Crosses is one of my favorite tunes on the new record,” says vocalist Jason McMaster, “and I could not be happier with the result of the writing and tone of the song. The lyrics are about the war efforts, the church efforts, and how governments send people off to war, seemingly only as a confusing way to make dealings of loss for big money.”
McMaster goes on to state that “the video is a step up in production from what we’ve done previously, including bigger cameras, a bigger venue, etc, which allowed us to really get the point across. We are a traditional heavy metal band and we want people to see and hear; we aren’t trying to rearrange or reinvent anything. It is straight-away classic metal and the video shows the world that intent.”
Photo Credit: Steve Miller
The video features camera work and visual production by PennyRock Productions. Budro Partida and the crew of PennyRock are quickly becoming nationally known for the company’s full feature documentary film, Bloody and Bruised – The Untold Story of the Back Room. The Back Room is a now defunct Rock and Metal venue in Austin, TX, which spawned a scene that attracted and hosted worldwide touring acts for over 30 years.
The stories told in the film are legendary, as local bands were discovered there and lifelong relationships made. Needless to say, the band is extremely proud to have had PennyRock produce the video.
“I’m a metal fan, so I was thrilled for the opportunity to work with a band the caliber of IGNITOR,” adds Partida. “Going into the shoot I knew that the visual tone of the video should be red-hot to match the ferocity of the song. I wanted the viewer to get a sun burn.”
“Shattered Crosses” is also available on all streaming outlets.
Horns and Hammers is available on Bandcamp via Metal on Metal Records, and in the United States onwww.revoltvinylrecords.com. Revolt Vinyl Records will make it available on CD and vinyl.
U.S. residents can order the CD directly from the band at ignitorband.com.
Line-up:
Stuart “Batlord” Laurence – Guitar Robert Williams – Guitar Jason McMaster – Vocals Billy “Chainsaw” Dansfiell – Bass Pat Doyle – Drums
Bay Area Metal Titans Machine Head announce a MASSIVE North American tour alongside Swedish metal icons In Flames, Italian alt-metallers Lacuna Coil, and American metalcore maestros Unearth. The crushing 5 week jaunt begins in their hometown of Oakland, CA at the legendary Fox Theater, then heads south for a stop at Sick New World Festival, then east, and back across Canada.
To coincide with this gargantuan event Machine Head have collaborated on a new song called “These Scars Won’t Define Us” with all 4 bands on the tour adding vocals for a Wu Tang Clan-level thrash collaboration. The track comes from their upcoming new album (slated for April release TBD), with the new collab track dropping this Friday Nov. 15th at midnight.
𝗔𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 🇺🇸 5th • Oakland, CA 🇺🇸 7th • Phoenix, AZ 🇺🇸 9th • San Diego, CA 🇺🇸10th • Los Angeles, CA 🇺🇸12th • Las Vegas, NV ** 🇺🇸13th • Salt Lake City, UT
🎃 Get ready, pumpkinheads! Helloween’s “40 YEARS ANNIVERSARY TOUR” kicks off October 2025 with special guests Beast In Black. Don’t miss this epic power metal extravaganza celebrating four decades of pumpkin madness! The upcoming tour will be bigger, better and more impressive than ever!
Oct. 17 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, Rockhal Oct. 18 🇳🇱 Tilburg, 013 Oct. 20 🇬🇧 London, Eventim Apollo Oct. 22 🇫🇷 Paris, Le Zénith Oct. 24 🇨🇿 Prague, O2 Arena Oct. 25 🇸🇰 Zvolen, Tiposbet Arena Oct. 26 🇭🇺 Budapest, Papp Laszlo Arena Oct. 28 🇵🇱 Katowice, Spodek Oct. 31 🇩🇪 Bochum, Ruhrcongress Nov. 01 🇩🇪 Hamburg, Barclays Arena Nov. 03 🇳🇴 Oslo, Sentrum Scene Nov. 04 🇳🇴 Oslo, Sentrum Scene Nov. 06 🇫🇮 Helsinki, Ice Hall Nov. 08 🇸🇪 Gothenburg, Partille Arena Nov. 13 🇵🇹 Lissabon, Campo Pequeno Nov. 15. 🇪🇸 Madrid, La Cubierta des Leganés Nov. 19 🇮🇹 Mailand, Forum Nov. 20 🇨🇭Zürich, The Hall Nov. 22 🇩🇪 Stuttgart, Schleyerhalle
Rising metal force LIONS AT THE GATE has just unveiled their latest single, “Silhouettes of Me,” a powerful new track that explores the personal and emotional battles with addiction and depression. This introspective release showcases the band’s signature mix of haunting melodies and hard-hitting riffs, anchored by vocalist Cristian Machado‘s gripping lyricism and raw vocal performance.
“‘Silhouettes of Me’ is a song close to our hearts, lyrically touching on the struggles of addiction and depression, and the changes that it took to find victory over them,” says Machado.
The track weaves together themes of resilience and reflection, showcasing LIONS AT THE GATE‘s ability to balance both aggression and vulnerability. The accompanying video captures the intensity of the band’s live energy in a monochrome red setting, balancing darkness and hope. Watch it HERE.
Additionally, LIONS AT THE GATE is set to hit the road this December, joining local Texas metal heavyweights UPON A BURNING BODY for the “Cold Nights Over Texas” tour. They’ll be joined by genre-bending support act VCTMS, creating a high-octane lineup ready to deliver an unforgettable experience across six cities in the Lone Star State.
Fans can expect a dynamic mix of powerful, high-energy performances as LIONS AT THE GATE brings “Silhouettes of Me” and other fan favorites from their debut album, The Excuses We Cannot Make, to the stage. Tickets are available HERE.
There’s No Such Things As Monsters Tour – Wednesday 13, The Dead Rabbitts, & I Ya Toyah – ticket/tour info: http://www.officialwednesday13.com
03/14/25: Las Vegas, NV @ Count’s Vamp’d 03/15/25: Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky 03/16/25: Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone 03/18/25: Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom 03/19/25: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon 03/21/25: Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post 03/22/25: Pomona, CA @ Glass House 03/23/25: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 03/25/25: Mesa, AZ @ The Nile Theater 03/26/25: Albuquerque, NM @ Launch Pad 03/28/25: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger 03/29/25: Dallas, TX @ Trees 03/30/25: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live 04/01/25: Birmingham, AL @ Saturn 04/02/25: Knoxville, TN @ Open Chord 04/04/25: Atlanta, GA @ The Loft @ Centerstage 04/05/25: Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones 04/06/25: Greenville, SC @ Radio Room 04/08/25: Baltimore, MD @ Zen West 04/09/25: Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho 04/10/25: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom 04/12/25: Hampton Beach, NH @ Wallys 04/13/25: Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electrique 04/15/25: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace 04/16/25: Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room 04/18/25: New York, NY @ The Gramercy 04/19/25: Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater 04/20/25: Lititz, PA @ Mickey’s Black Box 04/22/25: Pittsburgh, PA @ Crafthouse 04/23/25: Cleveland, OH @ Mercury 04/25/25: Columbus, OH @ The Kings Of Clubs 04/26/25: Flint, MI @ Machine Shop 04/27/25: Cadillac, MI @ Venue Event Center 04/29/25: Joliet, IL @ The Forge 04/30/25: Madison, WI @ The Annex 05/02/25: Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater 05/03/25: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
Following ten years of silence after the release of their debut album The Embers of the Stars and the untimely death of vocalist Steven, Ahamkara return with a new lineup and new album The Harrow of the Lost, an unflinching exploration of the transformative nature of grief.
An emotionally charged and fiercely personal record, “The Harrow of the Lost” takes the Ahamkara sound in a more complex and tormented direction, encompassing existential rage, nihilistic despair and all in between. Both rawer and more organic in sound, intensified by the electrifying drum work of new member Austin Lunn (Panopticon).
Scaling greater peaks of Emperial ambition than ever before, the album integrates the expansive reach of the Cascadian black metal sound with the densely detailed savagery of classic Emperor and the aching melancholy of early Anathema to produce a deeply involving journey of genre-transcending atmospheric metal.
Completed by a heartfelt and uncompromising vocal performance from founding member Michael and the nuanced, evocative synth work of Alexandra (also of label mates Nemorous), this is a journey into the scorched earth landscapes of bereavement that no follower of the Bindrune family should miss.
It has been 4 years since the release of Independence to the Beast (2020) and during this time, Canis Dirus have been refining their savage, yet atmospheric black metal during what has been the most prolific era of their career. 2021 found the split release A Harmonious Unionof Vibration to surface with the project Crown of Asteria, where Canis Dirus contributed 2 new tracks that blended their own unique form of twisted blackness, along with an ambient influence. Was this a sign of things to come?
Armed with the fantastic drum work of CJ Yacoub (Escaping Aghartha, Neverdawn, ex-Amun), TMP (Guitars, bass, Synth) and RH (Vocals) have been hard at work on what has become the the bands finest work, By the Grace of Death. Atmosphere still reigns in the dark sonic sphere of Canis Dirus, but on this impending new album, the bands black metal essence is at the forefront of this nocturnal hunt.
TMP’s riff/playing style remains truly his own with atypical phrasing that co-exists with a more orthodox BM style. The BM side can make one feel isolated and attacked one moment, then calm and nurtured the next with colorful folk music that has become a vibrant element of CD’s sound. RH’s vocals contribute to the adventurous nature of By The Grace of Death with his most feral performance to date.
By the Grace of Death will be unleashed in the months to come on LP by Bindrune Recordings and on CD (containing a bonus track) by Canis Dirus themselves.
The new Steeler video – premiering November 15th on the RFK Media YouTube channel: http://RFKvideos.com
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1980: the dawn of the American Heavy Metal movement, and the birth of Steeler, one of the bands whose sound would define that cultural revolution. Shortly after the release of their iconic 1983 self-titled album, that supernova exploded into multiple bands and projects that would each carve their own places in that era’s history, leaving an undeniable impact on a metal generation.
This triumphant reunion puts a powerful exclamation point on that legacy with the band’s first new song in over 40 years, and their first-ever official music video: https://youtu.be/aKxfj6KOHmA
This brand new (2024) song and video prove that four decades have done nothing to diminish the power and the passion upon which the band was built. “Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death)” celebrates the glory of an era that may be gone but certainly not forgotten, combining all the elements that made 80’s metal the soundtrack of so many lives: an anthemic chorus, screaming lyrics that pay tribute to songs and stars that paved the street of dreams, loud powerful music and incendiary guitar pyrotechnics.
That music is provided by men who lived it, then and now: vocalist/guitarist Ron Keel, lead guitarist Mitch Perry, drummer Mark Edwards, bassist Rik Fox, and session drummer Dwain Miller. The song was written by Ron Keel specifically for Steeler and is featured on his new RFK Media album release Keelworld.
The video was directed and produced by David Pear (watch the full clip for credits at the end). A documentary film is now in production by David Pear which will tell the entire story behind the Steeler legacy – American Metal – The Story Of Steeler will be released in 2025.
Queensrÿche founding guitarist Michael “Whip” Wilton is set to release his highly anticipated solo album, Volume 1, due out on December 6, 2024 via Rat Pak Records. Along with powerhouse Seattle vocalist Mark Winterman, drummer Sonny Sudra and bassist “Hodgy”, Michael offers nine power packed songs reminiscent of the sound he is best known for.
Mixed and Mastered by “Zeuss” (Queensrÿche, Rob Zombie, Shadows Fall), Vol 1 captures Michael’s ability to think outside the box with flavorful riffs, catchy melodies and thoughtful solos while still maintaining his signature sound. From the opening chords of “People Suffer” to the closing track “Drowning at Daybreak”, it is clear that Michael Wilton’s trademark style lays the bedrock for this well crafted offering.
You can now pre-order the all-new release from Michael Wilton of Queensrÿche – Whip Volume 1. Check out all the details and get in on some exclusive LTD bundles at:
Celebrated Italian doom / black metal brigade PONTE DEL DIAVOLO unleash a powerful single from their forthcoming compilation Tre – The EP Collection. Stream “Scintilla” HERE.
The band commented: “‘Scintilla’ (transl. ‘Spark’) is a rough and violent track in which love is action, movement, Freedom. The ‘Spark’ is the Devil and the ceaseless movement of nature”.
Following on from the release of their acclaimed debut album Fire Blades from the Tomb (Season Of Mist), PONTE DEL DIAVOLO will re-issue their now hard to come by first three EPs in the form ofTre – The EP Collection. The compilation will be available in CD, LP, tape and digital formats on December 9th 2024 via Time To Kill Records.
Track-list:
01 – Mystery of Mystery 02 – I 03 – The Wickedest Woman In The World 04 – 13 05 – The Unborn 06 – Un Bacio a Mezzanotte 07 – III 08 – Scintilla 09 – AVE
PONTE DEL DIAVOLO bridges the gap between two separate worlds. The Italian band proposes a doom / black metal sound with old-school roots, adding a modern and outside the box background. The female voice – with strong dark wave influences – is the lyric cor pus of this strongly esoteric project. The solid presence of two bassists creates the massive foundation for the rhythmic guitar, everything marked by a raw and dynamic drumming.
Mystery of Mystery / Secret Live Session marked the quintet’s debut EP. It was recorded live and without editing at Dracma Studio with the producer L’Ossario in their home base of Turin in March 2020. “I” was released on the web by Iopan Records. It was soon followed by their second single, “The Wickedest Woman In the World”.
At the end of 2021, PONTE DEL DIAVOLO recorded their second EP, Sancta Menstruis at Deepest Sea Studio in Turin with Danilo Battocchio. The first single, “The Unborn”, arrived in February 2022.
The band’s third EP, Ave Scintilla! was also recorded in Turin. This time around, they reconvened at Dracma Studio with L’Ossario. Prepare to cross over into the Italian dark arts.
As 2024 draws to a close, Swedish hard rock and metal powerhouse DAYS OF JUPITER prepare to launch into an electrifying new chapter with the release of their latest single, “The Fix”. This powerful track marks another step toward the band’s highly anticipated fifth studio album, slated for release in early 2025 under Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
“The Fix” combines humming basslines and soaring guitar leads, setting the stage for Janne Hilli’s raw, impassioned vocals, which carry an emotional intensity that crescendos in a chorus meant to turn the listener’s world upside down. With a rebellious and hopeful spirit, “The Fix” resonates as an anthem for those battling inner struggles and despair, offering a cathartic uplift and becoming a beacon for resilience.
DAYS OF JUPITER comment: “‘The Fix’ is a heavy punch in the face with powerful riffs, haunting melodies, and gripping lyrics. Join us as we unleash this captivating narrative that speaks to anyone who has faced their demons and emerged stronger on the other side.”
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 prestigious Sweden Rock Festival. Their albums Only Ashes 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 upcoming fifth album, aiming to please their loyal fanbase and attract new metal fans worldwide.
Exciting things are underway: as they record the follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2021 self-titled album with producer Charlie Bauerfeind, metal legends HELLOWEEN treat fans to another preview from their upcoming Live At Budokan release. This high-octane rendition of their timeless classic, “Eagle Fly Free”, captures the unmistakable chemistry between the band and the spirited Japanese audience at Tokyo’s Budokan, elevating the track to an entirely new level.
“A song that is just as wonderful and popular today as it was when it was first released. It comes with an effective overture, has a great upbeat and a brilliant, fast-paced ending. “Eagle Fly Free” has the ultimate vibe and encourages you to sing along. It has everything you would expect from an ‘evergreen,’ I love playing it,” states guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen.
Pre-order Live At Budokan in your preferred physical format [digipak-2CD, 3LP (limited first edition in trifold), Blu-ray, DVD], pre-save it on your favourite digital service provider (DSP), or pre-order the album digitally to receive “Eagle Fly Free (live)” and “Best Time (live)” instantly: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR
Blackened death metal quintet AOIDOS carve out a fusion of haunting melodies and atmospheres from the realms of black metal in conjunction with the power and groove of death. Storytelling is core to the band, whose name AOIDOS means bard in Ancient Greek. Light your fire, pour yourself a drink and prepare for dark and shadowy tales as the band present their new offering, “Trauma”. The single is the first to emerge ahead of the forthcoming album Oizys that is set for release on November 29th, 2024, via Nox Liberatio Records. Watch “Trauma” HERE.
Dynamically, AOIDOS sculpt a thrilling soundscape across “Trauma” which encounters high intensity with brief moments that are almost serene. Delicate piano melodies enthrall among the weight of the heavy instrumentation. “Trauma” includes lyrics in the band’s native language – Portuguese. “The chorus is totally in Portuguese”, the band explain, “and it sings the plea of ‘Trauma’, a force that sees itself not as an oppressor, but as a protector, a shield between the victim and the true extent of the tragedies they went through.”
Tracklist + Running Times:
Dieaed – 01:29
Thrall – 05:56
Fire – 06:26
Oizys – 06:28
Trauma – 05:50
Old Ballad – 01:48
The Wheels – 04:03
Black Swan – 06:06
From the Surface Grate – 05:10
Slumber – 01:53
All! Wherever! Always! – 04:27
Full Album Running Time: 49:26
About AOIDOS: AOIDOS came to be following a night of mead at the iconic Taberna 58, in Coimbra, Portugal, in 2019. Inspired by storytelling and the Aoidos, who were the bards and minstrels of Ancient Greece, the band bring this element into their heavy and ambient style.
Influenced musically by the likes of GOJIRA, BEHEMOTH and WATAIN, alongside classical piano compositions, AOIDOS strive to create a rich and textural soundscape that embraces the fierce energy of death and ethereality of black metal. To date, the band have taken to stages around South West Europe, including festival appearances at Bajonca Rock Fest, Rock dos Romanos, Mosher Fest, Melena Fest.
Most recently, AOIDOS shared the bill with VADER, SEPTICFLESH and MOONSPELL at Laurus Nobilis Music Festival 2024. With a number of single releases behind them, AOIDOS are now set to unveil their debut album Oizysthis November.
AOIDOS: João “Freitanás” Freitas (Vocals / Guitars) Ekid Marques (Vocals / Bass) Pedro Miguel (Drums) Ivo Resende (Guitars / Backing Vocals) Erlkönig (Piano)
Special Guests: Chris Barber (Drums)
Credits: Producer: João “Freitanás” Freitas Recording Studio: All tracks recorded at Home and our Rehearsal Space in Coimbra except Drums, which were recorded at Golden Jack Studios, Coimbra. Engineer: João “Freitanás” Freitas and João Dourado Mastering: João Dourado Mixing: João “Freitanás” Freitas Album Cover Artist: Sofya Alves Band Photos by: Ruben Lopo
Toronto-based hardcore/crossover thrash quartet, THE SLIME, are back with a brutal new double single offering, “Russian Roulette” and “Orange”, set to give listeners a raw taste of what’s to come from their upcoming album, Crab-Walk To Oblivion, releasing January 24th, 2025.
These two tracks showcase the band’s signature style: ferocious riffs, socially conscious lyrics, and an unrelenting intensity that has made THE SLIME a staple in the underground punk and metal scenes.
“Russian Roulette” is a harrowing dive into the psychological toll of war. Featuring a riff that predates the current lineup, this track has become a staple in the band’s live shows thanks to its hardcore breakdowns and thrashing momentum. Lyrically, the song offers a stark anti-war message, reflecting on the terror and trauma of killing from the impersonal height of an airplane. In a chilling nod to Motörhead’s Bomber, THE SLIME deliver a poignant line, “This ain’t no Bomber fantasy,” to drive home the brutal reality of modern warfare and the haunting specter of PTSD.
On the flip side, “Orange” is a short, fast ripper that keeps both the band and their listeners on edge. But behind its lightning pace lies a weighty, deeply serious message. The song confronts Canada’s shameful history of colonial violence, focusing specifically on the atrocities of the residential school system. With pointed lyrics, THE SLIME call out the systemic racism that allowed such atrocities to happen, challenging the white colonial collaborators who sought to erase Indigenous communities. It’s a blistering critique of a history that can no longer be swept under the rug.
With these two powerful singles, THE SLIME continues their tradition of pairing hard-hitting music with thought-provoking themes, offering their audience a sonic experience that is as cathartic as it is socially relevant.
UPCOMING TREK INCLUDES THE BAND’S FIRST EVER SOUTH AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN PERFORMANCES
Oct. 28, 2024, LOS ANGELES – TOOL, who recently announced their first-ever South American dates as well as the band’s debut Caribbean outing with “TOOL Live in the Sand,” have added two additional Mexican performances to the 2025 trek: March 12 at Explanada del Estadio Mobil Super in Monterrey and March 18 at Calle 2 in Guadalajara.
Tickets for the newly added Mexican shows are on-sale Monday, Nov. 4, at 12 noon cst with an exclusive, 24-hour pre-sale for TOOL Army members starting Thursday, Oct. 31, at 12 noon cst. More information about TOOL Army memberships can be found at Toolband.com/join. VIP packages for the March 15 Mexico City show are available via Toolband.com/VIP. The Cult and Seven Hours After Violet open on both dates.
TOOL has also confirmed performances at three Lollapalooza festivals: Argentina (March 22), Chile (March 23) and Brazil (March 30), along with a headlining spot at the Estéreo Picnic festival in Bogotá on March 28.
“TOOL Live in the Sand” is a three-day event featuring two sets from TOOL, with additional performances by Primus, Mastodon, Coheed and Cambria, Eagles of Death Metal, and more. The destination festival runs March 7 to 9 at the Hard Rock and Royal Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Tickets are available via Toolinthesand.com.
TOOL – tour dates:
March 7 to 9 Punta Cana, DR TOOL Live in the Sand March 12 Monterrey, MX Explanada del Estadio Mobil Super March 15 Mexico City, MX Explanada del Estadio Azteca March 18 Guadalajara, MX Calle 2 March 22 Buenos Aires, AR Lollapalooza Argentina March 23 Santiago, CL Lollapalooza Chile March 28 Bogota, CO Estéreo Picnic March 30 São Paulo, BR Lollapalooza Brasil
TOOL formed in 1990, releasing five studio albums: Undertow(1993), Ænima (1996), Lateralus(2001), 10,000 Days (2006), and Fear Inoculum (2019); two EPs: 72826 (1991) and Opiate (1992), and the limited-edition boxset Salival (2000). The band has won four GRAMMY Awards®: Best Metal Performance (1998, “Ænima”), Best Metal Performance (2002, “Schism”), Best Recording Package (2007, 10,000 Days) and Best Metal Performance (2020, “7empest”). TOOL is Danny Carey (drums), Justin Chancellor (bass), Adam Jones (guitar) and Maynard James Keenan (vocals).
ENFORCED, the unstoppable force of crossover thrash, is back with their blistering new EP, A Leap Into the Dark. Featuring six powerhouse tracks, this EP delivers everything fans have come to expect from the Virginia-based quintet: searing riffs, unrelenting aggression, and lyrics that pull no punches. Stream the full EP HERE.
Accompanying the release is the brand-new video for the lead single, “Betting on the End.” This incendiary track juxtaposes the idea that “politicians are ‘gambling with our lives’” against the concept that everyday people are doing it for them. “It’s a spiral about the devaluation of human life in the modern age. It feels like we’re all just chips to be wagered, but at its core, we’d be wagering our own lives regardless. So can you blame an entity for essentially mocking your own behavior? It works both ways and on every level; be it an individual or an overpowered government. The house wins in the end.”
Recorded with Lance Koehler, A Leap Into the Dark is a direct follow-up to the band’s acclaimed 2023 album War Remains. With three new songs and remastered versions of fan favorites, the EP captures the raw, relentless energy that has become synonymous with ENFORCED’s sound.
A Leap Into The Dark Tracklist:
“Betting on the End”
“A Leap Into The Dark”
“Deafening Heartbeats”
“Casket” (2024 Remaster)
“Deadly Intentions” (OBITUARY Cover)
“The Chase is On” (ENGLISH DOGS Cover)
A Leap Into The Dark is the sound of ENFORCED journeying into new levels of intensity and aggression. Fans can expect nothing less than a full-throttle aural assault as the band continues to carve their place in the pantheon of modern thrash.
ENFORCED:
Knox Colby (Vocals) Will Wagstaff (Guitars) Zach Monahan (Guitars) Ethan Gensurowsky (Bass) Alex Bishop (Drums)
The release of A Leap Into the Dark comes just ahead of the band’s highly anticipated European tour. This November, ENFORCED will hit the road with GATECREEPER and 200 STAB WOUNDS for a full-throttle series of shows across Europe. The tour kicks off in Dublin on October 30, 2024, and includes stops in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Scandinavia.
European Tour Dates:
10/30 Dublin, IE @ Whelan’s
10/31 Bristol City, UK @ The Fleece
11/01 London, UK @ O2 Academy Islington
11/02 Manchester, UK @ Damnation Fest
11/03 S-Hertogenbosch, NL @ Sepulfest
11/04 Wiesbaden, DE @ Schlachthof
11/05 Zurich, CH @ Dynamo
11/06 Milan, IT @ Legend Club
11/07 Vienna, AT @ Arena
11/08 Munich, DE @ Backstage
11/09 Essen, DE @ Turock
11/10 Hannover, DE @ Musikzentrum
11/11 Copenhagen, DK @ Pumpehuset
11/12 Oslo, NO @ John Dee
11/14 Tampere, FI @ Olympia
11/15 Helsinki, FI @ Aaniwalli
11/16 Oulu, FI @ Kantakrouvi
11/18 Stockholm, SE @ Kollektivet Livet
11/19 Gothenburg, SE @ Film Studios
11/20 Hamburg, DE @ Knust
11/21 Berlin, DE @ SO36
11/22 Leipzig, DE @ UT Connewitz
11/23 Stuttgart, DE @ Im Wizemann
11/24 Antwerp, BE @ Zappa
For more information about ENFORCED and their upcoming projects, visit:
Detroit (MI) – Detroit power metallers, DEMON BITCH, have premiered “Master of the Games,” the title track and second single from their long-awaited sophomore album!
Gates of Hell Records (a Cruz Del Sur Music sub-label) will release Master of the Games November 29 on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.
The sophomore effort from Detroit, Michigan pillars of classic metal Demon Bitch, Master of the Games is a nine-song effort that is unmatched and unpredictable!
An eight-year buffer between studio albums left Detroit true metallers Demon Bitch with one, singular option: To be as uncompromising as possible. While there was an assortment of lessons learned along the way, Demon Bitch used their time wisely to ensure their sophomore Master of the Games long-player turned out exactly like they wanted.
Recorded in Lansing, Michigan between 2022 and 2024 under the watchful eye of George Szegedy, Master of the Games evokes the raw, obscure feelings of underground power and classic metal and captures it throughout nine songs of timeless glory.
Demon Bitch features several members of the heralded White Magician within its ranks, including vocalist Logon Saton, the guitar tandem of Lord Mars and Solon Saton and Drummer Master Commander. The band is rounded out by returning bassist B. Beastmaster, who was featured on the 2014 Death is Hanging… EP.
At its core, Master of the Games is a chaotic offering of obscure and underground U.S. power metal and classic heavy metal with some eclectic moments ranging from 1970s sensibilities to more extreme influences.
The over-the-top approach found on the band’s Hellfiends debut remains, although Demon Bitch has injected several epic moments to make the album even more dynamic. And it’s all tied together by lyrical themes of fantasy, legends and lore, highly disputed claims about the world around us, mystery, secrecy and the unknown captured through ominous, esoteric and dark romantic expression. According to Logon, the stories told in the lyrics are “left pretty open for interpretation in most cases, but I certainly think there’s some interesting concepts for you to look into.”
The album’s artwork was handled by Logon, who wanted to complement some of the more esoteric and mysterious aspects that Master of the Games encompasses, both lyrically and musically. He was working on both the lyrics and the artwork around the same time period, so he spent a lot of time staring at the painting while writing and thinking of ideas. This helped to inspire some lyrical passages in songs like “Sentinel at the Spire,” “Tower of Dreams” and “Soldiers of Obscurity.”
The release of Master of the Games was preceded by Demon Bitch’s first-ever European dates. The band played Chaos Descends in Germany; a festival populated by some of the truest diehards in the metal scene.
Demon Bitch also played a few exclusive club shows in Vienna and Croatia. Not surprisingly, the response was universally positive. And, now, with the release of Master of the Games around the corner, the next phase of Demon Bitch’s career begins. Let the games begin!
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