Freya, the veteran hardcore/metal band hailing from Syracuse, USA, is set to drop their newest single “Blood Thirst”. This powerful track showcases the band’s unique blend of hardcore intensity and thrash metal fury that they have been perfecting for over two decades. The single is a straightforward banger, drummer Ethan D. Henry comments on the track:
“I’m not vegan or anything but I was just thinking of this concept of some trophy hunters entering the forest killing and taking what they wanted and leaving the corpses of their victims to rot. I imagined a grizzly bear being fed up finding rotten deer, turkey, and whatever else on his daily trek. Full of rage, he is forced to fight back and chase the men out of the forest. Like Batman haha. But a pissed-off grizzly bear.”
Drawing inspiration from the hard-hitting, old-school hardcore vibe of bands like Biohazard, the song opens with a memorable riff that immediately grabs the listener’s attention. As the track progresses, Freya seamlessly shifts into a thrash metal assault reminiscent of Slayer, showcasing the band’s ability to blend genres with precision and intensity.
Henry also comments that he wanted this track to crank and hit hard, “it’s about capturing that raw energy that makes hardcore and thrash so powerful”. “Blood Thirst” will appeal to both hardcore and metal fans alike, especially those with an interest in Earth Crisis, Terror, and Hatebreed.
Listen to “Blood Thirst” via its premiere on NoEcho HERE.
CATEGORY 7, featuring John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Phil Demmel (Kerry King, Machine Head), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), Jack Gibson (Exodus), and Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Overkill), today announces their 2025 first ever tour in support of their self-titled Metal Blade debut.
The fourteen-show trek commences on March 6th in Baltimore, Maryland and runs through March 23rd in Atlanta, Georgia. Direct support on all shows will be provided by Exhorder (except Milwaukee). Additional support will be provided by Hand Of The Tribe on all dates, as well as Dead By Wednesday on the first four dates, and Engineered Society Project on the remainder of the tour, starting in Warrendale.
Comments vocalistJohn Bush, “Looking forward to CATEGORY 7 blowing off the roofs of some venues on the East Coast and Midwest in March of 2025. This will be the first time the band will be playing live so come and check out some killer musicianship. Playing songs from the debut record should be fun. See ya there!”
Adds guitaristPhil Demmel, “Batten down your hatches because the C7tempest is about to touch ground in the US this March! We are all so thrilled to launch this band and bring our show through the states! See you in the eye of the storm!”
Presales on Blabbermouth.net and Knotfest.com will begin tomorrow, October 9th with the general on sale beginning Friday, October 11th. VIP upgrades will be available for all shows at category7official.com. The VIP purchase does not include the show ticket. See all confirmed dates below.
CATEGORY 7 w/ Exhorder, Dead By Wednesday, Hand Of The Tribe: 3/06/2025 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 3/07/2025 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ 3/08/2025 Middle East – Downstairs – Cambridge 3/09/2025 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA w/ Exhorder, Engineered Society Project, Hand Of The Tribe: 3/11/2025 Jergel’s – Warrendale, PA 3/12/2025 The Asylum At Temple Live – Cleveland, OH 3/14/2025 The Machine Shop – Flint, MI 3/15/2025 The Forge – Joliet, IL 3/16/2025 The Rave II – Milwaukee, WI ** 3/18/2025 Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN 3/19/2025 Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE 3/21/2025 Pop’s – St. Louis, MO 3/22/2025 Exit/In – Nashville, TN 3/23/2025 The Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA ** w/ H1Z1, Misfire, Engineered Society Project, Hand Of The Tribe (no Exhorder)
Category 7 was released on July 26th to worldwide critical acclaim and debuted at #8 on the Billboard Rock Chart. The band has released four videos to date for the tracks “In Stitches,” “Exhausted,” “Mousetrap,” and “Apple of Discord.” The band has received major support from the Sirius XM channel Liquid Metal.
Category 7 was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Mike Orlando at Sonic Stomp Studios with art and layout by Carlos Fides at Artside Studio (Angra, Evergrey, Kamelot). Stream and purchase the record at: metalblade.com/category7.
Europe – English Friends…we have a handful of Headline Shows to end the year and we are dragging our Old Friends and California Thrash Metal legends SADUS with us! Where will WE meet YOU? Tickets OnSale Friday!!
Florida’s own power metal force, SEVEN KINGDOMS, is thrilled to announce their signing with Reigning Phoenix Music. This exciting partnership marks a new chapter for the band, kicking off with the highly anticipated release of their upcoming EP, The Square, on November 8th, 2024
In celebration of this announcement, SEVEN KINGDOMS has dropped a brand-new single and accompanying music video for the EP’s title track, “The Square.” The song delivers the band’s signature blend of high-energy riffs, soaring vocals, and epic power metal melodies, while the video brings the track to life with a captivating, cinematic experience that fans are sure to love. Watch the video for “The Square” HERE.
Guitarist Camden Cruz comments: “It’s an honor and privilege to join the RPM family alongside bands like Helloween, Kerry King, Meshuggah, Sonata Arctica and many more! We’ve been independent for some time, and we’re thrilled to join a team where that independence can coexist with a proper label. With this EP we have best of both worlds behind us and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship here with Reigning Phoenix Music!”
“The Square is our latest offering. In this EP we deliver a sampling of what sounds and feels we are aiming to bring to the next full release which will also come out on RPM late next year! We hope you love it as much as we do, and we will bring this material on our North American Headlining tour with Striker and Lutharo in November and December and also to Europe when we support Unleash The Archers in February and March 2025!”
Reigning Phoenix Music states: “RPM is very excited to start our new partnership with DMG (Distortion Music Group) and Maurizio Iacono, and offering a new song from Seven Kingdoms is a great way to kick it off!”
Manager Maurizio Iacono further adds: “With the new firepower that RPM will be providing to DMG artists, you can bet that American power metal sensation Seven Kingdoms will be making a lot of noise in the coming year. The Floridians are one of the fastest-rising heavy metal bands from North America, and we expect them to make waves worldwide with their virtuoso guitar skills, impressive vocal range, catchy anthems, and entertaining live shows.”
Sabrina Cruz – Vocals Camden Cruz – Guitars Kevin Byrd – Guitars Keith Byrd -Drums
In addition to the EP’s release, SEVEN KINGDOMS will embark on an extensive touring schedule. The band will kick off with a North American headlining tour in November and December, joined by STRIKER, LUTHARO, and OSYRON for select dates. Following that, they will support power metal legends UNLEASH THE ARCHERS on a European tour in February and March 2025.
11/9 – Boozers Rock Bar – Corpus Christi, TX 11/10 – Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 11/11 – Haltom Theater – Haltom, TX 11/12 – 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK 11/13 – Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM 11/14 – Vultures – Colorado Springs, CO 11/16 – Last Exit Live – Phoenix, AZ 11/17 – Sinwave – Las Vegas, NV 11/18 – Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 11/19 – Knucklehead – Los Angeles, CA 11/20 – DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA 11/21 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR 11/22 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA 11/23 – Jacknife – Kelowna, BC 11/25 – Dicken’s – Calgary, AB # 11/26 – The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB # 11/27 – The Black Cat – Saskatoon, SK # 11/28 – Sidestage – Winnipeg, MB # 11/30 – Reggies – Chicago, IL 12/1 – Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 12/3 – Meadows – Brooklyn, NY 12/4 – Metro – Baltimore, MD 12/5 – Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 12/6 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA 12/7 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL 12/8 – Conduit – Orlando, FL
# = Osyron Joins
European Tour Supporting UNLEASH THE ARCHERS:
12.02 – Substage – Karlsruhe, DE 13.02 – Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE 14.02 – Live Music Hall – Cologne, DE 15.02 – De Kreun – Kortrijk, BE 16.02 – The Underworld – London, GB 17.02 – La Machine – Paris, FR 19.02 – Dynamo – Zurich, CH 20.02 – Legend Club – Milan, IT 21.02 – Backstage – Munich, DE 22.02 – Masters Of Rock Cafe – Zlin, CZ 23.02 – Barba Negra – Budapest, HU 25.02 – Szene – Vienna, AT 26.02 – Kwadrat – Cracow, PL 27.02 – Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE 28.02 – Rockhal – Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU 01.03 – Kronensaal – Hamburg, DE 02.03 – Patronaat – Haarlem, NL
International Deathcore/Power Metal dynamos, DRAGONCORPSE, are back and armed with a vibrant new EP, The Fall of House Abbarath! Set for a November 1 release on Shattered Earth Records, the EP is nothing short of a game changer for the quintet.
On the new EP, the band took its already innovative, energetic sound, created through the fusion of deathcore and power metal, and sharpened it to a fine point on The Fall of House Abbarath. DRAGONCORPSE took the feedback gathered from the release of debut EP, The Drakketh Saga, to heart and used it to refine their approach.
“For new fans, I believe we’ve added more elements of deathcore and power metal while adding more excitement into the music for an authentic listening experience like no other band,” bassist Noah Nikolas Laidlaw explains. “We put a lot of emphasis on the atmosphere of the music,” adds drummer Justin Gogan. “Throughout the entire EP there is a medieval theming that resonates in the music that keeps the tracks feeling refreshing and fun. With the addition of Mark on keys/orchestration, he brought with him a completely different approach to songwriting that I am sure fans are going to appreciate!”
FFO: Dragonforce, 3 Inches of Blood, Nekrogoblikon, Lorna Shore, Brand of Sacrifice
All songs performed by: DRAGONCORPSE. All songs written by: DRAGONCORPSE. Produced by: DRAGONCORPSE and Matt Schmidt. Mixed by: Matt Schmidt. Mastered by: Matt Schmidt. Album artwork by: Avellustration.
BAND BIO:
DRAGONCORPSE is a death metal band that fuses power metal and deathcore, creating a unique sound marked by operatic vocals and guttural screams. They stand out with their symphonic elements, adding depth and creativity to their music. The band, with members across Canada, the U.S., and Australia, maintains a cohesive, powerful sound despite the distance.
Known for their humor, they embrace memes and use the term “DRAGUSSY” to playfully reference their love for dragons in power metal culture. DRAGONCORPSE offers a dynamic and distinctive experience for fans of death metal, power metal, or deathcore.
Progressive deathcore giants WITHIN THE RUINS will kick off a short run of Southwestern headlining shows next week with support provided by Gore. Later this month, the band will head East for another round of shows in the US and Canada. Support will be provided by Dreamwake. In December, the band will join Shadows Fall for their 20th anniversary celebration of The War Within at the historic Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Tickets for all shows are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below and stay tuned for additional WITHIN THE RUINS shows to be announced in the weeks to come.
WITHIN THE RUINS w/ Gore.: 10/09/2024 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX 10/10/2024 Roxy Theater – Denver, CO 10/11/2024 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK 10/12/2024 RBC – Dallas, TX 10/13/2024 Vibes Underground – San Antonio, TX
w/ Dreamwake: 10/23/2024 The Foundry – Lakewood, OH 10/24/2024 The Pike Room – Pontiac, MI 10/25/2024 Lee’s (Cave) – Toronto, ON 10/26/2024 Foufounes – Montreal, QC 10/27/2024 Webester Underground – Hartford, CT End Tour
12/21/2024 The Palladium — Worcester, MA w/ Shadows Fall, Unearth, E-Town Concrete, Jasta, Brick By Brick
Phenomena II is available on CD, LP, and digital formats. Find orders at THIS LOCATION.
Watch WITHIN THE RUINS’ videos for “The Last Son” HERE, “Castle In The Sky,” HERE, and “Demon Killer” HERE.
Evolution drives longevity. WITHIN THE RUINS relentlessly pushes forward, incinerating complacency and innovating out of its ashes. The Western Massachusetts quartet — Joe Cocchi (guitar), Kevin McGuill (drums), Paolo Galang (bass, clean vocals), and Steve Tinnon (lead vocals) — razes convention with a sonic sensory onslaught anchored by polyrhythmic bludgeoning, head-nodding grooves, viscerally evocative vocals, and vivid storytelling.
Their controlled chaos has resulted in tens of millions of streams (a rarity for acts this uncompromisingly heavy), packed houses on tour, and widespread acclaim courtesy of Alternative Press, American Songwriter, Loudwire, Metal Injection, Phoenix New Times, and many more.
Now, they continue to evolve on their seventh full-length offering, Phenomena II. “When you listen to us, we hope you feel like you found some fresh metal,” notes Cocchi. “After doing anything for a long time, it’s easy to get stuck in your ways. So, we always try to present something you haven’t heard before — and you aren’t going to get anywhere else.”
“We couldn’t be happier Phenomena II is finally out for everyone to hear,” adds Tinnon. “We’re extremely proud of how it turned out, and we hope you all enjoy the characters and songs as much as we enjoyed making it!”
Featuring Cameos from Members of Metal Church, Manowar and Immortal Guardian
Austin (TX) – Returning with their latest call-to-arms, Texas metal warlords IGNITOR are once again battle-ready with the release of their new album, Horns and Hammers.
Another storm-the-gates, metal onslaught, Horns and Hammersdelivers all the dramatic power and fury that landed previous albums Haunted by Rock ‘N’ Roll and The Golden Age of Black Magick in the hallowed realms of Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Raven, Dio, Accept and other legendary keepers of the metal creed.
From the title track’s speed-metal war cry and the Maiden-esque “Imperial Bloodlines” to the cowbell-driven “Shattered Crosses” and the 70s-inspired heavy metal of “Ferocious the Martyrs” (featuring guest keyboardist Gabriel Guardian of Immortal Guardian) the 11-track Horns and Hammers a mighty mix of classic heavy metal spiked with NWOBHM, thrash, power metal and the atmospheric textures of prog-metal and fantasy.
Photo Credit: Steve Miller
“We raised the bar high with our last two albums so we couldn’t settle for anything less than a full-on metal assault,” said founding guitarist Stuart “Batlord” Laurence. “We’ve always honored our influences, but we’re also very insistent that our music – first and foremost – sounds like IGNITOR. With Horns and Hammers, we’ve covered the spectrum of metal and taken Ignitor to a whole new level.”
Fronted by the soaring vocals of Jason McMaster (Watchtower, Dangerous Toys, Broken Teeth), IGNITOR’s strength is further forged by guitarist Robert Williams, bassist Billy “Chainsaw” Dansfiell and drummer Pat Doyle. Whether charging and pounding like clashing titans (“Dark Horse,” “Chaos Maximus Eternal”) or luring the listener into gothic tales of doom and deceit (“Suicide Anthem,” “Taken Up With Serpents”), IGNITOR delivers with shuddering impact.
Check out the promotional video for music, interviews, and album info at: youtu.be/ip1xGHaGH_4.
“Robert brought a ton of songs and riff ideas to the table and Billy had some great ideas that blossomed into full-blown songs,” Laurence said. “Once we started jamming with Pat’s pummeling backbeat, we knew we had something special.”
“As the arrangements started coming together, I found myself completely immersed and inspired to come up with the lyrical themes and characters to carry the songs to completion,” McMaster added. “I’m really proud of the band’s individual and collective contributions, and I think we all agree that Horns and Hammers is a triumph by any measure.”
The album’s stunning cover art – featuring a medieval warrior and his mighty steed surveying a hellish killing field – comes courtesy of renowned fantasy/sci-fi artist Claudio Bergamin, whose credits include Judas Priest (Firepower), Burning Witches (The Witch of the North), Cassius King (Field Trip) and Klassik ’78 (Phantoms), among others.
Produced and mastered by Stuart “Batlord” Laurence at Emphatic Audio in Austin, TX, Horns and Hammers was mastered for vinyl by Cris Burns. “Hell Shall Be Your Home” was recorded live in Austin TX at Kick Butt Coffee in 2019, and engineered by Ernie Basaldua with mixing by Stuart “Batlord” Laurence.
U.S. residents can pre-order the CD directly from the band at ignitorband.com/merch. Orders will ship no later than October 15.
Track Listing:
1. Horns And Hammers 2. Imperial Bloodlines 3. Dark Horse 4. Cyber Crush 5. Shattered Crosses 6. Taking Up With Serpents 7. Ferocious The Martyrs 8. Suicide Anthem 9. Chaos Maximus Eternal 10. Machine Gun (Saxon cover)* 11. Terminous
Note: “Hell Shall Be Your Home” appears on the Metal On Metal Records version.
All songs written, recorded and performed by Ignitor, except *“Machine Gun,” originally written, recorded and performed by Saxon, Carrere Music Ltd 1980.
Vinyl and CD versions wil be distributed through Revolt Vinyl Records in North and South America in November. This version will include a bonus track of the Saxon classic “Machine Gun,” featuring guest appearances by Ross The Boss (Manowar, Dictators), Marc Lopes (Metal Church, Let Us Prey, Ross The Boss) and Gabriel Guardian (Immortal Guardian). Look for the companion video of that song very soon. This version will soon be available for streaming and purchase on all digital platforms.
The vinyl version of Horns and Hammers will be released on Metal World Records in Europe.
ENEMY INSIDE is back with a vengeance, releasing their new single, “Should Have Known Better.”
The modern metal outfit delivers a track that blends fierceness and finesse, unafraid to challenge and redefine the genre. The lyrics drive this message home with a steadfast resolve, showcasing the band’s knack for blending introspective storytelling with raw emotion and heavy-hitting energy, digging deep into themes of betrayal and resilience. “It’s a reminder that you cannot look into someone’s head and should watch out for those uninterested in your success and well-being,”the band explains. “It’s for all the fake friends talking behind your back or only sticking around in your best moments but not at your worst. You tried to play the wrong person – you should have known better.”
The accompanying music video mirrors the song’s fierce narrative. Frontwoman Nastassja Giulia takes on the role of a high-society icon, confidently dominating a high-stakes gambling table. The video, crafted by Nastassja alongside creative collaborator and guitarist Evan K, and mixed and mastered by Christoph Wieczorek, seamlessly intertwines sophistication and defiance. It captures the essence of the song’s message — standing strong in the face of betrayal, reclaiming power, and serving a taste of karma to those who have underestimated you.
ENEMY INSIDE European Tour 2025 Special Guests: Letters Sent Home 20.02.2025 DK Copenhagen – Rust 21.02.2025 DE Hamburg – headCRASH 22.02.2025 DE Berlin – Privatclub 23.02.2025 DE Hanover – Béi Chéz Heinz 27.02.2025 DE Bochum – Rockpalast 28.02.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 01.03.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Club) 06.03.2025 DE Cologne – Helios 37 07.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann (Studio) 08.03.2025 CH Aarburg – Musigburg 13.03.2025 DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 14.03.2025 CZ Prague – Storm Club 15.03.2025 PL Kraków – Klub Zaścianek 16.03.2025 PL Warsaw – Klub Hydrozagadka 21.03.2025 NL Utrecht – De Helling 22.03.2025 NL Maastricht – Muziekgieterij 28.03.2025 FI Tampere – Olympia-kortteli * 29.03.2025 FI Helsinki – On the Rocks * w/o LSH
About ENEMY INSIDE: Defiant. Empowered. Unstoppable. Enemy Inside has cemented themselves as a force in the modern metal scene, blending haunting melodies with intense, aggressive riffs. Their music captures the struggle of battling inner demons, resonating with a growing fanbase worldwide.
Garnering over 9 million streams on Spotify and 3 million YouTube views, their previous albums, Phoenix and Seven, have solidified their reputation for delivering as thought-provoking as hard-hitting music while sharing stages with some of the biggest names in metal and performing at festivals like Wacken Open Air, Full Metal Cruise, Nummirock and Dynamo Metal Fest.
Watch more: “What We Used To Be” – YouTube “Sayonara” – YouTube
The Mighty Saxon are pleased to announce the extensive “Hell, Fire And Steel” European tour. The Tour will see us perform our classic album Wheels of Steel in its entirety on what will be its 45th anniversary, plus all the hits, fan favourites and songs from our new album Hell Fire and Damnation.
This is a Saxon tour like no other and one you are not going to want to miss! The “Hell, Fire And Steel” tour kicks off in Bremen in Germany on February 4th, a listing of dates are below.
Tickets are available via general on sale Friday 4th October with various pre-sales prior, with Sweden general on sale Monday 7th October.
Tickets on sale for Milan and Tilburg as of Tuesday 1st October ** Tickets on sale for Copenhagen, Prague, Kraków, Vienna and Warsaw as of Wednesday 2nd October
FEB 04 – Aladin Music Hall, Bremen (DE) FEB 06 – Amager Bio, Copenhagen (DK)** FEB 07 – Conventum, Orebro (SE) FEB 08 – Värmekyrkan, Norrköping (SE) FEB 09 – Slagthuset, Malmö (SE) FEB 11 – Rockefeller, Oslo (NO) FEB 13 – Trädgär’n, Gothenburg (SE) FEB 14 – Folkets Park, Huskvarna (SE) FEB 15 – Cirkus, Stockholm (SE) FEB 17 – Docks, Hamburg (DE) FEB 19 – Lucerna Music Bar, Prague (CZ)** FEB 20 – Studio, Kraków (PL)** FEB 21 – Gasometer, Vienna (AT)** FEB 23 – Progresja, Warsaw (PL)** FEB 25 – Muffathalle, Munich (DE) FEB 26 – Live Club, Milan (IT)* FEB 28 – Volkshaus, Zurich (CH) MAR 01 – Central, Erfurt (DE) MAR 02 – 013, Tilburg (NL)* MAR 04 – Huxleys, Berlin (DE) MAR 05 – Haus Auensee, Leipzig (DE)
Phoenix nu-metal juggernauts SICKSENSE are back! Following two critically praised EPs, the band is readying the release of their debut full-length album, Cross Me Twice, on February 14, 2025 with Earache Records.
From the maleficent minds of dual vocalists Vicky “Killer V” Psarakis (THE AGONIST) and Rob The Ripper, comes a new wave of nu-metal. With the added arsenal of guitarist Agent Phil [Philip Lykostratis], bassist The Gothfather [Richard Regier] and drummer Smokin’ J [Joseph Polizzi], SICKSENSE have crafted their heaviest record yet, melting nu-metal elements with metalcore and electronic touches for a unique spin on the rejuvenated genre.
Commenting on the record, Killer V states:
“Our upcoming album, ‘Cross Me Twice’, takes the listener on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey. We evolved from our traditional nu metal sound, by incorporating more modern metal and electronic elements into this album. The heavy parts got heavier, the soft parts got softer and the catchy parts got catchier. ‘Cross Me Twice’ explores a wider dynamic range, which leaves the listener not knowing what to expect with each release.
We were going through numerous personal issues amongst ourselves as a band while working on this record, which inevitably led to us parting ways with former members and bringing in new ones to complete it. These issues inspired the lyrical themes for each song. It wasn’t easy to go through and create, but we’re extremely proud of the end result.
I remember spending countless hours working on keys and the overall sound design of ‘Cross Me Twice’, on top of all the vocal arrangements I normally task myself with. Teaming up with our producer, Joey Doherty, was the final step and best decision we could have made to bring you guys what we believe will be one of the absolute best sounding albums of 2025.
There’s something for everyone to enjoy here and we hope it means as much to our listeners as it does to us. It’s truly special.“
Today, the band has revealed their latest single, ‘Wildfires‘, from the impending album, accompanied by the music video below.
Adding about the song, Rob The Ripper says:
‘“Wildfires’ is a fun braggadocio anthem about being the best you can be and not feeling sorry about it. It’s a call-out song directed towards our peers for them to be better people and create better music. Too many artists are ‘fake nice’ to your face, then talk smack about you behind your back. If you feel a certain way about someone, just be honest. Many bands play it safe with their music too. They’re afraid to push boundaries. We aren’t. We’ll incorporate rapping, singing, screaming, R&B, hip-hop and electronic music. Whatever fits and feels right for each song. We did this with ‘Wildfires’. It’s got it all. From a songwriting and production perspective, we do it exceptionally well. ‘Wildfires’ is a special song for all the fans who love us and it’s especially for our fans in denial who love to hate us.“
1. Sellout 2. Wildfires 3. Throwback 4. Fever Dream 5. Invisible 6. On Repeat 7. Masquerade Parade 8. In This Carousel 9. Here Come All The Memories 10. Follow Me
About SICKSENSE:
It’s rare that a debut album inspires such fervent anticipation, but the thrill surrounding a full-length from Sicksense is concrete. A band who have nurtured their community from seedlings to an army of “Deli-boos” (if you know, you know), Sicksense made instant waves in the metal scene upon the release of their two EPs Kings Today and Fools Tomorrow.
These collections saw their music garner support from metal connoisseurs such as TankTheTech, feature in the ring with ex-NXT and NOAH pro-wrestler Stallion Rogers, and hit Spotify’s Alternative Metal and New Nü playlists alongside other trailblazers in the future of metal. These two small portholes into their vibrant world have turned heads in the industry and metal fandom alike, receiving comparisons to nü-metal titans like Slipknot, Evanescence and Limp Bizkit in the process.
Sicksense have now announced their debut album ‘Cross Me Twice’, news which will see anticipation on all sides finally relieved. With ‘Cross Me Twice’, the band take their nü-metal influences and Frankenstein them into a hydra monster that sees the heads of metalcore, progressive metal and power metal combine into a modern experiment gone very right. The album is all a nü-metal fan could hope for while bringing new color to the genre.
It’s this versatility that sets Sicksense apart in the nü-gen surge. The adventurous ‘Cross Me Twice’ is as fantastically otherworldly with luminous keys and glacial melodies as it is gritty with nü-metal grooves and stomach-lurching djent. Conjurers of jeweled light and chroma, commanders of shadow and moonbeams, Sicksense create such a thickly immersive atmosphere that it feels as though you can see the album just as much as you can hear it.
PRIMAL FEAR & Reigning Phoenix Music announce the new studio album Domination; welcome new members & unveil initial 2025 tour dates!
Spanning more than 25 years of pure heavy and power metal, PRIMAL FEAR have face numerous challenges since their formation in 1997. Despite these obstacles, the band have repeatedly risen from their lowest points, like a phoenix from the ashes. After a recent line-up change, which saw Thalìa Bellezecca join on guitar and André Hilgers on drums, the group are now in the final stages of completing their upcoming 15th studio album, Domination, which is currently being recorded.
“We’ve entered the studio and we can choose from a pool of about 25 songs! We’re absolutely happy!” smiles founding member Mat Sinner (bass, vocals). Produced by Sinner and co-produced by Ralf Scheepers and Magnus Karlsson, the new offering will be mixed and mastered by the group’s confident partner Jacob Hansen at his Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark by the end of this year.
Long-time guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who has recently returned to the PRIMAL FEAR live touring crew, is once again a vital part of the creative process as well. He adds: “I can’t wait to hit the stage with PRIMAL FEAR again! It’s going to be an incredible ride! We’re going to create something truly special together, both live and in the studio, and I’m so grateful to share this journey with all you metalheads! Metal is forever!”
The metal titans are determined to outdo themselves once again and to surpass the success of their recent album Code Red, which achieved the highest chart notations in the band’s history. Their efforts are progressing exceptionally well. Vocalist Ralf Scheepers states about the current process: “I haven’t felt as great in a long time as I did singing some of the new songs!”
But that’s not all: behind the scenes, preparations are in full swing, and PRIMAL FEAR fans should mark September 5, 2025 on their calendars. This date not only marks the release of Domination but also the launch of a European tour, starting in Hamburg, Germany, and spanning eight countries to celebrate the album’s debut. The tour will be preceded by several festival appearances (more details to be announced soon, so stay tuned!), with their first performance featuring the highly energized new line-up set for Rock in Rautheim next May. Contact: ITM.
Today, Venice death metallers MEMBRANCE announce the release of their new EP Undead Remains out October 11th. With the announcement, the Italian band drops the first single “Corpse For Sale”, alongside a music video. Watch it HERE.
The band commented: “’Corpse For Sale’ is a metaphor of Venice seen as an abandoned corpse adrift, continuously stripped and plundered both by the worms that infest the city (Venetian people willing to sell it off to make money) and by those passing beasts (tourists) who just snatch a filthy morsel before leaving. A carcass that everyone is willing to see before it finally rots away”.
On the EP, MEMBRANCE say:“Undead Remains showcases what’s left from the sessions of our last album Undead Island; these are older and slightly more experimental tracks that the band was still working on during the recording of the full-length. For this reason they were not included in the album, as we wanted to give them more exposure in a subsequent release.
In addition to ‘Corpse For Sale’, among the new tracks with a more experimental style there is ‘Vengeance’s Price’, which features Sara Tacchetto, singer of Vallorch, on vocals. This song is inspired by Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice. Each verse is an act with a different character. The collaboration with Sara was born by entrusting her with two acts in which the protagonist is a woman.
To close this release, we have included a cover that is very dear to us, both for the themes covered and for its impact in the live setting, and a couple of live recordings of our most ferocious and punishing songs. The artwork was painted by Francesco Cagali in the style of his previous work for us, while the mastering of the EP was handled by Luca Cocconi of Audiocore Studio, precisely to link these songs with the latest full-length Undead Island”.
The Run For Your Lives World Tour will kick off on May 27th next year in Budapest followed by 27 stadium, festival & arena shows around Europe. The tour marks 50 years since Steve Harris formed the band in late 1975 and to celebrate this Maiden fans are promised a very special set list, spanning the nine studio albums from ‘Iron Maiden’ to ‘Fear Of The Dark’, with their most spectacular and elaborate show ever!
Special Guests for the first half of the tour, including the London & Dublin outdoor shows (but not the UK arenas), will be American rockers Halestorm. The second half of the tour sees Sweden’s Avatar as guests. And, finally, British metal band, The Raven Age, will open all UK & Ireland shows.
*Halestorm | ^The Raven Age | **Avatar
Tickets go on general sale next week! Check http://IronMaiden.com for dates/times and to read the whole announcement.
PROFILER have announced the details of the deluxe edition of their debut album, A Digital Nowhere, that was released earlier this year through SharpTone Records. The news comes alongside the release of a new single titled ‘Notion’.
Vocalist and guitarist Mike Evans comments:
“Notion discusses the theme of loneliness. It delves into how fear and insecurity from childhood trauma can overwhelm the soul, and how debilitating this can be. It’s a song about feeling like a misfit, a reject, an outsider. It’s an emotionally charged track written from personal experience.”
PROFILER is: Mike Evans – Vocals, Guitar Joe Johnson – Bass
PROFILER will be heading out across the UK as main support to DEFECTS later this year. Full details below.
29th Oct – Glasgow – Classic Grand 30th Oct – Newcastle – The Cluny 31st Oct – Manchester – Rebellion 1st Nov – Leeds – Key Club 3rd Nov – London – O2 Academy2 Islington 4th Nov – Bristol – Exchange 6th Nov – Oxford – Jericho Tavern 7th Nov – Birmingham – Flapper
A DIGITAL NOWHERE (DELUXE EDITION) TRACKLIST 1. All In Forever 2. Artifice 3. Delay 4. Animo 5. To Utopia 6. Zero 7. Operator 8. Consumed 9. The Living Receiver 10. Sequence 11. Constricted 12. Fakers 13. Depth Perception 14. Notion
Countdown to our first headlining tour in ages! Get your tickets now, this is going to be RAGING! ESPECIALLY the fact that we will be doing our first Bay Area headlining show in many years! Joining us are Havok, Candy and Dead Heat. Get your tickets now and come join us for some good friendly violent fun!
Sept. 12, 2024, Northampton, U.K. – OBEYER, who recently signed to 3DOTRecordings, have released a two-song digital single: “Second Sun” and “Radiant” (listen to both here: https://go.mhe.fm/obeyer_secondsun).
The U.K. based outfit, which features former members of Midlands’ underground favorites, Lay Siege, also released a video for “Second Sun” (https://youtu.be/J23tgJFInuo).
Upon news of the band’s relationship with the Periphery-owned label arrived, vocalist Carl Brown said: “We are so incredibly excited to be joining 3DOT Recordings and feel privileged to be given the opportunity to be part of such an amazing roster of artists. 3DOT not only has a track record of putting out incredible music but also putting the artist and art above all. It became clear very quickly after speaking with the team that there was no better home for us and our debut album.”
Periphery/3DOT Recordings’ Misha Mansoor added: “We’re excited to work with OBEYER and help bring their music to the world. From the very first listen we felt these guys were something special, and we’re confident a lot of people will agree when they hear these songs. We can’t wait to get this record out!”
On October 4th, the complete discography of Mantic Ritual will be reissued in a beautifully repackaged and expanded 2LP for the band’s debut album’s 15th Anniversary, officially licensed from Nuclear Blast Records. Plus, we’re adding the 2022 ‘Heart Set Stone’ EP and a unreleased bonus track – the band’s take on the Scorpions classic “Blackout” recorded during the ‘Executioner’ sessions. Limited to 300 copies on Clear with Black Splatter vinyl. Includes 4-panel insert with lyrics, credits, extra photos and personal liner notes from the members recalling memories of the time.
MANTIC RITUAL originally formed as Meltdown in Pittsburgh in 2005. Building a buzz with Northeast heavy metal fans over the next two years they moved across the country to Los Angeles in 2007, where performances alongside leaders of the budding Southern California thrash revival such as Warbringer, Fueled By Fire, and Merciless Death earned them attention from discerning metal audiences and a record deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
Changing their name to MANTIC RITUAL, the quartet flew to Germany to record with producer Andy Classen, and released their full-length record ‘Executioner’ in March 2009. Cover artwork provided by Colin Marks (Aborted, Exodus, Allegaeon).
The album received critical acclaim at the time of its release, with MetalSucks praising the band’s “ability to display solid songcraft while maintaining a high-level of heaviness,” Blabbermouth taking note of their “passion, chemistry and intensity,” and the Washington Post noting that “MANTIC RITUAL’s old-school sensibilities act like a group hug that brings punks and headbangers together.”
MANTIC RITUAL fell apart after tours with Rotting Christ and Destruction in 2010. But reformed in 2021, with Carlos Cruz (Warbriner, Exmortus, Hexen) on drums, to release the 6-song ‘Heart Set Stone.’ Now both albums, plus their unreleased cover of the Scorpions classic “Blackout” has been compiled in one set for your (re)discovery and enjoyment.
The spiritual successor to God is Myth and Ars Magna Recordings, AlteSeelen is a new US-based label supporting the extreme metal underground and adjacent subgenres.
Founded by the heads of God is Myth and Ars Magna Recordings, Alte Seelen aims to produce high-quality releases while illuminating the bands, artists, and individuals who contribute to the music that is our life’s blood. In time the label hopes to expand its reach to provide unique items, ranging from prints to wood carvings and leatherwork.
While the label acknowledges and draws upon the experiences of the past, Alte Seelen represents a conscious decision to leave those ventures dormant and dreaming.
A new banner has been raised… Halloween 2024 will see the release of the first two Alte Seelen titles.
Ringare – Sorrow Befell (majestic black metal / dark synth), CD and digital (originally released on vinyl by Iron Bonehead).
Kveldstimer – Scripture of the Woods (primitive, yet majestic Black Metal), CD and digital (limited-edition cassette released by Altare Productions).
In late fall/early winter, Alte Seelen will release By The Grace of Death from atmospheric black metal band Canis Dirus. Bindrune Recordings will handle vinyl treatment.
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"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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