For longtime fans of UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER, “Blindfold” feels like an old acquaintance: previously heard in an orchestral version on the 2020 We Are One album, the song now returns in a gripping new rock version. With its successful blend of emotion and classic heavy rock atmosphere, “Blindfold” is one of the most emotional moments on the current DATOG album Babylon, released on October 3rd, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
Filmed entirely in stylish black and white, the music video captures the raw emotion and powerful interplay of the band perfectly, showing DATOG more intimate, direct, and sensitive than ever before.
Manuela’s heartfelt vocals and Mathias’ classical concert guitar turn “Blindfold” into a stirring rock ballad that reaches its ultimate climax in the final chorus with Udo’s unmistakable voice. With “Blindfold”, DATOG not only offer longtime Udo Dirkschneider fans a welcome reunion with this very special track, but will also win over many new fans through this video.
Photographer: João Fitas (@joao.fitas) L-R – Bruno Martins (Bass), Daniel Rodrigues (Drums), Ricardo Pereira (Lead Vocals), Pedro Quelhas (Guitar), Luís Dias (Guitar)
Cover EP Angels, Blood And Enemies Out In Feb 2026
Portuguese melodic death metal force Moonshade has unveiled their latest single, a thunderous, emotionally charged cover of Stromae & Pomme’s “Ma Meilleure Ennemie.”Accompanied by a lyric video, the track will be featured on their upcoming three-song EP,Angels, Blood And Enemies, set for release in February 2026.
Inspired by an unforgettable scene from the Netflix series Arcane, Moonshade’s cover strips away the original’s trip-hop shell and rebuilds it with their signature blend of epic, brutal, and atmospheric metal. The band’s connection to Arcane and League of Legends runs deep, with members Pedro and Ricardo being longtime Stromae fans.
Watch the lyric video for “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” created by Jöel Martins from Titanforged Productions (Wolfheart, Analepsy, Dark Oath).
“We annoyed the rest of the band to exhaustion to make this cover happen. But they’re always tolerant of our eccentricities, and now we have a metal version of this brilliant Belgian trip-hop artist. We wanted to highlight the song’s emotional intensity using our own sonic palette. We’ve never done covers before, and there’s probably not much overlap between our fanbase and Stromae’s. But we had fun, we’re proud of it, and that’s what matters. Moonshade’s fans are open-minded and adventurous, traits that make this cover EP a natural fit,” says vocalist Ricardo Pereira, who also performs clean vocals alongside drummer Daniel, adding layers to the song’s theme of love-hate duality.
The single’s artwork, designed by Rui Carneiro (Lorna Shore, Polaris, Chelsea Grin), draws from Guido Reni’s Archangel Michael Defeating Satan, visually anchoring the EP’s title, Angels, Blood And Enemies. Carneiro also created the remaining two artworks for the EP, whose tracklist remains a mystery for now.
With Angels, Blood And Enemies,Moonshade invites fans into a new chapter, one of fearless reinterpretation, emotional depth, and genre-defying creativity.
If you love Insomnium, Heaven Shall Burn, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, or Omnium Gatherum, Moonshade’s sound will feel like home.
With the album Babylon now out for just over a month, DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG can celebrate not only impressive chart positions in several countries, but also a wave of acclaim from both fans and the international music press.
Among the album’s many praised moments, “Beyond The End Of Time” has emerged as a clear favourite, a near-eight-minute epic that closes the album on a deeply emotional and timeless note.
“Beyond The End Of Time” would also still fit into an era in which people once sang about princesses. The harmonious band accompaniment creates space for the emotional vocals of Udo, Peter and Manuela. Although almost eight minutes long, the piece remains captivating, constantly sets new accents and can even put the listener into a trance-like state.
As the closing statement of Babylon, “Beyond The End Of Time” feels like both a reflection and a promise, a song that bridges the past and present of heavy metal with heart and conviction. It’s no surprise that fans have taken to it as one of the standout moments of the band’s new chapter.
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of:
Udo Dirkschneider – lead vocals
Peter Baltes – bass, lead & backing vocals
Manuela “Ella” Bibert – lead & backing vocals, keys
Metal Nerds Inc. has joined forces with RFK Media to deliver the new 44-page comic book/graphic novel KEELWORLD, in which the Metal Cowboy undertakes a journey through time, from the Hollywood heyday of the 80s to the post-apocalyptic future.
THE SONG: A Metal Cowboy classic, “The Last Ride” is a fast-paced anthem that combines the musical energy of Keel’s metal spirit with the southwest roots that have characterized his work for the past 30 years. A thunderous drum groove courtesy of Mike Vanderhule (Y&T) provides the foundation for Ron’s guitars and vocals, the solo section pits Rascal Flatts’ Travis Toy on dobro against Keith Roberts’ relentless guitar licks, and the lyrics are some of Ron Keel’s best (“Inside and out I’ve earned these scars, from the Sunset Strip to the cowboy bars”).
All links to the CD, downloads, and streaming platforms are one click away at: http://lnk.to/thelastride.
THE VIDEO: Inspired by the comic book and created by Jason McCorriston/McCardy Media, this clip brings the story to life in stunning fashion, recreating the glory years of yesterday amidst the threat of a future ruled by A.I. – available to view exclusively at http://youtube.com/@ronkeelrfkmedia.
THE COMIC BOOK: Published by Metal Nerds Inc. and distributed by RFK Media, this project was written by Brett Monro and Morten Kristiansen, with four different artists bringing each era to life; Francesco Iaquinta, Andrey Portilla, Mauro Bueno, and EV Cantada created distinct visions of yesterday and tomorrow. The book also includes an autographed two-sided pull-out poster, and it’s available at http://rfkmediashop.com.
I’m just driven to create stuff and entertain people,” Ron Keel explains. “Everything we do at RFK Media – the radio station, the movie stuff, the comic book, of course the albums and songs, and whatever else the future holds, it’s still all about the music. The music is our wheels, and without that there wouldn’t be any Last Ride.”
“Hypnotized” taken from REDSHARK’s forthcoming album Sudden Impact out on October 31st
Hypnotized” explores deception and how it can warp reality, creating a blurred line between truth and illusion, it is the story of a spell, inspired by Medusa and the Sirens in Greek mythology.
Watch the Visualizer Lyric Video for “Hypnotized” HERE
The brand new single “Hypnotized” is vailable on all platforms HERE
REDSHARK was founded in 2012 in Barcelona, Spain, by Philip Graves (guitar) with the aim of delivering Classic Pounding Heavy Speed Metal. Their traditional 80s metal influences may plunder the nostalgia circuit; yet REDSHARK are ruthlessly carrying the torch with great attitude, and powerful melodic songwriting.
Band line up: Pau Correas – Vocals Javier Bono – Guitars Philip Graves – Guitars Chris Carrest – Bass Alan Llano – Drums
Sudden Impact was produced & recorded by Jaume Perna “Jack Dark” at Capricorn Studios and mixed & mastered by Javi Félez at Moontower Studios. Recording drums by Edgar Beltri at La Atlántida Studio.
TRACK LISTING: 1 – Sudden Impact 2 – A Place for Disgrace 3 – Fire Raider 4 – Your Last Breath 5 – Hypnotized 6 – Rip your Bones 7 – Whispers of Time 8 – Beware of the Shark 9 – The Chase 10 – Fight the Rules of Power
Discography: Lights of Darkness Single (self released 2013) Rain of Destruction EP (self released 2016) Evil Realm EP (self released 2019) Digital Race (Listenable 2022) Sudden Impact (Listenable 2025)
Time To Kill Records is set to unleash Zombie Chronicles Vol. 1, the highly anticipated debut album from horror-obsessed death metal collective SEASON OF THE DEAD, on November 14th, 2025.
The first single “Then We’ll Rise” is now available:
“This track is inspired by Romero’s masterpiece ‘Day of the Dead’, featuring related audio contributions. Continuing the tradition started by Killjoy, whom we take inspiration from, the lyrics are entirely dedicated to the film’s imagery extreme violence and near-realism. The invitation ‘EAT…’ recalls one of the final scenes that made the movie so iconic. Of course, this also embraces the great director’s vision of awakening consciences, a hallmark of his cinematic legacy”.
SEASON OF THE DEAD is a visceral, cinematic extreme metal project born from the twisted minds of Titta Tani (former drummer of Necrophagia and Goblin), Giacomo Anselmi (former Goblin guitarist and current member of Goblin Legacy), and Enrico Giannone, founder and owner of Time To Kill Records, acting as producer and visionary behind the entire concept.
The idea is as brutal as it is clear: to resurrect the blood-soaked legacy of horror-infused death metal, channeling the rotten spirit of bands like Necrophagia, Mortician, and Fulci, while paying tribute to the grotesque imagery and raw energy of cult underground horror films. Influences range from Killjoy to City of the Living Dead, The Beyond, and Cannibal Holocaust, creating a soundscape that feels like a soundtrack to a lost VHS splatter nightmare.
The project boasts an all-star lineup from the international extreme music scene:
2. Then We’ll Rise | J. McEntee: vocals / C. Sherwood: bass / Titta Tani: drums / Giacomo Anselmi: guitar
3. Voodoo Ritual | J. McEntee: vocals / C. Sherwood: bass / Titta Tani: drums / Giacomo Anselmi: guitar
4. Events Of Flesh | F. Stravino: vocals / D. Neabore: bass / Titta Tani: drums / Giacomo Anselmi: guitar
5. Open The Gates | F. Stravino: vocals / D. Neabore: bass / Titta Tani: drums / Giacomo Anselmi: guitar
6. The Other Side | J. McEntee: vocals / C. Sherwood: bass / Titta Tani: drums / Giacomo Anselmi: guitar
7. Burning Moon Sickness | J. McEntee: vocals / C. Sherwood: bass / Titta Tani: drums / Giacomo Anselmi: guitar
8. Bloodfreak | J. McEntee: vocals / C. Sherwood: bass / Titta Tani: drums / Giacomo Anselmi: guitar
Across its running time, the album delivers a relentless assault of death metal brutality, layered with cinematic tension and ritualistic atmospheres. Dual vocal performances, crushing basslines, and necro-sounding guitar work create a soundscape where zombies, decay and gore come to life in audio form.
Chicago (IL) – Long-running Blackened Melodic Death Metal quartet, Withering Soul, are set to release their fifth album, Passage of the Arcane, November 14 on Liminal Dread Productions!
Passage of the Arcane is a convergence of blackened atmospheres and sweeping song structures. A mystifying journey that exceeds boundaries while remaining fun and exciting. The overall theme of the album involves human experiences traversing into cursed oblivion. Each song explores its own story, ranging from unexplained disappearances to the supernatural.
While variation is abundant within the soundscapes, it is with a cohesive direction. Each chapter takes on its own “passage” through channels of cursed lore and harrowing experiences of the past. A seamless balance of crushingly heavy riffs and chilling melodies.
The album’s first single, “Attrition Horizon,” is available at: youtu.be/3PG2Ul77B_A
FFO: Dark Fortress, Windir, Hypocrisy, Dissection, God Dethroned.
Track Listing:
Intro
Attrition Horizon
Grievance Eludes the Light
The Monolith Embodied
Gallery of the End
Trajectory
Among Covetous Eyes
Burden of the Valiant
Credits:
Guest guitar solo on “Trajectory” by Nick “Exhul” Morgan. | Drums recorded and engineered by Vince Ippolito at Swift Road Studios. | Album mixed and mastered by Dennis Israel at Clintworks Audio. | Cover art by Adam Burke / Nightjar Illustration.
Photo Credit: Dark Oracle Arts
Line-up:
Christopher – Vocals, Guitar Frank G. – Guitar Joel – Bass Guitar Rick – Drums
Charleston, West Virginia metal veterans BYZANTINE are pleased to unveil their video for “Harbinger.” The track comes off the band’s latest full-length, Harbingers, released last June via Metal Blade Records.
Offers vocalist Chris Ojeda on the stop motion clip, “This video has taken months to curate. We wanted to continue our path of handmade original artwork for this new album. My daughter Mallory and I wrote the script for the story, hired a young Claymation artist from Mexico named Adrian Venti to hand build every scene out of clay and brought Holly Grayson with Screaming Butterfly Entertainment (Justinian Code, The Cicada Tree, The Agonies) to edit all the footage to make this beautiful music video about a boy who, after losing his father, searches for his importance in life, only to be lured in by a voracious Wolf who steers the boy down a path of greed and selfishness. The boy is eventually saved by one random act of kindness towards a lone Raven. Ravens never forget.
“Mallory and I are fans of all things stop motion. Movies like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Coraline, James And The Giant Peach, and music videos from Peter Gabriel, Bjork, Tool, and Primus. We modelled the main character after my six-year-old son, Henry. I hope you guys enjoy this labor of love and appreciate the amount of work and symbolism that has gone into the script, the Claymation, and the brilliant editing. Our team decided to push the creative aspect as far as we can and tell this story of a boy who just wants to be important.”
Watch BYZANTINE’s previously released videos for “Floating Chrysanthema”HERE and “The Unobtainable Sleep”HERE.
BYZANTINE’s “Harbinger” video comes in advance of the band’s US Fall tour which includes select shows with Cavalera Conspiracy, Fear Factory, Pissing Razors, and more! For tickets, visit byzantinewv.com. See all confirmed dates below.
BYZANTINE Live:
9/20/2025 123 Pleasant St. – WV w/ Truckstop
9/21/2025 Sharkey’s – Liverpool, NY w/ Cavalera Conspiracy, Sanguisugabogg, Enforced
9/23/2025 District Music Hall – Norwalk, CT w/ Cavalera Conspiracy, Fear Factory
9/24/2025 Preserving Underground – Pittsburgh, PA w/ Fear Factory
9/25/2025 Pierre’s – Fort Wayne, IN w/ Cavalera Conspiracy, Fear Factory
9/26/2025 Val-Air Ballroom – Des Moines, IA w/ Cavalera Conspiracy, Fear Factory
9/27/2025 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI w/ Fear Factory
9/28/2025 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO w/ Cavalera Conspiracy, Fear Factory
10/21/2025 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA w/ Fear Factory
10/23/2025 Work Play – Birmingham, AL w/ Fear Factory
10/24/2025 Twist Of Lime – New Orleans, LA w/ Woorms
10/25/2025 Club LA – Destin, FL w/ Fear Factory
10/26/2025 Beacham – Orlando, FL w/ Fear Factory
10/27/2025 Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL w/ Fear Factory
10/29/2025 Culture Room – Fort Lauderdale, FL w/ Fear Factory
11/01/2025 Broken Goblet – Bensalem, PA w/ Pissing Razors, Single Bullet Theory
11/02/2025 Mixers – Sabbatus, ME w/ Pissing Razors, Single Bullet Theory
11/03/2025 Gabes 252 – Westfield, MA w/ Pissing Razors, Single Bullet Theory
The album cover, designed by mixed-media artist Ashley Hoey, beautifully depicts Irene of Athens, the mother of Emperor Constantine and the first female empress of the Byzantine Empire. This focus on a maternal ruler eloquently ties into the album’s title, Harbingers, which means “ones who usher in great change.”
Produced by Peter Wichers (Soilwork, All That Remains, Nevermore), BYZANTINE’s Harbingers full-length delivers nine tracks totaling forty-five minutes of deep lyrical wisdom alongside equally hefty riffs delivered seamlessly by one of the most commanding and unsung lineups to emerge from the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal movement of the early-2000s.
Now a five-piece for the first time ever featuring founding frontman Chris “OJ” Ojeda, alongside former guitarist Tony Rohrbough, bassist Ryan Postlethwait, veteran guitarist Brian Henderson, and drummer Matt Bowles, with Harbingers, BYZANTINE is a crown jewel in their impressive seven album discography.
The new music video from heavy rock all-stars ALPHA DESTROYER – featuring Martin Sweet (Crashdïet), Kelly LeMieux (Buckcherry), and Eric Sexton-Dorsett (Sleepless), is now streaming. “Lobotomized” marks the third single off the band’s upcoming debut album, Fast Lane.
A true ripper in every sense, “Lobotomized” anchors the album’s thematic momentum, cementing the band’s vision for sonic intensity in untamed fashion.
Fast Lane is due out this fall on Necromantic Press Records. Physical copies of Fast Lane, including limited-edition red splatter and standard black vinyl, will begin shipping on October 15. The album will be available on all streaming platforms on October 31. Pre-orders are available at this location.
Maggot Stomp is proud to announce the debut full-length album from death metal upstarts Dying Remains. Merciless Suffering is set for release on Friday, September 19th. The band has also unleashed a chilling new music video for the track “Hung and Drawn,” which can be viewed HERE.
Merciless Suffering is a masterclass in songwriting, delivering an uncompromising blend of crushing brutality and catchy, well-crafted moments that mold together into a monolithic force. This is death metal for those who appreciate the genre’s time-tested foundation. Dying Remains brings together seminal sounds reminiscent of acts like Morta Skuld, Jungle Rot, and Obituary while still keeping things fresh and exciting for a new generation of death metal to take root.
The video for “Hung and Drawn” was directed by Aron Diaz and serves as a visual companion to the album’s core lyrical themes. Drawing heavily from ’70s and ’80s B-grade gore films, the video is a short horror film that depicts one gruesome segment from the album’s over-arching story of a sprawling torture chamber. The band, all avid fans of the horror genre, wanted to bring this macabre vision to life, and the result is a truly unsettling and memorable piece of art.
DYING REMAINS TOUR DATES – Headline: 9/12 | Edmonton, AB | 99ten 9/13 | Calgary, AB | The Rock Shop 9/14 | Vancouver, BC | The Cobalt 9/15 | Seattle, WA | Belltown Yacht Club 9/16 | Olympia, WA | The Crypt 9/17 | Portland, OR | Twilight Cafe 9/19 | Sacramento, CA | The Starlet Room
w/ Gored Embrace: 9/20 | San Fernando, CA | Midnight Hour 9/21 | San Diego, CA | The Che Cafe 9/22 | Phoenix, AZ | Palo Verde Lounge 9/23 | Tuscon, AZ | 951 Calle Castile 9/25 | Houston, TX | Eighteen Ten Ojeman 9/26 | San Antonio, TX | O’Death 9/27 | Dallas, TX | Double Wide 9/28 | Kansas City, MO | Howdy 9/30 | Denver, CO | Seventh Circle 10/2 | Salt Lake City, UT | Black Lung Society 10/3 | Boise, ID | TBA 10/4 | Spokane, WA | The Big Dipper
w/ Mutilation Barbecue: 10/6 | Fargo, ND | The Aquarium 10/7 | Minneapolis, MN | Pillar Forum 10/8 | Milwaukee, WI | Cactus Club 10/9 | Chicago, IL | Reggies 10/10 | Cleveland, OH | No Class 10/11 | Fort Wayne, IN | Legion Post 241 10/12 | Louisville, KY | Magnolia Bar 10/13 | Springfield, MO | Lindbergs Tavern
Cold Flare Eternal, the new full-length from Finnish melodic death metal veterans BEFORE THE DAWN, is out now on Reaper Entertainment!
A work of stark contrasts and emotional depth, Cold Flare Eternal blends crushing heaviness with soaring melancholy, delivering a sound both devastating and deeply human. It’s an album shaped by clarity of vision, cinematic atmosphere, and the unmistakable Scandinavian sense of darkness and beauty.
Released alongside the album is the powerful new video for the track “Stronghold.” Comments the band, “It’s like a punch in the face delivered with love and powered with anvil heavy guitars, profoundly massive growls, hammering drums, and beyond epic melody. That is ‘Stronghold;’ the musical embodiment of straightforward bone bounding metal.”
Watch BEFORE THE DAWN’s video for “Stronghold” HERE.
Watch BEFORE THE DAWN’s previously released video for “Fatal Design” HERE, “As Above, So Below” HERE, “Stellar Effect” HERE, and “Shockwave” HERE.
Cold Flare Eternal weaves together massive riffs, introspective melodies, and a haunting emotional weight that lingers long after the final note fades. After the band’s celebrated return with Stormbringers and a year of intense touring, Cold Flare Eternal is more than a followup, it’s a statement of purpose. A record that doesn’t just demand to be heard but be felt.
Recorded once again at guitarist Juho Räihä’s studio, the album brings together crushing heaviness, soaring melodies, and the atmospheric beauty of Finland’s dark landscapes.
Cold Flare Eternal features core art by Gogo Melone (Wolfheart, Insomnium, Xandria, Omnium Gatherum) and is available on CD, LP, and digital formats.
BEFORE THE DAWN will join Wolfheart for an extensive European tour later this month. Tickets are available at btdmetal.com. See all confirmed dates below.
BEFORE THE DAWNw/ Wolfheart, Suotana, Full House Brew Crew: 9/20/2025 Koba Live – Abadiño, ES ** 9/21/2025 Revi Live – Madrid, ES ** 9/22/2025 Wolf, Barcelona – ES ** 9/25/2025 De Helling – Utrecht, NL 9/26/2025 Kulturwerk – Herford, DE 9/27/2025 Kubana – Siegburg, DE 9/29/2025 Backstage By The Mill – Paris, FR 9/30/2025 DVG Club – Kortrjik, BE 10/01/2025 Logo – Hamburg, DE 10/02/2025 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE 10/03/2025 Turock – Essen, DE 10/04/2025 Café Central – Weinheim, DE 10/05/2025 Analog Music Hall – Budapest, HU 10/06/2025 Klub Zaścianek – Krakow, PL 10/07/2025 Collosseum – Košice, SK 10/08/2025 Rock Café – Prague, CZ 10/09/2025 Orto Bar – Ljubljana SI 10/10/2025 Slaughter Club – Milan, IT 10/11/2025 Chollerhalle – Zug, CH 10/12/2025 Club Vaudeville – Lindau, DE 10/13/2025 Backstage – Munich, DE ** BEFORE THE DAWN + Wolfheart only
BEFORE THE DAWN – Finnish Headlining Dates: 9/05/2025 Tavastia – Helsinki, FI 9/06/2025 Olympia – Tampere, FI 9/13/2025 Möysän Musaklubi – Lahti, FI 10/24/2025 Logomo Teatro – Turku, FI 10/25/2025 House of Rock – Kouvola, FI 11/07/2025 Monde – Rovaniemi, FI 11/08/2025 Kantakrouvi – Oulu, FI
BEFORE THE DAWN: Tuomas Saukkonen – guitar Paavo Laapotti – vocals Juho Räihä – guitar Pyry Hanski – bass
Rising rock force KALAMITY KILLS unleashes a bold and reverent take on “I Don’t Know” with their latest video release, featuring powerhouse drummer Ray Luzier (KORN) and legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, THE WINERY DOGS). This electrifying reinterpretation of the classic track pays homage to the enduring legacy of the Prince of Darkness himself: OZZY OSBOURNE.
The idea for the tribute was sparked after the band witnessed OZZY’s final performance at the Back to the Beginning Concert in Birmingham, England. Deeply moved, KALAMITY KILLS set out to honor the icon who shaped so much of their musical DNA.
Guitarist JAMEY PERRENOT, whose playing is deeply influenced by the late, great RANDY RHOADS, infused this version of “I Don’t Know” with both reverence and fire. Fans of OZZY will also hear subtle nods to other classics woven throughout: a sonic Easter egg hunt for the diehards.
Special thanks to Ray Luzier and Billy Sheehan for joining the sonic rebellion on this one.
The release also comes with news that the Expanded Edition of Kalamity Kills will be available on September 9, 2025. This edition will include brand-new tracks, alternate mixes, and exclusive content on CD in limited quantities. A candy apple red vinyl edition is set to follow in April 2026.
Track Listing:
Anthem
Dearest Enemy
What’s On Your Mind
Dark Secrets
The Chemistry of Meant To Be
ALIEN
Hellfire Honey
Burn
Sinners Welcome
I Still Believe
Amen
Bonus Tracks:
Afraid
Starry Skies (988) (feat. Aaron Gillespie from Underoath)
Dark Secrets (2025 Version)
Dearest Enemy (Pressure) (Scott Bush alt. Mix)
The Chemistry of Meant To Be (Kellan McGregor Radio Mix)
Jingle Bells (Slay)
About KALAMITY KILLS:
KALAMITY KILLS is a hard rock band forged in the heart of East Nashville, Tennessee. Formed in 2022 by vocalist Jamie Rowe and guitarist/producer Jamey Perrenot, the band emerged from the ashes of a solo project into a fully realized sonic assault; fueled by raw emotion, modern aggression and a deep respect for rock’s roots. With a sound that fuses the swagger of classic hard rock with the intensity and polish of modern metal, KALAMITY KILLS strikes a rare balance between power and vulnerability.
Best known for their debut self-titled album Kalamity Kills, the band quickly turned heads thanks to high-profile collaborations with members of KORN, 3 DOORS DOWN, LA GUNS, CONQUER DIVIDE, and UNDEROATH. Their music has earned national airplay on SIRIUSXM’s Octane, landed on the Billboard Active Rock charts, and crossed over into viral success without ever chasing trends.
More than just a studio project, KALAMITY KILLS is a growing force with a full live lineup, including bassist/vocalist Julia Lauren Bullock and drummer Rob Bodley. Their songs, ranging from explosive anthems to brutally honest ballads, tackle themes of faith, failure, hypocrisy, redemption, and the messy beauty of being human.
KALAMITY KILLS is for the outsiders, the misfits, the ones who’ve been burned and are still standing. Loud. Unapologetic. Unforgettable.
Fans at Tauron Arena were treated to a special moment on August 19th when Wacław “Vogg” Kiełtyka, guitarist of Polish death metal titans DECAPITATED, joined French metal juggernauts GOJIRA on stage. Vogg stepped in for a blistering performance of GOJIRA’s classic track “From The Sky.”
The collaboration electrified the audience, who erupted as the two forces of modern metal united in Kraków. GOJIRA, known for their crushing riffs and atmospheric intensity, welcomed Vogg with open arms, marking a powerful meeting between two of the most influential bands in contemporary heavy music.
“This was a truly unforgettable night,” said Vogg after the show. “I had the unimaginable pleasure and honor of performing From The Sky with my dear friends from the mighty Gojira. It was one of the most unforgettable and epic moments of my entire music life. I am still blown away by how amazing the time was with them in my hometown of Kraków. I will never forget this day.”
Gojira – “From The Sky” with Vogg (Live at TAURON Arena in Kraków, Poland, 19.08.2025):https://youtu.be/mpBt85iDN0Y
GOJIRA’s performance in Kraków was part of their ongoing tour, bringing their acclaimed sound to audiences across Europe with support from KERRY KING. The addition of Vogg highlighted the band’s close ties with the global metal community and underscored their mutual respect for one another’s artistry.
The night will be remembered as a milestone for Polish fans, witnessing a rare and monumental collaboration on home soil.
About DECAPITATED:
Across eight studio albums, DECAPITATED grew from the adolescent dream of teenagers from a small Central European town to one of the leaders of the metal genre. Each successive album further expands the band’s sound with genre-bending authenticity and integrity. As Metal Injection rightfully observed, “any self-respecting death metalhead knows the name well.”
DECAPITATED’s music is a weapon forged by four young men from a historic medieval-fortified town in Poland, which catapulted them to the top of a worldwide subculture. Like a rose in the devil’s garden, the DECAPITATED story builds triumph from tragedy. The gleeful grotesquery of extreme metal imagery and rifftastic bludgeoning beckons listeners to uncover broader truths.
Vogg and his younger brother, drummer Witold “Vitek” Kiełtyka, co-founded DECAPITATED in 1996. The rule-breaking ferocity and invention of their first four albums reinvigorated death metal. Sadly, this era came to a shocking end in late 2007, when the band’s bus collided with a large truck near the Russian border with Belarus. Vitek tragically passed away from his injuries. He was just 23.
Vogg summoned the courage to continue, in honor of his brother and what they created, and returned with a new incarnation of DECAPITATED and the fiercely adventurous comeback album, Carnival is Forever (2011). Anticult (2017) increased the musical diversity without sacrificing their signature sound.
The devoted supporters who traveled to see DECAPITATED on international tours with the likes of Lamb Of God, Meshuggah, and Soulfly over the years will recognize the ever-present pummeling backbone of Cancer Culture (2022). Driven by Vogg’s passion and integrity, the dual emphasis on invention and skill maintains DECAPITATED’s stature as genre-leaders in 2025 and beyond.
Experimental death/grind abomination DEFIGUREMENT, formed by current/former members of Fear Factory, Malignancy, Raven, Bad Acid Trip, Murder Construct, Lack Of Interest, Rottenness, and countless more, will release their facemelting debut album, Endbryo, through Nefarious Industries in October.
DEFIGUREMENT encompasses a cast of life-long henchmen from across the metal/extreme music underground; an experimental grindcore project featuring drummer Mike Heller (Malignancy, Raven, ex-Fear Factory), guitarist Kevin Fetus (Lack Of Interest, Fetus Eaters, ex-Murder Construct), bassist/noise architect DMT (Mormon Mincers, ex-Bad Acid Trip), and vocalist Matthias Joyce aka “Matti Güey” (Rottenness, To Violently Vomit, Formless Master).
The debut album from this decimating collective, Endbryo arrives with sixteen tracks of sheer intensity; A unified creation born of sci-fi death metal infiltrated by hyperactive overtones of gore, grind, prog, and experimentalism.
Ludicrous, grinding blasts jacked-up on interstellar strains of both melody and scathe, ludicrous putridity bursting to shed its skin, hammering percussion with fretwork and vocals working triple-time to keep up. As uncanny, unhinged, and bizarre as it undoubtedly is, Endbryo flows seamlessly into an inimitable hybrid of extreme tech death that can only be described as pure DEFIGUREMENT.
Nefarious Industries will release Endbryo on limited runs of LP, CD, and MC on October 17th. Find preorders where the “Wounded Landscape” single and “Godtopsy” video are playing RIGHT HERE.
Endbryo was recorded DIY by the band at multiple facilities, mixed by Rob Caldwell (Cannibal Corpse, Municipal Waste, Devourment), mastered by Lasse Lammert (Sigh, Kublai Khan, The Atlas Moth), with artwork by Kevin Fetus.
The album is drenched in guest contributions, including Takafumi Matsubara (Gridlink, Mortalized), Makiko Suda (Flagitious Idiosyncrasy In The Dilapidation, Monnier), Brian Hopp (Cephalic Carnage), Kevin Alter (Deathwish, Invidiosus), Crawlin Lewis (King Goro, Formless Master, Invidiosus), Karl Schmidt (Gorgatron, Visceral Disgorge), Leon Del Muerte (Impaled, Terrorizer LA, ex-Exhumed, ex-Nails, ex-Intronaut), Alec Cordero (Black Hole Deity, Calcemia), Ryan Wright (Necropathy), Leonard “Lenzig” Leal (Cephalic Carnage, Neuromorphic), and Matt Olson.
Endbryo – Track Listing:
1. Shogun Of Sorrow
2. Burnt By The Truth
3. Impure Vessel
4. Open Veins, Visceral Tapestry
5. Wounded Landscape
6. Alteregomaniac
7. Humanity In Autumn
8. Her Knowing Collapse
9. Eternal Dusk (Interlude)
10. Godtopsy
11. We Are The Worst
12. Love Is Atrophy
13. Left In A Cold Rain (Interlude)
14. The Clot Thickens
15. Neverlasting Life
16. Endbryo
If Total Fucking Destruction, Birdflesh, Cryptopsy, Gridlink, Cephalic Carnage, Atrae Bilis, Brutal Truth, Gigan, Anata, Artificial Brain, Antigama, Necrophagist, and the like frequently contribute to your hearing damage, DEFIGUREMENT should be next in line to usher in your tinnitus.
Expect additional videos/previews of the record to drop over the weeks ahead.
Revered German blackgaze band HERETOIR has revealed the 2nd single, “Season of Grief,” from their awaited, fourth album, Solastalgia, that’s out September 19th via AOP Records.
The 10 minute epic soundscape blends lush atmospheric guitars with intense driving riffs and blackened rhythm; a signature sound the band has long been praised for. The song is paired with an equally profound video created by Martin Vrigsjö Staflin with live footage from Kevin Storm and Alexander Bahr.
Commenting on the new song, the band states:
“When we think about how modern humanity treats the natural world and also how humanity treats each other, the general feeling is one of sadness and anger – and grief. Grief for every living being suffering from our ways.
In the name of technological progress humanity is consuming even the last remaining intact ecosystems. Many people, especially in the global North, believe that established economic systems, capitalism, and globalized industrial civilization represent humanity’s greatest achievement.
We actually find little to admire in this – huge numbers of people live in inhumane conditions, animals are degraded to commodities, primeval forests are clearcut for wood production and to make room for agriculture… the list is endless.
We hope that this track resonates with many of you, especially in this challenging time, where everything feels more unstable than ever. Thank you for your never ending support and love – we don’t take it for granted.“
Solastalgia – Track-list: 1. The Ashen Falls 2. Season of Grief 3. You are the Night 4. Inertia 5. Rain 6. Dreamgatherer 7. The Heart of December 8. Burial 9. Solastalgia 10. The Same Hell (MMXXV) 11. Metaphor
HERETOIR’s emotionally stirring new record, Solastalgia, follows 2023’s lauded release, Nightsphere, and marks their most vulnerable and accessible album yet. Solastalgiawas recorded and mixed by David Deutsch and Justin Felder at 1408 Productions. Mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD Studio. Artwork by Rudolf Hima.
Legendary NYHC band AGNOSTIC FRONT have signed with rising metal label Reigning Phoenx Music.
The band comments: “We are excited to announce that we have officially joined the Reigning Phoenix Music family! Excited to work with new and some familiar faces in the team for our new release Echoes In Eternity this coming November! Let’s celebrate in making this collaboration a force to be reckoned with! ” – Roger Miret, Vocalist
“RPM is extremely thrilled to make it official and announce the signing of The Hardcore Legends, Agnostic Front! Having been working with Roger and the guys for two decades, this makes it that much more special. Here’s to many more years of killer music!” – Gerardo Martinez, Reigning Phoenix Music Co-Founder
The band is set to tour the Western United States this fall with a stacked line-up including STRUNG OUT (playing Exile In Oblivion in its entirety), MURPHY’S LAW and La Armada. The tour is set to kick off on Wednesday, October 15th in Denver, CO and will continue to pummel audiences across the West Coast until ending on November 2nd in Garden Grove CA. All shows are in support of their most recent album, Get Loud!, which was released in 2019.
EAST MEETS WEST TOUR DATES:
October 15, 2025 – The Oriental Theater – Denver, CO October 16, 2025 – Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT October 17, 2025 – The Shredder – Boise, ID October 18, 2025 – Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR October 19, 2025 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA October 21, 2025 – The Ritz – San Jose, CA October 22, 2025 – Goldfield Trading Post – Sacramento, CA October 23, 2025 – Cornerstone Berkeley – Berkeley, CA October 24, 2025 – Ventura Music Hall – Ventura, CA October 25, 2025 – The Glass House – Pomona, CA October 26, 2025 – Swan Dive – Las Vegas, NV October 28, 2025 – The Rock – Tucson, AZ October 29, 2025 – The Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ October 30, 2025 – Transplants Brewery – Palmdale, CA November 01, 2025 – House of Blues – San Diego, CA November 02, 2025 – Garden Amp – Garden Grove, CA
About AGNOSTIC FRONT:
Founded in 1982, AGNOSTIC FRONT stand among the most esteemed pioneers of the hardcore genre. No band comes close in sonic and socio authenticity and sincerity, where the struggles of survival on the streets have quite literally given life to a sound that remains as impactful today as it was over four decades ago.
AGNOSTIC FRONT‘s battering, socially critical sounds serve as the foundation of true New York hardcore and helped initiate the emergence of crossover thrash. The group disbanded briefly in the early ’90s but returned in 1998 with the crushing sounds of Something’s Gotta Give.
Following a slew of pummeling offerings, the band, led by the inimitable roar of Roger Miret and Vinnie Stigma‘s legendary charismatic guitar playing, released their critically lauded twelfth album Get Loud! in 2019, which, with its unapologetically honest lyrics and signature aggression, makes clear the band’s penchant to persevere.
Mystical masters of heavy metal CASTLE RATT recently announced their latest epic The Bestiary will be unleashed on September 19th via King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).
Today, the otherworldly outliers introduce fans to the protagonist in their forthcoming saga, the “Wizard.” Available for streaming now, and accompanied by an enchanting video revealed at Decibel, “WIZARD” sets an ominous and heavy tone for one of metal’s most bewitching odysseys.
Regarding the new single, Charley Ruddell (Plague Doctor) states:
“Musically, ‘WIZARD’ was a big step in a new direction for us as a band. We found ourselves collaborating more closely with each other and piecing together ideas more intricately than on previous songs. We channeled the new wave of british heavy metal; the galloping drum break and harmonized guitar leads were largely inspired by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Franco’s solo at the end, which was recorded in one take, was inspired by ‘Electric Eye.’”
Since their formation in 2019, CASTLE RAT have created a vivid labyrinth of fantasy lore led by “The Rat Queen” (AKA Riley Pinkerton). Together with “The Count,” “The Plague Doctor” and “The All-Seeing Druid,” the group has carried out countless battles against “The Rat Reaperess” with riffs, swords and spells on stages across the country.
Recorded by Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk) and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche, Restless Spirit), the band’s latest odyssey features 13 spellbinding tracks of epic carnage and mystical metal.
Commenting on the new album, The Rat Queen says:
“The Bestiary’ is a conceptual book of beasts containing a collection of mystical creatures from a world forgotten. The last remaining souls of each have been gathered and preserved by ‘The Wizard.’ Cautionary tales of each beast and The Wizard himself are woven through the power of traditional heavy metal song and spell.”
THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER! OUR NEW ALBUM, VIDEO SINGLE, TOUR DATES & COVER REVEALED!
2 years after the release of THE DARK TOWER, we are excited to introduce you to INQUISITION, our highly anticipated new album, that will be released on August 22nd, 2025 via Napalm Records.
Our new album cover painted for the band by our friend magicfingers Gyula Havancsák, the videoclip recorded by Dream Film Factory and for the recording and production, our old friend V.O.Pulver at Little Creek Studio in Switzerland!
Inquisition will be available on August 22, 2025 in the following formats:
1 CD Digipak
1 LP Black
1 LP Translucent Orange (GSA, CH – SWISS EDITION)
1 LP Translucent Orange Black Splatter
1 LP Cross Red Black
2 LP Die Hard Gold Black Marbled (feat. 1 LP Inquisition + 1 LP The Night Of The Witch LIVE Album, 8p Booklet)
BLACK RED Band Limited numbered to 200 edition with poster.
Deluxe Wooden Box (feat. CD + Live CD + Autograph Card + Pendant + Gloves + Patch)
Music Cassette
Digital Album
BURNING WITCHES Live – US Tour:
08/30/25 – Pompano Beach – FL – Piper’s Pub 08/31/25 – Clearwater – FL – Road House 09/02/25 – Atlanta – GA – Masquerade 09/04/25 – Covington – KY – Madison Live 09/05/25 – Westland – MI – Token Lounge 09/06/25 – Columbus – OH – The King Of Clubs 09/07/25 – Cleveland – OH – Beachland Ballroom 09/09/25 – Pittsburgh – PA – Crafthouse Stage & Grill 09/10/25 – Harrisburg – PA – Club XL 09/11/25 – Philadelphia – PA – City Winery 09/12/25 – Teaneck – NJ – The Debonair Music Hall 09/13/25 – New Bedford – MA – The Vault 09/14/25 – Hampton Beach – NH – Wally’s 09/17/25 – Annapolis – MD – Rams Head On Stage 09/18/25 – Virginia Beach – VA – Elevation 27 09/20/25 – Sanford – FL – West End Trading Co
Europe – WITCHES AND KINGS TOUR 2026:
09.01.26 Milano – Legend Club IT 10.01.26 Obertraubling – Airport DE 11.01.26 Zlin – Masters Of Rock Cafe CZ 13.01.26 Rubigen – Mühle Hunziken CH 14.01.26 Brugg – Salzhaus CH 15.01.26 Basel – Sudhaus CH 16.01.26 Langenthal – Old Capitol CH 17.01.26 Zug – Galvanik CH 18.01.26 St.Gallen – Grabenhalle CH 19.01.26 Glarus – Kulturzentrum Hölastei CH 20.01.26 Monthey – Pont Rouge CH 21.01.26 Wetzikon – Kulturfabrik CH 23.01.26 London – The Dome UK 24.01.26 Birmingham – The Asylum UK 25.01.26 Manchester – Academy 3 UK 27.01.26 Kortrijk – DVG Club BE 28.01.26 Paris – Backstage By The Mill FR 29.01.26 Essen – Turock DE 30.01.26 Kaiserslautern – Kammgarn DE 31.01.26 Aschaffenburg – Colos Saal DE 01.02.26 München – Backstage Halle DE 03.02.26 Nürnberg – Hirsch DE 04.02.26 Leipzig – Hellraiser DE 05.02.26 Hannover – Musikzentrum DE 06.02.26 Hamburg – Logo DE 07.02.26 Uden – De Pul NL 08.02.26 Heerlen – Nieuwe Nor NL 10.02.26 Lyon – Rock N Eat FR 11.02.26 Barcelona – Salamandra ESP 12.02.26 Murcia – Garaje ESP 13.02.26 Madrid – Revi Live ESP 14.02.26 Vitoria – Urban Rock ESP
ADDITIONAL DATES:
25.04.26 Reinhardshagen – Wezer Metal Meeting DE 03.05.26 Diest – Hell Open Air BEL 09.05.26 Rautheim DE Rock In Rautheim DE 26.06.26 Oschersleben – Rock & Metal Dayz DE
Montreal death metal juggernaut KATAKLYSM is proud to announce their co-headlining slot alongside Polish death metal pioneers VADER on the Carnival of Death 2025 North American tour. The tour brings with it a no-holds-barred lineup featuring the legendary MALEVOLENT CREATION and rising death thrashers SKELETAL REMAINS, guaranteeing a night of relentless brutality in every city. Get your tickets HERE.
The 26-date carnage kicks off October 1st in Bensalem, PA, and storms through major cities across the U.S. and Canada, including stops in Atlanta, Tampa, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and Brooklyn. Canadian fans will witness KATAKLYSM close out each show from Toronto through Montreal, ensuring a fitting home soil finale for the band.
🗓️ Oct 1 – Bensalem, PA – Broken Goblet 🗓️ Oct 2 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819 🗓️ Oct 3 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven) 🗓️ Oct 4 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum 🗓️ Oct 6 – Ft. Worth, TX – Tulips 🗓️ Oct 7 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live 🗓️ Oct 8 – El Paso, TX – Rockhouse Bar & Grill 🗓️ Oct 9 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater 🗓️ Oct 10 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick 🗓️ Oct 11 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky-A-Go-Go 🗓️ Oct 12 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge 🗓️ Oct 13 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post 🗓️ Oct 14 – Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar 🗓️ Oct 16 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater 🗓️ Oct 17 – Kansas City, MO – Warehouse on Broadway 🗓️ Oct 18 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theater – Studio B 🗓️ Oct 19 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s 🗓️ Oct 20 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge 🗓️ Oct 21 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace* 🗓️ Oct 22 – Ottawa, ON – Overflow* 🗓️ Oct 23 – Quebec City, QC – Salle Montaigne* 🗓️ Oct 24 – Montreal, QC – Fairmount Theatre* 🗓️ Oct 25 – Syracuse, NY – The Lost Horizon 🗓️ Oct 26 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Monarch *Kataklysm headlines all Canadian dates.
Tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss your chance to witness this once-in-a-generation tour of death metal dominance.
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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