Summer may be just beginning, but Finnish melodic death metal maestros WOLFHEART are already looking ahead to the release of their new album DraconianDarkness. Recorded at Deep Noise Studios and produced, mixed, and mastered by the band’s long-time collaborator Saku Moilanen, the album will be released on September 6, 2024, via Reigning Phoenix Music(RPM), just as the somber season returns.
The album’s first single, “Grave,” captures the raw intensity of dark winter nights combined with the majestic beauty of nature. You can listen to the track now here: https://wolfheart.rpm.link/gravePR
Vocalist/guitarist Tuomas comments on the single: “Grave was the first song that was written for the album and became the beacon that was leading the whole production of the album. Push the dark elements even further from the light to give maximum contrast to the melodies and huge choruses. From every album we have clear favourites for live songs and Grave stands on the podium unchallenged.“
Pre-order Draconian Darkness in the physical format of your choice (CD digipak, colored vinyl), pre-save it on your favorite DSP, or pre-order it digitally HERE: https://wolfheart.rpm.link/draconiandarknessPR
ARMORED SAINT, leaders and stalwarts of the American heavy metal scene since the early 1980s, are back with a brilliant rendition of “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison).” The classictrack was originally written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and was first released by People in 1970. Additional covers include The Four Tops (1974), Santana (1978), and The Doobie Brothers (1989).
Comments vocalist John Bush, “[Bassist] Joey [Vera] came up with the idea of doing the song. We’ve always been huge fans of old school soul and R&B music so it was a no brainer. It’s got a great groove, perfect for our rhythm section, and Jeff [Duncan]’s and Phil [Sandoval]’s guitars are screaming. Plus, the cool lyrics make it ideal for the ‘SAINT style. Levi Stubbs [The Four Tops] was such a rad singer; I just tried to do him justice. I think this would make him a metal fan!”
Watch ARMORED SAINT’s video for “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison),” by My Good Eye: Music Visuals, at THIS LOCATION.
“One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison)” was produced by Joey Vera, mixed by Jay Ruston, and mastered by Maor Applebaum.
Photo by Stephanie Cabral
ARMORED SAINT: John Bush – vocals Jeff Duncan – guitars Phil Sandoval – guitars Joey Vera – bass Gonzo Sandoval – drums
Atlanta’s own hardcore heavy hitters, YOSEMITE IN BLACK, is excited to unveil their new single “Robber Baron” from their upcoming album The Pursuit Of, scheduled for release on August 16th via Terminus Hate City. Alongside the single, the band presents an intense an unhinged visualizer which can be viewed HERE. Pre-orders for The Pursuit Of are available HERE.
YOSEMITE IN BLACK consists of Luke Marlowe on vocals, Dylan Beard on guitar, Cody Jenkins on bass, and Michael Ferrara on drums. Renowned in the hardcore scene, the band blends hardcore and metallic hardcore styles, drawing comparisons to influential acts like KNOCKED LOOSE, LAMB OF GOD, TURNSTILE, and TRAPPED UNDER ICE.
Their latest single, “Robber Baron,” delivers a powerful mix of aggressive riffs, pounding drums, and commanding vocals, embodying the band’s distinctive sound that has gained a global following. This track illustrates the band’s talent for merging raw power with complex melodies, offering an intense yet cathartic musical journey.
The band shares: “A ‘Robber Baron’ is an old English term for someone who does business with malicious intent. The song is a callout to all the white collar music industry people who try to take money away from artists, who already make very little as it is.”
The Pursuit Of – Tracklist: Cerberus Warmer Weather Just This Once Robber Baron The Pursuit Of Cold Shoulder Kitsch Fade Out
“Robber Baron” was self-recorded, mixed, and mastered, showcasing YOSEMITE IN BLACK’s commitment to their DIY roots and artistic integrity. The lyrics explore themes of societal disenchantment and personal adversity, providing a poignant reflection on today’s societal challenges.
Spanish Thrashers HOLYCIDE have launched a killer animated video as a 3rd advance single from their third album, Towards Idiocracy which will be released on June 6th (International Day of Slayer) through Xtreem Music.
HOLYCIDE vocalist Dave Rotten comments on the song: “The lyrics of this song talk about the current era of fake news. When we don’t like some truth, we cover it with fake news, creating another fake news with this, and sometimes, we know positively that something is fake news, but even so, we settle for giving it credibility, simply because it agrees with our ideology, in what it seems that anything goes. We have become accustomed to living with lies and hoaxes, which are the new truth… making the infamous Göbbels right: “A lie repeated a thousand times becomes a truth.”
You can also check out their two previous advance singles:
Xtreem Music will release Towards Idiocracy on CD, digital, vinyl, and cassette formats on June 6. Pre-order the album at: xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com.
Tracklist: 1) A.I. Supremacy 2) Toward Idiocracy 3) Remote Control 4) Lie is the New Truth 5) Power Corrupts 6) Technophobia 7) Angry for Nothing 8) Chemical Dependency (Atrophy cover) 9) Pleased to be Deceived 10) Flamethrower ’em All
Formed 20 years ago by veterans of Spain’s extreme metal community, HOLYCIDE is best described with four simple words – Mother Fucking Thrash Metal. For fans of Dark Angel, Morbid Saint, Atrophy, D.R.I., Infernäl Mäjesty, Exodus, Sepultura (Beneath / Arise), and Vio-Lence.
We are more than proud to present our new single and music video “1589”, which tells the story of Peter Stump, who lived near Cologne, Germany in the 16th century and is known today as the “Werewolf of Bedburg”. After being defamed as a werewolf, the farmer confessed to several murders under torture, and was cruelly executed on October 31, 1589.
Band leader Marta Gabriel comments: “I found the “The Silver Key”, that unlocks the gates of space and time. It was once owned by Randolph Carter, but it’s now in my possession, and helped me to write songs for the new CRYSTAL VIPER album! Our second single is one of the most epic tracks on the album, and you can clearly hear in it echoes of our heroes such as Ronnie James Dio, Tony Martin era BLACK SABBATH or even MANOWAR. The video for this song includes footage from the studio, and which we filmed at last year’s Full Metal Cruise festival, where we played 3 shows”
Gods Of Thunder Of Wind And Of Rain (5:22) – CD bonus track
Scream! (2:33) – LP bonus track
The album will be promoted on European headlining tour, on which CRYSTAL VIPER will be joined by the US heavy metal act SAVAGE MASTER.
CRYSTAL VIPER: Marta Gabriel – vocals, bass guitar, guitar, piano Lukasz ″Andy Wave″ Halczuch – lead and rhythm guitars Kuba Galwas – drums and percussion Eric Juris – lead and rhythm guitars
Southern California metalcore titans BLEEDING THROUGH have made their awaited return with a brand new single today, aptly titled “Our Brand Is Chaos.” The ruthless new track is their first taste of something the band is currently brewing behind studio doors.
Commenting on the single, lead vocalist Brandan Schieppati states: “Our Brand Is Chaos is a statement. This is about our unrivaled support by our fans, friends and families. Together we are imperfectly perfect, pure chaos and all love. Let this be our anthem through dark time. Fuck with us and find out.“
BLEEDING THROUGH Tour Date: June 15 – Boston, MA – Big Night Live (w/Unearth)
About BLEEDING THROUGH:
Destined for great achievement ever since their formation in 1999, Bleeding Through’s career has been a lengthy and star-studded one, dedicated to delivering a devastating, yet melodic and entrancing, infusion of metal and hardcore to fans worldwide. But, above all else, the band has stayed true to themselves. A testament to their momentous impact on the genre, the quintet has influenced several generations of artists since their inception and will no doubt continue to inspire fans and artists for many years to come.
Having already triumphantly reclaimed the spotlight after their biggest collective hurdle – the 2014 hiatus which many anticipated would be the end of the band’s career as a cohesive unit – Orange County quintet, Brandan Schieppati (vocals), Derek Youngsma (drums), Marta Peterson (keyboards), BrianLeppke (guitar), and Ryan Wombacher (bass), clearly know what it takes for a successful resurgence.
With five Top 50 US charting records, 100 million catalog streams, over 400k physical album sales, and tours with Slipknot, Motionless In White, Lamb of God, and Unearth under their belts, there’s no arguing with the Bleeding Through’s methods and widespread appeal.
Music’s prodigal sons have returned to retake their throne with the release of their latest single ‘Our Brand is Chaos’, and Bleeding Through have no intention of crowning a successor just yet.
THE FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM OF SUPREME DEATH METAL FROM SWEDEN’S MASTERS OF HORROR
Photo credit: Ester Segarra
“Apart from being really sinister, cruel and dark, Grand Morbid Funeral was also the album that kicked Bloodbath into a higher gear. The hunger and determination behind it, made us go from a rather passive side/studio-project to a real active live band, for the first time.” – Blakkheim
Swedish death metal titans Bloodbath’s fourth studio album ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’ turns 10 this year. To mark the anniversary, Peaceville will be reissuing the album on limited edition silver/black marble-effect vinyl. Recorded at Ghost Ward Studios and the City of Glass Studios in Stockholm and mixed by David Castillo, ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’, was undoubtedly the band’s darkest and dirtiest opus upon its release in 2014; an organic collection of filth-ridden tracks straight from the grave, boldly eschewing the approach of somewhat over-produced modern death metal in favour of something altogether more rotten to the bone.
“When A class songwriting meets supreme death metal played by and for fans, don’t even try to resist” 8/10 METAL HAMMER
“Bloodbath have perhaps never sounded quite so sinister as they hammer, bash, kick and spit at anyone getting too close to the aural war they declare from the outset” KERRANG
Formed in 1998 with a mutual fascination for horror & the glory days of death metal (especially the old Florida & Stockholm ‘Sunlight’ scenes), the band has remained a leading light of extreme metal since their ‘Breeding Death‘ EP was unleashed back in 2000, and a formidable force in the metal world for over twenty-five years, notable for the inclusion of Katatonia, Opeth and Paradise Lost members.
With doom-like melodies mixed with raw and savage riffing, and featuring a number of guest appearances including Chris Reifert and Eric Cutler from US gore-masters Autopsy, ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’ marked a new high-point of brutality for Bloodbath.
A.1. Let The Stillborn Come To Me [04:37] A.2. Total Death Exhumed [03:51] A.3. Anne [04:01] A.4. Church Of Vastitas [03:37] A.5. Famine Of God`s Word [04:56] A.6. Mental Abortion [03:48] B.1. Beyond Cremation [04:41] B.2. His Infernal Necropsy [03:36] B.3. Unite In Pain [03:53] B.4. My Torturer [04:17] B.5. Grand Morbid Funeral [05:36]
This limited edition of ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’ marks the album’s tenth anniversary and is presented on limited silver/black marble-effect vinyl, with printed inner sleeve. Released on 14th June.
L-R: Ramon Rellum (Drums/Backing Vocals), Kyle Mazlik (Guitar), Justin Mazlik (Vocals), Dan Nelson (Bass), Jeremy Harlan (Guitar)
Metallic hardcore heavy hitters Sunmancer are poised to shake the foundations of the metalcore scene with their latest video single “Chasm Darkly”. Known for their relentless energy and unyielding heaviness, Sunmacer is also hitting the road with August Burns Red and Fuming Mouth in May (dates listed below) where listeners can catch the track live. The band comments on the song:
“Compared to our other songs, Chasm Darkly came together relatively quickly. This song was written in a span of a few hours, and only very minor tweaks were made after the demo was recorded. Everyone in the band really enjoys the vibe of the song, and it’s the first one that Ramon, our drummer, was able to sing on. The lyrical content is purposely left open to interpretation so that the listener can glean their own meaning. We are extremely proud of this song, and feel that it represents the musical direction we are moving in as a band.”
Lyrically, “Chasm Darkly” can be open to interpretation, but vocalist Justin Mazlik wrote it with his own struggles and anxiety in mind. Musically, Sunmancer wanted this track to have a wide range of feelings – going from heavy riffing with blast beats to epic choruses and calm bridges. They don’t revisit many of the riffs in the song, as to take the listener on more of a “journey” as opposed to just a verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure.
Formed by brothers Kyle and Justin Mazlik, Sunmancer rose from the ashes of Broadcast The Nightmare, carving out their own path in the metal landscape. Teaming up with Atlanta-based guitarist Jeremy Harlan of Faith In Ruin, the band’s lineup solidified with the addition of Dan Nelson on bass and Ramon Rellum on drums.
Chasm Darkly” is intended to be more than just a song, it is an experience – from the intense blast beats to the serene interludes, every element of the track is carefully crafted to evoke emotion and resonate with the audience. It is recommended for fans of Killswitch Engage, Counterparts, and The Black Dahlia Murder.
Spring Fling Tour w/ August Burns Red, Fuming Mouth, Sunmancer:
May 9 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville * May 10 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City May 11 – Dothan, AL – The Plant May 13 – Columbia, SC – The Senate May 14 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall May 15 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal May 16 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Festival *
Beasto Blanco has produced yet another mind blowing single following the release of “Run for Your Life” in February. Fans were treated to a listening party with members of the band on Bandcamp prior to the official release, and the the new single was immediately met with an outpour of love and excitement for the video.
“LOWLANDS” features Calico Cooper at the forefront of vocals this time, with Chuck Garric’s low raspy voice complimenting her perfectly throughout the song. The chorus alone shows not only the power behind Cooper’s voice as she belts out “Home” but gives you a beautiful introduction to her range. A mix between clean and distorted vocals adds to the anger behind the song.
“LOWLANDS” is the auditory representation of the Machine Girl. The song includes strong guitar parts with a war like drum beat keeping time and the Beasto Blanco groove that makes you feel like you are indestructible. While chatting with fans in the Bandcamp party, Cooper stated “I wrote the lyrics when I was a liiiiiittle mad lol” Everyone can always use a song to angrily scream in their car on the way to work.
Cooper also got to show off her high level of creativity and rage in a visual way as she not only starred in but directed the music video. The video is basically split in two, Cooper singing in the rain with dark blue lighting and the story being told within tints of red, yellow and orange. Cooper mentioned to fans on Bandcamp that “I nearly drowned,” and whether she’s serious or joking the amount of rain and splashing added just what was needed to the fury and passion behind the song and made Cooper look terrifyingly beautiful as she sang it. It all seemed to flow very naturally from her. As for the story scenes, there is no better vampire to use than Anthony Montemarano, because what woman wouldn’t get drawn in by that smirk?
The role Montemarano plays is so key to visually depicting not letting love basically blind you from the bad. The very end of the video as Cooper is walking slowly toward the camera with her finger to her lips, ties the whole vibe of I made you and I can take you down cause you don’t control me.
Overall, Beasto Blanco knocked this one out of the park yet again. The band is set to tour Europe with The Dead Daisies in November of this year. The band will also be playing a few of their dates in Europe in late July, early August that include Wacken Open Air 2024 on August 3rd. Keep an eye on Beasto Blanco social media accounts for tour updates, behind the scenes of the music videos, and personal commentary from the members. – Tanis Enos
Challenge The WindDue Out This May On AFM Records!
May 31, 2024 will see symphonic melodic metal overlords Rhapsody Of Fire release their hotly-anticipated, new studio epos ‘Challenge The Wind’ via AFM Records. A new music video for their latest colossal single, “Diamond Claws” (now available on https://rhapsodyoffire.bfan.link/diamond-claws), is premiering today! Watch the band’s new clip below, and pre-order your album copy now athttps://rhapsodyoffire.bfan.link/challenge-the-wind
For more than thirty years, Rhapsody Of Fire have been able to rely on one thing: there’s nothing half-hearted about this band. The Italian masters of their craft can look back at an impressive catalogue of 14 studio albums, three EPs and two live recordings to date, all marked by lots of heart and soul, passion and a virtually inexhaustible wealth of ideas. Since 1993, mastermind and founder Alex Staropoli has been hailed as the creator of the film score metal genre and his band as one of the most charismatic acts worldwide.
In addition, Staropoli has enlisted a highly creative first-rate guitarist in Roby De Micheli, who joined the fold in 2011, contributing lots of gritty metal riffs and virtuoso solos to contrast the band’s symphonic orchestral style.
Challenge The Wind will mark Rhapsody Of Fire‘s most fast-paced rager to date, as the composer and keybordist Staropoli recently revealed: “Compared to all previous Rhapsody Of Fire releases, the current album consists exclusively of up-tempo numbers, not a single ballad in sight. None of our other records have featured as much pure, unadulterated metal as ‘Challenge The Wind’!”
In support of their forthcoming album, the band is gearing up for a busy touring schedule in 2024, with many more shows to follow soon. Find all upcoming Rhapsody Of Fire dates listed below!
Challenge The Wind was produced by Alex Staropoli and mixed by Seeb Levermann (Orden Ogan), who is responsible for the homogeneous sound of the ten songs’ elaborate arrangements. As all of the band’s first single releases prove, one can be sure: Rhapsody Of Fire’s fast-paced adventure is set to continue with undiminished intensity! Pre-order Challenge The WindHERE!
Challenge The Wind track-list:
Challenge the Wind
Whispers of Doom
The Bloody Pariah
Vanquished by Shadows
Kreel’s Magic Staff
Diamond Claws
Black Wizard
A Brave New Hope
Holy Downfall
Mastered by the Dark
Rhapsody Of Fire: Giacomo Voli (vocals) Alex Staropoli (keyboards) Roby De Micheli (guitars) Alessandro Sala (bass) Paolo Marchesich (drums)
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Rhapsody Of Fire Live: 05.05.2024 (MX) EL CONDE, Foro 360 07.05.2024 (CO) BOGOTA, Astor Plaza 09.05.2024 (BR) SAO PAULO, Caricoa Club 10.05.2024 (CL) SANTIAGO, Blondie 11.05.2024 (AR) COMUNA 1, El Teatrito 18.05.2024 (IT) TREZZO SULL’ ADDA MI, Live Club 29.06.2024 (FR) CLISSON, Hellfest 13.07.2024 (BG) MOGILOVO, Midalidare Rock in the Wine Valley 2024 19.07.2024 (FI) PERUNKA, John Smith Rock Festival 07.11.2024 (SE) MALMOE, Plan B 08.11.2024 (SE) GOTHENBURG, Surr Arena 09.11.2024 (SE) STOCKHOLM, Fryshuset Klubben 10.11.2024 (SE) GAVLE, Centralteatern
After two years dedicated to writing and recording, the band is ready to unveil their eagerly awaited new creation, Voices Beneath the Rubble. This monumental offering serves as a concept album, showcasing the band’s evolution as musicians and storytellers. With Voices Beneath the Rubble, DRIFTINTO BLACK delivers a sonic journey that traverses a range of emotions.
Black Lion Records will release Voices Beneath the Rubble on June 28. Pre-order/pre-save the album at orcd.co/voices-beneath-the-rubble.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Candlemass, My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Amorphis, DRIFT INTO BLACK‘s sound is a fusion of gothic doom, traditional heavy metal, and some progressive elements, all imbued with emotional depth. With Voices Beneath the Rubble, DRIFTINTOBLACK has created their most immersive album to date.
Track-list:
The Horns of Despair
In Turmoil
The Great Machine
Voices Beneath the Rubble
Last Hope
Forever King
Blood Storm
What’s Left In The Fire
Turning Of The Tide
December
Originally from Sayreville New Jersey, DRIFT INTO BLACK started their journey into doom metal in 2018 as a one-man band masterminded by Craig Rossi (ex-Grey Skies Fallen). Bassist/guitarist Paul Laplaca and drummer KlemenMarkelj joined as official members after the band’s third release. With each release, DRIFT INTO BLACK continues to evolve sonically by touching on many different metal genres while still holding on to their doom roots.
Following their 2021’s Blood In The Water, Veteran Arizona thrashers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have shared a first single taken off their forthcoming and 15th studio album entitled I Am The Weapon, that is slated for a 2024-release via AFM Records! A lyric video for the album title track is now premiering below.
More album details and pre-order options will be revealed on May 24, 2024. At the same time, a repress of the band’s 2016-album, Flotsam And Jetsam, will be issued as a strictly limited, Gatefold Clear 2-Vinyl!
The band comments:“We’re very excited about this new album, “I Am The Weapon.” We put a great amount of effort and thought into the music, and we can’t wait to start unleashing this metal assault on the music community…”
2024 will see FLOTSAM AND JETSAM return with their thunderous and new studio album I Am The Weapon. Watch out for more news and details to follow in the weeks ahead!
Canadian metal legends ANVIL have announced their new studio album, ‘One And Only’, for a release on June 28, 2024 via powerhouse label AFM Records! A first video single, “Feed Your Fantasy” has just been premiered and is now streaming below.
When it comes to the most influential bands in the history of heavy metal, authorities on the subject regularly vote ANVIL among the top positions. The group from Toronto, Canada, with its two masterminds, Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow and Robb Reiner, with bassist Chris Robertson, not only looks back at an impressive career with countless highlights – as well as a number of well-documented difficulties – but has also had a lasting influence on lots of internationally renowned musicians, from Metallica to Slayer and beyond.
One And Only sees the band provide first-rate ANVIL entertainment: While Guitarist/vocalist Lips is considered to be one of the most creative and interesting storytellers of the metal genre, Chris Robertson and Robb Reiner keep the up the pace with their usual confidence, providing the perfect rhythm section for Lips. Although they have experienced the tough and frequently merciless side of the music industry on a number of occasions, ANVIL never lost their idealism, motivation and energy, which is immediately evident on One AndOnly.
Like its four predecessors,One And Only was produced by Martin ‘Mattes’ Pfeiffer (U.D.O., among others) and Jörg Uken at his Soundlodge studio. As far as Lips is concerned, Pfeiffer and Uken are “… our one and only choice. As usual, Mattes and Jörg did a great job in choosing our best playing and making sure it has top notch sound. Great guys who understand the band and know what suits us best.”
Pre-Order One And Only – due out on June 28, 2024 via AFM Records, HERE!
One And Only – tracklisting: 01 – One And Only 02 – Feed Your Fantasy 03 – Fight For Your Rights 04 – Heartbroken 05 – Gold And Diamonds 06 – Dead Man Shoes 07 – Truth Is Dying 08 – Rocking The World 09 – Run Away 10 – World Of Fools 11 – Condemned Liberty 12 – Blind Rage
ANVIL live: 02.05.2024 (CA) Ajax / The Edge 25.05.2024 (DE) Schönenberg-Kübelberg / Iron Fest Open Air 29.06.2024 (FR) Clisson, Hellfest 22.11.2024 (DE) Weissenhäuser Strand / Metal Hammer Paradise
NECROT will return to the stage this June on a massive North American headlining tour! The Lifeless Birth Tour 2024 commences on June 5th in Berkeley, California and winds its way through nearly three dozen cities, concluding on July 13th in Portland, Oregon. Support will be provided by Street Tombs as well as BAT and Phobophilic on select dates. The trek follows the band’s recent run supporting Municipal Waste on the inaugural Brainsqueeze Tour.
Comments bassist/vocalist Luca Indrio, “You already know it. The Lifeless Birth album release tour is going to be a savagely brutal one! I’m sure our loyal fans are going to be there to rage and destroy every fucking night. These shows are going to be pure madness; you are not going to regret being there, but you might regret not showing up. If you feel like you need a night of good metal you better be there early. The support bands are insanely good. BAT has a new album out for the tour just like us, Street Tombs is representing for [drummer] Chad [Gailey]’s label, Carbonized plus Phobophilic is joining us late in the tour, all such sick bands. Epic as fuck. See you all at the shows!”
Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 29th at 12:00pm ET at necrot.com! See all confirmed dates below.
NECROT w/ BAT, Street Tombs: 6/05/2024 The Cornerstone – Berkeley, CA 6/06/2024 Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA 6/07/2024 First St. Billiards – Los Angeles, CA 6/08/2024 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 6/09/2024 Nile Underground – Phoenix, AZ 6/10/2024 The Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM 6/12/2024 Parish – Austin, TX 6/13/2024 Three Links – Dallas TX 6/14/2024 Vibes Underground – San Antonio TX 6/15/2024 TBA – Houston, TX 6/16/2024 TBA – New Orleans, LA 6/18/2024 Orpheum – Tampa, FL 6/19/2024 Will’s Pub – Orlando, FL 6/20/2024 Boggs Social – Atlanta, GA 6/21/2024 New Brookland Tavern – Columbia SC 6/22/2024 Chapel Of Bones – Raleigh, NC 6/23/2024 Cattivo – Pittsburgh, PA 6/24/2024 Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD 6/25/2024 Broken Goblet – Bensalem, PA 6/26/2024 The Meadows – Brooklyn, NY 6/27/2024 Sonia – Boston, MA w/ Phobophilic, Street Tombs: 6/28/2024 Le Source – Quebec City, QC 6/29/2024 Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC 6/30/2024 Dominion Tavern – Ottawa ON 7/01/2024 Hard Luck Bar – Toronto, ON 7/02/2024 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 7/03/2024 Reggies – Chicago, IL 7/05/2024 The Swamp – Lincoln, NE 7/06/2024 Oriental Theatre – Denver, CO 7/07/2024 Aces High Saloon – Salt Lake City, UT 7/09/2024 The Shredder – Boise, ID 7/10/2024 Ray’s Golden Lion – Richland, WA 7/11/2024 The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC 7/12/2024 Clock Out Lounge – Seattle WA 7/13/2024 The Star Theatre – Portland, OR
NECROT will be touring in support of their Lifeless Birth full-length, set to drop on April 12th via Tankcrimes.
With Lifeless Birth, NECROT continues their ascent to the forefront of American aural extremity, pushing the boundaries of style and continuing to recast metal in their image. Founded by bassist/vocalist Luca Indrio and drummer Chad Gailey in 2011 with guitarist Sonny Reinhardt joining the following year, the Oakland, California trio offers Lifeless Birth as a culmination of their to-date efforts to encapsulate and push forward the deathly stylings of 2020’s Mortal and their 2017 debut, Blood Offerings.
Lifeless Birth, which features cover art again by Marald Van Haasteren, will be released on CD, cassette, and digital formats as well as an LP in several different and exciting vinyl variants all housed in a golden foil stamped gatefold jacket. Recorded with Grammy-winning producer Greg Wilkinson who has helmed all three NECROT albums and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.
In honor of Lifeless Birth, NECROT will appear on the May 2024 cover of Decibel Magazine, marking their second appearance on the cover of the esteemed publication.
Don’t miss it! Order your copy today at THIS LOCATION.
Find LP preorders HERE, CD preorders HERE, cassette preorders HERE, and digital preorders HERE where the band’s previously released singles, “Cut The Cord,” and “Drill The Skull” can be streamed.
After having their Mortal tour plans scuttled owing to the COVID pandemic, family health issues that led Indrio, who became a US citizen in 2016 and currently lives in Mexico, to return to Italy for a time canceled what would have been their first tour post-plague. Still, despite this and Gailey suffering a broken back, requiring multiple surgeries and intense physical therapy to be able to drum again, period, Indrio being struck with Bell’s Palsy the night before he was originally due to fly to the studio to record, and Reinhardt requiring multiple surgeries on his hands in the months since they finished, NECROT charges forward with material distinguished in its real-world point of view and willingness to look beyond extreme metal tropes in lyrics, the melodies of its guitar solos, and unbridled audience engagement.
Australian Hard Rockers Tarot have released “Leshy’sWarning,” the second single from forthcoming album, Glimpse of the Dawn. Check it out on the Cruz Del Sur Music YouTube Channel: youtu.be/2D-n14FZQAU
Glimpse of the Dawn, the band’s first album for Cruz Del Sur Music, will be released April 12 on CD, vinyl, and digital formats! The long-awaited sophomore album re-imagines heavy, Hammond B3 organ hard rock for a new generation!
Eight years have passed since Tarot’s first full-length, Reflections, to their new long-player, Glimpse of the Dawn. It was like a lifetime for the 1970s-rock-tinged Australians. The band embarked on its first-ever live shows after Reflections, essentially coming together as a unit while on stage.
Live activity then opened the door for increased collaboration between all members of the band. Now operating as a cohesive, free-flowing outfit, Tarot amassed a lively, spacious album in the form of Glimpse of the Dawn that earnestly pays tribute to their core influences of Uriah Heep, Rainbow and Deep Purple while blazing an identity of its own.
Glimpse of the Dawn was recorded across several studios in the band’s native Tasmania, starting with drum tracking by Joe Haley at Crawlspace Productions. From there, the band retreated to its own Heavy Chains Studio and Riff Cabin to complete tracking, yet it was the face-to-face sessions with Haley that gave the album its live and natural feel.
This approach, once an industry standard and now becoming a rarity, found Tarot simply cracking open a few beers, letting the tape roll and letting the results happen as they may. To that end, Tarot purposely left open spaces to allow for improvisation.
Photo Credit: Saint Bradshaw
Many of the album’s lead guitar sections were written on the fly in the studio and were subsequently kept, allowing forTarot to “catch lightning in a bottle.” This approach is perhaps best exemplified on the title track, which kicks off the album in grand fashion with rollicking Hammond keyboards and vocal trade-offs between founding member WillSpectre, guitarist FelixRussell and keyboardist Dave Harrington-George.
In fact, collaboration defines Glimpse of the Dawn. Whereas Spectre previously shouldered the songwriting load, the album features contributions from all members of Tarot. This communal, open vibe is yet another throwback to the bands Tarot has taken inspiration from.
The closeness of all five members allowed for a free exchange of ideas, thus sharpening every facet of the album. It helped further expand Tarot’s sound, which is often driven by the classic Hammond B3 organ, mellotron string and choir and various analog synths. The members of Tarotput an immense amount of thought into the interplay between Harrington-George’sparts and its guitar lines, ultimately producing an album with equal breadth and depth.
Glimpse of the Dawn is tailor-made for the live arena. Tarot already has plans to hit its Australian homeland and Europe throughout 2024, bringing its hard-rocking, anthemic songs to audiences deserving of a band that perfectly embodies the spirit of 1970s rock.
Dark Descent Records is set to unleash ArmageddonPatronage, the second album from Copenhagen’s purveyors of ‘accursed death’ STRYCHNOS.
The follow-up to 2022’s breakout debut A Mother’s Curse delivers the expected onslaught of uncompromising black/death metal. Armageddon Patronage features a guest appearance by Michael Poulsen (Volbeat, Dominus).
The band has shared the first track off Armageddon Patronage, “Winds Warning the Final Storm.” Stream it now at youtu.be/M09KXx6gmpw
Armageddon Patronage embodies the immense drive of a band operating at full throttle, refining their distinct blend of extreme metal bound to no god, master, or genre. Following a string of intense and blood-stained festival performances STRYCHNOS is now the name on the underground’s lips. Propelled by this vast momentum, the band toiled tirelessly to record and release Armageddon Patronage less than two years after their debut.
“This release will showcase a natural continuation of what A Mother’s Curse began,” reflects bassist/vocalist Martin Leth Andersen. “The band seeks to refine and push further key elements from the debut – in ways of both aggressiveness and the more atmospheric parts. This follow-up also showcases an array of new details like alternative instrumentation, vocal variations, intros, outros, and a couple of noticeable guest appearances.”
Rare is the band within these realms that improves so exponentially with each new release. Do not miss the flight of STRYCHNOS… for one may never know how long the underground can contain them.
Armageddon Patronage will be out May 17 on CD, cassette, vinyl, and digital formats. Pre-order at:
Armageddon Patronage tracklist: 1) Winds Warning the Final Storm 2) Armageddon Patronage 3) Choking Salvation 4) Endless Void Dimension (featuring Michael Poulson) 5) Pale Black Birds 6) Stanken Af Dyd 7) Sweeping Storm of Suicide 8) Nattevandrerinden
Armageddon Patronage was recorded and mixed by Lasse Ballade at Copenhagen’s Ballade Studios, and mastered by none other than Necromorbus’ infamous Tore Stjerna.
STRYCHNOS: Andreas Lynge – Guitars/Backing vocals Martin Leth Andersen – Bass/Lead vocals Nis Rode Larsen – Drums
Cerebral Rot is dead. From its maggot-infested corpse an entity even more repulsively loathsome has emerged, CORPUS OFFAL. Cerebral Rot’s lead guitarist/vocalist Ian Schwab and guitarist Clyle Lindstrom have reconstituted in this ghastly operating theater, now with the new rhythm section (de)composed of Jesse Shreibman (Bell Witch, Autophagy) on drums and Jason Sachs (ex-Demoncy) on bass.
With the Cerebral Rot songwriting core intact, CORPUS OFFAL reeks of similarly foul decrepitude and bludgeoning subterranean weight. Additionally, a sickly goregrind presence hovers over the murk like a horrid miasma, engulfing the tunes with a cadaverous redolence.
The two demo tracks here, “Ripened Psychosis” and “Gorging Gastric Decedent,” will both appear on the band’s eventual debut LP (in re-recorded form) to be recorded by Billy Anderson straight to tape later this year and released in 2025. For now, inhale the first rotted whiff of CORPUS OFFAL in demo form to sate your lust for excretion.
The tracks on Demo 2024 were mixed by Michael Foster and the band members, mastered by Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound (Krieg, Drawn & Quartered, Witch Vomit), with art by Ian Schwab and layout by Dan Fried. If the works of Fetid, Cenotaph, Goatlord, Undergang, Cianide, and of course Cerebral Rot frequent your gravedigging playlist, CORPUS OFFAL should be on your list.
CORPUS OFFAL’s Demo 2024 is out today on cassette and digital via 20 Buck Spin; Find it at the label webshop HEREand stream it at YouTube HERE, and Bandcamp HERE.
Demo 2024 Track Listing:
Ripened Psychosis
Gorging Gastric Decedent
CORPUS OFFAL: Ian Schwab – guitar/vocals Clyle Lindstrom – guitar Jason Sachs – bass Jesse Shreibman – drums
Philadelphia’s MALPHAS return with the second single/video off their sophomore full-length. Listen to “Leviathan’s Moonlit Sanctum” at all streaming/download platforms now. In addition, the band has also premiered a new music video HERE .
“Leviathan’ marks the point in the story where Malphas returns to the real world. He and his demons murder the power elite figures on the island, but then travel to a nearby village and subjugate the people there,” explains singer/guitarist Paul DeSanctis. “The main character has a vision where he sees a demonic totalitarian government on the other side of the portal; he realizes he’s left the door wide open for them to take over.”
Both songs continue the tale and concept revolving around the demon Malphas and his encounters with people in life and death that the melodic death/black metal band began telling on their debut ‘The 39th Spirit’ released on Poland’s Via Nocturna in 2018.
’Portal’ takes place chronologically two hundred years prior to the events of ‘The 39th Spirit,’ explains Paul. “The album explores new themes like politics, economics, and historical events in fleshing out how the dystopian world in ‘The 39th Spirit’ comes to be.
‘Portal’ was recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Kelly (Ice Nine Kills, Baby Metal, Galactic Empire). The new album, ‘Portal,’ will be released on CD and digital platforms March 29th and is available for preorder now HERE.
About MALPHAS: Founded by Paul DeSanctis and drummer Eric Dunleavy in 2012, guitarist Damian DiFrancesco and bassist Joshua DeJesus joined the lineup in 2014 and 2019 respectively. Appealing to fans of CHILDREN OF BODOM, WINTERSUN, DIMMU BORGIR, SEPTIC FLESH, and IMMORTAL, MALPHAS produce a sound comprised of symphonic melodic death and black metal.
The band debuted with their EP The ‘Conjuring’ in 2015 followed by their first full-length, ‘The 39th Spirit’ in 2018. MALPHAS have toured Europe supporting Norway’s Keep of Kalessin and Finland’s Shade Empire, with US runs opening for Tengger Cavalry, Felix Martin, and Helsott.
Upcoming Record Release shows:
3/29 – Our Wicked Lady – Brooklyn, NY
3/30 – Record Release Show – The Nail – Ardmore, PA
SIX FEET UNDER will unleash their pulverizing fourteenth studio album, Killing For Revenge, on May 10th through Metal Blade Records.
From the opening moments of first single, “Know-Nothing Ingrate,” which kicks off the record, it’s immediately clear that SIX FEET UNDER focused their energies into something that’s as brutal, lyrically visceral, and musically dazzling as one would hope for from the ground-breaking Tampa-bred death metal. Killing For Revenge, a gnarly beast of a record that’s not for the faint-hearted, dishes up nightmare-inducing imagery courtesy of frontman Chris Barnes via the vocalist’s trademark guttural vocals. Both the album title and darkly detailed red-hued album cover by artist Vince Locke are perfect containers for the brutality within.
“I chose the title Killing For Revenge after we completed writing and noticed that all the lyrics and storylines had a common theme of revenge. Revenge by human or revenge by nature,” Barnes says. “The album title describes the flow of the stories within the lyrics perfectly.”
Watch a lyric video for SIX FEET UNDER’s “Know-Nothing Ingrate” at THIS LOCATION.
Killing For Revenge marks the second album that Barnes and guitarist Jack Owen (ex-Cannibal Corpse) have created together since reuniting for 2020’s Nightmares Of The Decomposed. Owen also produced Killing For Revenge. “We worked well together in Cannibal Corpse,” recalls Barnes. “I loved him to death as a friend and a musician, so I’m really comfortable giving him the reins because I just have such great respect for him as an artist.”
The songs on Killing For Revenge dive headfirst into subjects that are as gleefully vile, graphic, and downright grotesque as you might dream of from a Barnes/Owen project. After all, the two men were vital cogs in the Cannibal Corpse band that released such delightfully offensive death metal classics as Butchered At Birth and Tomb Of The Mutilated. SIX FEET UNDER also recorded a cover of Nazareth’s “Hair Of The Dog,” which appears on all formats of Killing For Revenge with the exception of vinyl.
As a first preview of the record, today the band unveils “Know-Nothing Ingrate.” Notes Owen, “This music was written early in the writing process. Wanting to keep the aggression of a prior SIX FEET UNDER song like ‘Amputator,’ I wrote music in the style of early Dark Angel or Kreator, who always had cool driving drumbeats. I had all the riffs in my head as I wrote the drums in a couple hours. Lyrically, I kicked around a phrase that fit the stop parts throughout the song. After coming up with ‘Know-Nothing Ingrate,’ the lyrics wrote themselves. It’s basically about online trolls who voice their uneducated and unnecessarily spiteful review of any artist’s output. You’re entitled to your opinion, and I’m entitled to mine.”
SIX FEET UNDER was initially formed as a side project for Barnes during his final years with the band that he co-founded, Cannibal Corpse. It became the frontman’s sole focus in 1995, coinciding with the release of their debut, Haunted. Only Barnes remains from SIX FEET UNDER’s original incarnation, but the quality has remained remarkably consistent. The current lineup of Barnes, guitarists Owen and Ray Suhy, bassist Jeff Hughell, and drummer Marco Pitruzzella make for a devastating unit.
Killing For Revenge, which features a guest appearance by guitarist Jason Suecof on “Neanderthal,” was mixed and mastered by Chaz Najjar at Badlands Recording in Denver, Colorado. The record will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
180g Black (US) Clear w/ Red Bloodshot (US) 180g Black (EU) Crusted Blood Marbled (EU) Khaki Brown Marbled (EU – Ltd. 300) Blood Red Splatter (EU – Ltd. 300) Gold “Black Dust” (EU – Ltd. 200)
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