Gorgatron, Casket Robbery, and Frontal Assault are thrilled to announce ‘The Northern Destruction Tour’ starting on July 24th. The tour will be hitting multiple cities across the US and Canada.
The full list of tour dates is as follows:
7/24 Minneapolis, MN @ Zhora Darling
7/25 Milwaukee, WI @ X Ray Arcade
7/26 Menomonie, WI @ Zymurgy Brewing
7/27 West Chicago, IL @ WC Social Club
7/28 Toronto, ON @ The Cave
7/30 Thunder Bay, ON @ Black Pirates Pub
7/31 Winnipeg, MB @ Sidestage
8/1 Saskatoon, SK @ Black Cat Tavern
8/2 Drumheller, AB @ Loud As Hell Fest
8/4 Missoula, MT @ The Show Room at the ZACC
8/5 Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon
8/6 Denver, CO @ HQ
8/7 Rapid City, SD @ Abys
8/8 Sioux Falls, SD @ Downtown Sioux Falls @ Four Winds Music and Art Fest
8/9 Cedar Rapids, IA @ Iowa Metal Underground Fest
Lexington, KY’s heaviest export, CROP, has announced the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album S.S.R.I, due out August 22, 2025 via Third House Communications. Alongside the announcement, the band has dropped the album’s first single, “Alone” – a soul-crushing breakup song that cuts deeper than heartbreak and settles into the kind of emotional void that never really closes.
“Alone” is a brutal meditation on what it means to lose someone twice; once in the relationship, and again in the realization that their presence offered no real solace.
Backed by thunderous guitars, unrelenting drums, and vocals that walk the line between raw power and quiet devastation, “Alone” captures the emotional core of S.S.R.I; an album steeped in grief, clarity, and the jagged edge of survival. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jason Groves, S.S.R.I builds on the massive sound CROP introduced with their self-titled 2021 debut, and dives even further into the chaos of identity, loss, and mental disintegration.
The seven-track record features emotionally heavy tracks like “Formaldehyde,” “10-56,” and “Break,” and pairs crushing riffs with deeply introspective lyrics, reflecting the band’s evolution from local underground staple to national force.
Known for their blistering live shows and rising reputation in the doom and heavy grunge scenes, CROP has performed at Maryland Doom Fest, RPM Fest, and shared stages with WEEDEATER, CONAN, REZN, BONGZILLA and more. With S.S.R.I, the band delivers not just an album, but a fully immersive psychological and sonic experience.
S.S.R.I – Track Listing:
“Flatline” – 1:00
“Formaldehyde” – 5:57
“Goddamn” – 6:37
“10-56” – 6:22
“Alone” – 7:02
“Breath” – 1:06
“Break” – 6:24
CROP:
Marc Phillips – Vocals
Zach Hunter – Guitar
Braun Dabney – Bass
Andrew Beauvier – Drums
For CROP, the music is a confrontation, a refusal to look away from the darkest corners of life, and an insistence that even pain deserves to be heard at full volume.
WHITECHAPEL will return to US stages this Fall on the Rituals Of Hate headlining tour. The journey makes its way through over two dozen cities from November 12th through December 14th and will see the band perform their critically adored new full-length Hymns In Dissonance in its devastating entirety alongside some old favorites. Support will be provided by Bodysnatcher, Angelmaker, and Disembodied Tyrant.
Comments the band, “After the overwhelming responses from the Hymns In Dissonance release, we decided it would be great to close out the year by giving this album to the fans live front to back. The tour will be ending with our 10th annual hometown Christmas benefit show in Knoxville, Tennessee. Do not wait and grab your tickets/VIP now for this special tour!”
Presales begins Wednesday, May 28th at 10:00am local time. General on sale date is Friday, May 30th at 10:00am local time. VIP upgrades will be available at: whitechapel.soundrink.com and include:
– 1 GA Ticket
– Meet & Greet w/ WHITECHAPEL
– Photo Op w/ WHITECHAPEL
– Exclusive VIP Wall Flag
– Exclusive Signed Poster
– Exclusive VIP Enamel Pin
– Exclusive VIP Laminate w/ Lanyard
– Early Entry + Early Access To Merch
See confirmed dates below.
WHITECHAPEL w/ Bodysnatcher, Angelmaker, Disembodied Tyrant: 11/12/2025 The Norva – Norfolk, VA 11/14/2025 Reverb – Harrisburg, PA 11/15/2025 Irving Plaza – New York, NY 11/16/2025 Toad’s – New Haven, CT 11/17/2025 Empire – Albany, NY 11/19/2025 Anthology – Rochester, NY 11/20/2025 Mr. Smalls Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA 11/21/2025 Globe Iron – Cleveland, OH 11/22/2025 The Vogue Theatre – Indianapolis, IN 11/23/2025 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI 11/25/2025 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI 11/26/2025 Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA 11/28/2025 Delmar Hall – St. Louis, MO 11/29/2025 The Truman – Kansas City, MO 11/30/2025 Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK 12/02/2025 The Hall – Little Rock, AR 12/03/2025 Iron City – Birmingham, AL 12/04/2025 Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL 12/05/2025 FIVE – Jacksonville, FL 12/06/2025 House Of Blues – Orlando, FL 12/08/2025 The National – Richmond, VA 12/09/2025 Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN 12/10/2025 The Signal – Chattanooga, TN 12/12/2025 House Of Blues – Myrtle Beach, SC 12/13/2025 The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC 12/14/2025 Mill & Mine – Knoxville, TN
Released earlier this Spring on Metal Blade Records, WHITECHAPEL’s Hymns In Dissonance earned the #2 position on Billboard’s Current Hard Rock Albums chart, #3 on Independent Label Current Albums chart, #4 on the Current Rock Albums chart, and #7 on the Digital Albums chart upon its first week of release.
The record finds the band reinventing themselves, going darker, deeper, and heavier than ever before. “We attempted to write our heaviest album to date,” says guitarist Alex Wade. “We wanted to put out something that was shockingly menacing and brutal.”
WHITECHAPEL: Phil Bozeman – vocals Ben Savage – lead guitar Alex Wade – rhythm guitar Zach Householder – guitar Gabe Crisp – bass Brandon Zackey – drums
Hymns In Dissonance is available now on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.
Photo credit: Sam Jamsen L-R: Esa Holopainen (guitars), Olli-Pekka “Oppu” Laine (bass), Tomi Joutsen (vocals), Santeri Kallio (keys), TomiKoivusaari (guitars), JanRechberger (drums & percussion)
AMORPHIS are back: After taking a brief creative hiatus from the scene, the iconic Finnish metal titans return with the announcement of their 15th studio album, Borderland, arriving on September 26, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music!
Guitarist Esa Holopainen shares the band’s excitement about the forthcoming album: “Borderland is the first AMORPHIS album produced in collaboration with Danish producer Jacob Hansen. Before that, we had made three amazing records at Jens Bogren’s studio. During the planning phase of the project, we strongly felt that it was time to explore something new and see what working with a different producer might bring to the table!”
As a first introduction to Borderland, the band is thrilled to reveal that a brand new single ‘Light And Shadow’ will be released on June 6, 2025. More details to follow shortly!
Borderland will be released in time for a massive headline tour in their home country as well as a trip as part of an arena-filling package with ARCH ENEMY, ELUVEITIE and GATECREEPER. All dates & ticket info can be found below!
European “Blood Dynasty” 2025 Tour w/ ARCH ENEMY, ELUVEITIE, GATECREEPER: 10.10.2025 DE Stuttgart – Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle 11.10.2025 DE Frankfurt – Jahrhunderthalle 12.10.2025 DE Munich – Zenith 14.10.2025 HU Budapest – Barba Negra 15.10.2025 AT Vienna – Gasometer 17.10.2025 DE Berlin – Columbiahalle 18.10.2025 CZ Prague – Sportovní hala Fortuna 19.10.2025 PL Gliwice – PreZero Arena 21.10.2025 CH Zurich – The Hall 22.10.2025 IT Milan – Alcatraz 23.10.2025 FR Lyon – Radiant-Bellevue 25.10.2025 ES Madrid – Palacio Vistalegre 27.10.2025 FR Paris – Zénith 28.10.2025 NL Amsterdam – AFAS Live 30.10.2025 UK Wolverhampton – Civic Hall 31.10.2025 UK Manchester – O2 Apollo 01.11.2025 UK London – eventim Apollo 03.11.2025 LU Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal 04.11.2025 BE Brussels – Ancienne Belgique 05.11.2025 DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee 07.11.2025 SE Gothenburg – Partille Arena 08.11.2025 SE Stockholm – Annexet 10.11.2025 FI Helsinki – Helsingin Jäähalli 12.11.2025 NO Oslo – Sentrum Scene 13.11.2025 DK Copenhagen – Poolen 14.11.2025 DE Hanover – Swiss Life Hall 15.11.2025 DE Dusseldorf – Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Borderland Tour 2025 Presented by Grey Beard Concerts & Management: 05.12.2025 FI Ikaalinen – Spa & Resort 06.12.2025 FI Kempele – Zemppi Areena 12.12.2025 FI Rauha – Saimaan Areena 13.12.2025 FI Kajaani – Kajaanihalli 18.12.2025 FI Tampere – Tavara-asema 19.12.2025 FI Seinäjoki – Rytmikorjaamo 20.12.2025 FI Turku – Logomo 27.12.2025 FI Lahti – Möysän Musaklubi 31.12.2025 FI Lohja – Spa & Resort
Legendary debut album Melancholia originally released by Cold Meat Industry in 1996, to receive new CD & Vinyl treatment after nearly 30 years
Melancholia Redux to feature re-recorded music, and rewritten English lyrics
Norwegian darkwave pioneers Penitent have released a new video for their track, “Beyond the Whispering Echoes“, as the band prepares for the anticipated release of Melancholia Redux, a profound re-imagining of their 1996 Cold Meat Industry debut, Melancholia.
“Beyond the Whispering Echoes” is now also streaming via all digital platforms, along with the single and video for “The Path of the Shadows” (YouTube)
Set for release on 30 May 2025 via The CircleMusic, Melancholia Redux is far more than a simple re-recording. Almost every element has been transformed, featuring entirely re-recorded music and rewritten English lyrics, offering fans a fresh and intense perspective on this seminal work.
Regarding the new video, Karsten Hamrecommented, “Creating the visual counterpart for ‘Beyond the Whispering Echoes’ allowed us to delve deeper into the atmosphere of Melancholia Redux. The video aims to reflect the introspective and melancholic journey of the track, bringing the re-imagined lyrics and music to life in a new dimension.”
Melancholia Redux will be available in a variety of exclusive formats, designed to appeal to collectors and audiophiles:
Digi CD with 12-page booklet: (Limited to 500 copies)
Clear & Black Splatter LP with Printed Inner Sleeve: (Limited to 250 copies)
Red & Turquoise Splatter LP with Printed Inner Sleeve: (Limited to 150 copies)
Luxurious LP/CD Box with Magnet Embossed in Gold: (Limited to 100 copies)
As previously announced, the release of Melancholia Redux marks the beginning of Penitent’s collaboration with The Circle Music. Plans are already in motion for further “Redux” versions of their extensive back catalogue, including The Beauty of Pain, As Life Fades Away, and Roses by ChaosSpawned, alongside exciting new, never-before-released material.
For over three decades, Karsten Hamre, the heart and soul of Penitent, has consistently crafted dark and eerie melodies to accompany his introspective poetry. His unique personal journey has fueled a creative output that feels revitalized, like a complete restart.
Penitent has been a significant name in dark music since the early 1990s, exploring themes of loss, pain, and melancholy through their distinctive musical art. Founded by Karsten Hamre in 1994 to combine his “mad poetry” with music, the band released their debut album Melancholia in 1996 on Cold Meat Industry, quickly establishing their unique sound of sad and somber synth music with spoken word. Over the years, Penitent has evolved, incorporating elements of neo-classical, martial industrial, and more, always driven by Hamre’s artistic vision.
Gothic sludge night stalker, BLOOD VULTURE, created by Jordan Olds (2 Minutes To Late Night), has revealed the 2nd single, “Grey Mourning” (Featuring Jade Puget of AFI), from the upcoming debut album, Die Close, that will be release June 27th via Pure Noise Records.
Commenting on the song, Olds states:
“When I was in middle school, AFI was my gateway to punk, hardcore, and goth. Jade Puget specifically was probably the biggest influence on my guitar playing and songwriting in that very formative time in my life. He’s such a melodic and unique player, and “Grey Mourning” is just a barrage of chromatic death metal riffs, so I thought it would be a really fun juxtaposition to set him loose in that kind of space and see what he came up with. I was honored that he agreed to do it, and his solo is so cool and unpredictable. It was exactly what I wanted.
In my freshman year of highschool, I snagged a black Les Paul studio because I saw him playing one in the Leaving Song Pt. II video and that’s actually the same guitar that I used to mimic his solo for the video. So this whole thing has been a wild full circle moment for me. Oh yeah, and the song is about vampires.“
The the impending debut Die Close, BLOOD VULTURE lures listeners in with a mesmerizing melding of gothic romanticism, lush metallic vibes and brutal reckoning. The record features luminary guests Jade Puget (AFI), Kristin Hayter (Lingua Ignota) and Brian Fair (Shadows Fall).
1. Die Close – Overature 2. An Embrace In The Flood 3. A Dream About Starving To Death 4. Grey Mourning (Feat. Jade Puget) 5. Entwined (Feat. Kristin Hayter) 6. Die Close – Interlude 7. Burn For It (Feat. Brian Fair) 8. The Silence of God 9. Abomination 10. Die Close – Finale
BLOOD VULTURE will perform in Brooklyn, NY on June 1st at The Meadows with Pallbearer and Cinder Well.
AboutBLOOD VULTURE:
This is the story of a vampire known as “The Blood Vulture.” A once-insatiable bloodthirsty abomination of a creature, he is now a recluse long locked away as he grapples with what it means to live forever in a world of impermanence. His tales of regret and grief and terror will be told from hereon through songs that meld the emotive vocal stylings of grunge’s golden era with death metal, goth rock, and doom metal.
“Hardening of the Heart” is about the emotional aftermath after a devastating loss. All that remains are shattered dreams and emptiness. The song represents the darker and personal side of GRACELESS.
Watch “Hardening Of The Heart ” (Official Video) HERE
Relentless powerhouse GRACELESS’ new album Icons Of Ruin out May 30th is the band’s most groundbreaking release to date! Massively produced, it boats crushing, unrelenting, large-scale, bombastic sonic destruction!
“Icons of Ruins is exactly what GRACELESS should sound like. This is us”, says drummer Marc Verhaar. The songs are destined to be more than just tracks; they are anthems, rallying cries for those who are also witnessing the world around them crumble and burn. “GRACELESS has become much more than a regular death metal band”, says Jasper. “We couldn’t be more proud of this album”, concludes frontman & founder David Kreft.
Listen to “Hardening Of The Heart” now available on all major digital platforms HERE
Graceless Icons Of Ruin – for fans of Bolt Thrower, Asphyx, Gorguts, Paradise Lost, Death, Bloodbath
GRACELESS – Icons Of Ruin Album Track-listing: 01 God Shines In Absence 4:11 02 Sanctified Slaughter 4:02 03 Lash Me To My Painful Death 4:50 04 Night Of The Slain 5:19 05 Hardening Of The Heart 5:17 06 Ungodliness 4:09 07 Rise Of The Blackest Sun 4:51 08 A King In The Filth 3:59 09 Beneath Starless Skies 5:47 10 Resurrection Of The Graveless 3:41
Band pics: Eus Straver
GRACELESS line up: Remco Kreft: Guitar, Vocals Marc Verhaar: Drums Jasper Aptroot: Bass Björn Brusse: Lead Guitar
Discography: Endless Spiral of Terror – split with Grond (Raw Skull – 2019) Deathbound – split with Revel in Flesh (War Anthem 2021) Shadowlands (Listenable reissue 2023) Where Vultures know your Name (Listenable reissue 2023) Chants of Purgatory (Listenable reissue 2023) Icons of Ruin (Listenable 2025)
Chilean death-doom cult DEVS MORTVORVM have unveiled the second taste of their upcoming EP with the brand new single “Orgy in the Graveyard”, now streaming exclusively via a premiere at Mystification Zine. Drenched in decay and driven by the band’s signature blend of cavernous doom and old-school death metal, this track sets the tone for what promises to be a truly morbid release.
From its lumbering riffs to its sepulchral growls, “Orgy in the Graveyard” drags listeners deep into the crypt, offering a glimpse of the rotting majesty that awaits on June 6, 2025, when the full EP drops via Apocalyptic Productions.
Formed in 2015 by David Briones (guitar) and Claudio Carrasco (vocals), DEVS MORTVORVM emerged with a clear mission: to play Graveyard Doom Death, inspired by legendary acts such as Goatlord, Derketa, early Cathedral and Autopsy. The band is now completed by Andrés Henríquez on drums and Felipe Vuletich on bass, bringing even more weight and rot to their already imposing sound.
This upcoming EP features five tracks, three original compositions, a crushing cover of “Acid Orgy” by U.S. cult legends Goatlord, and a raw live track that captures the band’s visceral stage presence. Every aspect of this release, the lyrics, artwork, and music is a unified expression of DEVS MORTVORVM’s devotion to the morbid spirit of doom-death and necrolatry.
Musically, the EP offers an enticing blend of shadow-drenched, vicious death-doom, where sludgy riffs clash and intertwine with serpentine melodies, creating a dynamic tension that keeps each track unpredictable and alive. It’s a masterclass in sonic decay, where every note drips with the dampness of the tomb.
Track-list:
Orgy in the Graveyard
Love for the Dead
The Oldest Crypt
Acid Orgy (Goatlord cover)
Orgy in the Graveyard (live)
Recorded between july 2023 and september 2024 at Black Sheep Studios. All Music composed by David Briones except “Acid Orgy” by Goatlord. Lyrics and vocal lines by Claudio Carrasco except “Acid Orgy” by Goatlord. Live track recorded at MiBar 20/12/2024 Artwork by Julián Mora.
Relentless and unwavering, DRAWN AND QUARTERED return to desecrate all that is holy with the release of their brand-new full-length album,Lord of Two Horns, set to drop in LP, CD and MC format on June 27th, 2025 via Nuclear Winter Records.
True standard bearers of the most vile and uncompromising American death metal, the Seattle based horde have spent decades defying trends, weathering every storm the underground could throw at them, only to emerge more savage and resolute than ever.
The first single “Black Castle Butcher” is now streamingHERE.
Lord of Two Horns delivers eight tracks and 34 minutes of unfiltered DRAWN AND QUARTERED carnage: a maelstrom of blast-driven violence, suffocating atmosphere, and riff work sharp enough to flay flesh from bone. While doom-laden passages and crypt born melodies still lurk within the shadows, the prevailing force is one of unhinged ferocity; this is death metal crafted to maim, forged in fire and performed with malicious intent.
Track-list:
Black Castle Butcher
Zealous Depopulation
Lord of Two Horns
Into the Mouth of the Dead
Three Rivers of Poison (Blasphemous Persecution)
Grimoire of Blood
The Devil’s Work Is Never Done
Mass Grave Curse
Line-up:
Kelly Shane Kuciemba – lead & rhythm guitars Herb Burke – bass guitar & vocals Simon Dorfman – drums & percussion Brandon Corsair – guitar
Recorded over various periods in 2023-2024 at Plague Pit by guitarist Kelly Shane Kuciemba (with drums recorded by Chris Mannino at Die Burning Studios), mixed and mastered by Loïc Fontaine for Krucyator Productions, Lord of Two Horns sees DRAWN AND QUARTERED deliver their signature early 90s influenced death metal darkness with more speed and brutality than ever before.
Photo credit: Sami Teeri L-R: Jori Haukio (guitars,programming), Marko Tommila (drums), Ville Viljanen (vocals), Jarkko Kokko (guitars), Teemu Heinola (bass)
Finnish melodic death stalwarts MORS PRINCIPIUM EST announce their long-awaited ninth studio album, Darkness Invisible. Officially signed to PERCEPTION, the latest imprint of Reigning Phoenix Music, the band will once again embrace listeners with razor-sharp riffing, sweeping orchestration, melancholic harmonies, and relentless rhythmic precision – topped by Ville Viljanen’s unmistakable vocals.
Viljanen comments: “Joining PERCEPTION marks a powerful new chapter for us. We’re proud to be part of a label family that houses so many legendary titans. With their support, we’re ready to unleash our most furious, blistering and ambitious work yet. The future burns bright, shrouded in Darkness Invisible.”
“Throughout their career, MORS PRINCIPIUM EST have kept impressing me and the rest of the metal world with solid melodic death of the faster kind. Although they’ve never been the most active live band, they succeed in growing their following with each of their releases what underlines the masterfulness of their craft additionally…and in this case, ‘[Of] Death’ is really just the beginning. Welcome to PERCEPTION!”states label strategist Nils Wasko.
First single “Of Death,” also the opening track of their new record, a bone-shattering yet enormously melodic piece with a darkly majestic chorus, can be streamed here: https://mpe.rpm.link/ofdeathPR
Despite delivering MPE’s much-loved trademark elements, Darkness Invisible is not content to simply revisit old formulas, but it expands upon them: the arrangements are more cinematic than ever, layered with subtle electronic textures, ambient passages, and dynamic shifts that mirror the emotional weight carried within the lyrics – and the result is a work that feels both cathartic and devastating.
MPE are also not stingy with details above all: Darkness Invisible will finally be unleashed upon the world on September 26, 2025, and was once again self-recorded at Ansa Studio (Ulvila, Finland); Jens Bogren mixed and Tony Lindgren mastered the ten new tracks (plus CD / digital bonus song) at Örebro, Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, SEPULTURA, KREATOR etc.). Alvaro Valverde Fernandez was hired to create artwork and layout.
01. Of Death 02. Venator 03. Monuments 04. Tenebrae Latebra 05. Summoning The Dark 06. Beyond The Horizon 07. The Rivers Of Avernus 08. In Sleep There Is Peace 09. An Aria Of The Damned 10. All Life Is Evil Bonus Track (digipak / digital only): 11. Makso Mitä Makso [ISAC ELLIOT Cover]
Formats:
digipak-CD
“Venator” turquoise 1LP vinyl
jewel case-CD
digital
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST live:
22. – 24.08.2025 PT Pindelo dos Milagres – Milagre Metaleiro 05.10.2025 TR Istanbul – IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş
Following the haunting release of “Seaweed Braids” Italian all-female melodic death metal band Hellfox returns with a powerful new chapter: “Atlas,” the second single from their upcoming album The Spectrum Of Human Gravity, due out via Rockshots Records.
Combining heavy melodic death metal foundations with modern textures and acidic synths, “Atlas” is a crushing and introspective anthem. Lyrically, the song draws on the myth of the Titan condemned to bear the weight of the sky; a metaphor for the emotional burdens we carry and the silent expectations imposed by society. “We have no control over what happens around us,” the band explains, “but letting go of that weight may be the most liberating act of all.”
Hellfox’s music thrives on contrast: dual female vocals (melodic and growled), distorted layers, and atmospheric electronics merge into an emotional and immersive sound. With influences ranging from Amorphis and In Flames to Dark Tranquillity, the band has forged a distinctive identity that breaks away from traditional tropes, embracing vulnerability, rage, beauty, and discomfort in equal measure.
Cover art by Eva Marabotti
The Spectrum of Human Gravity” is a conceptual journey into the depths of the human psyche. It explores difficult yet universal emotions of loneliness, self-doubt and alienation, through allegorical storytelling and striking visual metaphors. Each song gives voice to a different “face of the self,” capturing the chaos and coherence that define our inner worlds.
With “Atlas“, Hellfox once again demonstrates their ability to balance emotional weight with sonic power, delivering a track that is as crushing as it is cathartic.
Hellfox Line Up: Greta Hammonia Antico: vocals Priscilla Poe Foresti: bass and vocals Gloria Naflekt Kaps: guitars Federica Fedi Piscopo: drums
TRACK LISTING:
Nautilus – Seaweed Braids
Empty
Water On The Ceiling
Pareidolia
Atlas
Six Times Lighter
The Centipede
The Warrior, The Child, The Healer
Voices
To celebrate the release ofThe Spectrum of Human Gravity, HELLFOX will perform a series of live shows. Dates have already been announced, and many more are on the way. Stay tuned for a full tour schedule that will soon be revealed!
06/06/2025 – Release Party at Dedolor Music Headquarters, Rovellasca (Co), Italy 07/06/2025 – with Folkstone and Vallorch at Tatoo Nerd Fest / Fiera di Parma, Italy 07/07/2025 – with Broken By The Scream at the Legend Club, Milan, Italy 18/07/2025 – with Genus Ordinis Dei at Have A Drink On Me Day 5 Fest, Brembate di Sopra (Bg,) Italy
CREDITS: Recorded at Eden Studio by Alessio Lucatti Mixed and Mastered by Domination Studio by Simone Mularoni. Cover art by Eva Marabotti.
The Circle Music have signed the electrifying Swedish horrorpunk band Left Hand Black. Hailing from Gothenburg, this quartet, consisting of veterans of the local music scene, will release their third full-length album, Left Hand Black 3: Death Can’t Keep Us Apart, in September.
Formed in the spring of 2019 on an island just outside Gothenburg, Left Hand Black brings together the formidable talents of Hans Hagström and Jonathan Jansson (formerly of The Dead Next Door) with Johan Hansson and Anton Zachrisson (from Overdrive Solution). Their sound is a potent brew of old-school melodic horror punk and rock, drawing inspiration from iconic bands such as Misfits, Ramones and Bad Religion.
Johan Hansson of Left Hand Black said: “I have followed Maria and The Circle Music since the first release, and with her passion for the music and what she does for the bands, this is a dream come true. We are super excited to be part of the TCM family.”
Left Hand Black have carved a reputation with their previous releases: their self-titled debut in 2020 via Wolverine Records and their 2022 follow-up, Lower Than Satan through Sunny Bastard Records/Sick Taste Records. Now, with Left Hand Black 3: Death Can’t Keep Us Apart they aim to solidify their position as purveyors of infectious horror-infused punk anthems.
As the band have declared: “We prove that we can write hits and are an insanely good live band that takes no prisoners and celebrates a hellish party with you in the graveyard.”
L- R – Aidan Desmarais – Lead vocals, Guitars – Chris LoNigro – Guitars – Hunter Raymond – Drums, Vocals – Jacob Chase – Bass | Photo Credit: Hunter Raymond (self-timer)
+ Limited Edition Cassette For EP “Fatal Attraction” Out June 2025
High intensity, no filler rockers, Calgary’s LOVER announces they will be performing at this year’s Armstrong Metal Fest (July 11/12), one of Canada’s loudest mountain moshpits nestled in the beautiful backdrop of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
The band is playing in support of their latest EPFatal Attraction, which the thrashback metallers will be releasing on limited edition cassette on June 20th, 2025. “Fatal Attraction” is fast, it’s real, and it’s meant to kick you in the face! Even though the EP is only two tracks, this is a sampler of more to come.
The opening title track is an energetic rush of sound that captures the ups and downs of being overwhelmed by desire. The lyrics feed this feeling by talking about lust and substance abuse. Track 2. “Bad Love” lyrically is a tough and mean reality check. It’s based on a true story of love gone wrong. It has aggressive riffs, mean solos, and is meant to capture the strain of a mind in love and turmoil.
“For real though, we used our real-life experiences of love, hardship, and lust to tell a story, and it just happens to be set to the tune of high-energy rock n roll,” adds the band.
Recommended for fans of Scorpions, Riot City, Wasp, Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Thin Lizzy, listen to “Fatal Attraction” at the following links:
FEATURING A LIVE PERFORMANCE WITH CANTRELL, GUNS N’ ROSES’ DUFF MCKAGAN, AND FAITH NO MORE’S MIKE BORDIN
U.S. TOUR DATES ON-SALE NOW
May 22, 2025 – The title track from Jerry Cantrell’s recently released album, I Want Blood, comes to life in the newly unveiled video for the song, featuring a live performance from Cantrell with Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan and Faith No More’s Mike Bordin.
Director Bill Yukich shares: “’I Want Blood’ explores our struggle against time, a force we can’t escape and the only thing we truly possess… until we don’t. Watching Jerry, Duff, and Bordin bring this song to life on set was unforgettable – raw, real, and absolutely legendary.”
The video arrives as tickets for a new round of U.S. tour dates are on-sale now. VIP and upgraded ticket bundles are also available via jerrycantrell.com/tour.
I Want Blood showcases the legendary guitarist and vocalist at his most raw and resolute, blending brooding melodies with searing guitar work and introspective lyricism. The album has received widespread acclaim, with Kerrang! calling it a “thunderous solo album that you can file alongside his best work.” Revolver, in their cover story on the iconic musician, saying the collection “delivers weighty, slippery riffs and the kind of memorable rock hooks he’s been creating since the earliest days of Alice in Chains.”
The album is available on CD, digitally, and in multiple 2LP vinyl variants: https://bio.to/JerryCantrell. A deluxe spoken-word edition featuring narration by Cantrell and contributions from producer Joe Barresi, engineer Maxwell Urasky, Greg Puciato, Roy Mayorga, Gil Sharone, Rani Sharone, George Adrian, Vincent Jones, and Michael Rozon is also available both on vinyl and digital platforms. An accompanying animated video series by Boy Tillekens can be viewed here.
Watch JOE STUMP’S TOWER OF BABEL’s “Days Of Thunder” video by Very Metal Art HERE.
JOE STUMP’S TOWER OF BABEL – the hard rock quintet who brings the finest European ingredients to their no-nonsense rock ‘n’ roll – will release Days Of Thunder July 4th on Silver Lining Music.
JOE STUMP’s supreme six-string shredding skills are known throughout the rock and metal scenes, both as the lead guitarist of Alcatrazz and as the shred specialist associate professor at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Having torn new earholes with their 2017 debut Lake Of Fire, STUMP and company take it a step further and higher with ten glorious slices of riff-driven, Rainbow/Deep Purple-styled anthems.
Along with the soaring vocals of Jo Amore, the tight-fist-drumming of Mark Cross, the multi-dimensional Mistheria (aka The Maestro) on keyboards, and Nic Angileri nailing down the rhythms on bass guitar, STUMP has once again prevailed in bringing heavy, energetic, yet gloriously melodic music to the table with a style and panache rarely seen in 2025.
“All of my influences are the classic European hard rock masters, whether it’s Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, or Gary Moore,” offers STUMP. “Naturally, the record gives a modern take on those classic sounds. I also love classical music of course, like Bach, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, and I wear all those influences on my sleeve. I do have more of a metal background, and my touch is quite a bit more aggressive, but this Days Of Thunder record is more of a hard rock album than it is a metal record.”
The record’s title track and first single “Days Of Thunder” propels itself off with typically blistering STUMP riffs which shimmer with dazzling technique, Amore’s vocals helping to further evoke the classic era of ‘80s European rock. STUMP comments, “It’s a badass tune that has a Rainbow vibe to it but heavier and reminiscent of early ‘classic’ Dio, something you could hear on the Dream Evil or Holy Diver albums. The band just went for it and the track immediately took on a life of its own… Jo’s great vocals, Mark’s killer playing and of course The Maestro destroying on the keys; it all matches up perfectly!”
Watch JOE STUMP’S TOWER OF BABEL’s “Days Of Thunder” video by Very Metal Art HERE.
Days Of Thunder will be available on CD and digital formats. Find preorders HERE.
On Days Of Thunder, songs such as “Sacrifice” and “The Princess” dance at the edge of speed and classic fireball rocking, the latter allowing some outrageous solos to unfold from both Mistheria and, of course, STUMP, who proudly re-establishes his pedigree as one the world’s best axesmiths. The mysterious and hazy groove of hip-swinger “Alone In The Desert” is a smokey backbeat dragging you into its soulful swagger.
All in all, taking a ride with Days Of Thunder is a Jedi mind trick of vintage sounds with ultra-fresh and vibrant sensibilities that will transport you back to the Hammersmith Odeon and the days when unabashed hard rockin’ talent, power, color, and flare were celebrated and venerated.
Days Of Thunder Track Listing:
1. Dominum
2. Rules Of Silence
3. Days Of Thunder
4. Blind Are Your Eyes
5. Alone In The Desert
6. In The Heat Of The Night
7. Sacrifice
8. Black Knight’s Prelude
9. Trust Me
10. The Princess
Days Of Thunder was produced by Mark Cross, mixed by George Aspiotis and Mark Cross at Studio Aspiotis in Greece, and mastered by Ade Emsley at Table Of Tone Mastering in the UK.
AMIENSUS surprisingly drop digital single for new song “Fields of Emerald Fire.” It was just last year that the epic, melodic, progressive black metal group released not one but two records worth of engaging material that was critically lauded and had fans embracing the impact of the group’s adventurous sound. Not resting on laurels AMIENSUS give fans the first of several new tracks in the works, so sit back and enjoy “Fields of Emerald Fire” now HERE:
“Fields of Emerald Fire was written concerning The Great Hunger,” explains singer/guitarist James Benson. “As a band that has often written about historical events, as well as current events, we used this opportunity to draw parallels between the past and present actions of governments and their oppression of minorities.”
“Fields of Emerald Fire is the first of multiple singles to be released in 2025. Some of these tracks were written with the objective of creating within a limited time span, and therefore pushing ourselves to maintain our standards on creativity without the pesky overanalyzing that often can delay completion of songs/albums,” continues James. “We have a lot of material for the future and a lot to speak on. We hope you enjoy Fields… and look forward to sharing more music with you this year!”
James Benson, who also fronts Midwest post-black metal operatives CHROME WAVES, is joined in AMIENSUS by GHOST BATH drummer Chris Piette plus guitarists Alec Rozsa, Kelsey Roe and bassist Todd Farnham. Chilling, harsh yet melodic and progressive are just some ideas of AMIENSUS’ sound heard on “Fields of Emerald Fire” which will sate fans of their two-part ‘Reclamation’ opus while the collective continues work on additional new music this year.
Italy’s WASTE CULT have unleashed their new single “The Warmest Shelter”, the third preview from their upcoming debut album Blame, out June 6th, 2025 via Aesthetic Death. Marking a shift in tone from the darker, more introspective cuts previously released, this new track channels a warmer, groovier energy, without sacrificing the band’s signature weight and grit.
Built around hypnotic riffs and a swaggering rhythmic pulse, “The Warmest Shelter” brings a dynamic sense of movement to the album’s overarching atmosphere of tension and collapse.
Emerging from Bologna’s underground scene in 2021, WASTE CULT continue to refine their blend of doom, stoner and post-metal with each release. “The Warmest Shelter” adds yet another layer to the rich and punishing soundscape of their forthcoming full-length.
Track-list:
1 – Ad Astra 2 – Delirium Of Manners 3 – Blame 4 – Blended As One 5 – Kerberos 6 – Pictures 7 – The Warmest Shelter 8 – Maze
All the members have experience with other punk/thrash metal projects, including Rake-Off, Hyle, Siege Stompers and Call The Cops.
The aim for WASTE CULT has been to create different sounds and atmospheres to those other projects, exploring a slower doomier approach to their sound. In mid 2022 they self-released an eponymous 4-track EP on tape, and on the back of that started playing shows across Italy.
The first full length, Blame, is the characterisation of all their different influences, with a more defined identity – taking inspiration from the doom classics to the more modern post-metal sounds. This reality took shape after years experimenting in the practice room, with Blame bearing witness to a more introspective and personal approach within both the music and lyrics.
Line-up:
Frank – Guitar and vocals Pilvia – Guitar Noise – Bass Claudio – Drums and backing vocals
Aesthetic Death has always been a fan of stoner doom sounds and like many, was schooled on the likes of Kyuss, Monster Magnet and Black Sabbath. Yet, Aesthetic Death has rarely had opportunity to work on any release with bands from these lands of sound.
I went to see NAPALM DEATH with the Melvins last Friday night, at Bogart’s in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the second time I’ve seen NAPALM DEATH during my Metal life. My Metal buddy Troy was with me and we’ve seen many, many shows together. It’s always good times!
We started the evening at Martino’s with some beer and loaded fries, directly across the street from Bogart’s. A big sports bar it is; with exceptional staff and I really dig the place. Once we saw the line begin to file into Bogart’s, we went across the street to get our night ignited by the metal that was to ensue.
NAPALM DEATH tore the atmosphere to shreds with their legendary extreme grindcore metal and nonconformist attitude! I was so very psyched out of my Metal skull! Barney Greenway is a Metal icon. ‘Nuff said, now please enjoy the photos, thank you for stopping by and Metal be thy name.
South Texas metal juggernauts OVERT ENEMY have released their explosive new single, “Fire in the Skies,” along with a gripping lyric video that captures the chaos and urgency of all-out war. The track is the eighth on their upcoming concept album Insurrection, and it marks the second chapter in a three-song arc chronicling an alien invasion.
“Fire in the Skies” brings a heavy dose of hardcore-inspired riffing and battlefield energy. Originally nicknamed “hardcorish” in demo form, the song pulses with a frantic, boots-on-the-ground urgency. It is a musical call to arms for when the invasion hits home.
“This one’s about the invasion and a Red Dawn sense of urgency,” the band explains. “You roll up to your buddy’s house and you’re like, ‘dude, it’s time to go to war.’ The riffs are definitely hardcore inspired, and we’ve been playing this one live for a while now. We even dropped a live version on our Thunder in the Hill Country album.”
The new lyric video puts a visual exclamation point on the track’s unrelenting pace, pairing the high-octane riffing with images of conflict, resistance, and the looming unknown. Fans who’ve seen the band perform the song live will recognize the energy, but now it’s been captured and cranked up for the studio version.
Following their acclaimed comeback Here For None (2023), WARMEN turns the page with Band Of Brothers, their most powerful and cohesive album to date, set for release on August 15th via Reaper Entertainment.
In 2025, WARMEN presents themselves heavier, tighter, and more determined than ever before. The new record combines brutal heaviness, anthemic melodies, and cinematic atmosphere cementing the band’s evolution from a side project to a fully-fledged force in melodic death metal. “We really wrote this album together,” says band founder Janne “Warman” Wirman. “It feels like a real band, a true band of brothers.”
WARMEN’s Band Of Brothers was recorded at various locations across Finland and refined by Mikko Karmila (mixing) and Mika Jussila (mastering) at the legendary Finnvox Studios. Frontman Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum) delivers aggressive vocals and distinctive guitar solos, adding new energy and helping to define the band’s modern sound. The cover artwork was once again created by Aleh Zieliankievic, who also worked on Here For None.
The first single, the title track “Band Of Brothers,” will play a central role in the band’s 2025 live set. Following the album release, WARMEN will embark on an extensive touring schedule across Europe, including debut shows in Hungary and Switzerland, as well as a major headlining tour in Finland. The official album launch will kick off with a special release show at Summer Breeze Open Air on August 15th.
Band Of Brothers – Track Listing:
1. Band Of Brothers
2. One More Year
3. Nine Lives
4. When Doves Cry Blood
5. Out For Blood
6. Kingdom Of Rust
7. March Or Die
8. Untouched
9. Coup De Grâce
10. Dethroned
11. The Kiss Of Judas (Stratovarius Cover)
WARMEN: Janne “Warman” Wirman – keyboards Petri Lindroos – vocals Antti “Warman” Wirman – guitar Jyri Helko – bass Seppo Tarvainen – drums
Saty tuned for more on WARMEN’s Band Of Brothers to be announced in the weeks to come.
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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"
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