“The WHAT REMAINS North America tour starts NEXT WEEK. It’s been too long, and we can’t wait to hear you scream the lyrics right back at us. We’re hitting the road with Devour the Day, Return to Dust, and Oni, and this is your official warning: chaos is guaranteed.
A chance to lose yourself in the music and emerge changed. If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, don’t wait. Some shows are already close to selling out. Lock yours in now!”
Tue, Apr 8 – TULSA, OK Thu, Apr 10 – DALLAS, TX Fri, Apr 11 – LITTLE ROCK, AR Sat, Apr 12 – COLUMBIA, MO Sun, Apr 13 – LINCOLN, NE Mon, Apr 14 – DENVER, CO Tue, Apr 15 – COLORADO SPRINGS, CO Thu, Apr 17 – LOS ANGELES, CA Sat, Apr 19 – PHOENIX, AZ Tue, Apr 22 – BOISE, ID Wed, Apr 23 – SEATTLE, WA Thu, Apr 24 – SPOKANE, WA Fri, Apr 25 – SALEM, OR Sat, Apr 26 – RENO, NV Tue, Apr 29 – VANCOUVER, BC Thu, May 1 – CALGARY, AB Fri, May 2 – EDMONTON, AB + Sat, May 3 – SASKATOON, SK Sun, May 4 – WINNIPEG, MB Tue, May 6 – CHICAGO, IL Wed, May 7 – GREEN BAY, WI Thu, May 8 – DES MOINES, IA * Fri, May 9 – GRAND RAPIDS, MI * Sat, May 10 – DETROIT, MI * Mon, May 12 – LITITZ, PA * Thu, May 15 – CHARLOTTE, NC * Fri, May 16 – MYRTLE BEACH, SC * Sat, May 17 – LOUISVILLE, KY * Sun, May 18 – BLOOMINGTON, IL *
May 2nd will see iconic dark metal pioneers CREMATORY release their much-awaited, new studio album, Destination, via ROAR. Coming on CD, colored 2-LP Vinyl (incl. 4 bonus-Tracks), 3-CD Earbook (feat. the regular album, 4-track bonus CD, album on instrumental versions + a 48-page booklet), an exclusive 18/CD bundle (new album, exclusive remix album + all 16 previous albums) and in digital formats, the album pre-sale is available at https://crematory.rpm.link/destialbumpr
Following previously-released singles, “Welt Aus Glas” and the epic album title track, today, CREMATORY present their stunning cover version of the TYPE O NEGATIVE classic “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend”, featuring a guest performance by END OF GREEN‘s frontman Michelle Darkness!
“Our cover version from Type O Negative’s hit “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend” is very special for us. We had the pleasure of playing a few shows and festivals with Type O Negative in the mid-90s, had some very good aftershow partys together and a nice friendship,” CREMATORYdrummer Markus Jüllich remembers, and adds:
Pete Steele is a legend and this song fits our CREMATORY style perfectly. It’s our tribute to Pete and Type O, because they are one of the most famous bands from the good old gothic metal scene of the 90s, and we respect them very much. In addition, we invited Michelle Darkness (End of Green) as a guest vocalist for this song, who pays excellent homage to Pete Steel’s vocal range and delivers a terrific duet in combination with Felix.”
The CREMATORY cover version of “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend” is out now and available on all digital streaming services at: https://crematory.rpm.link/mygfsgfPR
Album Tracklist:
Destination
The Future is a lonely place
Welt aus Glas
My Girlfriend´s Girlfriend
After Isolation
My own private God
Days without sun
Deep in the silence
Banished forever
Ashes of Despair
Toxic Touch
Das letzte Ticket
Bonus-Tracks (Earbook, 2-LP Vinyl):
Tote Blumen
Fail of misery
Days without Sun – Centhron Dark Mix
Welt aus Glas – Centhron Glas Mix
CREMATORY sound highly motivated, they are upping the ante and definitely still have a lot to say even after 34 years of a successful band history! In support of Destination, CREMATORY will embark on an album release tour kicking off on May 1st. Find all upcoming dates listed below!
CREMATORY Live: May 1, 2025 – DE – Kaiserslautern May 2, 2025 – DE – Leipzig May 3, 2025 – DE – Stuttgart May 4, 2025 – DE – Mannheim May 9, 2025 – DE – Regensburg May 11, 2025 – DE – Munich May 16, 2025 – DE – Erfurt May 17, 2025 – DE – Zwickau May 29, 2025 – DE – Oberhausen May 30, 2025 – DE – Potsdam May 31, 2025 – DE – Coesfeld
CREMATORY: Felix Stass – Vocals Rolf Munkes – Gitarre Oliver Revilo – Bass Katrin Jüllich – Keyboards, Samples Markus Jüllich – Drums, Programming
Prepare for an all-out sonic assault as INCITE returns with their latest earth-shattering single, “No Mercy No Forgiveness“. A relentless barrage of crushing riffs, thunderous grooves, and venomous vocals, this track is a war cry for the broken, the enraged, and the unstoppable. Fueled by unbridled fury and a refusal to bow, INCITE delivers a firestorm of aggression, ripping through the silence with hammering precision.
Their upcoming new album Savage New Times, set for release on August 15th, promises to be the heaviest, most unforgiving chapter in their legacy. With razor-sharp guitars, bone-crushing breakdowns, and riot-inciting anthems, this record is built for battle; unyielding, unrelenting, and unapologetically brutal. No mercy. No forgiveness. No turning back. Stay tuned.
Photo Credit: Kim Hanson
INCITEcomments on the single, stating: “No Mercy No Forgiveness is an absolute monster. This song is pure, unfiltered aggression – exactly what we wanted to bring to the metalheads. Lyrically- I found myself so worried about other people’s opinions which resulted in a-lot of personal failure. Once you show no mercy to achieving your dreams everyone’s words become silent.”
INCITE: Vocals – Richie Cavalera Guitar – Layne Richardson Bass – EL Drums – Lennon Lopez
Track Listing: 1. Lies 2. Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up) 3. Just A Rat 4. Chucked Off 5. Doubts and the Fear 6. Dolores 7. No Mercy No Forgiveness 8. Used and Abused 9. Never Die Once 10. Savage New Times
Polish female fronted Heavy Metal act CRYSTAL VIPER announce the release of a live album entitled The Live Quest. It was recorded during last year’s ‘The Silver Key Tour’ at live shows in Poland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, France, Belgium and Czech Republic. The Live Quest which will come out Friday June 27 on Listenable Records and will be available on Vinyl , CD and Digitally.
Cover artwork was painted by Mario Lopez, who is also responsible for the last two CRYSTAL VIPER studio albums artworks: The Cult and The Silver Key.
CRYSTAL VIPER is a band formed and led by Marta Gabriel – vocalist, bassist and guitarist. Their last studio album The Silver Key came out in 2024 on Listenable Records and was promoted on a full European Tour and Summer festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Hellfest. While due to Marta’s presence, the band is very often compared to such female fronted acts as WARLOCK, their style is a mixture of Heavy and Power Metal, inspired by bands such as IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST.
The Silver Key was once again inspired by the works of the father of Cosmic Horror, Howard Phillips Lovecraft, the album is a natural continuation of the previous full length release, The Cult (Listenable records – 2021).
It is without a doubt the most intense release that CRYSTAL VIPER ever recorded and the album received a roaring response from the press worldwide and featured Bathory and Misfits covers as bonus tracks.
The Live Quest first single “The Cult” live) will be released on Wednesday May 7th.
CRYSTAL VIPER are joining Riot IV on their 50th anniversary tour: 29/04 France, Grenoble, L’Ilyade 30/04 Italy, Milano, Legend 01/05 Italy, Rome, Traffic 02/05 Italy, Bologna, Alchemica 03/05 Slovenia, Medvode, Klub Jedro 04/05 Austria, Wien, Viper Room
CRYSTAL VIPER The Live Quest – Track-list:
Return To Providence (01:43)
Fever Of The Gods (4:27)
The Silver Key (4:44)
The Cult (4:54)
Metal Nation (5:48)
Night Of The Sin (4:35)
The Witch Is Back (4:45)
Still Alive (3:50)
The Last Axeman (6:00)
Band line up: 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
Discography: The Curse of Crystal Viper (Album – 2007) Metal Nation ( Album – 2009) Legends ( Album – 2010) Crimen Excepta ( Album – 2012) Possession ( Album – 2013) Queen of the Witches ( Album – 2017) Tales of Fire and Ice ( Album – 2019) The Cult ( Listenable Album – 2021) The Last Axeman (Listenable Album- 2022) The Silver Key ( Listenable Album – 2024)
On April 18th, 2025, DEMONOLOGISTS return with their latest sonic nightmare, Rakshasa. set for release on Aesthetic Death and Phage Tapes.
The Indiana-based duo, Cory Rowell and Evan Price, known for their unrelenting fusion of industrial blackened noise and horror electronics, conjure an atmosphere that is both suffocating and otherworldly.
Featuring collaborations with David Reed (Envenomist), Terry Vainoras (Vainoras and the Altar of the Drill), Bill Moseley (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2, House of 1000 Corpses), Andy Ortmann (Panicsville), Grant Richardson (Gnawed), and Eric Wood (Bastard Noise), Rakshasa is a harrowing descent into a world consumed by self-destruction and decay.
The album track “Symbiosis Omen” is now streaming HERE.
DEMONOLOGISTS sound embraces a range of darker music styles, spanning industrial, EBM, noise, goth, experimental, dark ambient, etc., always dark and sinister, often blended and delivered with a sci -fi / horror influence.
Tracklist:
01. Rakshama (ft David Reed & Terry Vainoras) 02. Rat Piss Receptacle (ft Bill Moseley) 03. Nebulaeic Phantasm As Eloquently Dreamt By The Abominable Primordial Ooze (ft Andy Ortmann) 04. Autophagy 05. Wet Wings 06. Ritual Death (ft Grant Richardson) 07. Samskara 08. Tsuchigumo 09. FFWD To Death 10. Symbiosis Omen (ft Eric Wood)
At times intense and suffocating, and always with an ominous overtone. Rakshasa takes a few stabs at a social commentary on a world that has been overrun and possessed by man, with a never-ending desire for self destruction and death.
Gallagher (WV) – U.S. Thrash Metal quartet, Executionist, will release their debut full-length album, Sacrament of the Sick, on May 16! In the four years since the release of their debut EP, the band has sharpened the blades of its attack, both in terms of songwriting and performance!
Sacrament of the Sick is a monumental step forward from Executionist’s previous material. Improved production, performances, and writing have made the Executionist sound nearly unrecognizable compared to the band’s debut EP, Destined for Destruction.
Each track was meticulously crafted and poured over in Executionist’s home studio, and the final product shows that it was worth every ounce of attention. With a clear focus on melody and tighter songwriting, Sacrament of the Sick is a sonic journey sure to leave a lasting impact on the listener.
Music written by Brett & Tristan Ash. Lyrics written by Brett Ash. Vocals, guitar, bass – Brett Ash Drums – Tristan Ash Produced by Brett & Tristan Ash. Engineered & Mixed by Tristan Ash. Mastered by Colin Davis of Imperial Mastering. Album Artwork by Mitchell Nolte. Logo by ModBlackMoon & HermanTwo.
Photo Credit: Robert Ash
Line-up:
Vocals/Guitar – Brett Ash Drums – Tristan Ash Bass – Austin Rose Guitar – Mike Kinder
BIO:
Executionist was officially formed in 2021 by brothers Brett and Tristan Ash, who were 17 and 13 years old, respectively at the time. Their debut EP, Destined for Destruction, was released on January 27, 2021. Two years later, Executionist released “GENESIS 666” (March 2023).
After playing many shows together as a mere two-piece, Executionist finally added a bass player in 2024, in the form of Austin Rose. The three played more shows together before finally rounding out the lineup by adding Mike Kinder on guitar in March of 2025.
Around the same time, Executionist announced the forthcoming release of their debut full-length album, Sacrament of the Sick. The lead single “Serrated Shadows,” has already been released, with another single set to release on April 18.
With the release of their album on the horizon, Executionist aims to play live as much as possible while writing new music for their next project.
Akron, Ohio-based sludge metal merchants in RADIAN have announced a run of tour dates across the Eastern US throughout the Spring months. The melee begins with a trio of April gigs, including a set at Legalize Lex Fest in Lexington, Kentucky. The bulk of the dates run from May 16th through May 27th with the band hitting a good portion of the mid-Atlantic and Southeast, followed by a one-off show in June. See all currently confirmed tour dates below, with more new shows expected to be announced throughout the months ahead.
RADIAN Spring Tour 2025: 4/06/2025 Westside Bowl – Youngstown, OH 4/18/2025 Brothers Lounge – Lakewood, OH 4/19/2025 Legalize Lex Fest @ Al’s Bar – Lexington, KY 5/16/2025 O’Sullivan’s – Fort Wayne, IN 5/17/2025 Southgate House – Newport, KY 5/18/2025 Blind Bobs – Dayton, OH 5/19/2025 Mag Bar – Louisville, KY 5/20/2025 Cherry St Tavern – Chattanooga, TN 5/21/2025 The Odd – Asheville, NC 5/22/2025 Snug Harbor – Charlotte, NC 5/23/2025 Tribble’s – Piedmont, SC 5/24/2025 Flicker Theatre – Athens, GA 5/25/2025 529 – Atlanta, GA 5/27/2025 Banditos – Richmond, VA 6/17/2025 Westside Bowl Youngstown, OH
RADIAN emerged in the winter of 2017, founded by guitarist Mike Burns (ex-Rue, Sofa King Killer). Their vision to merge groove with grime culminated in the roaring, sludgy assault of their independent debut LP, Chapters (2019), praised by The Obelisk as delivering, “that extra bit of aggression one finds underlying the most satisfying of sludge metals.” Fueled by a growing response from the heavy metal community, the dynamic four-piece embraced their DIY roots, building a steady following throughout the Midwest.
This momentum led to the writing and release of their punishing sophomore album, Discordian, on Burns’ own El Burno Records in December 2021. Relentless shows and touring in support of Discordian brought both growth and turbulence, with multiple lineup shifts along the way.
By Fall 2022, drummer DerekVaive (Ommnus) joined the ranks, followed by vocalist Corey Staley (A Damn Shame) solidifying the new lineup in Fall 2024. Now armed with fresh material and a renewed sense of purpose, RADIAN is set to hit the road again in Spring 2025, delivering their brand of sludgy doom with unrelenting force.
RADIAN is currently in the later stages of completing work on their third LP. Stand by for updates as the album is prepared for release in the months ahead.
KING WITCH are releasing their much awaited brand new full length album III on June 27, 2025. The album displays a phenomenal leap forward in terms of songwriting and a massive production.
Formed in late 2015 on the streets of old Edinburgh, King Witch play a lead-heavy brew of rock and doom that draws comparisons ranging from Black Sabbath and Candlemass to Soundgraden and Alice In Chains. The band quickly earned themselves a reputation as a formidable live act and have toured the UK and Europe extensively with the likes of Green Lung as well as playing festivals such as Sweden Rock, Desertfest and Bloodstock..
After self releasing their extremely well received Shoulder of Giants ep, the band were picked up by Listenable Records through which they released their debut album Under The Mountain in 2018 followed by Body Of Light in 2020.
2025 sees the band return with their third and most accomplished full length album, III, featuring Andrew Scott on drums. Produced and mixed by guitarist Jamie Gilchrist in his own studio, Nameless City Sound, III retains the doom and heavy rock elements that characterise their earlier releases while ramping up the energy and focusing on more concise songwriting. The album focuses on where the human race is right now, our apparent desire to destroy ourselves, and the mental struggle to deal with it and carry on living a positive life.
Debut single ‘Swarming Flies’ is scheduled for Friday the 2nd of May, 2025. Don’t miss out on this crushing new track!
Band photo by Simon Anger
King Witch are: Laura Donnelly – Vocals Jamie Gilchrist – Guitar Rory Lee – Bass Drums performed by Andrew Scott
Track-listing:
Suffer In Life 4:14
Deal With The Devil 5:49
Swarming Flies 4:49
Sea Of Lies 6:48
Behind The Veil 6:03
Diggin In The Dirt 4:25
Little Witch 3:24
Last Great Wilderness 8:00
Produced and mixed by Jamie Gilchrist at Nameless City Sound. Mastered by Grant Berry at Fader Mastering. Cover art by Blasted Heathen. Graphic design by Laura Donnelly.
USA, WE ARE BACK!! We are super happy to announce our next US run! It’s amazing to have this huge support from our American fans, and we are so excited to be rocking with you again. Keep your eyes peeled for some big surprises to be announced around the tour!
Ready to fight!!
BURNING WITCHES – USA Tour 2025:
08/30/25: Pompano Beach, FL @ Piper’s Pub 08/31/25: Clearwater, FL @ OCC Road House 09/02/25: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade Purgatory 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 and 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 Performing Arts 09/14/25: Hampton Beach, NH @ Wally’s 09/17/25: Annapolis, MD @ Ram’s Head On Stage 09/18/25: Virginia Beach, VA @ Elevation 27 09/20/25: Sanford, FL @ West End Trading Co
SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE GWAR, HATEBREED, BODY COUNT, POWER TRIP, CAVALERA, SHADOWS FALL, FROZEN SOUL, AND HARMS WAY ON SELECT DATES
April 1, 2025 — RICHMOND, Va. – Lamb of God have added several headlining dates to their already packed 2025 schedule, bringing their ferocious live show to select cities, including a special performance in their hometown of Richmond, as well as stops in Springfield, Mass., Monterrey, Mexico, and more.
Newly announced shows:
July 18 Springfield, MA @ MassMutual Center – with special guests: Hatebreed and Shadows Fall
July 24 Richmond, VA @ Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront – with special guests: GWAR and Hatebreed
September 20 Hinkley, MN @ Grand Casino Hinkley – Amphitheater – with special guests: Body Count and Harms Way
September 25 Durant, OK @ Choctaw Grand Theater – with special guests: Power Trip and Frozen Soul
September 27 Hammond, IN @ Horseshoe Hammond Casino – with special guests: Cavalera and Power Trip
November 6 Monterrey, Mexico at Showcenter
Tickets are on-sale this Friday, April 4, at 10 a.m. local time via Lamb-of-god.com.
The newly announced dates round out what is a busy end of the year for the band. Lamb of God will also join Black Sabbath for their historic Back to the Beginning send-off, and headline several festivals including Inkcarceration, Unhinged, Louder Than Life, and Aftershock.
In addition, the band returns to the high seas this Fall with the return of their Headbangers Boat cruise (Oct. 31 to Nov. 4), a four-day floating festival departing from Miami with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. The cruise features performances from Clutch, Kublai Khan TX, Power Trip, Obituary, Devil Driver, Fear Factory, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Exploited, Crowbar, Nekrogoblikon, Eighteen Visions, Gideon, Walls of Jericho, Category 7, Brat, comics Josh Potter and Saul Trujillo, with appearances from Jose Mangin and Riki Rachtman. Tickets are available at Headbangersboat.com.
Lamb of God – tour dates:
July 5 – Birmingham, UK Back to the Beginning with Black Sabbath July 18 – Springfield, MA MassMutual Center July 20 – Mansfield, OH Inkcarceration Festival July 24 – Richmond, VA Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront July 27 – Denver, CO Unhinged Fest September 18 – Louisville, KY Louder Than Life Festival September 20 – Hinkley, MN Grand Casino Hinkley – Amphitheater September 25 – Durant, OK Choctaw Grand Theater September 27 – Hammond, IN Horseshoe Hammond Casino October 3 – Sacramento, CA Aftershock Festival November 6 – Monterrey, MX Showcenter
Photo credit: Travis Shinn
Lamb of God is Randy Blythe (vocals), John Campbell (bass), Mark Morton (guitar), Willie Adler (guitar) and Art Cruz (drums). Formed in 1994, the Richmond, Virginia based band have released nine critically-acclaimed albums, received five GRAMMY Award nominations and are widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative forces in heavy music.
The band’s most recent collection, Omens, arrived in late 2022 with Kerrang! noting that the album finds the band “as reliably heavy, violent, and pissed off as ever,” and Consequence saying the “album will break you down to nihilistic pieces.”
ALIEN, the brand new album from Ecuador’s Anima Inside, is OUT NOW! – as of March 28th via Rockshots Records. A bold and genre-defying release from one of South America’s most dynamic and boundary-pushing rock bands. Fusing heavy rock, Afro-Latin influences, and emotional depth, ALIENis a striking statement of the band’s evolution. Intense, unique, and unmistakably Anima Inside.
Track Listing: 1. Prophet’s Word 2. Through the Glass 3. Alien 4. Survive 5. The Ride 6. Immortal 7. Broken Men 8. Battled Me 9. What’s Wrong With The World Today 10. Free Man
Mark your calendars! We’re thrilled to share a massive update with more festivals and exclusive shows across Europe. It’s going to be an incredible summer and we can’t wait to see as many of you as possible!
25.07.25 SI Tolmin -Tolminator Festival 26.07.25 AT Vienna – Metal Fields 29.07.25 DE Nürnberg – Hirsch 30.07.25 DE Stuttgart – Wizemann 31.07.25 DE Dortmund – Dortmund Deathfest *warm up 01.08.25 DE Rojtzschjora – Full Rewind Festival 02.08.25 RO Rasnov – Rockstad Extremefest 07.08.25 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 08.08.25 UK Derbyshire – Bloodstock Festival 09.08.25 CZ Jaromer – Brutal Assault Festival 10.08.25 DE Munich – Backstage 12.08.25 DE Karlsruhe – Substage 14.08.25 FR Carhaix – Motocultor Festival 15.08.25 CH Cudrefin – Rock the Lakes Festival 16.08.25 DE Sulingen – Reload Festival 17.08.25 NL Eindhoven – Dynamo Festival
Melodic death band CHIAROSCURO has given release to their self-titled debut EP. Chiaroscuro showcases this young, Baltimore-based band’s ability to weave complexity, melody, and extremity into a cohesive, immersive experience.
“Chiaroscuro is a converging point of careful study and artistic impulse, conducted through an interpretation of melodic extreme metal forms” -Cassiopeia, vocalist/lyricist
Chiaroscuro is now available on digital and limited-edition CD via Unholy Anarchy Records.
The band is set to hit the road in support of the EP. Tour dates are as follows:
4/03 @ Bonk’s Bar – Philadelphia, PA (w/ Bastard Cross & Frog Myst) 4/04 @ Ralph’s Rock Diner – Worcester, MA (w/ Caregiver & The Outlourdes) 4/05 @ El Bunker Del Diablo – Queens, NY (Del Diablo Fest) 4/06 @ Quinnz Pinz – Middletown, NY (w/ Grave Heist & Ape Metro) 4/07 @ Wax Atlas – Baltimore, MD (w/ Fear Agent & Julia Set)
Vocalist/lyricist Cassiopeia and guitarist/songwriter Nick Temoshok met during their brief stint in a local Baltimore band. The two soon pulled away from that project in a vie for a firm establishment of their collective creative endeavors.
Thus came CHIAROSCURO, by way of a self-produced demo quietly released in 2024. A full live ensemble was arranged shortly thereafter, playing multiple shows in and around the Baltimore area.
CHIAROSCURO: Cassiopeia: Vocals Nick Temoshok: Guitars/songwriting Adam Smith: Percussion Ben Baris: Bass Clay Baucom: live rhythm guitarist
Drums for Chiaroscuro were recorded at The Sludge Factory in Baltimore, MD, with vocal tracking done at Eternal Rapture Studio. The EP was produced by Wes Walker at Eternal Rapture Studio in Aberdeen, MD.
Art by George Cruikshank, of “The Drunkard’s Children” series, Plate VIII (1848) “The Maniac Father and the Convict Brother are Gone — The Poor Girl, Homeless, Friendless, Deserted, Destitute, and Gin Mad, Commits Self Murder.”
Mixed and Mastered by Tom Maclean (Haken, Athemon, Brutta)
Canadian progressive blackened death unit Symbiotic Growth unleashes their sophomore albumBeyond The Sleepless Aether, now available as of March 28th, 2025.Similar to the band’s predecessor, their 2020 self-titled full-length, Beyond The Sleepless Aether, is once again based in fiction and is lyrically conceptual, but dives more into thoughts and emotions of everyday life, and sometimes those thoughts are hard to deal with.
“I feel like this time around, the sound is a bit darker and experimental, with more synth-heavy sounds and a melancholy atmosphere. The lyrics were very loosely inspired by a dream I (Aaron) had about the multiverse theory intertwined with some of my challenges of dealing with a sense of being and why we are all here,” says Aaron Barriault (Vocals, Guitar, Bass)
Progressive, experimental, foreboding, and emotional, every song has its own identity and its place within the album’s story, taking its protagonist through the multiverse, placing him in places like dark wooded forests, wide open desert landscapes and the unending cosmos.
The full-length listening experience tackles strong topics of loneliness, a sense of being, self-hatred, and suicide. Some of these are blatant and easy to see, and others subtly, throughout the course of the album, lyrically and musically.
“I think the fans who have heard our previous album may be a bit surprised; the sound of this album is a bit different; it’s a little bit more experimental in its own way. Either way, we hope that fans enjoy what we’ve created. I feel like the listener may have feelings of uneasiness and wonder. An odd combination, but I feel like it’s fitting.”
Mixed and mastered by Tom Maclean (Twelve Tone Studio, Haken, Athemon, Brutta), “Beyond The Sleepless Aether”, features seven paryalzing sounds of technical metal created by the Sudbury, ON recording line up of Aaron Barriault (Vocals, Guitar, Bass), Devin Mcqueen (Vocals, Guitar), and Dan Favot (Drums)(ex-Wolven Ancestry, ex-Fractal Generator). The artwork was created by Erskine Designs and shows an entity standing at the foot of what the band likes to think of as Azathoth.
“The album doesn’t touch on any Lovecraftian mythos (maybe a bit in The Sleepless Void), but the lore behind Azathoth, that we are all in his dream and once he wakes everything will cease to be, is very fitting to the album lyrically,”adds Barriault.
Recommended for fans of Ne Oblivisacaris, Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Cor Scorpii, and Gojira, Beyond The Sleepless Aether is availableat the following links:
Vortex has released a haunting new music video for their latest single “Haunting the Abyss” directed by Chris Kells (The Agonist). The track is the second single from their upcoming EP “Alien Realms” scheduled for release on April 11th, 2025. This is the second single off this record and fans can hear both live when the band tours Eastern Canada in April and Europe in the fall, supporting France’s XAON. Vortex comments on the single:
“This song begins with a melancholic black metal section before transitioning into a verse that I’d describe as a modern death metal take on the main riff of Metal Church by the band of the same name. For this EP, we focused on writing memorable, epic choruses, and this one is a perfect example of that. This song showcases Vortex at its best. We put a lot of hard work into it, and we truly believe it’s the standout track on Alien Realms.”
The video, crafted by Kells’ visionary direction, perfectly captures the band’s blend of technical proficiency and atmospheric intensity. Through striking visuals and masterful cinematography, the video enhances the track’s exploration of cosmic horror and discovery.
“Haunting the Abyss” demonstrates Vortex‘s evolution, featuring their trademark combination of guttural and black metal vocals alongside fry screams. The song showcases the band’s sophisticated approach to extreme metal, with intricate guitar work and massive orchestral arrangements working in perfect harmony. They are recommended listening for fans of Shadow of Intent, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Dimmu Borgir.
Watch and listen to “Haunting the Abyss” via its video premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE.
Track Listing: 1. When Humans Defy the Void – 5:03 2. Haunting the Abyss – 5:26 3. Ripping the threads of Reality – 4:10 4. Where Wonders Dwell – 3:00 EP Length: 17:40
First single “When Humans Defy the Void” at the following links:
Symphony For The Dead Tour – Vortex + XAON (QC, ON, NB) April 15 – Montreal, QC – Le Petit Campus *** April 16 – Edmundston, NB – Ateepic * April 17 – Saint John, NB – Haven Music Hall and Cafe * April 18 – Moncton, MB – Xeroz * April 19 – Rimouski, QC – Coop Le Paradis * April 22 – Ottawa, ON – The Rainbow April 23 – Drummondville, QC – La Ste-Paix **** April 24 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti **** April 25 – Saguenay, QC – Microbrasserie Port-Alfred April 26 – Trois-Rivieres, QC – L’Entite **
Auckland, NZ; 26 March 2025: Following the cancellation of Graveland Festival, New Zealand death metal ensemble Ulcerate announce a headlining date in Nijmegen, Netherlands as part of their “Eclipse Death II Europe MMXXV” tour. The band will now perform at Doornroosje in Nijmegen on 30th May 2025.
A second Danish date has also been added to the tour, with Ulcerate now set to play at Radar in Aarhus on 28th May 2025 alongside their previously announced show in Copenhagen.
These dates follow their extensive “Eclipse Death” tour in late 2024 and precede their appearance at Fortress Festival (UK). The updated tour will see Ulcerate visit eight cities across Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
French extreme sludge band Fange will join this expedition in Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg, Aarhus and Copenhagen. Tickets for all shows are on sale now and can be found via Ulcerate’s homepage.
Ulcerate live in Oberhausen, Germany. Photo by Anne Laure.
Ulcerate have also released a new live video, “Live in Kraków MMXXIV”. The video features five tracks from the penultimate date of the ‘Eclipse Death’ European tour, captured live at Hype Park, Kraków, Poland on 14th November 2024. The performance features no backing tracks or overdubs.
The video was shot and edited by Woda i Pustka, with audio mixed and mastered by JSM. Live audio was handled by Raphaël Bovey, and live lighting design by Sebastian Fraser.
Eclipse Death II Europe MMXXV Tour Dates: 21.05.2025 Helsinki, FI @ On The Rocks +++ 23.05.2025 Sundsvall, SE @ Club Deströyer +++ 24.05.2025 Stockholm, SE @ Södra Teatern 26.05.2025 Oslo, NO @ Blå 27.05.2025 Gothenburg, SE @ Monument 28.05.2025 Aarhus, DK @ Radar 29.05.2025 Copenhagen, DK @ Pumpehuset 30.05.2025 Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje +++ 01.06.2025 Fortress Fest, UK +++
On October 7, 2023, approximately 6,000 terrorists infiltrated kibbutzim, moshavim, and Israeli Defense Forces bases near the Gaza border. Jonathan Savitsky, a dedicated soldier, gentleman, and Metalhead, fell heroically in the battle for the Kisufim outpost during its liberation. When the Egoz soldiers arrived, they found 32 female observers, three women, a baby, and 14 wounded Golani Brigade soldiers barricaded in the operations room.
The battle for the Kisufim outpost lasted about seven grueling hours. All 50 people in the operations room were rescued unharmed, but the cost was heavy: Jonathan and his comrades, Amit Peled and Elad Sasson, all 21 years old, were killed in action.
Days after Jonathan’s death, his sister Lina reached out to Metalist Magazine (https://www.metalist.co.il/) on Facebook. She shared that Jonathan was an avid fan of metal. After a few conversations, Metalist proposed with the magazine’s wide reach, that they can issue a “call to action” for Israeli bands interested in writing a song to honor Jonathan. The hope was to find one band willing to take on this important project. Instead, not one but five different songs were written!
The artists and bands who answered the call were Stormbound (Power Metal), Shiran Band (Modern Djent/Heavy metal), In Labyrinth (Death/Thrash), Yagon (doom metal), and D’arc Mother (Berlin based folk singer/pianist) featuring Yadin Moyal (guitarist).
The project was coordinated by Nimrod Friedrich, a music producer who oversaw all the musical materials and technical management. Mastering for the entire EP was handled by Maor Appelbaum, a top-tier professional who has worked with major rock and metal acts such as Sabaton, Faith No More, Rob Halford, Sepultura, Voivod, and many others.
All participants in the project volunteered their time and talents, driven by a genuine desire to honor Jonathan Savitsky’s memory – a metalhead and a hero.
Entitled“The Final Hours” (In Loving Memory of Jonathan Savitsky), the EP can be listened to at the following link: https://orcd.co/thefinalhours
Get ready to be blown away as Wretched Path from Finland makes a triumphant return with their highly anticipated second album, Sea Of Death! After the success of their debut album, Heavy Lies The Crown, the band took some time off to craft a masterpiece that’s faster, darker, and more intense than ever before. Now, just over two years later, they’re back and ready to unleash this beast upon the world!
Formed in 2020 by seasoned musicians from renowned bands like Pestigore, Born of Thorns, Tukkanuotta, and Warmen, Wretched Path was born out of a desire to return to their Death Metal roots. Their debut album received rave reviews from various magazines and websites, and they played several gigs around Finland including the legendary Nummirock festival 2023.
Wretched Path – Sea of Death – Track List: 01. Release Of Violence 02. Death Machine 03. Apophis 04. False God 05. Rot Alone 06. Violence Within 07. Wretched Path 08. Sea Of Death
Swedish death metal force UNDECAYED will unleash their long-awaited debut album, In Death’s Image, on May 21st, 2025, via Lethal Scissor Records.
Despite their origins, the band eschews the traditional HM-2-driven Swedish sound in favor of a raw and relentless approach deeply rooted in the ferocity of ’90s American death metal, recalling the percussive onslaught of Suffocation and the unholy aggression of Deicide. However, the album does not shy away from the merciless intensity of certain European acts, channeling the sheer force of early Sinister, Aeon and Severe Torture into a blistering assault of unfiltered death worship.
Likely the first album ever released with the word ‘death’ in the title of every song, “In Death’s Image” takes its thematic obsession to another level: in one track, the word for ‘death’ is even sung in 19 different languages. The album’s lyrics paint a grim and absolute vision of annihilation. “Death” arrives on Earth in a physical form, surpassing any concept of a god, to extinguish all existence. No one and nothing is spared: humans, animals, vegetation, water and air, everything dies. There is NO hope for life.
The first single “Death’s Only Demand”is now streamingHERE.
Track-list:
1 – The World Shall Know Only Death 2 – Death’s Only Demand 3 – The Descendants Of Death 4 – In Death’s Image 5 – Death Shall Come (Death Shall Prevail) 6 – Death’s Pallid Coat 7 – World At Death’s Door 8 – Entreating Death In Vain 9 – The Greatest Death
All music composed by Mikael Bergman. All lyrics written by Tony Richter. Cover artwork by renowned artist Jon Zig.
Biography:
UNDECAYED was formed in August 2008 by Tony Richter (vocals) and Mikael Bergman (guitars) as a result of lineup issues in their respective bands, 9th Plague and Disromance. The two had played together in several bands throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, most notably Gardens of Obscurity and The Darksend.
Initially, Richter and Bergman were joined by Disromance drummer Johnny Augustsson. Bassist Christoffer Svensson joined in 2009, and in 2014, drummer Jesper Leidbring replaced Augustsson.
Line-up:
Tony Richter – vocals Mikael Bergman – guitars Christoffer Svensson – bass Jesper Leidbring – drums
The idea that every song should include the word “death” in its title emerged in 2010, both to emphasize that this was true DEATH metal and because such a concept had never been done before. The demo The Triumph of Death was recorded in late 2010 and released in January 2011. It was then decided that no further demos would be released before the debut album.
Over the years, family matters, work commitments, health issues, the loss of two rehearsal spaces, and lineup changes all contributed to periods of forced inactivity and delays. It wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that the band was finally able to complete their album “In Death’s Image”.
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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