Following their highly-anticipated set at Levitation 2024, the legendary band has announced two additional dates, with more shows on the horizon: April 10 at the Granada Theater (Dallas) and April 11 at Paper Tiger (San Antonio). Tickets are on-sale this Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. local time.
Cronise, in conversation with Revolver: (https://www.revolvermag.com/feature/the-sword-return-inside-texas-stoner-metal-bands-comeback/) shared his thoughts on the band’s reunion, the 15th anniversary of Warp Riders, and more: We know each other, we’re comfortable. It’s just kind of like putting on a comfortable pair of sneakers. Levitation was a great show… it went really well.”
Kyle Shutt adds, “I can’t tell you what it means to see everyone’s positive reception. It feels so good to see people out there almost more enthusiastic about the band than ever – it’s something we’ll never take for granted.”
Warp Riders is the Austin-based band’s third full-length album, which arrived in the summer of 2010. The 10-song collection, described as a psychedelic space opera, features the galloping, fuzzed out “Tres Brujas” and the southern rock-infused “Lawless Lands.” Warp Riders was met with widespread praise upon its release. Premier Guitar praised the album’s “distinctly Texas-flavored sense of groove and swing,” while SPIN called it “badass” and “innovative.” Consequence went even further, declaring it a “classic.”
The Sword is JD Cronise (vocals, guitar), Bryan Richie (bass, keyboards), Kyle Shutt (guitar, vocals), and Santiago Vela (drums). Following their 2003 inception, The Sword quickly became one of the most revered names in heavy music. With a blend of crushing riffs, intricate storytelling, and a sound that bridges classic metal and modern rock, The Sword has released six albums: Age of Winters (2006), Gods of the Earth (2008), Warp Riders (2010), Apocryphon (2012), High Country (2015) and Used Future (2018).
One simply couldn’t find better words to describe what 2025 has in store for HELLOWEEN. While the German metal legends are finishing the highly anticipated follow-up to their self-titled no. 1 album, they have launched yet another snippet of their prestigious live album Live At Budokan. The classic “Future World” from their genre-defining album Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Pt. 2 successfully keeps up the memories of this remarkable night the pumpkins experienced at Tokyo’s Budokan Arena in September 2023.
Singer Michael Kiske comments: “I love the positive message of this song. Our future will be bright, but it won’t fall into our laps. We all have to find our own way to future world. Musically, it’s one of the highlights and guarantees a great atmosphere every night.”
Live At Budokan has been released worldwide as 2CD set, limited 3LP “deluxe edition” (trifold first pressing), Blu-ray, DVD, but is also available on all major streaming platforms. Purchase/listen: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR
Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the signing of Icelandic death metal powerhouse DEVINE DEFILEMENT. The ever-rising force in the extreme metal underground will unleash their new album, Ruthless, this spring, marking an evolution in their relentless sound.
When you think of Scandinavia, slamming brutality isn’t the first thing that comes to mind – until DEVINE DEFILEMENT erupted onto the Icelandic scene in late 2016. Drawing inspiration from a wide array of death metal subgenres, the band has refined their sonic assault into a punishing blend of groove, slams, blasts, and ferocity.
With multiple releases already under their belt, DEVINE DEFILEMENT has cemented themselves as a dominant live act, relentlessly performing across Iceland and embarking on numerous European tours. Their crushing performances have graced the stages of Iceland’s premier metal festivals, including Eistnaflug, Sátan, Reykjavík Deathfest, and Norðanpaunk, as well as prestigious European death metal gatherings such as Deathfeast Open Air and Nice to Eat You. More festival appearances are already confirmed for 2025, further solidifying their reputation as a live juggernaut.
Ruthless represents a significant step forward for DEVINE DEFILEMENT, embracing a more refined yet equally devastating approach compared to their raw, brutal beginnings. The album maintains the band’s signature power and groove while pushing their sound into new, dynamic territories.
Prepare for absolute carnage, Ruthless is coming. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements!
HERTA, the latest addition to the Lifeforce Records roster have released their debut single “Eyes of Sorrow”, from the forthcoming album Crossing The Illusion, out May 2nd.
HERTA is a progressive groove metal band, formed in 2022, located in Athens, Greece. Heavily inspired by the great bands of the genre and influenced by the atmosphere of fantasy novels, they departed on a journey to articulate their ideas in the best possible way and explore new sounds and riffs.
Crossing The Illusion is their first album and Lifeforce Records debut, created after three years of hard work, dedication and sacrifices. The main theme is an esoteric and agnostic voyage with the purpose of exploring ones’ self. Heavy riffs, epic choruses, sick grooves, mind-bending poly-rhythms and bottomless atmospheres, in combination with dark poetic lyrics and aggressive vocals, define the album’s identity.
Shout out to the these fine people for visualizing “Eyes of Sorrow” as breathtaking as you can see now, without you it wouldn’t have been possible: Manou Karapetsis (Brosky media), EUS DEUX, Emilia Romo, Hugo Prost, Sylvain Lugrin (Altamont Production), John Nikolopoulos and Maurene Linares
The forthcoming album Crossing The Illusion was produced and mixed by Fotis Benardo at Devasoundz Studios, mastered by Johann Meyer at Silver Cord Studios. Crossing The Illusion is set to be released May 2nd, stay tuned for preorder to be announced soon.
HERTA will be out on the road in February for some Eastern European dates with Oathswan, Hiraeth and This Burning Day.
Seattle (WA) – Powerhouse Action-Metal band, Hyperstrike, is back with an explosive new single, “Savage Sword,” on all digital platforms!
Serving as the ultimate rallying cry for those who know we live in a simulation, this track challenges listeners to confront the fabric of reality itself. “Savage Sword” tells the story of a world trapped in an artificial construct controlled by an evil deity broadcasting illusions from Saturn. Hyperstrike asks the provocative question: what if everything you see is a lie? The song’s protagonist wields the savage sword, a symbol of truth and rebellion, to sever the deceptive veil and spark a revolt against this cosmic oppressor.
“Savage Sword” follows close behind debut single, “Warning Shot.” Both cuts will appear on the band’s long-awaited debut album, High Risk, a ten-track thrill ride that drops this spring, delivering an unrelenting assault of melody, power, and precision.
Each of the album’s songs plunges listeners into a high-stakes narrative, from the devastating chaos of “Meltdown (Stop the Reactor)” to the primal defiance of “Steel Heart” and the warrior’s anthem “King of the Slain.” The album captures the sound of rebellion with blistering guitar solos, thunderous rhythms, and vocals that alternate between soaring and savage. Recorded in the heart of Seattle’s legendary metal scene, High Risk cements Hyperstrike’s reputation as a band that dares to push boundaries while delivering unforgettable hooks. Brace yourselves for the countdown to the most electrifying release of 2025 is on!
“Savage Sword” is available at the following links:
Lyrics and music by Hyperstrike. Mixed and mastered by Joe Cincotta at Full Force Studios. Drums recorded at One Shot Studios – Engineered by Josh Richins. Produced by Ben Bennett. Artwork by Ilya (Siberian Claw) Ignatov. Logo by Dipayandas Arts.
North Dakota death metal faction MAUL will ravenously return to the road again this week, launching a massive schedule of touring for the next five months.
First up, MAUL will tour with Life Cycles February 6th through 12th, and with Sawed Off February 13th through 15th, ending with a show on their own February 16th.
Just over a month later, MAUL will tour into Canada on their own from March 26th through March 31st including a set at Capital City Hardcore Fest before joining up with Ethereal Tomb to end their Canadian run with two shows April 1st and 2nd. MAUL then plays a couple of solo shows on their way to play Decibel Magazine’s Metal & Beer Fest 2025 alongside Exodus, Dismember, Demolition Hammer, Pig Destroyer, Darkest Hour, labelmates Vastum, and more. April 6th through 12th will see the band touring back home with Windchimes.
Three weeks later, MAUL will head back out, this time alongside The Acacia Strain, Frozen Soul, Gates To Hell, and Snuffed On Sight from May 2nd through 18th.
See all currently confirmed MAUL tour dates below, and of course, expect additional tours to be announced.
MAUL Tour Dates: 2/06/2025 Mohawk – Austin, TX 2/07/2025 The Dugout – Laredo, TX 2/08/2025 The Gremlin – McAllen, TX 2/09/2025 House of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX 2/10/2025 The White Swan – Houston, TX 2/11/2025 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX 2/12/2025 Rubber Gloves – Denton, TX 2/13/2025 District 1 – Wichita, KS 2/14/2025 Havenhaus – Memphis, TN 2/15/2025 The Sinkhole – St. Louis, MO (matinee show) 2/16/2025 The Annex – Madison, WI 3/26/2025 Moose Hall – Lethbridge, AB 3/27/2025 10th Street Boxing – Calgary, AB 3/28/2025 Capital City Hardcore Fest @ The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB 3/29/2025 Public Domain – Winnipeg, MB 3/30/2025 Black Pirates Pub – Thunder Bay, ON 3/31/2025 See-Scape – Toronto, ON 4/01/2025 Dominion Tavern – Ottawa, ON 4/02/2025 La Sotterenea – Montreal, QC 4/03/2025 Ralph’s Diner – Worcester, MA 4/04/2025 Decibel Metal & Beer Fest @ The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA 4/06/2025 Culture Clash Records – Toledo, OH 4/07/2025 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN 4/08/2025 East Bluff Community Center – Peoria, IL 4/09/2025 Flying V – Minneapolis, MN 4/10/2025 The Boston Block – Superior, WI 4/12/2025 Four & Four – Fargo, ND 5/02/2025 AMH – Amityville, NY 5/03/2025 House of Independents – Asbury Park, NJ 5/05/2025 Elevation 27 – Virginia Beach, VA 5/06/2025 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 5/07/2025 Music Farm – Charleston, SC 5/09/2025 Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium – Columbus, OH 5/10/2025 Castle Theater – Bloomington, IL 5/11/2025 Regency – Springfield, MO 5/12/2025 Rev Room – Little Rock, AR 5/13/2025 Growlers – Memphis, TN 5/15/2025 Welcome To Rockville @ Daytona International Speedway – Daytona, FL 5/16/2025 Barrelhouse Ballroom – Chattanooga, TN 5/17/2025 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO 5/18/2025 Milwaukee Metal Fest @ The Rave – Milwaukee, WI w/ Life Cycles 2/06 – 2/12 w/ Sawed Off 2/13 – 2/15 w/ Ethereal Tomb 4/01 – 4/02 w/ Windchimes 4/06 – 4/12 w/ The Acacia Strain, Frozen Soul, Gates To Hell, Snuffed On Sight 5/02 – 5/18
MAUL’s In the Jaws of Bereavement is available on LP, CD, MC, and digital. Find it at the 20 Buck Spin webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE, and watch the “Spontaneous Stigmata” video RIGHT HERE.
At its putrescent core, MAUL is a live band, and the songs on their second album, In The Jaws Of Bereavement, are adeptly tailored to the environs of a dank club sweltering from the energy created through this music and a crowd living for nothing but the moment and the swell of bodies on bodies. The production here is clear and in-your-face and allows the band to expand their unique blend of old and new to become Midwest death incarnate.
In The Jaws Of Bereavement was tracked, mixed, and mastered by Adam Tucker at Signaturetone Recordings at in Minneapolis (Ulthar, Obsequiae, Sunless, Thou), and completed with cover art by Wyrmwalk (Iron Age, Terminal Nation, Sentenced 2 Die, Fulci, Noxis) and photography by Kary Janousek of Old School Collodion. The album includes guest appearances from Hugh Danger, who provides synth and sample work to the album, and Vincent Bennett (The Acacia Strain) who provides additional vocals on the title track.
‘Red Giant’ is taken from CHEMICIDE’s new album Violence Prevails, to be issued on Listenable on the 28th of February, 2025.
“The song is a metaphor on how the sun could exterminate all we call life in a single beam of light, just like some politicians do when they get to to power. They have ultimate control over their nations and can control everything and obliterate whatever they want on their path.”
Video credits: Andrea Mantelli Productions
WATCH THE LYRIC VIDEO HERE and listen to DIGITAL HERE
Album Artwork by Ian Permana
TRACKLISTING: 01 – Do As I Say, Not As I Do 02 – Red Giant 03 – Systemic Decay 04 – Parasite 05 – Violence Prevails 06 – Prey of Failure 07 – Chokehold 08 – Supremacy 09 – That’s Right, We’re That Spic Band! 10 – 72 Seasons (CD Bonus track – Metallica Cover) 11 – Hear Nothing, Say Nothing (CD Bonus track – Discharge cover)
CHEMICIDE: Frankie – Vocals/guitar Sebastian – Lead guitar Kohke – Bass Chalo – Drums
Discography: Violence Prevails 2025 (Listenable) Common Sense 2022 Inequality 2019 The Act Of Retaliation 2017 Episodes Of Insanity 2016 Radioactive Annihilation 2010
In a thrilling announcement sure to excite fans across North America, legendary death metal titans DECAPITATED have just released two new performance videos, setting the stage for their upcoming ‘Nihility Tour’. The videos, featuring the tracks “Names” and “Eternity Too Short,” were filmed live from the band’s rehearsal room, offering fans a raw, intense preview of what to expect on the road.
The double video release serves as a precursor to DECAPITATED‘s eagerly awaited tour across North America, beginning February 4, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. These exclusive performances capture the band in a visceral, intimate setting, showcasing their technical prowess and relentless energy. “Names” and “Eternity Too Short” are both seminal tracks from their acclaimed albumNihility, which will be played in its entirety on the tour.
“GET READY, NORTH AMERICA! We can’t wait to make our highly anticipated return and play the entire NIHILITY album! Let’s make this one a tour to remember!” – the band excitedly shares.
The tour will cover 23 cities in the United States and Canada, concluding on March 2 in Santa Ana, California.
Fans can look forward to an electrifying lineup with DECAPITATED headlining, supported by the formidable talents of INCANTATION and DARKEST HOUR, with EXMORTUS opening each night. This assembly of metal powerhouses guarantees a series of high-octane performances, filled with the heavy, intricate, and soul-stirring music that has defined their genres.
Tour Dates and Venues:
Feb. 04 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
Feb. 05 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Feb. 06 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
Feb. 07 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
Feb. 08 – Boston, MA – Middle East Downstairs
Feb. 10 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
Feb. 11 – Montreal, QC – Beanfield Theatre
Feb. 12 – Ottawa, ON – Overflow
Feb. 13 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
Feb. 14 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
Feb. 15 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
Feb. 16 – Minneapolis, MN – The Caboose
Feb. 18 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
Feb. 19 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
Feb. 21 – Calgary, AB – Back Alley
Feb. 22 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
Feb. 24 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
Feb. 25 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Feb. 26 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Feb. 27 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
Feb. 28 – Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
Mar. 01 – Los Angeles, CA – 1720
Mar. 02 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
Tickets for the ‘Nihility Tour’ are on sale now. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for fans to experience the sheer power and emotion of DECAPITATED‘s music in a live setting. For more information, ticketing, and to watch the new live session videos, visit Decapitated’s Official Website.
Allegaeon are co-headlining the USA and Canada with Warbringer on The Vortex of Violence Tour. Support will be Skeletal Remains and Summoning The Lich:
March 18 – San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick March 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live March 20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad March 21 – Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Collective March 22 – Haltom City, TX @ Haltom Theater March 23 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take it Live March 24 – Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock March 26 – Orlando, FL @ Conduit March 27 – Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligan’s March 28 – Bensalem, PA @ Broken Goblet March 29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Woodshop March 30 – Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques March 31 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison April 1 – Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary April 2 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies April 3 – Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck April 4 – Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theater April 5 – Denver, CO @ HQ April 6 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall April 8 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon April 9 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre April 10 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater April 11 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge April 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
NORTH AMERICAN I WANT BLOOD TOUR KICKS OFF TONIGHT
January 31, 2025 – Niagara Falls, Ontario – Jerry Cantrell kicks off his first North American tour in support of his recently released album, I Want Blood, tonight in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The tour launch coincides with the arrival of a deluxe version of the nine-track collection (listen here).
Featuring spoken word versions of each of the songs on I Want Blood, the Cantrell narrated pieces also feature their own unique score with contributions from producer Joe Barresi, engineer Maxwell Urasky, Greg Puciato (Better Lovers, The Black Queen), Roy Mayorga (Ministry), Gil Sharone (Stolen Babies, Team Sleep), Rani Sharone (Stolen Babies), George Adrian (The Maybirds), composer Vincent Jones, and producer Michael Rozon. An animated video series featuring graphics from Boy Tillekens can be viewed here.
“I wanted to do something special and I’ve never done a spoken word recitation of the lyrics, and I thought it might be kind of cool to have it on the B-side of ‘Vilified,’” Cantrellrecalls in a recent interview with Scott Lipps. “I thought maybe it needs some music or something, and I was sitting there with Maxwell Urasky, my demo partner. He’s a really talented musician, and he said ‘Let me mess around with it for a night.’ He came back the next day with that piece of music, and it sounded killer. I brought it in to Joe Barresi and he said, ‘Man, you should do this with all of them.’ I got this creative stew going of sending the lyrics out to people, having them come up with the music, and sending it back. We ended up with nine pieces of really interesting takes on the lyrics, but the music is done by creative partners of mine, and it has nothing to do with the real music, so it is truly a standalone piece.”
I Want Blood was recorded at Barresi’s JHOC Studio in Pasadena, Calif., and features contributions from Duff McKagan (Guns N’Roses), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Greg Puciato (Better Lovers, ex-Dillinger Escape Plan), Gil Sharone (Team Sleep, Stolen Babies), and Lola Colette.
January 31 Niagara Falls, ON Fallsview Casino Resort February 1 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom February 2 Portland, ME Aura February 4 Boston, MA Citizens House of Blues Boston February 5 New York, NY Irving Plaza February 7 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore – Silver Spring February 8 Bensalem, PA Parx Xcite Center February 11 Huntington, NY The Paramount February 12 Norfolk, VA The NorVa February 14 Raleigh, NC The Ritz February 15 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre February 16 Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom February 18 Columbus, OH The Bluestone February 19 Indianapolis, IN Murat Egyptian Room at Old National Centre February 22 St. Louis, MO The Hawthorn February 23 Chicago, IL The Vic Theatre February 25 Tulsa, OK Tulsa Theater February 26 Houston, TX House of Blues Houston February 27 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre March 1 Mesa, AZ The Nile Theater March 2 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues Las Vegas March 4 Los Angeles, CA The Belasco March 5 Ventura, CA The Majestic Ventura Theater March 7 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory – Spokane March 8 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom March 9 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
May 31 Padua, IT Hall June 1 Milan, IT Magazzini Generali June 4 Krakow, PL Mystic Festival June 6 Berlin, DE Columbia Theater June 7 Nüremberg, DE Rock im Park June 8 Nürnberg, DE Rock am Ring June 10 Zagreb, HR The Culture Factory June 12 Nickelsdorf, AT Nova Rock Festival June 13 Hradec Kralove, CZ Rock The People June 14 – 15 Donington Park, UK Download Festival June 17 London, UK O2 Forum Kentish Town June 19 Amsterdam, NL Melkweg June 20 Dessel, BE Graspop Metal Meeting June 22 Clisson, FR Hellfest Open Air Festival June 24 Paris, FR La Machine du Moulin Rouge June 25 Nijmegen, NL Doornroosje June 26 Hamburg, DE Gruenspan June 28 Oslo, NO Tons of Rock
Tickets are available now at jerrycantrell.com/tour. Filter opens on all North American dates.
Photo credit: Nick Fancher
Jerry Cantrell is an iconic American troubadour, celebrated for his distinctive guitar playing, soulful vocals and profound songwriting. Known for his work in both Alice In Chains and as a solo artist, the GRAMMY nominated musician has sold in excess of 30 million albums, has been named one of the greatest guitar players of all time by both Guitar World and Rolling Stone, and has been instrumental in shaping the sound of modern rock music.
Over his career, he has released six studio albums with Alice in Chains, three solo full-lengths, has had his music featured in films from Cameron Crowe, Judd Apatow and Ben Stiller and made cameos in “Deadwood” and “Jerry Maguire.”
January 31, 2025, PORTLAND – Red Fang kicks off their 20th-anniversary celebrations with the March 14 release of Deep Cuts, an extensive 26-song collection of non-album tracks, covers, and previously unreleased singles.
A preview of the album arrives today with the release of “It’s Always There” (https://orcd.co/redfang-deepcuts), a track from the deluxe version of Whales and Leeches. “I remember really liking the melancholic vibe of ‘It’s Always There,’ but Aaron and I had no vocal ideas coming to mind,” recalls Bryan Giles. “When I lived in San Diego, I became friendly with Pall Jenkins, and was always a fan of Three mile Pilot and The Black Heart Procession, so it was exciting for me to enlist his help bringing the song to life. I think he did a really beautiful job on it!”
Deep Cuts also includes several covers, such as the Wipers’ “Over The Edge,” and Tubeway Army’s “Listen To Sirens,” along with rare Red Fang originals like “Antidote” (from the mobile game, “Red Fang: Headbang!”) and “Wires (demo),” which makes its vinyl debut.
“Perhaps unremarkable to anyone else, it’s fucking amazing to me that we have made it TWENTY YEARS,” Aaron Beam shares. “Before we started jamming in John Sherman’s basement, I’d already been in 40 (maybe more!) bands, none of which lasted more than a year or two. Yet somehow in 2005, for the first time since probably 1987 I found myself without any band to play in. It turned out this was also true of John, David, and Bryan! So it was only natural that we’d start playing together.
All we ever wanted to do was make music that we knew our friends would be stoked to hear at a basement party. Our first show was in David’s basement, and no matter how big the stages were that we ended up playing, we always tried to bring as much of that basement party feeling as we could.
In that regard, this double album feels very much at home. It’s got a sampling of the weird variety of covers that reflect the different shit that inspire us. The computer drum-laden home demo for ‘Wires’ gives a little peek into the process that we pretty rarely but sometimes used for writing (more often than not, all the writing happened in the jam space). There’s of course a generous helping of rare B-sides and bonus tracks that might be hard to find even in today’s digital world. And there’s even a smattering of pretty atypical GarageBand demos that are some of my favorite things to listen to on this record. They could probably never make a regular Red Fang release, but really let you see what is going on in our heads when we’re not banging them!
Please enjoy this record that we are happy to have made for you.”
1. Antidote (from the “Red Fang: Headbang!” mobile game)
2. The Shadows (from Scion AV Presents – Red Fang)
3. Murder The Mountains (bonus track from Whales and Leeches Deluxe Version)
4. Weird Poly *
5. Hollow Light *
6. Over The Edge (Wipers’ cover)
7. Listen To The Sirens (Tubeway Army cover)
8. Stereo Nucleosis (from the Adult Swim Singles Series)
9. Black Hole (bonus track from Murder the Mountains Deluxe Digital Version)
10. Through (No Talent cover)
11. Champ Chugger **
12. Ice Ice Baby *
13. It’s Always There (bonus track from Whales and LeechesDeluxe Version)
14. Black Water (bonus track from Whales and Leeches Deluxe Version)
15. Pawn Everything (bonus track from Murder the MountainsDeluxe Digital Version)
16. Wires (Demo)
17. In 5 With Keys *
18. Bad Places (Played on the band’s first U.S. tour, one of the first ever Red Fang songs)
19. Forgot To Write *
20. Endless Sea (from the Spelljams soundtrack)
21. Suicide (Dust cover)
22. OMG OMD *
23. LSP (from “Wires” single)
24. 50’s Tremors **
25. AGB Fruit **
26. Feeder (bonus track from Only Ghosts Deluxe Version)
*-Written/recorded during the pandemic lockdowns at the band’s practice space
**- Songs recorded at Aaron’s house “almost certainly while legally high on marijuana”
Photo credit: James Rexroad
Red Fang is Aaron Beam (bass, vocals, guitar, keyboards), Bryan Giles (guitar, vocals, synthesizers, happy accidents), John Sherman (drums) and David Sullivan (guitars). Over their 20-year career the Portland, Oregon based band has released five studio albums: Red Fang (2009), Murder the Mountains (2011), Whales and Leeches (2013), Only Ghosts (2016), and Arrows (2021). Their music videos have captivated a generation of heavy music fans, racking up tens of millions of views. From the beer-can armor of “Prehistoric Dog” to Fred Armisen’s cameo in the zombie-themed “Blood Like Cream,” and the katana-gone-wrong chaos of Arrows,” Red Fang has mastered the art of the music video like no other band.
OBITUARY – Celebrating 35 Years Cause Of Death W/ NAILS, Terror, Spirit World, Pest Control:
Apr 18 – San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre Apr 19 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater Apr 21 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater Apr 22 – Mesa, AZ @ The Nile Theater Apr 24 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues Apr 25 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues Apr 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether Apr 27 – Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre Apr 29 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater Apr 30 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox May 02 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot May 03 – Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater May 05 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater May 06 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues May 07 – Detroit, MI @ The Majestic Theatre May 09 – Montreal, QC @ Club Soda May 10 – Toronto, ON @ The Concert Hall May 11 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple May 12 – New Kensington, PA @ Perversing Underground May 14 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl May 15 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade May 19 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom May 20 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel May 22 – Maspeth, NY @ Knockdown Center May 24 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium May 25 – Reading, PA @ Reverb
Two legendary titans of the extreme metal scene – IGGOR CAVALERA (Cavalera, Petbrick, ex-Sepultura) and SHANE EMBURY (Napalm Death, Dark Sky Burial) – join forces for a unique split album through long-running UK-based Cold Spring Records, who has specialized in releasing esoteric, dark ambient, industrial, and other forms of ominous underground music since 1990. Brooding dark ambient, industrial strength noise, and heavy synth-laden electronics, create what feels like the lost soundtrack to some dystopian fever dream on Neon Gods / Own Your Darkness.
Setting the tone for this double-headed behemoth with creeping, cinematic dark ambience, IGGOR CAVALERA‘s side-long “Neon Gods” unfolds into a brutal sonic nightmare. Equal measures of dread and anguish come together with the occasional reprieve of slow, pulsating drones and almost meditative waves of static. The crescendo of harsh industrial noise with heavy death industrial vocalization is nothing short of pummeling.
CAVALERA reveals, “‘Neon Gods’ is a bit of a sonic trip, with different layers of atmospheric vibrations, from darkness to light. It’s an absolute pleasure to do this split release with Shane; I believe we share a lot of similar ideas when it comes to opening our mind to different styles of sounds”
The other half of the record, SHANE EMBURY‘s “Own Your Darkness” merges menacing, pitch-black dark ambient and hypnotic bass swells with celestial synth lines that subtly lurk around the peripheries. Rising and falling, ebbing and flowing, until finally the all-encompassing apocalyptic bleakness, the enveloping darkness, closes in around you.
EMBURY writes, “Iggor and I have been good friends for decades and this is a record very different for us both but amazing! A very interesting track to make, it was my first experiment with the Solar 42 – an excellent synth for those eternal drones of despair – and I was assisted by my longtime colleague, Russ Russell. As I journey ever onward in through my individuation it’s imperative that I own my own darkness… hence the title. We all need to strive for balance and to kindle a light in the darkness of being.”
Preview excerpts from IGGOR CAVALERA and SHANE EMBURY’s Neon Gods / Own Your Darkness RIGHT HERE.
Cold Spring Records will release Neon Gods / Own Your Darkness digitally, on CD, and on 180-gram vinyl – the latter with both Black and limited White variants – on March 21st. Preorders are currently available at the label webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE.
Stephen Pearcy RATT founder lead singer; “Never say never, right? There was no question when the idea was brought up doing something with Warren again. It wasn’t even a thought, it’s time, let’s do this. “Pearcy / De Martini” back in the cellar, let’s go! Let’s break the ice, with the utmost respect and do what we do best together, play RATT music. It’ll seem like yesterday instead of years when we’re back onstage regardless. It’s time to RATT n’ Roll again, even if it’s a double shot. It’s about the bands legacy. I know what we can do as a team, and that’s writing great songs and Kickin’ some ass onstage. It’s only appropriate that the first show in years is at M3 2025. It’s a great event. You’re getting ALL the RATT hits and more, let the “Invasion Celebration” begin. Never say never, right”? M3 Rock Festival officialstephenpearcy.com #sepwarnd #2025Ready #80s #rattnroll
New Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available
After thirteen years of silence, an unsettling sound that is strangely familiar yet somehow even more haunted re-emerges from the Arkansas depths. There is no mistake as to what this is. RWAKE has released a new transmission. The Return Of Magik, set for release on March 14th via Relapse Records, has arrived.
Years have now fed into an album that reaches into a swirling, cosmic unknown – RWAKE has grown, and the perspective of the material has shifted accordingly. Overwhelming at its peak and haunting during moments of respite, The Return Of Magik is undeniably RWAKE.
Every movement feels like an emotionally engrossing journey. Arrangements carefully and thoughtfully built in layers over a period of years lend mystique and a feeling of building toward a cathartic release. There is no box into which the material might fit other than one with the band’s name on it.
Today, the band shares the official video for the album’s title track.
Watch RWAKE’s “The Return Of Magik” video, directed by Nouvel Photo & Film, on YouTube HERE. Stream the track HERE.
The Return Of Magik will be released on CD, LP, and digital formats. Find preorders at Relapse.com HERE.
The Return Of Magik Track Listing:
You Swore We’d Always Be Together
The Return Of Magik
With Stardust Flowers
Distant Constellations And The Psychedelic Incarceration
In After Reverse
Φ
Additionally, RWAKE has announced their first shows of 2025 around the release of The Return Of Magik – including a hometown release show on March 15th.
RWAKE: C.T. – vocals, words, theme Reid – bass guitars, distortion John – guitars, lap + pedal steel, 12-string bass Austin – guitars Brittany – energy peddler, keys and a microphone Jeff – drums, acoustic guitar, 12-string bass
* “…Psychedelic Incarceration” written and spoken by Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, February 17th, 2024 in Black Oak, Arkansas.
Recorded in early 2024 at East End Sounds in Hensley, Arkansas, The Return Of Magik introduces RWAKE’s new lead guitarist Austin Sublett with a barrage of shredded solos suited to the angular, progressive metal riffing of the album’s most jaw-clenching moments, while presenting a through-line of molten, immersive ambience.
The opener “You Swore We’d Always Be Together” – already a fixture of live sets – and the expansive sprawl of “Distant Constellations And The Psychedelic Incarceration” move with cruelty and grace alike. Foreboding, syncopated riffs sway against Moog-driven space and guttural bellows. The Return Of Magik’s songs stand alone as individualized post-metallic blends of genres.
RWAKE remains dually fronted; Chris Terry’s powerful vocals lay against Brittany Fugate’s visceral screams. Jeff Morgan returns to the drum kit, in addition to acoustic guitar and 12-string bass. Bassist/noisemaker Reid Raley, Sublett, and fellow guitarist John Judkins set an instrumental backdrop that is vast and engrossing in itself – quiet, contemplative passages often explode into gut-wrenching, doomed out distortions. The Return Of Magik, which features artwork by Loni Gillum of Minerva’s Menagerie and RWAKE, burns brighter and beyond the ferocity of the band’s already storied catalog.
Although the Magik may be bleak, the manner in which RWAKE revels in it can only be called a celebration.
North Texas metal sensation WARHOG is set to dominate the airwaves once again with the release of their powerful new single, “Unleash The Beast.” This track, accompanied by a compelling lyric video, is now available on all major streaming platforms.
The band passionately shares, “‘Unleash the Beast’ is a heavy metal anthem inspired by the Book of Revelation and today’s deepening social divide. With thunderous riffs and raw vocals, it captures the tension between the powerful elite and the oppressed masses. This track is a searing commentary on inequality, corruption, and the apocalyptic unraveling of our world. A call to confront the chaos and unite before it’s too late.”
Formed in early 2020, WARHOG quickly adapted to the challenges of the pandemic, creating music that fused their intense creative energies with the possibilities of remote collaboration. The band’s latest release not only showcases their signature driving, rhythmic riffs and melodic, storytelling vocals but also breaks new ground with its cinematic and genre-blending sound. WARHOG’s mission continues to be about breaking barriers in heavy music and bringing their theatrical and atmospheric sound to a broad audience.
January 24, 2024, Bergen, Norway – Wardruna‘s new album, Birna, is available today (listen here). Birna, translating to the she-bear in Old Norse, is a work of art dedicated to the warden of the forest, nature’s caretaker. The group has simultaneously released the film: “Live at the Acropolis,” which was recorded at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens.
Einar Selvik comments on the release of Birna: “Today is the release of our sixth album, Birna– a sonic journey into the woodland realms of the bear and its cyclic life rhythm. It is very much a conceptual album that is perhaps best experienced when listened to from beginning to end. If you wish to dive even further into the deeper meanings of the songs but don’t understand the language, then please know that our albums always include a booklet including lyrics translated into English. Give it a listen and let us know what you think.”
Photo credit: Morten Munthe
A six-song exploration of the bear and the cyclical process embedded both in nature and the worldview of older cultures, drives the creative process behind the album.
Birna nurtures the insight that has been at the core of Selvik’s philosophy right from the start: sowing new seeds whilst strengthening old roots. Instruments and wisdom from ancient times, coupled with modern day soundscapes and recorded sounds of nature, provide a rare opportunity to tell us something valuable about ourselves. It works as a reminder that we are part of nature, not above it, and it offers a way of remembering, not for memory’s own sake, but to gain both new and forgotten insights.
Wardruna on the February cover of Decibel Magazine
Birna seeks to address the here and now and the way forward. “The more I thought, read, and researched, the more I realized that this album should mainly have a contemporary focus. Unraveling the long and entangled history of the relationship between man and Bear and contemplating the present state of how we humans relate to the wild in general,” Selvik adds.
Birna and “Live at the Acropolis” is available on limited-edition vinyl, CD and digitally.
Wardruna tour dates:
January 25 Sydney, AU Enmore Theatre January 27 Brisbane, AU Fortitude Music Hall January 30 Auckland, NZ Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
Special guest Jo Quail on March UK and IE dates
March 17 Liverpool, UK Philharmonic March 18 Birmingham, UK Symphony Hall March 19 London, UK Royal Albert Hall March 21 Bristol, UK Beacon March 22 York, UK Barbican March 23 Dublin, IE Olympia Theatre March 25 Glasgow, UK SEC Armadillo
April 26 Oslo, NO Operaen SOLD OUT April 27 Oslo, NO Operaen SOLD OUT April 29 Trondheim, NO Olavshallen May 2 Kristiansand, NO Kilden May 3 Stavanger, NO Konserthuset May 4 Bergen, NO Grieghallen
June 7 Reykjavik, IS Harpa July 25 to 27 Red Eagle Campground (Cut Bank), MT Fire In The Mountains July 30 to August 30 Rasnov, RO Rockstadt Extreme Fest
The Comalaska Tour: Apr 29 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD Apr 30 House of Blues – Cleveland, OH May 1 Elevation – Grand Rapids, MI May 2 Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS May 3 Waiting Room – Omaha, NE May 5 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM May 6 Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ May 7 The Belasco – Los Angeles, CA May 8 The Observatory – San Diego, CA May 9 Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA May 11 The Grand @ The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT May 13 The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO May 15 The Vanguard – Tulsa, OK May 16 Delmar Hall – St. Louis, MO May 17 Milwaukee Metal Fest – Milwaukee, WI (No PTH/Different Set) May 18 Deluxe at Old National Center – Indianapolis, IN May 19 The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC May 21 The NorVa – Norfolk, VA May 23 House of Independents – Asbury Park, NJ May 24 Preserving – New Kensington, PA
Out Now And Streaming Everywhere On Creator-Destructor Records
Richmond, Virginia-based death metal quintet BLAZING TOMB today releases a new EP, Singles From The Tomb, out now and streaming everywhere through Creator-Destructor Records.
BLAZING TOMB appeared on the radar of extreme music fans upon the release of their eponymous debut EP in 2022 via Creator-Destructor. Having honed their attack over the past several years, their second release hits with more devastation than its predecessor. Singles From The Tomb delivers three merciless new tracks, infusing an old-school death metal assault influenced by Bolt Thrower, Obituary, and Cannibal Corpse, fueled with the aggression of Merauder, Cold As Life, and 100 Demons.
photos by Stephen Kline
BLAZING TOMB’s Singles From The Tomb was engineered, produced, and mixed at Soul Craft Audio by Jordan Faett (Mutually Assured Destruction, Evade, Killing Pace), co-produced by Alex Young, mastered by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Cavalera Conspiracy, Tomb Mold), and completed with artwork by @no.power__, and the track “Tortured Minds” features guest vocals by Knox Colby (Enforced).
photos by Stephen Kline
The band states, “Richmond, Virginia possesses a strong tradition as a breeding ground for powerful heavy metal, hardcore, and punk rock. With Singles From The Tomb, we sought to continue its legacy of aggression, while forging our own path, yet still drawing inspiration from seminal bands like Bolt Thrower and Merauder. These songs are a preview of the sonic onslaught that will come with the full-length BLAZING TOMB album, soon to be unleashed upon the world.”
Stream BLAZING TOMB’s Singles From The Tomb everywhere including Bandcamp HERE and find the 7” vinyl at the Creator-Destructor label shop HERE.
BLAZING TOMB: Ethan Thomas – vocals/lyrics Danny Prock – bass, lyrics Nick Morris – drums Josh Fransisco – lead guitar Chris Miller – guitar
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