With just three months to go until their first-ever appearance at Maryland Deathfest, Kansas-based death metal horde UNMERCIFUL has announced a very special guest for this monumental performance.
Joining the band on vocals will be none other than James “Freight Train” Lee, widely recognized for his crushing performances on Origin’s landmark albums III, Echoes of Decimation, and Antithesis. Lee’s unmistakable intensity and legacy within extreme metal make this collaboration a historic moment for both the band and fans alike.
With Lee on stage, fans can expect a set of unmitigated ferocity and precision. One that won’t soon be forgotten.
In addition, drummer Andy Vincent (Morgue Defilement) will be stepping in behind the kit while UNMERCIFUL skin-basher Trynt Kelly continues to navigate health issues.
UNMERCIFUL is currently booking additional performances surrounding Maryland Deathfest. The band is slated to appear on MDF’s Marketplace & Power Plant Live stage on Sunday, May 24. More dates to be announced soon.
The band’s newest album, Devouring Darkness, marks a new era of relentless violence and sonic brutality! With ten tracks of scorching intensity and distorted vengeance, the album is filled with blistering blast beats, intricate kick drum patterns, and destructive riffing.
Devouring Darkness is out now on CD, digital, and vinyl formats on Willowtip Records.
Chicago (IL) – Progressive Tech-Death stalwarts, GIGAN, have announced the West Coast Sonic Invasion Tour 2026! The tour launches April 30 in San Diego and includes an appearance at Northwest Terror Fest on May 9.
Willowtip Records label mates, Barren Path, will perform on four dates.
Tour Dates are as follows:
April 30 – San Diego, CA (Banshee) with Barren Path/Cave Bastard/Genestealer/Cataract Stare
May 1 – Long Beach, CA (Que Sera) w/ Barren Path/Teeth/Morgue Breath
May 2 – Bakersfield, CA (Jerry’s Pizza) with Cave Bastard/tba
May 3 – Los Angeles, CA (Slipper Clutch) w/ Cave Bastard/tba
May 4 – Sacramento, CA (Cafe Colonial) w/ Barren Path/Oceans of Ash/tba
May 5 – Oakland, CA (Thee Stork Club) w/ Barren Path/Horse Butcher/tba
May 6 – Palmdale, CA (Transplants Brewing) w/ tba
May 9 – Seattle, WA (Northwest Terror Fest)
May 10 – Vancouver, Canada (Astoria) w/ tba
Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus, GIGAN‘s first album in seven years, was released October 25, 2024 on CD, Ltd edition CD long box, vinyl, cassette, Ltd edition four-album cassette boxset, and digital formats via Willowtip Records.
Since 2005, GIGAN has been an unsung vanguard of abstract and creatively dissonant extreme metal. Pushing boundaries and never compromising the artistic vision throughout the debut EP and subsequent four full-length albums has led GIGAN to be considered an unwavering force of both innovation and extremity.
It has been almost seven years since GIGAN has released new music and the time spent away has only honed and sharpened the still-deadly blades of creativity for which GIGAN has always been known; while also infusing fresh elements not yet heard within the GIGAN Universe. The results of GIGAN’s current hard work is the new beast of an album entitled AnomalousAbstractigate Infinitessimus.
Australian death/thrash duo BATTLEGRAVE are set to return with their third and most devastating full-length release to date.
Enslavement delivers 10 tracks of unbridled and vitriolic, death-laden thrash metal. This relentless barrage of calculated venom, intense riffing, and punishing rhythmic precision further cements the band’s reputation for uncompromising extremity.
Lyrically tied to themes of violence and aggression, Enslavement weaves an interlocking narrative of a subterranean demon harvesting human souls to satiate its unending hunger. This conceptual core adds a sinister layer beneath the album’s sonic brutality.
Fans can experience a sample of what’s to come with the album’s first single, “Bonesaw.”
The band comments on the song: “Bonesaw’ delivers an aural assault on the listener, with all the power of a screwdriver plunged into the eardrum. Delving into the world of dismemberment, the track lyrically focuses on the evolution of medical tools in forensic pathology and features razor sharp riffage, a chaotic drum performance, two skin ripping solos and a vocal attack aimed directly for the jugular. Prepare to be taken apart piece by piece with the bonesaw.”
Watch the official music video for “Bonesaw” here.
The album was recorded by Clint Patzel of BATTLEGRAVE, mixed by Tim Shearman and mastered by Logan Mader. Session drums by Robin Stone.
Track-listing: 1) Soul Chasm
2) There Is Only Death
3) Bonesaw
4) Eyes Of Enslavement
5) Venom
6) The Grand Machine Of Despair
7) Asylum
8) Marked By Evil
9) Under The Banner We March
10) US Outpost 31
Line-up:
Rohan Buntine – Vocals, Lyrics
Clint Patzel – All Strings
BAND BIO:
BATTLEGRAVE are a two-piece death/thrash project from Melbourne, Australia, formed in 2017 following the release of their debut demo track, “Mortar Fire,” which quickly generated strong underground buzz.
The duo followed with the EP To Hellwith War (2017) and full-length albums Relics of a Dead Earth (2018) and Cavernous Depths (2022, via Bitter Loss Records), establishing a reputation for blending savage thrash intensity with punishing death metal weight. Their releases have received consistent acclaim across the global metal press and airplay on international radio platforms.
While primarily a studio-driven force, BATTLEGRAVE have also brought their music to the stage, recruiting respected musicians from Melbourne’s metal scene to deliver their blistering sound in a live setting.
Throughout their discography, the project has collaborated with world-class drummers including Kevin Talley, 66Samus, and most recently Robin Stone, further reinforcing the precision and power behind the band’s extreme sonic identity.
Baltimore Black Metallers, Nixil, and Portland Black/Death quartet, Drouth, will hit the road in May for the Toward Dead Temples West Coast Tour 2026.
The bands will be touring in support of their forthcoming split LP, Toward Dead Temples, which is set for an April 24th release on vinyl, cassette tape, and digital formats. Stay tuned, album details coming soon!
Tour dates are as follows:
May 7: Seattle, WA – Neumos (Northwest Terror Fest) May 8: Eugene, OR – John Henry’s May 9: Redding, CA – The Dip May 10: Sacramento, CA – Cafe Colonial May 12: Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge May 13: San Diego, CA – Tower Bar May 14: Palmdale, CA – Transplants Brewing May 15: Santa Rosa, CA – Arlene Francis Center May 16: Eureka, CA – Savage Henry Comedy Club May 17: Portland, OR – The High Water Mark
April 30 – Worcester, MA • Palladium Upstairs May 1 – Brooklyn, NY • Brooklyn Monarch May 2 – Baltimore, MD • Baltimore Soundstage May 3 – Philadelphia, PA • Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest – Philly 2026 May 5 – Atlanta, GA • Masquerade (Hell) May 7 – Houston, TX • White Oak Music Hall May 8 – Dallas, TX • The Studio May 9 – Austin, TX • Come and Take It Live May 12 – Los Angeles, CA • The Regent May 13 – San Diego, CA • Brick By Brick May 14 – Berkeley, CA • Cornerstone May 16 – Portland, OR • Hawthorne Theater May 17 – Seattle, WA • El Corazon May 20 – Denver, CO • Oriental Theater May 22 – Minneapolis, MN • Fine Line Music Cafe May 23 – Chicago, IL • Bottom Lounge May 24 – Detroit, MI • Crofoot Ballroom May 25 – Cleveland, OH • The Grog Shop May 26 – Pittsburgh, PA • Preserving Underground May 27 – Toronto, ON • Lee’s May 28 – Montreal, QC • Fairmount Theatre
Nameless Grave Records is proud to announce the signing of LIVIDUS, a project that stands at the crossroads of progressive black, death, and avant-garde metal. Anchored by the incredible vocal presence of Uta Plotkin (ex-Witch Mountain), the band will release their debut full-length, Scarabaeus, on April 17, 2026.
The album marks a significant return for Plotkin, showcasing her trademark seamless interplay between clean, emotive singing and punishing screams. Joining her in the current iteration of the band is an elite lineup of the Portland underground featuring Christy Cather (Ludicra), Rob Shaffer (Uada, Dark Castle), and Michael Thompson (ex-Silver Talon).
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Keith Merrow at Merrowsound Studios, Scarabaeus eschews modern trends for a weird approach reminiscent of the adventurous spirit found in Voivod, Hammers of Misfortune, and the progressive peaks of Death, Nevermore, and Emperor.
“LIVIDUS is the exploration of the unexpected,” the band states. “We wanted to bridge the gap between the melodic and the dissonant, using the viola and Uta’s vocal range to tell a story of endurance and the aftermath of trauma. This is heavy metal at its most eccentric.”
“We are stoked to be hitting the road in March to celebrate the 10th Year Anniversary of our album Evolution Of Evil. Join us and catch a special set list of old and unreleased tracks. We will have special VIP upgrades available for this tour!”
Grab advanced tix and VIP upgrades now!!
3.17 – Lincoln, NE at Witches Brew 3.20 – Reno, NV at Club Underground 3.21 – Las Vegas, NV at Vegas UnAlive Festival w/ Decrepit Birth 3.22 – Salt Lake City, UT at Aces High Saloon 3.24 – Denver, CO at The Roxy 3.26 – Cedar Rapids, IA at Black Hole 3.27 – Kansas City, MO at SK8 Bar 3.28 – Sioux Falls, SD at Club David
Watch WIELDED STEEL’s video for “In The Line Of Fire” HERE. Stream the track HERE.
Birmingham, Alabama metallers and recent 1126 Record signees WIELDED STEEL will unleash their annihilating Sins Of Your Domain full-length on March 13th.
WIELDED STEEL isn’t looking to make friends with Sins Of Your Domain, a violent fusion of death metal and hardcore. “I’ve got a lot of feelings when it comes to the word deathcore,” notes vocalist Jesse Clark. “It’s used to describe every stadium band that tries to tune their guitar the lowest and have the longest breakdown possible.” But the group doesn’t like that sound, citing bands like Internal Bleeding or Irate as inspiration.
“That sound has evolved over time,” adds drummerCyrus Patel. “We started out somewhere between death metal and hardcore, but we’ve been quietly adding more and more death metal influences as we’ve progressed.”
That’s more than obvious on Sins Of Your Domain. “Musically, this record is the sum of us diving further into our influences and pushing ourselves harder than we ever have before, in terms of songwriting,” says Clark, “Lyrically, Sins Of Your Domain is a record about how people I see as evil should be made to acknowledge and, in one way or another, atone for their sins committed by their ‘domain.’ Whether that’s their country, their class, their corrupt belief systems, or the people they surround themselves with.”
The record opens with an ominous meditation on T.S. Eliot’s Hollow Men, a haunted chant of “this is the way the world ends” that gives way to a sonic assault over a crushing rhythm. Lyrically the track is quite literally an introduction to the themes of the record and the idea of paying for the “sins of your domain,” as in the things you stood idly by and allowed to happen for the sake of your own comfort.
Watch WIELDED STEEL’s video for “In The Line Of Fire” HERE. Stream the track HERE.
Guitarist Michael Carpenter cranks the volume up on songs like the title track, “Your Words Mean Nothing,” and today’s single, “In The Line Of Fire (Feat. Blaythe SteuerofNo Cure),” each boasting stripped down technical riffs that mutate into intricate rhythms that don’t let up.
“In the Line Of Fire’ is just about using the people you hate for target practice,” explained Clark. “Blaythe of No Cure is featured and he fits really well with the metallic vibe of this song. His energy was perfectly suited for the big build up in the middle of the track.”
Watch the band’s previously released video for “Your Words Mean Nothing” HERE.
Sins Of Your Domain was produced, mixed, and mastered by Kevin Langley and will be released on CD, LP, and digital formats.
In The Line Of Fire (Feat. Blaythe Steuer of No Cure)
Sins Of Your Domain (Feat. Jason Fraizer of Corpse Pile)
Perpetual Hell (Feat. Nate Snitchler of Rejoice)
Die By The Steel (Feat. Zebulon McMillan of Brass Tongue)
Fabricated Integrity
Martyr
WIELDED STEEL Live w/ Dysmorphia: 3/22/2026 Mad Malt’s – Huntsville, AL 3/23/2026 Mosey’s – Panama City, FL 3/24/2026 Skatepark Of Tampa – Tampa, FL 3/25/2026 Central Florida Skatepark – Orlando, FL 3/26/2026 Hard Love – Jacksonville, FL 3/27/2026 The Portal – Savannah, GA 3/28/2026 New Brookland Tavern – Columbia, SC 3/29/2026 The Shop – Atlanta, GA ** no Dysmorphia
WIELDED STEEL: Jesse Clark – vocals Cyrus Patel – drums Michael Carpenter – guitar CJ Moore – bass
Boston-based progressive death metal band GRAVEBORN are set to return this spring with the release of their fifth full-length album Metempsychosis.
In the five years since the release of 2021’s Transmigrator, GRAVEBORN has been meticulously crafting their newest magnum opus – an 11-track concept album about continuity in the face of collapse.
Throughout the course of Metempsychosis, GRAVEBORN challenges themselves and the listener to stare into an internal and external abyss. Moving from inner psychological fracture to societal and species-wide decline, the album rejects narratives of tragedy or triumph, treating destruction as a necessary mechanism of transmission. Metempsychosis asks one question and refuses to soften the answer- what remains when everything else is gone?
Hear part of this journey with the album’s new single and final track, “Orthologs.” Watch the lyric video now at youtu.be/rdi995yM6pw.
Photo Credit: Totem Coast Photography
Reggie Lewis – Bass Jesse Blanchette – Guitars Chris Ramusiewicz – Guitars John LeBlanc – Vocals Marc Brennan – Drums
Vocalist John Leblanc describes the track as the album’s closing statement – a reflection on consciousness as continuity, and the nature of self-evolution.
“‘Orthologs’ is about what survives after annihilation, not as hope, but as function. It’s evolution under pressure. Forced transformation. The essential self persists, but the form changes radically. I don’t return to who I was. I don’t heal into the old shape. I become something else because survival requires it. Like orthologous genes, the structure diverges, but the core purpose remains intact. This isn’t triumphant. It’s real. It’s not a victory lap. It’s the moment after the maw, when something still stands. Not because it’s unbroken, but because it adapted.”
This song means: continuity is not comfort. Continuity is persistence. I am changed. I am not whole. But something essential still functions, still moves forward, still exists.
Not healed. Not restored. Still here.
And that is enough.”
Stream the album’s first two singles, “Ember of Existence” and “Temporal Sands” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Formed in 2013 in Boston, MA, Graveborn serves up an ethereally heavy strain of progressive death metal. Over the last decade, they have released 4 albums Samsara (2014), Seeds Of Life (2016), The Athenaeum (2018) and Transmigrator (2021). Graveborn performed throughout the Northeast US with the likes of Fallujah, Rivers of Nihil, Cognitive, Ghost Bath, Ov Sulfur, and others. Graveborn weaves the themes of self-evolution and introspection through their lyrics, and embodies this ethos in their collaborations.
Szczecin, Poland; 26 January 2026: Hells Bells Festival has unveiled the first wave of bands for its debut edition in the heart of Szczecin in Poland. Taking place across 26-27 June 2026 at the scenic Plac Gryfitów on Łasztownia – a historic island district in Szczecin known for its iconic “Craneosaurs” (historic port cranes) and stunning views of the Oder River – the festival will deliver a mix of international legends, top domestic acts and younger new bands.
The first wave of confirmed bands is led by the absolute titans of Polish death metal, Vader. Known globally as pioneers of the genre, Piotr “Peter” Wiwczarek and his cohort return to Szczecin for a highly anticipated performance, ending a long absence from the city’s stages to deliver a set of pure carnage.
Joining them are British hardcore punk icons, Discharge. As the architects of the D-beat style and the legendary 1982 classic “Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing”, their appearance completes the “Big Three” of British punk in Szczecin, following recent visits from The Exploited and GBH.
The announcement is bolstered by two further legendary Polish names. Dezerter, the pioneers of Polish punk rock, will celebrate their 45th anniversary at the festival. Following the release of a new studio album in February 2026, fans can expect a career-spanning set ranging from foundational hits to fresh anthems.
Finally, Furia will bring their hypnotic and boundary-pushing black metal to the Łasztownia waterfront. This appearance is currently the band’s only confirmed festival set for the 2026 summer season. It follows the band’s recent, highly acclaimed “Furia gra kino” (Furia plays cinema) performances, which saw the band perform live to archival film material.
Early Bird weekend tickets are available now via the official festival website until the 9th of February or until they sell out. In addition to standard passes, the festival offers reduced rates for minors (ages 13-18) and special family tickets (for children under 13 with a guardian).
Spain’s ferocious melodic death metal act BLOODHUNTER are back with a vengeance. Following their recent signing with ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music, the band now present the first grim taste of what’s to come: their brand-new video single “The Devil’s Own”!
Forged in Galicia, BLOODHUNTER have carved out a strong position within the international extreme metal scene through uncompromising songwriting, intense live performances and a clear artistic vision. Fronted by the unmistakable Diva Satanica, the band fuse razor-sharp riffing, massive grooves and sweeping melodies with a fierce vocal attack and strong conceptual identity.
“The Devil’s Own” shows BLOODHUNTER pushing beyond familiar territory. The track blends oppressive heaviness with haunting melodic lines, creating an atmosphere that feels both brutally aggressive and eerily beautiful. It is darker, more personal and more daring than anything the band have released so far, while still hitting with unmistakable BLOODHUNTER force.
Visually, the accompanying video mirrors the song’s inner conflict and darkness, underlining the emotional weight of the track while embracing the band’s extreme-metal aesthetic.
Diva Satanica explains the intense personal background behind the song: “I wrote the lyrics while being on my last tour in South America with another band. It was a very intense period of my life when I had to take some of the hardest decisions in my career, so it speaks about that. It was one of our faves since the beginning because it’s very different from what we’ve done so far: it’s pure evil but with lots of beautiful melodies.”
After joining forces withROAR, “The Devil’s Own”serves as a first harbinger of BLOODHUNTER’s upcoming new album, which will be released in the hopefully not-too-distant future. If this single is any indication, the next record will be the band’s most fearless and uncompromising statement yet!
Mumbai, India extreme metal force GUTSLIT return with their blistering new single “I, Berzerker”, marking the band’s first release since 2023’s Carnal and the beginning of a new chapter in their relentless evolution. Released independently, the track showcases a sharpened, ferocious sound that reaffirms GUTSLIT’s position as one of the most uncompromising bands in modern death metal.
“I, Berzerker” is a raw declaration of intent. Written as a defiant response to the notion of mellowing with age, the song captures GUTSLIT at their most primal and focused. Blistering riff work, punishing rhythms, and guttural vocals collide in a tightly constructed assault that balances precision with unrestrained aggression.
The track draws inspiration from the myth of the Berzerker, the warrior consumed by battle rage, and reinterprets it as a metaphor for creative freedom. Lyrically, the song explores instinct, release, and total immersion in the act of creation. Violence and fury become symbols of purpose, expression, and identity.
“I, Berzerker” also marks an important turning point for the band. Now operating as a five piece, GUTSLIT feature the dual guitar lineup of Ishwar Hariharan and Aditya Swaminathan, bringing a renewed melodic edge and dynamic interplay to the band’s signature brutality. The core foundation remains as vicious as ever, with Aditya Barve on vocals, Gurdip SinghNarang on bass, and Aaron Pinto on drums driving the chaos forward.
Produced by GUTSLIT, the single was recorded across Gray Spark Studio for drums and Altar Studio for guitars and bass. Engineering was handled by Saurabh Lodha, with vocals engineered by Ashwin Shriyan. Mixing and mastering were completed by Mendel Bij de Liej of EX-ABORTED, delivering a crushing yet refined sonic impact. The single artwork was created by drummer Aaron Pinto, under his visual alias Kidsquidy.
About GUTSLIT:
Formed in Mumbai, India in 2007, GUTSLIT is one of the country’s most formidable extreme metal exports. With a history spanning nearly two decades, the band blend brutal death metal and grindcore with elements of thrash and punk, delivering a sound defined by precision, intensity, and relentless aggression.
GUTSLIT have toured and performed across 25 countries worldwide, appearing at major festivals including Obscene Extreme, Brutal Assault, PartySan, Summer Breeze, and Deathfeast Open Air, and sharing stages with bands such as DYING FETUS, NILE, BENIGHTED, and ABORTED. Known for their ferocious live performances and global ambition, GUTSLIT continue to push modern death metal forward without compromise.
Death metal maniacs NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS are back in full blood-drenched form with their new single, “Left To Die,” a crushing mid-tempo bruiser taken from the forthcoming EP Zombie Blood Nightmare, arriving February 20, 2026.
“Left To Die” is a straight-ahead stomp fest rooted in classic 1990s death metal, drawing clear influence from the pit-driving grooves of OBITUARY. Built on thick riffs and head-crushing momentum, the track culminates in a ripping end-of-song guitar solo from former MEGADETH shredder Jeff Young, adding a sharp flash of old-school virtuosity to the carnage.
Lyrically, “Left To Die” keeps things simple and gloriously vile. The song tells the story of being abandoned in a gore pit, surrounded by blood and guts and facing an inevitable end. No metaphors and no apologies. Blood and guts are fun.
NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS return with a fiery vengeance on Zombie Blood Nightmare, a new EP that finds the band at their most unhinged. Across six blood-soaked songs, the band pushes hard to recapture the glory days of 1990s death metal, blending horror, violence, and undead absurdity into a relentless riff-driven assault. This is NEM fully committed to terror, stupidity, and the raw spirit of the genre.
“Left To Die” serves as a blunt and bloody introduction to what Zombie Blood Nightmare delivers in full. Heavy, grotesque, and unapologetic.
Band Presales Wednesday + General On Sale This Friday!
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will return to stages this Spring on a US headlining tour. Spring Fling 2026 will commence on April 2nd in Indianapolis, Indiana and run through May 2nd in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Support will be provided by The Acacia Strain, Disembodied Tyrant, and Corpse Pile.
Comments vocalist Brian Eschbach: “This is set to be a massively heavy trek that will undoubtedly be recounted in the history textbooks for centuries to come. Don’t miss out!“
The “Blastfiend” artist presale begins January 14th at 10:00am ET where exclusive merch bundles will be available. Fans can RSVP at: soundrink.co/TBDM. General on sale date is Friday, January 16th at 10:00am ET. See all confirmed dates below.
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER w/ The Acacia Strain, Disembodied Tyrant, Corpse Pile:
4/02/2026 Vogue – Indianapolis, IN 4/03/2026 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI 4/04/2026 Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH * no Disembodied Tyrant 4/05/2026 Roxian Theatre – McKee Rocks, PA 4/07/2026 Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY 4/08/2026 Archer – Allentown, PA 4/10/2026 The Webster – Hartford, CT 4/11/2026 The Strand – Providence, RI 4/12/2026 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ 4/14/2026 The Queen – Wilmington, DE 4/15/2026 The NorVa – Norfolk, VA 4/17/2026 Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY 4/18/2026 Pop’s – Sauget, IL 4/19/2026 Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN 4/21/2026 Tower Theatre – Oklahoma City, OK 4/23/2026 Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ 4/24/2026 House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA 4/25/2026 House Of Blues – San Diego, CA 4/26/2026 UC Theater – Berkeley, CA 4/28/2026 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM 4/29/2026 Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO 5/01/2026 Capitol Theatre – Davenport IA 5/02/2026 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will be touring in support of their critically adored tenth studio album, Servitude, released in 2024 via Metal Blade Records.
Stream COSCRADH’s “Caesar’s Revelation (Hibernia L. VI V. XIV ad XVI et XXIV)” HERE.
Like a black wind rising off peatlands long left to silence, Ireland’s COSCRADH unearths their second album, Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld, wrenching up the bog-roads of the dead through dread sorcery.
An invocation of deep-rooted heritage and ancient mysticism, the album resurrects the three-thousand-year-old oaken pathways raised by warring tribes under the cold eye of the druid, toward the realm beyond life, and conjuring these vanished labors with the memory of violence itself.
Channeling the druid as both astronomer and war-seer, COSCRADH invokes Mars as the god whose red light demands sacrifice, revealing Gaelic warriors hollowing themselves into vessels and letting the fury of Goac enter and devour them for battle. Guitars flare and burn like meteors knifing the horizon, unfurling riffs rusted with ancestral power.
The blistering percussive onslaught crashes like hooves on dead earth as the band’s savage ferocity erupts like a war-cry cast into the heavens, crowned in ruinous splendor. COSCRADH fully inhabits this domain between worlds, breathing into their work the fury and spiritual force of a people who carved truths into land, sky, and grave.
photos by Dylan Ownes
A communion of druidic science and blood, ritual aggression, and linguistic resurrection, Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld compels a celestial reckoning where fate itself is flung upon the altar. Like gods that ride the firmament, COSCRADH’s cold, cruel radiance falls upon all who hear it.
The record is a cosmic execution, binding together the bygone causeways, war gods, stone idols, and star-born forces that the druids sought to harness. A vision of the night sky as a living battlement of omens, for those who would hark to the old wrathful spirits.
Stream COSCRADH’s “Caesar’s Revelation (Hibernia L. VI V. XIV ad XVI et XXIV)” on YouTube HERE and Bandcamp HERE.
Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld was created in 2025 at Sun Studios, and Studio One Temple Bar, Átha Cliath, recorded and mixed by Shauny Cads at Last Light Recordings, and mastered by Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound Studios. The cover art was handled by Stefan Todorović of Khaos Diktator Design, the layout handled by Chimère Noire Design, and photography was handled by Dylan Ownes Photography. Additionally, guest Michał “The Fall” Stępień provided ambient samples on several tracks.
COSCRADH’s savage and mystical black death metal is prime listening for fans of Teitanblood, Angelcorpse, Immortal, Absu, Black Curse, Mayhem, Beherit, Katharsis, and Cultes Des Ghoules.
With the lead single from the album, “Caesar’s Revelation (Hibernia L. VI V. XIV ad XVI et XXIV),” the band declares, “No civilisation, no Roman decorum, they’re the emperors of nothing! Hibernia.”
20 Buck Spin’s first release of 2026, Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld will be released February 20th on LP, CD, MC, and digital formats.
Preorders are live at the label webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE.
Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld Track Listing:
1. Five Fifths Awaken
2. Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld
3. Adhradh Dé Ghoac
4. Caesar’s Revelation (Hibernia L. VI V. XIV ad XVI et XXIV)
5. The Calling
6. Scythe Of Saturn
7. Badhah’s Shadows
8. Opening The Gates To Styx, Nix, Kerberos And Hydra
COSCRADH: Ciarán Ó Críodáin – guitars, vocals, lyrics Hick Ó Aodha – bass, vocals, noise Jason Keane – guitars, lead, synth Boban Burger – drums
Having toured in Europe, and across the Western US with labelmates Ascended Dead, COSCRADH is plotting new tour dates in support of the album.
Finnish blackened death metal band Karelian Warcry have worked with their third album for years and finally it sees the light of day this spring. The first bite from the album, a single “Mielen rutto” (The plague of mind) is now out.
Karelian Warcry was founded in Kouvola, Finland, in 2002. In its early stages, KW’s music leaned more distinctly towards Black Metal. Nowadays it’s influenced by other subgenres of metal as well as other types of music.
The lyrics explore themes related to war, violence and the darker sides of humanity. Each member brings their own musical roots, personal ambitions, and thematic passions into the mix, resulting in unique and recognizable sound. Wistful and haunting melodies, crushing grooves, and relentlessly driving rhythms blend with violent storytelling and poetic expression, hallmarks of Karelian Warcry’s musical identity.
Mielen rutto
Music and lyrics by Jussi Kousa, Johannes Järvinen, Matti Mikkonen, Anttipekka Heiskanen
In 2014, the band went on hiatus following the passing of vocalist-guitarist Matti Mikkonen. Although the members have scattered from their hometown of Kouvola, they have continued creating music together, both remotely and in their rehearsal chamber.
One could say Karelian Warcry never ceased to exist. And now, a bit over a decade later, they have finally completed the upcoming album, “Veripellot” — their most crushing and cohesive work to date.
Line-up: A. O. Heiskanen – Drums J. H. Järvinen – Vocals J. T. Kousa – Guitars S. P. Ukkonen – Bass
Discography: Demo ’04 (2004) Kylmä rautainen (Album, 2005) Verinen taival, päättymätön tie (Album, 2010) Minun aikani (Single, 2020)
Best known for their destructive death metal, KATAKLYSM‘s Maurizio Iacono joins Chef Brian Tsao at Mission Sandwich Social in Brooklyn, NY, to craft the most menacing heavy metal sandwich. Drawing inspiration from Maurizio’s Italian heritage and from Salt Bae, the result is a fiery offering, best enjoyed with a beer and KATAKLYSM‘s brutal sound.
Chef Brian Tsao is best known for winning “Beat Bobby Flay” and leading the kitchen of Mission Sandwich Social, alongside his YouTube channel. Tsao has also appeared on numerous other programs including Good Day New York, CBS This Morning, Food Network’s “Chopped” & hosted Metal Injection’s “Taste of Metal”. Away from the kitchen, Tsao is the lead guitarist and bandleader of the metalcore act LOSS BECOMES.
The juggernaut from Montreal will soon be unleashing their devasting death metal on audiences across Europe, joined by VADER and BLOOD RED THRONE for the Freedom Or Death Tour 2026. The onslaught begins on February 18th, in Paris, France. Get your tickets HERE.
KATAKLYSM:
Maurizio Iacono – Vocals
Jean-François Dagenais – Guitars
James Payne – Drums
Stéphane Barbe – Bass
KATAKLYSM – FREEDOM OR DEATH TOUR 2026 w/ VADER and BLOOD RED THRONE:
🗓️ 18.02.2026 (FR) PARIS – La Machine du Moulin Rouge 🗓️ 20.02.2026 (GB) WOLVERHAMPTON – KK’s Steel Mill 🗓️ 21.02.2026 (GB) GLASGOW – Slay 🗓️ 22.02.2026 (GB) MANCHESTER – Academy 2 🗓️ 23.02.2026 (GB) LONDON – O2 Academy Islington 🗓️ 25.02.2026 (FR) RENNES – L’Etage 🗓️ 26.02.2026 (FR) TOULOUSE – Le Bikini 🗓️ 27.02.2026 (ES) MADRID – Sala Mon 🗓️ 28.02.2026 (ES) PAMPLONA – Sala Totem 🗓️ 01.03.2026 (ES) BARCELONA – Razzmatazz 2 🗓️ 03.03.2026 (CH) GENEVE – L’Usine 🗓️ 04.03.2026 (IT) MILAN – Legend Club 🗓️ 05.03.2026 (SI) LJUBLJANA – Kino Siska 🗓️ 06.03.2026 (CZ) BRNO – Fleda 🗓️ 07.03.2026 (SK) KOSICE – Colloseum 🗓️ 08.03.2026 (HU) BUDAPEST – Barba Negra Blue Stage 🗓️ 10.03.2026 (AT) VIENNA – SimmCity 🗓️ 11.03.2026 (DE) MUNICH – Backstage Werk 🗓️ 12.03.2026 (DE) HEIDELBERG – Halle 02 🗓️ 13.03.2026 (DE) MEMMINGEN – Kaminwerk 🗓️ 14.03.2026 (CH) PRATTELN – Z7 🗓️ 15.03.2026 (DE) TRIER – Forum 🗓️ 17.03.2026 (BE) ANTWERP – Trix 🗓️ 18.03.2026 (DE) HAMBURG – Markthalle 🗓️ 19.03.2026 (DK) COPENHAGEN – Pumpehuset 🗓️ 20.03.2026 (DE) BERLIN – Festsaal Kreuzberg 🗓️ 21.03.2026 (DE) LEIPZIG – Hellraiser 🗓️ 22.03.2026 (DE) BOCHUM – Zeche 🗓️ 24.03.2026 (DE) FRANKFURT – Batschkapp 🗓️ 25.03.2026 (DE) BRAUNSCHWEIG – Westand 🗓️ 26.03.2026 (NL) LEIDEN – Gebr. De Nobel 🗓️ 27.03.2026 (DE) BAMBERG – Brose Arena
Rising extreme metal acts to compete for a slot at Offal Fest 2026, with the winner decided by fan voting
Heat 1 takes place on 8th February, Heat 2 on 22 February with the final date to be announced with a surprise headliner
Rancid Offal Promotions, the organisers behind events such as Offal Fest and Goremageddon, have launched a brand-new showcase series designed to spotlight the next generation of extreme metal talent and provide one emerging act with the opportunity to open Offal Fest 2026.
This competition invites fans to play a direct role in the festival’s curation, as attendees at each heat will be responsible for voting for their favourite bands to determine who progresses to the final stage. The showcase series is built on a commitment to supporting the local scene and rising international talent, ensuring the festival’s opening slot is earned through pure live intensity and crowd support.
The competition begins with Heat 1 on 8th February 2026, which features a heavy-hitting billing including Vast Slug,World War Three, Erectomy andMindhold.
This will be followed quickly by Heat 2 on 22nd February 2026, where Combat Evolved, Dushman, 12 Gauge Autopsy and War Bastard will take to the stage to compete for their place in the final.
Organizers have emphasised that every single vote matters and have encouraged the community to turn out in force to support these rising acts. While the dates for the preliminary rounds are now set, the date for the final will be announced in due course and is set to feature a surprise guest headliner to close out the competition.
“We are so stoked to give these bands a real shot at opening the big stage next year,” says the team at Rancid Offal Promotions. “The scene is absolutely crawling with talent right now, and letting the fans decide who gets onto the Offal Fest bill feels like the best way to keep things authentic. Make sure you get down to the heats and vote, because your voice is literally what puts these guys on the poster for July.“
Tickets for the showcase heats are available now and can be purchased through the official competition website at https://battleoftheslams.com/. Further details regarding the surprise headliner and the final date will be released via social media channels in the coming months.
Dedicated to the most extreme facets of gore, grind, slam, and brutal death metal, Offal Fest has solidified its status as a vital fixture in the international metal calendar following its sold-out 2025 edition. The 2026 festival, scheduled for 24-26 July at its new Manchester home, The Bread Shed, will be headlined by two major UK-exclusive performances from genre pioneers Devourment and Ohio powerhouse Regurgitation, the latter making their debut appearance on UK soil.
The comprehensive lineup features a global roster including New York legends Immortal Suffering, Japan’s ButcherABC, and Korea’s Fecundation, alongside a formidable domestic contingent headlined by the “wobble-box” specialists Crepitation and the official reunion of Infected Disarray.
Bolstered by further international talent such as GutturalSlug, Unbirth and DarkallSlaves, Offal Fest 2026 aims to build upon the momentum of previous years, which saw exclusive sets from acts such as Skinless and Wormed, to provide a definitive weekend of brutality for the global extreme music community.
Maltese death metallers BOUND TO PREVAIL have unveiled the title track from their upcoming debut full-length album, “Enthroned in Torment”, now available as a new single. The song offers a further insight into the band’s approach, built on compact, forceful riffing and a dynamic balance between aggression and structure. Enthroned in Torment is set for release on January 7th, 2026 via Lethal Scissor Records.
The record is a powerful rediscovery and reinterpretation of the early 2000s death metal vein, blending old-school brutality with a modern edge. Drawing on the technical ferocity of old masters like Suffocation and Monstrosity, as well as the more extreme, yet precise, pummeling approaches of Beheaded, Hour of Penance and Inveracity, the album delivers tracks that are simultaneously tense, technical and fluid, giving every riff room to breathe and strike with maximum impact.
Enthroned in Torment fuses the relentless aggression of classic death metal with contemporary clarity and production, creating a sound that honors the past while feeling undeniably current. Crushing drumming, thunderous bass, and razor-sharp guitars intertwine with menacing vocals to forge an unrelenting wall of sound. The album explores the morbid tension between malevolence and benevolence, set in a chaotic realm shaped by false beliefs and deceitful ambitions.
Track list:
01. The Nevergod 02. Into the Depths 03. Defier of Empires 04. Consecrated Perdition 05. Atone in Blasphemy 06. Dawn of Emptiness 07. Tomb of the Graveless 08. Enthroned in Torment
With this debut, BOUND TO PREVAIL stake their claim in European death metal, offering a masterful balance of old-school intensity and modern precision that will captivate fans of both eras.
Album line-up:
Keith Fenech – guitars Kevin Mifsud – bass Alan Briffa – vocals Jean Vella – guitars Mark Farrugia Sant’Angelo – drums
Current band line-up:
Keith Fenech – guitars Kevin Mifsud – bass Alan Briffa – vocals Mark Farrugia Sant’Angelo – drums
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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