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
Hungarian speed maniacs TÜRBÖWITCH have officially signed with Time To Kill Records for the release of their third full-length album, scheduled to see the light in the first half of 2026. The agreement marks a new and decisive step forward for the Budapest-based band, whose uncompromising attitude and relentless live energy have steadily earned them a strong reputation within the European underground.
The upcoming record promises to be a concentrated blast of massive riffs and instinctive urgency, pushing TÜRBÖWITCH’s sound to its most focused and ferocious form to date. Rooted in blackened speed-thrash, the album blends the raw savagery and punk-fueled aggression of acts like Midnight, the sharp thrash precision of The Crown, and the dark, melodic drive of Hellripper, while maintaining a clearly identifiable personality. Melodic accents punctuate the chaos, adding depth and character without dulling the band’s visceral impact.
Faithful to their no-compromise ethos, TÜRBÖWITCH channel the spirit of ’80s extreme metal through a modern sense of immediacy, delivering songs that are fast, filthy, and built for maximum impact. With Time To Kill Records now backing the release, the band are poised to bring their unholy speed assault to a broader audience, while remaining firmly rooted in the reckless intensity that has defined them since day one.
Biography:
TÜRBÖWITCH was born in 2016 in Budapest, founded by vocalist Zslöd and guitarist Kommandante Klit as a raw, no-frills tribute to the sonic fury and visual madness of ’80s extreme metal. What started as a fun side project between longtime friends quickly evolved into a far more focused and dedicated band, without ever losing its unfiltered energy and love for chaos.
Over time, TÜRBÖWITCH grew into a full-fledged live five-piece. Their discography began with a demo in 2016, followed by the debut full-length “Napalm to Posers” (2017), the EP “Beyond the Last Call” (2018), and their second album “Fullmoon Liquorthropy”, released in late 2022.
Their momentum reached a new peak in June 2024, when they won the Wacken Metal Battle Hungary finals, earning a coveted slot at the legendary Wacken Open Air in August 2024, where they unleashed their sonic assault on the world’s biggest metal festival stage.
In March 2025, TÜRBÖWITCH hit the road with Swedish heavy metal titans Enforcer, taking their explosive live energy to even wider European audiences.
Brooklyn’s crust smeared death metal unit ANTI-SAPIEN return with their new single “D.E.A.D.”, a track that highlights the band’s punk, hardcore and crust influences. Built on a mosh friendly intro, a fast d-beat verse and sharp higher register vocals, “D.E.A.D.” taps into the band’s love of filthy crust and NYDM style slam riffs. The song breaks away into a vicious party slam section complete with vintage 808 bass drops, showcasing the band’s ability to merge primitive heaviness with energetic hooks.
“D.E.A.D.” stands for “Do Everything All Day”, an acronym coined by a longtime friend of Blake over twenty years ago. The song’s theme reflects the idea that too much of life is wasted on worry, stagnation and unfulfilling obligations. ANTI-SAPIEN use the track to champion a philosophy of living fully and deliberately, honoring the dreams of loved ones who are no longer here and refusing to get caught in cycles of empty distraction.
The band notes that “D.E.A.D.” has quickly become one of their strongest live songs. Audiences respond instantly to the opening mosh part, and the track’s position as the start of Side B of the upcoming EP is intentional. Written with a side A and side B mindset, the song is meant to reintroduce listeners with a surge of energy and leave them wanting more as it barrels into a double bass driven solo and breakdown finale.
The EP At the Mercy of the Merciless arrives January 16 on Terminus Hate City. It is the second official recording from ANTI-SAPIEN and continues the band’s growth as purveyors of crust smeared death metal. The members bring decades of experience across grind, death metal and classic metal projects and write specifically to support the unique tone set at the band’s inception: fun and catchy, but grimy, sweaty and raw.
At The Mercy of the Merciless Track list:
Old Drugs
Eater Of Ghosts
D.E.A.D.
At The Mercy Of The Merciless
Grinding The System
George Washington’s Teeth
Written throughout their touring schedule, the EP reflects the band’s evolution into more complex riffing and structures while preserving the primitive, oozing character that defines their sound. Pre-orders are available HERE.
ANTI-SAPIEN:
Blake Charlton – Guitar and Lead Vocals Alex Fewell – Drums Ryan Murphy – Bass and Backup Vocals Nathan Rand – Lead Guitar
German progressive death metal masters, OBSCURA, are set to return to the U.S. this spring for the ‘Stardust Tour.’ The 18-date run begins on March 15th at the legendary Whisky-A-Go-Go in Hollywood, includes key stops in Austin, Philadelphia, and Detroit, and concludes on April 3rd in Roseville, CA. They will be joined by ALLEGAEON, COGNITIVE, and CRYPTOSIS.
Tickets for the tour will be available on Friday, December 19th at 10:00 PST.
Confirmed dates for OBSCURA‘s ‘Stardust’ US 2026 tour with ALLEGAEON, COGNITIVE, and CRYPTOSIS are:
03.13.2026 USA Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky-A-Go-Go 03.14.2026 USA Tucson, AZ @ The Rock 03.15.2026 USA El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill 03.16.2026 USA Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live 03.17.2026 USA Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Collective 03.18.2026 USA Haltom City, TX @ Haltom Theater 03.23.2026 USA Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts 03.24.2026 USA Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows 03.25.2026 USA Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom 03.26.2026 USA Rochester, NY @ Photo City Music All 03.27.2026 USA Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge 03.28.2026 USA Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary 03.29.2026 USA Joilet, IL @ The Forge 03.30.2026 USA Kansas City, MO @ Warehouse On Broadway 03.31.2026 USA Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep 04.01.2026 USA Salt Late City, UT @ Aces High Saloon 04.02.2026 USA Reno, NV @ Club Underground 04.03.2026 USA Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
A double-dose of Blade smackin’ you ALL UP with 200 Stab Wounds and INGESTED alongside a stacked lineup with the likes of Thy Art Is Murder, Bodysnatcher, Carnifex, Gates to Hell and Bodybox!
General tickets on sale this Friday at 10AM local time.
5/2 Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren 5/3 Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater 5/5 San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Event Center 5/6 Houston, TX @ House of Blues 5/8 Nashville, TX @ Brooklyn Bowl 5/10 Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome To Rockville* 5/12 Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore 5/13 Baltimore, MD @ Nevermore Hall 5/14 Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple* 5/15 Reading, PA @ Reverb 5/16 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium* 5/17 Brooklyn, NY @ The Brooklyn Monarch 5/19 Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre 5/20 Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom 5/22 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre 5/23 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Rockwell 5/24 Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall 5/26 Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo 5/27 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater 5/29 Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre 5/30 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern 5/31 Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
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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