New Jersey Thrash Metal quartet, Condition Critical, are set to release their third full-length album (and first since 2016’s Operational Hazard). Their most intense and complete effort to date, Degeneration Chamber will be released on September 5th.
A music video for the album’s first single, “Cryonic Intestinal Preservation,” is available at: youtu.be/dl3Oj-GUpHI
Unapologetically true to their roots, the new album pushes the band’s sound to new extremes. It is heavier, faster, slower, and more technically unrelenting. Every track is sharpened for maximum impact, delivering a refined yet feral evolution of their signature thrash assault.
This is not just another record, it’s the definitive Condition Critical statement: uncompromising, chaotic, and forged in pure aggression.
FFO: Slayer, Demolition Hammer, Vio-lence, Kreator, Exodus, Devastation and Pestilence.
Track Listing:
Wretched Aggression
Deconstructive Horrors
Cranial Dissolution
Hydroponic Mutation
Postmortal Simulation
Psychological Epidemic
Incubation Disposal
Cryonic Intestinal Preservation
Excarnation
Credits:
Mixed & Mastered by Mike Low. Guitars & Bass engineered by Tony Barhoum. Drums engineered by James Suprenant & Big Goon Studios. Vocals engineered by Apollo. Artwork by Andrei Bouzikov. CD Layout design by Tom Martin. All music written and produced by Condition Critical.
Photo Credit: Aura
Line-Up:
Ryan Taylor – Vocals / Guitar Tony Barhoum – Lead Guitar Mike Dreher – Bass Ryan Donato – Drums
BIO:
Formed in 2010, Condition Critical delivers high-intensity, no-bullshit thrash metal in the tradition of the genre’s most violent pioneers. Described as “a literal war of sound that attacks you with deadly perfection” (New Wave of Thrash Zine), they’ve built a reputation on relentless riffage, vicious stage presence, and tours across the U.S., Europe, and Russia.
They’ve shared stages with notable acts such as Obituary, Demolition Hammer, Napalm Death, Morbid Saint, Revocation, and Havok.
Ohio’s thrash torchbearers VINDICATOR are gearing up for the release of Whispers of Death, the band’s fifth and most destructive full-length album.
Known for their firebranded approach to songwriting and relentless energy, VINDICATOR delivers an album true to their roots. This is raw, aggressive thrash. No filler, no compromise and no bullshit. Thrash or be thrashed.
VINDICATOR has shared a stream of the album’s first single, the aptly titled “Thirst for Violence.” The band comments on the song, “Thirst for Violence is, as the song title implies, a song about absolute destruction helmed by a race of creatures who are fanatical about killing. While not related to current events, it’s a fitting theme for man.”
Whispers of Death is set for release on August 22 on CD and digital formats. Pre-order the album at: vindicator.bandcamp.com.
The album follows acclaimed releases like United We Fall (2012) and Communal Decay (2021), and shows the band at their most focused and intense.
Line-up:
M. Law – Vocals V. Stown – Rhythm Guitars/Backing Vocals B. Zahn – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals E. Stephens – Bass G. Monturi – Drums
VINDICATOR will strike out on a four-city trek in support of Whispers of Death with Indiana thrashers Graveripper.
The Whispering Death tour dates are as follows:
August 28 @ The Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH August 29 @ The Hidden Gem – Dayton, OH August 30 @ Helltown Brewing – Mt. Pleasant, PA August 31 @ State Street Pub – Indianapolis, IN
Whispers of Death tracklist:
1. Whispers of Death… Anxiety’s Grip
2. Charnel Pastures
3. Thirst for Violence
4. Your World Dies in Flame
5. Exhaustion
6. Novocain
7. Bleed Between the Lines
8. Merry Evenings Make Sad Mournings
9. Battle Box
10. Abominable Intelligence
11. Ripper Attack
12. Obsoletion Complete
The album was produced by Vindicator and Ben Bennett, and engineered and mastered by Ben Bennett at Chop Daddy Ranch in Seattle, WA. Album art by Frank Walls.
June 24, 2025 – Between the Buried and Me embark on an extensive North American tour on Sept. 14, just two days after the release of their eagerly awaited new album, The Blue Nowhere (Sept. 12, InsideOutMusic).
The six-week trek is a co-headlining run with Hail The Sun, featuring openers Delta Sleep (Sept. 22-October 30) and The World Is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die (Sept. 14-21). Tickets are on-sale this Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. local time. Ticketing links are available via: Betweentheburiedandme.com.
“It is with great thrill and anticipation that we’re finally able to announce that we will be hitting the road this fall in support of our brand new album, The Blue Nowhere,” shares guitarist Paul Waggoner. “We always embrace the opportunity to perform for our amazing fans, particularly when we have new music floating around out there!”
Between the Buried and Me and Hail The Sun tour dates:
September 14 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer September 15 Boston, MA Royale September 16 Ottawa, ON The Bronson September 18 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall September 19 Montreal, QC Théâtre Beanfield September 20 Portland, ME Aura September 21 Albany, NY Empire Live September 22 New York, NY Warsaw September 23 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom September 25 Raleigh, NC The Ritz September 26 Charleston, SC Music Farm September 27 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade September 29 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Culture Room September 30 Orlando, FL House of Blues October 1 New Orleans, LA The Joy Theater October 2 Houston, TX Warehouse Live October 3 San Antonio, TX Kill Iconic Fest October 4 Dallas, TX Granada Theater October 7 Phoenix, AZ The Nile Theater October 8 Riverside, CA Riverside Municipal Auditorium October 9 Las Vegas, NV 24 Oxford October 10 San Francisco, CA August Hall October 12 Portland, OR Revolution Hall October 13 Seattle, WA The Crocodile October 14 Vancouver, BC The Pearl October 16 Edmonton, AB Union Hall October 17 Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall October 19 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory October 20 Boise, ID Knitting Factory October 21 Bozeman, MT The ELM October 22 Missoula, MT The Wilma October 24 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall October 25 Wichita, KS TempleLive October 26 Des Moines, IA Wooly’s October 27 Chicago, IL The Vic Theatre October 28 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall October 29 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl October 30 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
July 30 – August 17: Performing Colors in its entirety
September 27-October 30: Co-headlining dates with Hail The Sun
Between the Buried and Me announced the Sept. 12 release of The Blue Nowhere, the GRAMMY®-nominated band’s eleventh studio album, and their first new music in four years. The album news arrived alongside the release of “Things We Tell Ourselves In The Dark” and its accompanying video, which explores the 3D-modeled hotel that is The Blue Nowhere.
Discussing the direction of The Blue Nowhere, vocalist Tommy Rogers explains: “It’s more of a feeling, those moments when you feel alone in the world and you’re reflecting, and in that process you’re finding out new things about yourself and your place in the world. Existing in a space where nobody can find you, as you’re hidden from all forms of reality. That’s The Blue Nowhere.”
Photo credit: Randy Edwards
Between the Buried and Me: Tommy Rogers (vocals/keys), Paul Waggoner (guitars), Dan Briggs (bass/keys), and Blake Richardson (drums).
Produced by longtime collaborator Jamie King, The Blue Nowhere is the first Between the Buried and Me album to feature an extensive string and horn section. It is available as a Special Edition CD, Gatefold 2LP, and digitally. A Deluxe Gatefold Special Colored 2LP + 2CD edition includes a bonus track on Side D, the full album and instrumentals across 2CDs, an exclusive door-hanger, and alternate artwork. Pre-orders are available now at:Betweentheburiedandme.com
Between the Buried and Me tour dates:
July 30 Istanbul, TR IF Performance Hall July 31 Râşnov, RO Rockstadt Extreme Fest August 1 Budapest, HU Monolit Festival 2025 August 2 Wien, AT Szene * August 3 München, DE Free & Easy Festival August 4 Berlin, DE Hole44 August 5 Katowice, PL Miçdzynarodowe Centrum Kongresowe August 6 – 7 Jaroměř, CZ Brutal Assault 2025 August 9 Kortrijk, BE Alcatraz Metal Festival August 10 Utrecht, NL Pandora August 11 Tilburg, NL 013 Next Stage August 12 Köln, DE Luxor August 14 Dinkelsbühl, DE Summer Breeze August 15 – 16 Compton Martin, UK ArcTanGent August 17 Carhaix-Plouguer, FR Festival Motocultor
RECORRUPTOR have unleashed “Bearing the Befouled Spawn”, the second single from their forthcoming album Sorrow Will Drown Us All, due out July 18th, 2025, via Time To Kill Records.
With this new track, the Michigan based death metal unit doubles down on the crushing weight and surgical precision that define their sound. “Bearing the Befouled Spawn” is a relentless assault – dark and sharpened to a lethal point, showcasing the band’s evolved approach to brutality and atmosphere. Fuelled by blistering riffing and unyielding aggression, the single offers a punishing glimpse into the abyss RECORRUPTOR are prepared to drag listeners through.
Stream “Bearing the Befouled Spawn” now and witness the next chapter in their descent.
“‘Bearing the Befouled Spawn’ is Recorruptor’s sick and twisted tale of a most vile, disgusting birth – a woman forced to birth a vicious, man-eating hellspawn that wreaks havoc upon the unsuspecting public. A conscious, spiteful nod to the current climate of Christian ideologies sending the world into a downwards spiral, so too does this fictitious public face an ultimate doom as a result of their religious beliefs”.
Track-list:
1. Bathe in the Ashes of Heaven 2. Sorrow Will Drown Us All 3. Bearing the Befouled Spawn 4. Within the Vault 5. Urn of Verglas 6. Envenoming 7. An Unnatural Lust 8. Devoured by Centipedes 9. Insidious Rot 10. Putrid Aberration of Malevolent Divinity 11. Death at the Hands of His Image 12. Scourge of Prometheus (Ft. Enrico H. Di Lorenzo of Hideous Divinity)
New Album – Devouring Darkness- Out Now and Streaming
In support of their newest album, Devouring Darkness, death metal horde UNMERCIFUL will make an appearance at the Big Island Metal Bash 2 in Hilo, Hawaii. The Topeka, KS-based band will headline the second date of the fest, which also features Pessimist, The Behest of Serpents, and more.
The Big Island Metal Bash 2 will take place at Hilo Town Market in Hilo, HI on October 11-12. For details and tickets, visit this location.
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.
Devouring Darkness sees the return of longtime member Jeremy Turner to guitar and introduces Josh Riley as the band’s new vocalist, further intensifying the group’s punishing sound.
The album was engineered and produced by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, with mastering handled by the legendary Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, etc.). Artwork by Santiago Francisco Jaramillo.
UNMERCIFUL is seeking a bassist for live performances and/or a permanent position. Serious inquiries only. Contact the band for details.
UNMERCIFUL: Clinton Appelhanz – Guitars/Bass Jeremy Turner – Guitars/Bass Trynt Kelly – Drums Josh Riley – Vocals
Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the signing of Canadian death metal upstarts LAST RETCH for the release of their second full-length album.
Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, LAST RETCH have been hard at work crafting a new chapter that promises to command the attention of underground death metal fans worldwide. Blending the bulldozer-like march of war masters Bolt Thrower with the bone-crushing stomp of Cannibal Corpse at their most muscular, the band has forged a sound that’s primed for the chaos of the pit and the raw aggression of the genre’s most punishing traditions.
The new album stands as a testament to LAST RETCH’s dedication to relentless riffing and unflinching heaviness. Details and the first single will be revealed soon, stay tuned!
Line-up:
Finlay Blakelock – Vocals Matt Fyke – Bass Spencer Robson – Drums Derek Brzozowski – Guitar John Russell – Guitar
Biography:
LAST RETCH first made their mark in early 2021 with a well-received demo that captured their raw, unfiltered sound and quickly drew the attention of underground death metal fans.
In September 2022, LAST RETCH released their debut full-length album, Sadism and Severed Heads” – a savage collection of nine tracks that pushed their sound to new levels of intensity and featured cover artwork by renowned painter Paolo Girardi. Building on this momentum, the band released the Ergotism EP in April 2024, showcasing their evolution with a tighter, even more aggressive sound.
LAST RETCH continues to refine their approach to death metal, never shying away from brutality while adding new layers of depth and atmosphere to their music.
Rome (IT) – Willowtip Records has unleashed Catechesis, the debut full-length album from Blackened Death Metal horde, PATRISTIC! The album is available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats. Click to stream/purchase below!
Born of the ashes of Roman Empire, pagan lust for life and philosophical opulence, then demeaned and mortified by the fathers of the one true god. Centuries lasting like the last dream before awakening. PATRISTIC is the soundtrack of the age of quiet chaos between the classic world, paganism and the impending shadow of the cross.
The band’s name and concept comes from Patristics which is the study of the early Christian writers who are designated Church Fathers. The period is generally considered to run from the end of New Testament times or end of the Apostolic Age (c. AD 100) to either AD 451 (the date of the Council of Chalcedon) or to the Second Council of Nicaea in 787.
The Denver-based genre fusing metal quartet CRONOS COMPULSION is preparing to unveil their obliterating chaos in their forthcoming album Lawgiver. Known for their crushing riffs, frenzied rhythms, and a genre-defying blend of death-doom, chaotic metal, and noise-laced breakdowns, CRONOS COMPULSION is ready with a new line-up to enter their next chapter. The first single and title track “Lawgiver” is available now.
Lawgiver, CRONOS COMPULSION‘s debut album, has been several years in the making and features a revised track from 2021’s Cursed and Decaying EP, “Neolithic Meditations,” and eight other tracks of all-new material. “We’ve been playing these songs live for quite some time now so we’ve managed to distill this down into what we think is a solid first full-length”, says vocalist and guitarist Wil Wilson.
The album, set for release on July 11th on digital, CD and LP via Avantgarde Music death metal division Unorthodox Emanations, is a scathing critique of late-stage capitalism as well as humanity’s basest instincts.
Tonic Breed’s new single “Anew” features Grammy winning drummer Chris Adler, in what frontman Patrik K. Svendsen calls the most Lamb of God-style drumming he’s heard from Adler since his days in the band.
Tonic Breed, the metal project led by Norwegian musician Patrik K. Svendsen, is set to release its highly anticipated new single, “Anew,” on June 19, 2025. This high-octane track features Chris Adler, the iconic drummer of Lamb of God, lending his blistering rhythms to the song. The collaboration is expected to set the metal world on fire as Tonic Breed blends its signature thrash sound with Adler‘s unmatched drumming prowess. The song was also mixed and mastered by acclaimed producer Machine, who also handled Lamb of God’s “Ashes of the Wake” and “Sacrament”.
Chris Adler comments:
“I was quite curious when I got an email and some riffs from Patrik. He’s done some cool shit and I was flattered to be on his radar… I researched it for a minute and agreed. We did have to take a minute to both feel good about what this would be, meaning I beat up his song like a fucking Rocky movie but I knew it had the parts and strength. It’s been a privilege to work with Patrik. Humbling. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it.”
Svendensen adds:
“I originally sent over a rough demo of the song, a storm of riffs strung together with placeholder drums and a suggested structure. We worked together on a new structure for the song, and Chris took the lead on shaping it into something far more unique and effective than my original draft. To me, this is the most Lamb of God style drumming I’ve heard from Chris since he was in Lamb of God. I’m sure some metal guitarists would kill to hear Chris Adler’s drumming behind their riffs, I’ve been lucky enough to experience that firsthand.”
“Anew” will be available for streaming across all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, on June 19th, 2025. The release of “Anew” marks a new milestone in the band’s career, as they prepare for their upcoming album, which promises more collaborations and even more explosive metal tracks to follow past high-profile collaborations, which already include Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam).
About Tonic Breed: Tonic Breed is a Norwegian thrash and heavy metal one-man music project by Patrik K. Svendsen. Until 2019, Tonic Breed was originally a four-piece band, established in Sarpsborg, Norway, in 2006. As of 2022, Tonic Breed has released three albums and one EP. Today, Tonic Breed is constantly reinventing itself in songwriting and guest collaborations.
About Chris Adler: Chris Adler is a world-renowned drummer and founding member of the legendary American heavy metal band Lamb of God. With a career spanning decades, Adler is recognized for his technical precision, groundbreaking style, and massive influence on the heavy metal genre.
London (UK) – Blackened Death Metallers, Cult Burial, will release Collapse of Pattern, Reverence of Dust, onSeptember 5. Following two highly regarded albums, Cult Burial‘s forthcoming third release is unquestionably its finest work to date.
The album’s first single, “Collapse,” will be released June 27 on all digital platforms. Album pre-orders will be available on the same day.
Collapse of Pattern, Reverence of Dust is a record about erosion — of structures, of certainty, of meaning. Across eight tracks, Cult Burial tears through the frameworks we cling to, carving out something that sits between aggression and despair, weight and absence. The music is dense and layered, yet unafraid of space; at times claustrophobic, at others stripped to bare wire and exposed edge.
Cult Burial‘s music is a confluence of black, death, and doom metal, characterized by dissonant guitar work, relentless drumming, and guttural vocals. Their compositions often explore themes of existentialism, decay, and the human psyche, creating a soundscape that is both oppressive and thought-provoking.
Line-up:
Simon Langford – Music César Moreira – Vocals
Despite being a relatively new entity, Cult Burial has garnered attention from various metal publications and blogs, earning praise for their authentic approach to extreme metal and their ability to evoke a profound emotional response through their music.
Track Listing:
1. Vincula
2. Collapse
3. Aether
4. Mire
5. Enthrall
6. Beseech
7. Vestige
8. Seethe
Mixed by Greg Dawson at BWC Studios. Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. Artwork by Legerdemain.
Haarlem (NL) – Thorndale, the Netherlands based stoner/doom metal powerhouse, Thorndale, is thrilled to announce the September 12release of their sophomore album, Spiritual Chains. A music video for the album’s first single, “Veins of the Phoenix“, is available at youtu.be/jQvSLVMMjv8.
“Veins of the Phoenix” is also available on Bandcamp. The single will be available on all other digital platforms soon.
This highly anticipated follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2024 debut, Lightning Spawn, promises a darker and more mature sound, showcasing the band’s evolving artistry and the addition of a second guitar player to their lineup.
Comprised of seasoned musicians from notable acts such as Adarrak, Killing Darlings, Embers of Oblivion, Epinikion, and Primal Charge, their unique blend of heavy, stoner, and doom metal has resonated with fans worldwide, setting the stage for Spiritual Chains to be a significant release.
Spiritual Chains was recorded across various studios in North America and Europe, a testament to Thorndale’s commitment to sonic excellence. Jeff Henson (Duel) lends his talent to the album, featuring a guest solo on the track “Exiles and Masters”. The album was mixed and mastered by Rickard Bengtsson and Stafan Karlsson at Sweetspot Studiosin Halmstad, Sweden (Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars).
Track Listing:
1 – Veins of the Phoenix 2 – Battles Fought in Vain 3 – Gods of Pain 4 – Twenty Thousand Souls 5 – Spiritual Chains 6 – Exiles and Masters
Album Credits:
Cover Art – Costin Chioreanu.
Jeff Henson – guest guitar on “Exiles and Masters”.
All music by Thorndale.
Photo credit: Gustavo Valderrama
All lyrics by Gustavo Valderrama and Zigor Munoz.
Produced by Thorndale.
Recorded locally in Austin, Texas; Scarborough, Ontario and Haarlem and Den Haag, Netherlands across 2024 and 2025.
Mixed and mastered by Rickard Bengtsson and Stafan Karlsson at Sweetspot Studios in Halmstad, Sweden.
Relapse Records is pleased to welcome Dublin-based death metallers MALTHUSIAN to its esteemed roster. The band will unearth their deathly opus, The Summoning Bell, on August 8th. In advance of the record’s release, today the band unveils a video for the title track.
Comments guitarist/vocalist MB, “We always find something… to give us the impression we exist.”
On their highly anticipated new album, MALTHUSIAN‘s fetid hallmarks are ever present: truly unforgiving, unrelenting death metal.
Watch MALTHUSIAN’s “The Summoning Bell” video, directed by Ray K Media, HERE.
The Summoning Bell will be released on 2xLP, CD, and digital formats. Find preorders at Relapse.com HERE.
Listen to “The Summoning Bell” and presave the full-length HERE.
Swirling chords and ominous cymbal swells give way to the band’s opener “Red, Waiting.” What follows is a flurry of murk and madness – blastbeats pummel against churns of distortion. The sonic atmosphere cultivated by MALTHUSIAN‘s palpable fury is suffocating; each riff carefully crafted to push and pull on the momentum behind their music. The Summoning Bell is undeniably a pitch-black take on the genre.
The Summoning Bell – Track Listing:
Isolation
Red, Waiting
Between Dens And Ruins
The Summoning Bell
The Onset Of The Death Of Man
Eroded Into Superstition
Amongst The Swarms Of Vermin
In Chaos, Exult
The Summoning Bell is a lighting of the pyre. Each of the album’s tracks explore themes of true nothingness, condemnations of superstition, and a profound descent into darkness and time. The end result is a record that seemingly reconciles with a dimming – internal and external, a true end of everything.
Photographer Credit: Kristen Semler – Album Line-up: (L-R) – Jacob Collins – Drums, Vitto Oh – Guitars, Mitchi Dimitriadis – Guitars, Adam Semler – Vocals, Eric Forget – Bass
Dysthymia Out August 1st, 2025
Canadian death metal quartet Harvested is proud to announce their new albumDysthymia, set for release on August 1st, 2025. The nine-track record showcases the band’s evolution from their 2022 demo debut, delivering a devastating blend of technical death metal, brutal death metal, and old-school stylings.
The album announcement comes alongside a music video for the record’s opening track, “Harvested”, offering fans their first glimpse into the dark psychological landscape that defines Dysthymia. The band comments on the track:
“The single represents what the band is about. The old-school death metal influences and the dark realities of mental illness put someone through a tortured experience. This was the first song we worked on for this album and played live, which set the bar for the remaining material. We realized that we were onto something special, and the sheer brute force of the track compelled us to make our current music video.”
“Harvested” maintains the brutality from the demo but shifts toward exploring the psychological aspects of mental illness rather than relying solely on gore. It’s heavier, more aggressive, and showcases the band’s musical abilities in ways they’ve never presented before.
Recorded over nearly three years, Dysthymia features the core lineup of Mitchi Dimitriadis (guitars), Adam Semler (vocals), Eric Forget (bass), and Jacob Collins (drums). The album was produced by Harvested with mixing and mastering by Joe Lyko of Darkmoon Productions, achieving a modern sound while staying rooted in the foundational elements of death metal.
Watch and listen to the first single and music video “Harvested” via its premiere on Decibel MagazineHERE.
Prepare for an onslaught of psycosmic deathgrind! NEFAS, an American cross-country collaboration, bring exactly that on debut EP, Oblation ov Obliteration! Featuring members of Cryptic Gallbladder Splatter, Bedlam of Cacophony, Teeth, and Wax People, the band is primed and ready to release the EP on June 27.
The EP’s first single, “Spiral Degradation,” is available now. Click below to stream on your platform of choice.
With seasoned experience across the technical, dissonant, and mathematical landscapes of metal, the band’s sonic statement of malicious intent, Oblation ov Obliteration, is a unique offering composed of churning death metal inspired riffs; ever shifting grooves; monstrous howls, shrieks, and yells; and the sonic representations of the undoing of reality.
FFO: Earlier works of Cephalic Carnage, Intronaut, and Gojira.
Line-up:
Erik Burkhead-Fernandez – Vocals Rusty Kennedy – Bass Rajan Davis – Guitar Alejandro Aranda – Drums
“With NEFAS, Rajan Davis and crew have crafted an eclectic array of both musical and vocal approaches, that push the boundaries of creativity and extremity further than most new bands these days; while still remaining at all times challenging, interesting and memorable. I’m super glad that Rajan finally has a proper, personal showcase of the impressive guitar/bass playing that earned him a spot playing live bass for GIGAN! Definitely listen to NEFAS as soon as ya can and enjoy!”
– Eric Hersemann (GIGAN)
Track Listing:
1. Xenomorphic
2. Spiral Degradation
3. Mindstream Transference
Credits:
Produced, engineered, and edited by Samur Khouja at Seahorse Sound Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Mixed and mastered by Erol Ulug at Bright Lights Studio.
Mystical masters of heavy metal CASTLE RATT recently announced their latest epic The Bestiary will be unleashed on September 19th via King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).
Today, the otherworldly outliers introduce fans to the protagonist in their forthcoming saga, the “Wizard.” Available for streaming now, and accompanied by an enchanting video revealed at Decibel, “WIZARD” sets an ominous and heavy tone for one of metal’s most bewitching odysseys.
Regarding the new single, Charley Ruddell (Plague Doctor) states:
“Musically, ‘WIZARD’ was a big step in a new direction for us as a band. We found ourselves collaborating more closely with each other and piecing together ideas more intricately than on previous songs. We channeled the new wave of british heavy metal; the galloping drum break and harmonized guitar leads were largely inspired by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Franco’s solo at the end, which was recorded in one take, was inspired by ‘Electric Eye.’”
Since their formation in 2019, CASTLE RAT have created a vivid labyrinth of fantasy lore led by “The Rat Queen” (AKA Riley Pinkerton). Together with “The Count,” “The Plague Doctor” and “The All-Seeing Druid,” the group has carried out countless battles against “The Rat Reaperess” with riffs, swords and spells on stages across the country.
Recorded by Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk) and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche, Restless Spirit), the band’s latest odyssey features 13 spellbinding tracks of epic carnage and mystical metal.
Commenting on the new album, The Rat Queen says:
“The Bestiary’ is a conceptual book of beasts containing a collection of mystical creatures from a world forgotten. The last remaining souls of each have been gathered and preserved by ‘The Wizard.’ Cautionary tales of each beast and The Wizard himself are woven through the power of traditional heavy metal song and spell.”
Italian melodic power metal force ALTERIUM is set to return with the brand-new EP Stormrage, further cementing the band’s place among the most promising names in the new wave of European power metal.
Stormrage, a powerful chapter that bridges their acclaimed debut Of War And Flames and their upcoming full-length work, will be released on July 25, 2025.
The EP will be available in exclusive physical formats:
Digipack CD, limited to 500 hand-numbered copies, featuring two bonus tracks
7” Vinyl, released in three colored variants, each limited to 100 hand-numbered copies
1. Stormrage 2. Sui 3. Paradise Lost (Symphony X cover) – available only on the CD version 4. Of War and Flames (Orchestral version) – available only on the CD version
To support the release, ALTERIUM will embark on a series of select shows and festivals across Europe and will make their highly anticipated US debut at the ProgPower festival in Atlanta.
This new chapter sees the band sharpening their songwriting and delivering a fresh burst of adrenaline that both longtime fans and newcomers will appreciate. Epic, melodic, and unrelentingly driven,Stormragereaffirms ALTERIUM’s mission to carry the torch of European metal with pride and power.
Featuring two brand-new singles, Stormrage continues the band’s tradition of blending agile riffs, epic atmospheres, and battle-hardened energy. With soaring vocals, blazing guitar work, and a heroic spirit running through the music, the EP captures the essence of classic power metal while pushing ALTERIUM’s sound into exciting new territory.
Upcoming Shows:
28/6/2025 – Odyssea Rock Fusion Fest (Romania) 05/7/2025 – Spluga Celtica – Campodolcino (Italy) 12/7/2025 – Festa dell’Unicorno – Vinci (Italy) 29/8/2025 – Forest Metal Festival – Bad Wörishofen (Germany) 04/9/2025 – ProgPower USA – Atlanta (USA)
There must be an undying source of inspiration, creativity and endurance where Swedish metal institution ELEINE originate from. How else would you explain non-stop touring – including their 2024/2025 debut headline run – and releasing four full-length albums, two electric and even an acoustic EP since their foundation in 2014? While they’re working on studio album no. 5, ELEINE didn’t want to let their fellowship wait even longer and therefore announce the release of a brand new EP.
Rewarding those without the band wouldn’t be what it is today – their endlessly supportive fan base – the Swedish outfit will put out We Stand United on September 5, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music, concurring with the first date of the Domination European tour which will see ELEINE enter the stages as special guests to German metal commandos PRIMAL FEAR.
The EP will comprise five tracks, featuring two unheard pieces: an intro called “Towards The Fields” as well as its title song, a future live favourite cementing the massive bonding between both band and fans, which makes the limited CD and vinyl versions of We Stand United a must-add to every ELEINE collection.
The self-produced offering was recorded at Studio Bohus in Kungälv, Sweden before ELEINE handed the new material to trusted mixing/mastering engineer Thomas “Plec” Johansson (The Panic Room Studio). With the layout finished by Madeleine, the EP’s artwork was then crafted by the band’s long-time partner Nestor Avalos alongside the front-woman.
Despite delivering brand new music, an unknown live recording is leading the way to the release of We Stand United, which once again refers to the special connection between ELEINE and their supporters.
Original members Madeleine Liljestam (vocals) and Rikard Ekberg (guitars, vocals) state: “To introduce you to our upcoming EP we chose this one live track as the first single. We feel it represents us and presents ELEINE in a setting we love and one we do very well: PERFORMING LIVE! This is ‘Never Forget’ live from Masters of Rock 2024 in the Czech Republic, and although we had just slept 1-2 hours, scorching hot sun and 50°C (122°F) on stage – we had a great show with an amazing crowd at one of the best festivals out there. We are also rising from a rough start of 2025, and we are reclaiming our lives that truly felt like under the darkest of skies. The scars are present, but ELEINE is and will always remain – alongside with our dedicated and loyal fans!”
RIVERS OF NIHIL’s eponymous fifth full-length, released on May 30th via Metal Blade Records, reaped 2.8 million Spotify streams globally and toppled Billboard charts upon its first week of release earning the #2 position on theCurrent Hard Music Albums chart, #7 on the Current Rock Albums chart, #7 on the Independent Label Albums chart, and more! See additional chart positions below.
USA – Billboard:
#2 Current Hard Music Albums
#7 Current Rock Albums
#7 Independent Label Albums
#9 Current Digital Albums
#23 Current Album Sales
Canada – Billboard:
#1 Hard Music Albums
#7 Current Digital Albums
#8 Top Current Albums
#23 LP Vinyl Sales
“It’s not just album marketing speak to say that this genuinely feels like a new era for the band,” wrote Decibel Magazine. Blabbermouth concurred crowning the offering, “one of this year’s most unmissable metal (and prog) records… RIVERS OF NIHIL are beginning to sound unstoppable,” while Metal Injection lauded a record that’s, “sonically sound, emotionally poignant, experimental in the right places.”
Rivers Of Nihil is available on CD, LP, and digital formats. Preview and purchase the record at: metalblade.com/riversofnihil.
Watch RIVERS OF NIHIL’s videos for “House Of Light,” “American Death,” and “Water & Time” HERE.
Rivers Of Nihil was created in a very “rock n’ roll” manner. “On 2021’s The Work, I wrote a lot of the record on the piano and then the band filled in the gaps,” explains guitarist Brody Uttley. “On this new record, I wanted to make sure that this stuff would hit hard live with just the four of us before adding in all of the sparkly auxiliary ‘frosting’ on top.”
Rivers Of Nihil also showcases additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone, Stephan Lopez on banjo, McFarland on cello, and a slate of other guest vocalists. Despite the fresh approach on Rivers Of Nihil, however, the album still fits neatly into the band’s discography.
RIVERS OF NIHIL is currently wrapping up a month-long North American headlining tour with support provided by Holy Fawn, Inter Arma, and Glacial Tomb. Tickets and VIP packages are available now at: https://ron.soundrink.com. See all remaining dates below.
RIVERS OF NIHIL w/ Holy Fawn, Inter Arma, Glacial Tomb [remaining dates]: 6/14/2025 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 6/15/2025 Scout Bar – Houston, TX 6/17/2025 Basement East – Nashville, TN 6/18/2025 Eulogy – Asheville, NC 6/19/2025 The Canal Club – Richmond, VA 6/20/2025 The Meadows – Brooklyn, NY 6/21/2025 Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC 6/22/2025 Lees Palace – Toronto, ON
HELLOWEEN, the legendary German metal band with 21 gold and platinum awards and over ten million records sold, will release their highly anticipated new album Giants & Monsters this August. The album, now available for pre-order, follows their self-titled #1 2021 record and promises to be the most versatile and dynamic release of their career. Mixed at the legendary Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands (IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, DEF LEPPARD etc.),Giants & Monstersreaffirms the band’s position at the pinnacle of the metal world.
Leading the charge is the album’s first single, “This Is Tokyo,” accompanied by a visual homage to Japan. The powerful, four-minute anthem features vocalists Andi Deris and Michael Kiske and delivers a chorus designed for stadium sing-alongs. The song holds personal significance for Deris: “I’ve always wanted to write this song. Japan plays a special role in my life because I had my first big successes there. I wanted to create a tribute to Japan for a while now and finally found the right lyrics. Because ‘Tokyo’ sounds better than ‘Japan,’ the city stands for a whole country that is very important to me.”
HELLOWEEN will celebrate four decades of metal mastery with a global 40th anniversary tour. The European leg begins in mid-October, with initial dates selling out quickly and additional shows in Madrid and Bochum already on sale. Featuring an ultimate set list packed with surprises, the tour will showcase the band’s unparalleled legacy and ongoing creative power.
Giants & Monsters pushes the boundaries of HELLOWEEN’s sound, thanks to the instincts of producers Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, as well as the band’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Per example, drummer Dani Löble recorded all tracks using three different drum kits to capture the perfect vibe for each song, a testament to their attention to detail and love of experimentation.
Photo credit: Mathias Bothor
L-R: Daniel Löble (drums), Michael Weikath (guitars), Markus Grosskopf (bass), Michael Kiske (vocals), Sascha Gerstner (guitars), Andi Deris (vocals), Kai Hansen (guitars, vocals)
The band’s chemistry continues to drive their success. “What keeps motivating us is the fact that we’re extremely different. It generates creative energy,” says guitarist Michael Weikath. Kai Hansen adds: “We try not to take ourselves and everything around us too seriously.”Deris sums it up: “In the end, we’re just seven guys who want to make music and enjoy the incomparable force that arises when we’re together. HELLOWEEN is way more powerful than the sum of its parts.”
With Giants & Monsters, HELLOWEEN boldly step into their fifth decade, proving once again why they remain one of the most influential and beloved bands in heavy metal.
Giants & Monsters – Track Listing: 01. Giants On The Run 02. Savior Of The World 03. A Little Is A Little Too Much 04. We Can Be Gods 05. Into The Sun 06. This Is Tokyo 07. Universe (Gravity For Hearts) 08. Hand Of God 09. Under The Moonlight 10. Majestic
August 15th will see Dutch metal frontrunners Martyr release their forthcoming studio offering entitled Dark Believer.
The album will be available on CD, Vinyl and Digital formats through the band’s label ROAR, pre-order your favorite choice of format now on: https://martyr.rpm.link/dbalbumPR
After Martyr just recently revealed their album title track, the five-piece band is now premiering a music video for their new single “Wrath of the Fallen”!
“The second single from our new album Dark Believer hits like a storm. Wrath of the Fallen doesn’t wait,it kicks in immediately with a crushing riff, pounding drums, and thunderous bass,”the band comments. “And it gets even heavier when the superb vocals tear through. From the first second to the last, it’s non-stop, punishing metal that refuses to let go. Lyrically, this track is about crawling through darkness and despair, only to rise again with rage in your heart and fire in your veins. When you’ve lost everything…When you’re surrounded by shadows… “Voices remind me I’m real.” This is the sound of the fallen fighting back. For the outcasts, the damned, the survivors, This is your battle hymn. This is Wrath of the Fallen.”
Album Track-list: 01 – Darkness Before Dawn 02 – Dark Believer 03 – Wrath of the Fallen 04 – Cemetery Symphony 05 – Insidious 06 – The Weight of Words 07 – Venoms Scent 08 – Harvest Of Souls 09 – Legions Of The Cross
MARTYR: Rop van Haren – Vocals Rick Bouwman – Guitars Justin Schut – Guitars Vinnie Wassink – Bass Elwin Molenaar – Drums
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