Finnish death metal quartet HEKATOXEN have now premiered their debut full-length Obsidian Majesty in its entirety through Death Metal Promotion, ahead of its October 2 release on Nuclear Winter Records.
The band follow their 2022 Utter Darkness EP with a record steeped in the traditions of their homeland’s nineties death metal, yet shaped around a distinct sense of songwriting and atmosphere.
Across eight tracks, HEKATOXEN move between punishing guitar work, muscular rhythms and passages where the tension is allowed to build rather than simply explode, giving the album a strong internal pulse. The result is a collection that feels firmly connected to the Finnish underground while avoiding a purely retrospective approach.
Hailing from Tampere, HEKATOXEN return with a record that tightens every aspect of their sound, delivering a darker, sharper and more determined expression of death metal. Obsidian Majesty moves through a landscape of razor-edged riffs, where heaviness never comes at the expense of movement; the songs hit hard, but they also breathe, shift direction and reveal a band with a clear understanding of dynamics.
Rooted in the classic language of Finnish death metal, the album does not rely on mere repetition of familiar formulas. HEKATOXEN take inspiration from the genre’s foundations while shaping those elements into focused compositions built around memorable riffs, strong structures and a tangible sense of purpose. Every track feels designed to stand on its own, equally effective through headphones and on stage.
Avoiding unnecessary complexity, HEKATOXEN embrace the power of well-crafted songwriting: concrete, immediate and uncompromising. Obsidian Majesty captures a band refining its identity, balancing old school instincts with a contemporary edge and proving that tradition can still cut deep when handled with conviction.
Track list:
01 – Lost Souls Epitome 02 – I Am Them 03 – Spawns Of Darkness 04 – Haunting Ceremony 05 – Domus Vilomaxus 06 – Grave Reveries 07 – At Hellsrivers Pathway 08 – Vanguard The Dark
Line-up:
Jussi – vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, synth Niko – rhythm guitar Risto – bass guitar Vesa – drums
For fans of: Demigod, Adramelech, early Sentenced, Funebrarum
Pacific Northwest Death Metal legion Paralicyst have released their debut EP, Destruction of Sanity! Drawing inspiration from titans like Obituary, Malevolent Creation, and Cannibal Corpse, the band blends punishing riffs, crushing rhythms, and savage vocal assaults into a sound that feels both nostalgic and devastatingly fresh.
The new EP packages a range of styles within a traditional death metal framework. Old school and thrashing death, shades of the blackened and slamming intensity, it’s all here and it’s all devastating!
Forged in the chaos of 2019, Paralicyst emerged from the PNW metal scene with a mission to channel the raw power and uncompromising spirit of classic death metal.
The band’s early formation included guitarist Ray Eversole (Cruciation, Tormentium), bassist Nik Harris (Digitalviolence, Monday With A Bullet, In The Name of God), and drummer Greg Kholer (Gods in Graves, Cruciation, Father Figure, CIA Hippie Mind Control). In 2022 the lineup solidified with Lou of Malevolent Supremacy and Lude joining on vocals, further sharpening the band’s sonic assault.
In 2024, Mikey Murderz (Sakrificer, Innocent Blood) stepped in to take command of vocal duties, bringing a vicious new edge to the band’s sound, while also handling the recording, mixing, and mastering duties on the EP
Now operating with their strongest lineup yet, Paralicyst is poised to carve their mark into the underground with an unrelenting barrage of riffs, blast beats, and infernal energy.
Stream Destruction of Sanity on your platform of choice:
Swedish melodic metal frontrunners METALITE celebrate the release of their brand-new studio album, Discovery, out now via PERCEPTION – Powered by Reigning Phoenix Music! Their critically acclaimed, futuristic sci-fi metal epic takes listeners on a fascinating journey, further expanding METALITE’s signature blend of soaring melodies, powerful riffs and modern electronic elements.
Coinciding with the album’s release, METALITE have also unveiled a brand-new music video for “Neon Rain,” one of the tracks featured on Discovery. Guitarist, producer, songwriter and founder Edwin Premberg comments:
“Neon Rain is one of our three singles accompanied by a beautifully produced video by Ted Lindén. The song captures a futuristic world drenched in neon lights and falling rain, a place where emotion and technology collide. It’s atmospheric, powerful, and melodic, painting a vivid picture of standing in the glow of a digital storm, searching for something real beneath the surface.”
Mixed and mastered by acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Evergrey, Amaranthe), Discovery pushes METALITE’s futuristic vision further than ever before. Across twelve dynamic tracks, the album explores themes of human evolution, technology, survival, liberation and hope in a universe shaped by digital realities and cosmic exploration in the year of 2058, three years after humanity left a collapsing Earth in search of a new beginning.
Building upon the sonic worlds established on their albums Heroes in Time (2017), Biomechanicals (2019), A Virtual World (2021) and Expedition One (2024), the band once again proves why they are regarded as pioneers of modern sci-fi-inspired melodic metal!
Discovery – Track-list: 1. Our Time Has Come 2. In Case Of Emergency 3. Into The Maze 4. Cyberspace 5. The Metal Elite 6. Neon Rain 7. Echoes Of You 8. Starchild 9. Wings Of Fire 10. Captive In The Past 11. Supremacy Of One 12. Triforce
METALITE: Erica Ohlsson – Vocals Edwin Premberg – Guitar/Additional Vocals/Programming Robert Örnesved – Guitar Erik Junttila Johansson – Drums Robert Majd – Bass
South Carolina stoner metal veterans CALUS are making their long-anticipated return with The Evolution of Social Exclusion.
This six-song EP marks CALUS’ first newly recorded work since 2006’s Spiritual Warfare. And the band hasn’t missed a step. At times sludgy, at times trippy and always heavy, The Evolution of Social Exclusion delivers non-stop, bottom-heavy groove, crushing riffs and a hazy Southern swagger.
CALUS has thus far released two singles off The Evolution of Social Exclusion – “No Curses,” a more aggressive cut that pushes the band’s attack into proggier territory, and the sludge-forward stomper “Perdition Anthem.”
The Evolution of Social Exclusion is due out October 2nd on digital and CD formats. Vinyl treatment for the album is coming soon.
For fans of Black Sabbath, Down, Crowbar, Entombed, Clutch, Alice in Chains, Eyehategod, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Acid Bath.
Track listing:
No Curses
Perdition Anthem
Stone Snake
Strange Gods
New World Opus
Under the Banner(of Attrition)
To mark their re-emergence, CALUS has recently pulled a batch of previously unreleased tunes from their vault. The EP, titled Australis Sacro Modus, is streaming here.
CALUS:
Chris Driggers — Bass Harold Smith — Drums, Vocals Dustin Holliday — Guitars Rodney Ervin — Guitars, Vocals Jeremy Aiken — Vocals
KING DIAMOND’s Halloween, the three-track LP picture disc originally released in 1986, will be re-released worldwide with new art by Mario Lopez on October 23rd via Metal Blade Records, just in time for the season!
The Halloween title track comes off KING DIAMOND‘s debut album, Fatal Portrait (1986), as does “The Candle,” which served as the opening track on Fatal Portrait, and was part of the early storytelling approach that would become central to KING DIAMOND‘s future discography. “The Lake,” while recorded during the same general period as Fatal Portrait and associated with those sessions, wasn’t included in the original nine-track album.
Halloween was produced by KING DIAMOND and Rune Höyer with production assistance by Michael Denner and engineered by Roberto Falcao.
Halloween LP Track Listing: A1. Halloween B1. The Candle B2. The Lake
KING DIAMOND Halloween Lineup: King Diamond – lead vocals, backing vocals Andy LaRocque – lead guitar Michael Denner – lead guitar Timi Hansen – bass guitar Mikkey Dee – drums
A KILLER’S CONFESSION have returned with “Roses,” a dark and defiant new single from the band’s forthcoming sixth studio album, Victim 3, due November 13th via MNRK Heavy. The song arrives today alongside an official music video directed and produced by Dusten Boles.
Led by vocalist Waylon Reavis, “Roses” turns feelings of disappointment, neglect and unfulfilled expectations into a statement about abandoning the need for outside approval. Rather than waiting for recognition that may never come, the track embraces the freedom of knowing your own reasons for the choices you make, even when no one else acknowledges them.
Reavis explains:
“Roses was written from a point of view of where everything that you have done was in vain. We’ve all been to that point of feeling unappreciated, but I feel like roses is a statement of it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you and only you know why you did it. In the end, never look for a pat on the back, because you’ll never get the acknowledgment that you’re seeking. There will be no roses on my grave.”
“Roses” follows the recent release of A KILLER’S CONFESSION’s haunting, stripped-back interpretation of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” The unexpected cover showcased a different side of the band, dialing down the heaviness to put Reavis’ voice and the song’s underlying melancholy front and center.
The road to Victim 3 will also unfold onstage this fall as A KILLER’S CONFESSION embark on the “Everything Comes Full Circle Tour.” Joined by Dizasterpiece and Dead Things, the North American headline run kicks off November 4 and notably finds the band celebrating the release of Victim 3 from the road on November 13th.
Nov 4 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel of Bones Nov 5 – Baltimore, MD – Fish Head Cantina Nov 6 – Lowell, MA – Taffeta Music Hall Nov 7 – Pottstown, PA – Cosmic Arts Nov 8 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz Nov 10 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille Nov 11 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop Nov 12 – McHenry, IL – The Vixen Nov 13 – Louisville, KY – The Fox Den Nov 14 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs Nov 17 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck Nov 18 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre Nov 19 – Des Moines, IA – XBK Live Nov 20 – Sioux Falls, SD – Bigs Bar Nov 21 – Rapid City, SD – The Park Nov 22 – Denver, CO – HQ Nov 24 – Glendale, AZ – The 44 Sports Grill & Nightlife Nov 25 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go Nov 27 – Anaheim, CA – The Parish @ House of Blues Nov 28 – Murrieta, CA – Solaris Beer & Blending Nov 29 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge Dec 1 – Draper, UT – Leatherheads Sports Bar & Grill Dec 2 – Rifle, CO – The UTE Theater Dec 5 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
About A KILLER’S CONFESSION:
Fronted by Waylon Reavis, A Killer’s Confession turn the darkest corners of the human psyche into a collision of crushing riffs, sinister atmosphere, infectious melodies and punishing grooves. Since forming in 2016, the band has generated tens of millions of streams with songs including “Numb” and “Angel On The Outside,” while collaborating with artists such as Brian “Head” Welch of Korn, Chad Gray of Mudvayne, Aaron Nordstrom of Gemini Syndrome and Reavis’ former Mushroomhead bandmate JMANN.
On their sixth full-length album, Victim 3 [MNRK Heavy], A Killer’s Confession brings their ambitious three-record narrative to its conclusion. Following Victim 1 and Victim 2, the new album finds its central character, a vigilante serial killer who targeted some of society’s worst offenders, finally facing the consequences of his actions on death row. What may have begun with a warped sense of justice has given way to something far more sinister, bringing the trilogy’s themes of morality, vengeance and accountability full circle.
Created around the core of Reavis, Evan McKeever and Dusty Boles during sessions in Nashville and Denver, Victim 3 expands both the sound and storytelling of its predecessors. From the dark electronic textures and haunting melodies of “Roses” to the violent grooves of “Meat Hook,” the unhinged aggression of “The One” and the final resignation of “Worth Saving,” the album follows its protagonist through the last stages of his descent and toward an ending from which there is no redemption.
For Reavis, the Victim trilogy has grown into something much larger than a series of records. “This is an art project of storytelling and madness,” he says. “It’s a collection of stories from different individuals in separate time periods with their own agendas. For me, it’s a big passion project. It’s closer to my heart than anything I’ve ever done. I’ve done great things in my career, but nothing compares to this. It gave me purpose. It gave me youth. It gave me fire. It gave me a universe.”
Stream THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT’s “Closer To The Sun” HERE.
As THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT, the new venture from former founding Symphony X bassist Thomas Miller, prepares to release its eponymous debut through Sensory Records in October, the label presents the album’s second single, “Closer To The Sun.”
Thomas Miller started his music career in central New Jersey and played in numerous cover and original bands influenced by progressive bands from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1986, he met Michael Romeo, a local progressive and classically influenced guitarist, with whom he then recorded and played in several bands. In 1994, they formed Symphony X and recruited the rest of the band members to complete the lineup and sign with Japanese record label, Zero Records.
After international critical acclaim for their albums Symphony X, Damnation Game, The Divine Wings Of Tragedy, Twilight In Olympus, and A Prelude To The New Millenium, they did various tour dates in Japan, Europe, and NYC. Shortly afterwards, due to personal issues, Thomas stepped away from the band.
Continually writing and recording on various projects and honing his writing skills, Miller collaborated on a recording project with vocalist Hollywood How Portney in 2017, and after interactions with fans over the years and realizing his chemistry with How, he decided to start writing for a new project, which would become THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.
Two former Symphony X bandmates, guitarist Michael Romeo and keyboardist Michael Pinnella, would also lend their talents to the project, and Eric Rachel – producer of Symphony X’s first six albums as well as Black Sabbath, The Black Dahlia Murder and countless others, was enlisted to mix and master the album, which is completed with art and design by Rodrigo Gudiña.
The result is an epic, forty-nine-minute progressive metal opus, inspired by majestic themes and various musical overtones. Fans of Symphony X, Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Redemption, Kamelot, and other grand progressive metal acts should immediately check out THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.
Miller delves, “‘Closer To The Sun’ takes a more progressive direction than the first single, ‘When Darkness Falls.’ This song represents the combination of mythological lyrics, middle eastern tonalities and aggressive guitar and bass rhythms. I also liked the idea of acoustic guitar and violin to add another layer to the musical atmosphere, setting the story line as a buildup to the main rhythmic themes.”
THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT’s “Closer To The Sun” is now playing on Bandcamp HERE and YouTube HERE.
Sensory Records will release Thomas Miller’s Lazarus Effect on CD, LP, and digital platforms on October 30th. Preorders are live at the label webstore HERE and on Bandcamp, the standard audio HERE and the 24-bit hi-res HERE.
Stand by a new video and more on the album to drop over the coming weeks.
Death metal veterans SINISTER Official return with their fifteenth studio album, “Lucid Nightmares”! Pre-order begins NOW!
It’s an absolute “must have” for all fans of traditional death metal. The album features ten tracks packed with catchy, memorable riffs and an incredibly brutal sound; combined, these elements open a new chapter in band’s career and elevate Sinister to even higher level.
New album Keeper Of The Light arrives January 29, 2027 via PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music
Following the recent announcement of their brand-new studio album, Keeper Of The Light, and its powerful first single “Last Man Standing,” power metal force SERIOUS BLACK are back with another new track. Today, the band has released the official music video for their new single “Party in the Sun,” taken from the upcoming record, which will arrive on January 29, 2027 via PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music. In support of the release, the band will embark on an extensive tour throughout Europe with Rhapsody Of Fire and support bands; find all dates listed below!
Inspired by the incomparable atmosphere of Wacken Open Air and the worldwide heavy metal community, “Party in the Sun” is a celebration of everything that makes rock and metal culture so special: friendship, unity, live music and the unique bond shared by bands and fans across the globe. With its infectious energy and festival spirit, the song delivers a fitting soundtrack for everyone whose heart beats to the rhythm of heavy metal.
And if that chorus sounds like it was made for a rather big stage, SERIOUS BLACK happens to agree. The band have decided to throw their hat into the ring for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, submitting “Party in the Sun” for consideration as Germany’s entry. Whether the road ultimately leads from the festival fields to the Eurovision stage remains to be seen, yet a song about bringing people together through music seems like a pretty good place to start.
Band mastermind Mario Lochert comments: “Party in the Sun” tells the story of the worldwide heavy metal family, people from all corners of the globe whose hearts beat to the same rhythm. It is a song about unity, friendship, and the unique bond between musicians and their audience that makes the rock and metal scene so special. Inspired by the incomparable atmosphere of Wacken Open Air, widely regarded as one of the world’s most iconic metal festivals, the song is a tribute to this unique way of life. At the same time, its message represents the entire festival and live concert culture, because wherever people come together to celebrate music, this extraordinary sense of unity and the magic of rock and metal comes to life.”
“Party in the Sun” is a summer party that celebrates metal, friendship and unity.”
Keeper Of The Light – Tracklist: 1. Last Man Standing 2. Final Ride 3. Guardian Of Eden 4. Majestica 5. Light Up the Sky 6. Keeper Of The Light 7. Party In The Sun 8. Little Bird Fly 9. Rise Of A Hero 10. Bad Surprise 11. Lords Of Metal
Since their formation, SERIOUS BLACK have established themselves as one of the leading names in modern power metal. Combining the experience of musicians from renowned metal acts with memorable songwriting, crushing guitars, anthemic choruses and emotionally charged melodies, the band has built a strong international reputation.
With multiple charting releases, more than 200 concerts worldwide, and acclaimed performances at major festivals and tours across Europe, Asia and beyond, SERIOUS BLACK continue to prove why they remain one of the genre’s most compelling live acts. Keeper Of The Light perfectly captures the band’s trademark blend of power, melody and passion while pushing their sound forward with renewed energy.
Marking the band’s next chapter, the album once again showcases everything fans have come to expect from SERIOUS BLACK: massive guitar riffs, driving rhythms, soaring melodies and the unmistakable vocals of Nikola Mijic, all wrapped in a powerful, modern production by Mario Lochert and Bob Katsionis.
All of the eleven songs on the album will see SERIOUS BLACK stylistically return to its roots. Straight, classic power metal. The sound the band once became known for reigns again.
“The return to what once characterized us was already indicated on “Vengeance Is Mine” and “Rise Of Akhenaton”,”Lochert explains the natural evolution of the band and adds: “Since joining five years ago, our singer Nikola Mijic has turned out to be a real jewel for us. Because of his expressive voice and his intuitive feeling for great melodies, the songs have gained more clarity and a more direct presence.”
SERIOUS BLACK Tour Dates: 07.01.27 – DE – ESSEN Turock 08.01.27 – NL – TILBURG O13 09.01.27 – DE – SIEGBURG Kubana 11.01.27 – UK – LONDON Underworld 12.01.27 – UK – MANCHESTER Rebellion 13.01.27 – UK – WOLVERHAMPTON KK’s Steel Mill 14.01.27 – FR – LILLE The Black Lab 15.01.27 – FR – VAUREAL Le Forum 16.01.27 – FR – LIMOGES CCM John Lennon 17.01.27 – FR – BORDEAUX Rocher de Palmer 19.01.27 – ES – MADRID Revi Live 20.01.27 – ES – BARCELONA Salamandra 21.01.27 – FR – MONTPELLIER Victoire 2 22.01.27 – FR – TOULOUSE Metronum 23.01.27 – FR – RIOM La Puce a L’Oreille 24.01.27 – FR – COLMAR Le Grillen 26.01.27 – DE – ERLENBACH Beavers 27.01.27 – CH – PRATTELN Z7 28.01.27 – FR – GRENOBLE L’Ilyade 29.01.27 – IT – MILANO Alcatraz 30.01.27 – DE – LINDAU Vaudeville 31.01.27 – DE – MUNICH Backstage 02.02.27 – HU – BUDAPEST Analog Music Club 03.02.27 – SK – NITRA JS Retro Bar 04.02.27 – CZ – PRAHA Futurum 05.02.27 – PL – KRAKOW Studio 06.02.27 – PL – WARSAW Stodola 07.02.27 – DE – LEIPZIG Hellraiser 08.02.27 – DE BERLIN Orwo Haus * 09.02.27 – DE HAMBURG Logo* 10.02.27 – BE KORTRIJK DVG Club* 11.02.27 – DE STUTTGART Wizemann * 12.02.27 – DE SELB Rockclub Nordbayern *
Headliner Shows without Rhapsody of Fire
SERIOUS BLACK: Nikola Mijic – Vocals Mario Lochert – Bass Dominik Sebastian – Guitar Maurus Mayer – Guitar, Keys Christian Widmann – Drums
Canadian modern metal band OSYRON present an electrifying offering in their new single release, “Higher.” Alongside the atmospheric track, the Canadians have launched their pre-sale for the forthcoming, self-titled, full length album. Osyronis scheduled for release on November 27, 2026, via Distortion Music Group (DMG) – Powered by Reigning Phoenix Music.
Guitarist Bobby Harley shares:
“We chose this song as the first single because we feel it’s a great representation of the band as we are now, and a good overall idea of the album. We wanted you to be able to sing the chorus right back to us after hearing it for the first time, but then leave you with a sore neck from the outro. It has all you love in an Osyron song – catchy chorus, heavy verses, dual guitar harmonies, drums, and even vocals.”
“Also, this is one of those tracks where the foundation is much older than you’d expect. The riffs and polyrhythmic patterns in the verses and outro were pulled from an idea Tyler wrote back in 2013. It finally felt like the right time to revive it, bringing it to life collaboratively with many more years of musical growth behind us.”
Of the DMG signing, the band also comments:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be joining the Distortion Music Group family for this next chapter of Osyron. After more than a decade of building this band, releasing four somewhat okay albums, playing shows across North America and Europe, developing our sound, and even having a Polish guy in the band, finding the right label for this record was extremely important to us.”
“DMG’s passion for heavy music, their international reach, and the connections they have throughout the metal community make them the perfect partner for what we want to accomplish with this album.”
“This album represents a huge step forward for us, and we couldn’t be more excited to have the babes at Distortion Music Group right there beside us as we enter this new era.”
Maurizio Iacono, General Manager of DMG, commented, “We are proud to introduce Osyron to the DMG family. The band is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets that will finally get the chance to shine on a world stage; We are happy to have them on board as they continue their journey through the progressive power metal world!”
Emerging out of an immersive atmospheric haze, “Higher” erupts into life with a ferocious brutality manifested through thunderous guitar rhythms and discordant harmonies. The track’s chorus soars with melodic intensity, while the heavy power remains relentlessly impactful. Through compelling vocal melodies to monstrous harsh, OSYRON demonstrate their prowess for balancing a sonic attack and ethereal soundscapes.
The mighty NEUROSIS continues to book new live performances in support of their mammoth An Undying Love For A Burning World LP, today announcing tour dates through the end of the year and into 2027.
Following the already announced San Francisco shows on October 16th and 17th, NEUROSIS has just announced two shows in Brooklyn on October 30th and 31st, two Chicago shows on November 21st and 22nd, two Portland shows on November 27th and 28th, a Seattle show November 29th, a set at Converge’s Saddest Day in Boston on December 12th, and a Los Angeles performance on January 2nd. They will also make their return to play two sets at Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands in April of 2027.
General ticket sales for the new shows begin this Friday, September 11th at 10am local time. Both San Francisco shows are sold out. Expect to see more NEUROSIS live announcements over the coming months.
photos by Bobby Cochran
NEUROSIS Tour Dates: 10/16/2026 The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA w/ Terry Gross [SOLD OUT] 10/17/2026 The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA w/ Kowloon Walled City [SOLD OUT] 10/30/2026 Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY w/ Uniform 10/31/2026 Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY w/ Primitive Man 11/21/2026 Metro – Chicago, IL w/ Mr. Phylzzz 11/22/2026 Metro – Chicago, IL w/ Primitive Man 11/27/2026 Revolution Hall – Portland, OR w/ special guests TBA, Great Falls 11/28/2026 Revolution Hall – Portland, OR w/ special guests TBA, Trigger Object 11/29/2026 Showbox SODO – Seattle, WA w/ special guests TBA, Great Falls 12/12/2026 Converge’s Saddest Day @ Roadrunner – Boston, MA w/ Converge, Coalesce, more 1/02/2027 The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA w/ Special Guests TBA 4/17/2027 Roadburn Festival – Tilburg, NL w/ Emma Ruth Rundle, more
The return of NEUROSIS and surprise release of their first new album in a decade, An Undying Love For A Burning World, tore a hole in the sky in March of this year. The album immediately became fan favorite in the band’s groundbreaking discography, heralded as one of the year’s best immediately upon its release.
An Undying Love For A Burning World was recorded by Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City, Sumac, Great Falls) at Studio Litho in Seattle over three weekends this Winter and mixed in three days, just six weeks before release at Evans’ Antisleep Audio in Oakland.
Watch the FIREKEEPER ALLIANCE x NEUROSIS short film featuring the songs “We Are Torn Wide Open” and “Mirror Deep” HERE and stream the album HERE.
An Undying Love For A Burning World is available on LP in an array of variants, CD, cassette, and digital/streaming via the band’s own Neurot Recordings HERE.
Czechia OSDM beasts Sněť have officially unleashed their newest full-length, V bažinách vědomí.
Having annihilated the underground with their 2021 debut LP and kept things flowing with two splits in the interim, this promises to be an excellent slab of old-school death metal.
V bažinách vědomí is out now via Me Saco Un Ojo (vinyl and cassette) and Dark Descent Records (CD and cassette).
Watch the music video for album track “Kladivo ve tmě” at this location.
V bažinách vědomí kicks right in with ominous and eerie atmospherics coupled with some absolutely revolting grooves; it is clear these fiends mean business. It should be abundantly obvious that Sněť have been refining their craft to something precise and lethal.
Keeping those ’90s hallmarks intact while adding subtle touches that show they’ve found their own identity, the album delivers a gruesomeness and discomfort that reflects the band’s evolution without sacrificing any of its punishing intensity.
Consuming the listener with an eldritch atmosphere while piercing through the fog with pure rancidity, Sněť‘s new album boasts a massive production that crushes with total morbidity. Combining the mulch-like tones of death metal’s golden era with an even warmer, more classic sound creates a devastating mix.
Beyond its grotesque exterior lies a savage and gripping record, balancing memorable hooks with violent, chaotic passages. There is no pretence to Sněť, they simply play death metal the way they want to hear it, and that shines throughout V bažinách vědomí. If you love brutality, grooves, death and riffs, don’t miss this one.
V bažinách vědomí track list:
1) Tíha světů
2) Kladivo ve tmě
3) Natur
4) Ve stínu slunce
5) Apokalyptický smaragd budoucí doby
6) Moskyt
7) Jako každý
8) Nekončící koloběh snění a probouzení
9) Dřevěný kůl
10) Znetvořená panna
V bažinách vědomí was recorded at Golden Hive Studio by Amák Golden, and mixed and mastered by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios. Cover art by Řád Zdechlin (Tomáš Mitura).
ABSOLUTE POWER have shared the title track of their forthcoming second album, “Needs Must When The Devil Drives”, due out on November 6, 2026 via Time To Kill Records. The song features former Judas Priest and Iced Earth vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, contributing his unmistakable screams to one of the album’s most powerful statements.
For Shane Embury, the track is also deeply personal, looking back at the environment in which he and Simon Efemey grew up and the role heavy metal played during their formative years:
“This song, whilst being title track of our new record, also talks about how both Simon and I grew up in the West Midlands listening to heavy metal of 1980’s, all the classics as you would expect. The areas where we both came from were very much industrial areas! Working class families and for us, as teenagers, heavy metal was our escape from the everyday realities of our areas. You did what you had to, just to get by. Needs Must When the Devil Drives!”
Fifteen years after the release of their self-titled debut, the heavy metal project founded by vocalist and producer Simon Efemey and Napalm Death bassist Shane Embury returns with a powerful celebration of classic heavy metal.
Drawing inspiration from the timeless legacy of Judas Priest, Saxon, Black Sabbath, Dio and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, “Needs Must When The Devil Drives” combines old-school riffs, unforgettable melodies and larger-than-life songwriting, with the energy and attitude of a new era.
The world is in meltdown and we’re all going to hell in a handbasket. Thankfully, ABSOLUTE POWER are here to offer maximum-volume resistance to the madness, with their monumental second album, “Needs Must When The Devil Drives”.
ABSOLUTE POWER is the brainchild of vocalist and producer Simon Efemey and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Shane Embury, two heavy metal lifers who, between them, have left an indelible imprint on modern music.
Embury is the longtime bassist of grindcore pioneers Napalm Death, a band that began pushing music to its furthest extremes in the 1980s and has never stopped evolving. Efemey is one of the most influential British metal producers of his generation, having shaped the modern scene through his work with artists including Paradise Lost, The Wildhearts and Napalm Death, while also developing a reputation as one of the most charismatic figures behind the scenes.
Together, they spent five years crafting “Needs Must When The Devil Drives”, an exhilarating tribute to the classic heavy metal they grew up with, infused with the energy and attitude of 2026.
“I want people to have a good time in the old school way,” says Efemey of the album. “I want them to forget the mundane, boring or horrible parts of their jobs. I want them to forget themselves for a couple of hours. That’s what good music should allow us all to do.”
The album continues the vision that originally brought ABSOLUTE POWER together: a desire to recapture the sense of adventure, grandeur and excitement that defined the heavy metal of their youth.
“When we did the first album, we wanted to make songs like our heroes, Judas Priest, Saxon, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, everything we liked as kids,” explains Efemey. “When we were on tour buses, we’d have a few drinks and start blasting old-school heavy metal like Black Sabbath or Dio. One day we said we should write our own tunes like that.”
The debut album was embraced by fans of traditional metal, and “Needs Must When The Devil Drives” expands on that foundation, delivering a collection of songs built around powerful riffs, memorable hooks and a strong sense of identity. The title itself comes from an old proverb that Efemey and Embury would jokingly repeat to each other during the recording sessions.
Alongside the title track, “Saviour” the song “Kernschmelze” showcases the band’s most direct and energetic side, while “Mountain Of Hope” increases the epic dimension that’s always been central to ABSOLUTE POWER. “Within” temporarily strips away some of the heaviness in favor of a more atmospheric and hypnotic approach, recalling the psychedelic spirit of 1970s classics such as Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan”.
The album features a reinterpretation of Queen’s 1978 classic “Sheer Heart Attack”, preserving the original’s punk-driven energy while adding the unmistakable personality of ABSOLUTE POWER.
Efemey and Embury invited several respected musicians to contribute to the album’s expansive sound. Former Judas Priest and Iced Earth vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owensreturns after appearing on the first record, delivering his unmistakable screams on the title track. The Mission and Tricky guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite adds subtle layers and textures to several songs, expanding the band’s traditional metal foundation.
“I’ve known him for years,” says Efemey. “I recorded a demo for his old band years ago. I sent him some tracks and he put some magic on them. He added a little goth flavour to some of those tracks. It took it further than the first album, which was just straight-down-the-line traditional metal.”
Also appearing on the record are Napalm Death guitarist John Cooke and drummer Carl Stokes, whose career includes collaborations with bands such as Cancer and The Groundhogs.
At the heart of ABSOLUTE POWER, however, remains the partnership between Efemey and Embury. Both grew up in the West Midlands and shared formative experiences attending concerts at Birmingham’s legendary Odeon before following very different paths: Embury becoming one of extreme metal’s defining musicians, and Efemey establishing himself as a highly respected producer.
“Over the years our paths crossed, and we realized we had a similar love for music and a similar sense of humour – Monty Python, The Young Ones, really dark humour,” says Efemey.
Throughout his career, Efemey has worked with artists ranging from British indie heroes The Wonder Stuff to extreme metal pioneers Napalm Death, but his influence has always extended far beyond production. His larger-than-life personality and his approach to music have made him a unique figure within the British scene.
“You hear the stories from back in the day about these legendary bands and the mad stuff they’d get up to,” he says. “For me, that’s part of rock’n’roll. I never wanted to just be the guy sitting there in the studio nodding along with what bands say. It was more about entertaining people and entertaining ourselves.”
Yet behind all the chaos, Efemey has always remained focused on the most important element being the songs.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we’re serious about the music,” he says of ABSOLUTE POWER. “We reject ideas that aren’t good enough. Every song needs a good riff and a catchy melody. I wouldn’t let anything go out that was just fodder. That approach has always been prevalent in my work.”
That philosophy defines “Needs Must When The Devil Drives”. The album carries the confidence of a band that knows exactly what it wants to achieve, embracing the foundations of classic heavy metal while sounding fully alive in 2026. As the world falls apart around them, ABSOLUTE POWER stand tall, armed with riffs, melodies and songs built to last.
“I can’t think of many new British bands doing what we do,” says Efemey. “I think people like our stuff because it’s old-school with melodies you can sing along to. We use the formula from the 70s and 80s because we know it works. We make this kind of music because we love it and we want people to sing along with us.”
Track-list:
1. Needs Must When the Devil Drives (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens) 2. Saviour 3. Kernscmelze 4. Stand Up and Be Counted 5. Within 6. Mountain of Hope 7. Insanity 8. Hammer of Justice 9. Praise the Fire 10. Sheer Heart Attack 11. Orphans of the Storm
Line-up:
Simon Efemey – vocals Shane Embury – Bass, Additional Instruments
Guests musicians:
Tim “Ripper” Owens – vocals (ex Judas Priest, Iced Earth) Mark Gemini Thwaite – guitars (The Mission, Tricky) John Cooke – guitar (Napalm Death) Carl Stokes – drums (Cancer, The Groundhogs) Joe Taylor – drums Dominik Gryzbon – lead guitar Ilsa Nielson – lead guitar
Canadian melodic death thrash force INVICTA return with “Overthrow Divinity,” the first single from their upcoming EP Sapienomachy.
Active since 2017, INVICTA have carved out a reputation for aggressive old school riffing, sharp melodic hooks, and a modern approach to death and thrash metal. With one EP and two full-length albums already behind them, the Kitchener-Waterloo band now enter a new chapter with Sapienomachy, a concept-driven release that expands their sound into power metal, traditional metal balladry, and progressive storytelling.
Inspired by Greek mythology, Sapienomachy takes its name from mythic conflicts such as the Titanomachy and Gigantomachy. The EP reimagines the tale of Prometheus giving fire to humankind, following a story in which humanity turns that gift into a weapon and wages war against the gods, ultimately destroying their universe.
The EP’s artwork was created by legendary German artist Andreas Marschall. Drawing from Greek myth, the cover depicts Prometheus embedded in the mountain, offering his final flame to humankind.
“Overthrow Divinity” launches the EP with fast-paced power metal influence, twin harmony guitar leads, and relentless drumming. Lyrically, the song is told from the perspective of humanity rising against the gods after generations of oppression and restraint. Its story also speaks to modern anxieties: mankind given tools and technologies meant to help, only to turn them toward destruction in a relentless lust for power.
Sapienomachy also marks a unique creative moment for INVICTA. Originally written as part of a full-length album, these songs were set aside and shaped into their own standalone release, allowing the band to explore a more narrative, dynamic and mythological side of their writing.
About INVICTA:
INVICTA features Kyle Edissi on guitar and vocals, Jonah Kay on guitar, Reef Hassanien on drums, and Chip Tanner on bass. The band’s discography includes The Executioner EP, Halls of Extinction, and Triumph and Torment, alongside singles and covers including “Rising Force,” “Forces of Annihilation” and “Hatebreeder.”
INVICTA have toured across Canada and the United States, including runs supporting HEATHEN and FIRST FRAGMENT, and have shared stages with LICH KING, SOULFLY, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, NAPALM DEATH, and PRIMITIVE MAN.
“Overthrow Divinity” is the first glimpse into Sapienomachy, a release that pushes INVICTA into grander, more mythic territory while retaining the speed, aggression, and melodic bite that has defined the band since its earliest days.
Swedish heavy metal squad RAM presents their latest single and video for “Night Blade.” The track appears on their forthcoming new long player, Against, set to drop on October 9th through Metal Blade Records.
Comments vocalist Oscar Carlquist, “The return of the riff! Before writing this song, I had been contemplating about the fact that ‘70s and early ‘80s metal was a lot more about the riff than what you hear and have heard for a long time. I wanted to bring that back and wrote a typical super simple oldschool riff to carry the song. A perfect song to headbang to.”
Watch RAM’s previously released video for “Ghost Emperor” HERE.
It has been nearly seven years since RAM’s The Throne Within, an album defined by its spiritual and metaphysical themes. With Against, RAM takes a more grounded approach, focusing on the experience of being pushed beyond reasonable limits and refusing to comply. The album captures that moment of resistance, “that fire of defiance, which ultimately defines its title and message,” as the band collectively states.
Musically, guitarists Harry Granroth and Martin Jonsson continue to favor bridge pickups, maintaining a sharp and aggressive tone. The equipment used on Against reflects a classic approach, contributing to a sound that feels both timeless and direct. Sonically, Againstwas conceived as a return to classic recording philosophies.
Against Track Listing:
1. Obsession
2. Ghost Emperor
3. One Vs. All
4. Abattoir
5. Out of Control
6. Leaving
7. Against
8. Night Blade
9. Rising Again
10. 1984
11. The Final Hour
The album artwork, created by Carlquist himself, also reflects a conscious shift toward simplicity. In contrast to previous covers filled with symbolism, the focus is placed squarely on the band’s iconic ram-horned skull emblem, ensuring that the identity of the band remains unmistakable.
Drawing inspiration from the early works of Dio, MSG, and Sweet, the goal was to create an honest and unpolished sound. What you hear is what you get! In a music landscape increasingly divided into countless subgenres, the band positions itself deliberately outside of categorization. The title Against itself reinforces the band’s longstanding identity as nonconformists, viewing heavy metal as a form of sonic rebellion.
One of the most noticeable aspects of the record is its concise songwriting. Where earlier work may have leaned toward complexity, this album embraces clarity and precision. This evolution reflects a broader maturation, with the Swedes recognizing that restraint and focus can be more impactful than technical display.
RAM’s Against full-length will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
180g Black Clear Lilac Marbled Purple Melt (Ltd. 300) Crystal Clear Blackdust (Ltd. 300) Silver Black Splatter (Ltd. 250)
Ultimately, Against stands as a statement of intent, a reaffirmation of identity and purpose. Or, as they put it themselves: “Fear the return of the Heavy Metal Tyranny!”
In related news, after 17 years as the bassist for RAM, Tobias “Tobbe” Petterson has decided to step down from the band. Petterson has been a pivotal part of both RAM‘s recordings and live shows and his steadfast bass playing and ferocious stage presence will be missed.
The band comments, “Petterson will always remain a part of the RAM family and we part as brothers, still united by the power of heavy metal. But the heavy metal tyranny must proceed, new horizons await and these will be shared with our new bass player Desekrator of Voodus and Stormdeath fame. Desekrator has been close to the band for decades and through being a die hard fan he is already well versed with the true spirit of RAM. This combined with his bass skills makes him the perfect replacement for Tobbe. Onward Upon The Black Path!”
Petterson will perform his final show with RAM on October 9th in Gothenburg, the band’s record release show.
RAM Live: 9/12/09/2026 Candelabrum Metalfest – León, MX 10/09/2026 Skjulet – Gothenburg, SE *Record Release Show w/ Portrait 12/04/2026 Spectrum – Murcia, ES 12/05/2026 Peter Rock – Valencia, ES 12/06/2026 Upload – Barcelona, ES 12/07/2026 Urban – Vitoria, ES 3/12-13/2027 Heavy Metal Thunder Fest – Pisek, CZ 5/20-22/2027 Iron Fest – Ohmbachsee, DE
RAM Recording Lineup: Oscar Carlquist – vocals Morgan Pettersson – drums Harry Granroth – guitar Martin Jonsson – guitar Tobias Petterson – bass
Belorusian Death Metal Pack, Eximperitus, have released the official video for “Chalkionic Wandering Among the Wreckage of the Future,” a track from latest album Meritoriousness of Equanimity.
Willowtip Records released Meritoriousness of Equanimity on January 30, 2026, on vinyl, cassette, CD and digital formats.
Meritoriousness of Equanimity contains nine independent compositions united by the idea of searching for inner support in an era of turbulence. Exposure and scourging of social dogmas and morbid tendencies on the ruins of the old world…
“In times when despair overflows human hearts… when the chasm of strife between civilizations widens… when loyalty to ideologies tears blood ties apart… when the world stands still, poised for the final leap of prolonged self-destruction… We can draw strength solely from internal sources, which are filled only by the multifaceted power of Death Metal…”
I. One Step Long Infinity. II. Contemplation of the Plastic Fibers of Perfection at the Second Level of Reality. III. Twelve Centuries of Triumph of the Third Kingdom… IV. Finding Consistency in the Fourth Quadrant of Eternity. V. The Untimely Fruit of the Unsaid. VI. Golden Chains for the Construction of Individual Greatness. VII. Molecular Disintegration of an Unattainable Solitary Will in a Vessel of Wisdom… VIII. Chalkionic Wandering Among the Wreckage of the Future. IX. Standing at the Skirt of the Ruins of Human Nature (…on the Other Side of Man and Time).
We are proud to announce that our seventh full-length album, ALL THE SHADOWS, will be released on October 30th via No Remorse Records.
This is Cirith Ungol in its purest form: eight songs of epic, dark and doom-filled Heavy Metal, forged with the same fire that has driven this band from the beginning. We believe this stands among the strongest albums we have ever made.
The title track “All The Shadows” is out now, along with a brand-new lyric video.
Portland, Maine death metal outfit WORM ALTAR will release their debut full-length album, Pillars of Eternal Dusk, on October 16th, 2026 via Dawnbreed Records and Gurgling Gore on LP and CD formats, limited to 300 and 400 copies, respectively. The cassette edition will be released as a co-release between Gurgling Gore and Contemn Light, featuring two limited label-exclusive shell color variants.
The first single “Watchers of the Gate” is streaming HERE.
There is something genuinely repulsive about the sound of WORM ALTAR. Crude, abrasive and seemingly dragged out of some damp, lightless corner of the underground, Pillars of Eternal Dusk refuses to polish away the rough edges that give its death metal such an unsettling presence. Yet beneath the layer of grime, the album reveals itself to be far more carefully constructed than its initial assault might suggest.
Great riffs emerge from the murk, memorable enough to stick in the head long after the noise has subsided. Subtle melodic details and understated atmospheric touches lurk beneath the surface, adding depth without ever compromising the album’s oppressive character. The rawness is therefore not an end in itself: it is the most appropriate vehicle for music that aims to feel uneasy, crawling and fundamentally diseased.
Drawing inspiration from Gorement, Phrenelith, Disembowelment, Coffins, Mortiferum, Grave Upheaval and Black Sabbath, WORM ALTAR operate in that particularly fertile territory where death metal becomes less a display of brute force than an exercise in atmosphere, physicality and dread.
Track-list:
Under the Shadow of Night…
Splaying the Offal
Watchers of the Gate
Virescent Fire
The Blind One
Dusk Eternal
Founded in late 2021 as the solo project of Scott M. (guitars, vocals), WORM ALTAR initially released the Demo 2022 tape through Acid Redux Productions and the Astral Scourge EP in 2023 via Gurgling Gore and Total Death Over Mexico.
After expanding into a full band, the lineup was completed by John S. on drums, Jon M. on bass and Rob C. on guitar. Jon M. is also a member of sludge/doom legends Come To Grief, while Rob C. handles guitar and vocals in progressive death metal outfit Shabti.
Pillars of Eternal Dusk was recorded largely live in just ten hours by Todd Hutchisen at Acadia Recording Company in the band’s hometown of Portland. Mixing was handled by Ethan Camp, whose credits include the debut albums of Mortiferum and Mephitic Corpse, while mastering was completed by Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound Studio, known for work with Ancient Death, Blood Incantation, Cerebral Rot, Imprecation, Infester and Spectral Voice.
Following the release, WORM ALTAR will perform throughout New England and Canada, bringing the filth of Pillars of Eternal Dusk to the stage.
Wyrm Chasm is a feral force of black metal rising from Dallas, Texas. Formed in March 2015 by guitarist Eric Carrasco and bassist/vocalist Stephen Jeter, the band aimed to forge a cutting-edge sound rooted in raw atmospheres.
A blend of atmospheric and melodic black metal, Wyrm Chasm crafts a cold, oppressive atmosphere punctuated with emotionally charged riffing and furious percussion.
“We’ve crafted our eponymous album into a melodic, yet atmospheric release that fully represents our sound and attack.” – Wyrm Chasm
Wyrm Chasm will be released October 23 on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
FFO: Winterfylleth, Wolves in the Throne Room, Emperor, Mgla
Finnish classic Gothenburg-style melodic death metal band, Morbid Intent, are set to release their debut EP Marionettes, later in 2026 via Inverse Records. The second single “Vitriol Shards” is unleashed today and it’s accompanied by a music video which can be seen here: https://youtu.be/i5AJooBpMYY
The band comments: “Vitriol Shards is diving into the destructive power of toxic words, psychological violence and bitterness. The track portrays how hatred and poisoned communication can shatter into fragments that slowly corrode the human mind, piece by piece.”
Morbid Intent is an upcoming melodic death metal act formed in Oulu, Finland. Looking to take the scene by storm, Morbid Intent will release their debut EP Marionettes in 2026.
The main inspiration for the band is the classic Göteborg-style melodic death metal mixed with a splash of modern extreme metal aggression. Fast blast beats, crushing riffs, and haunting melodies are to be expected.
The band members have experience playing in bands such as Mors Subita, Electric Deathbeat, Swansong, Se, Josta Ei Puhuta.
Morbid Intent – Vitriol Shards (single 2026)
Composed & arranged by Juha Väyrynen, Juho Näppä. Lyrics by Juha Väyrynen.
Single cover by Nikos Stavridakis (VisionBlack).
Marionettes will crush you, set you on fire, hit you like a truck, set you on fire again, and leave you wanting for more. This is a band and a debut that you will not want to miss.
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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