Your patience will be rewarded. Chile’s RIPPER returns with their first full-length since 2016’s Experiment of Existence.
The last decade has seen RIPPER refine their attack into a lethal blend of old-school death metal and thrash-or-be-thrashed aggression. The band has undeniably earned a reputation as one of South America’s premiere extreme metal exports.
Witness the band’s triumphant return with the first single offTowards Rebirth, “The Source Exterminator.” Stream the track at: youtu.be/J_QqGRoVQ2Q?si=BafNTXKHy5hO3jOz
Towards Rebirth contains the band’s most violent work to date. Razor sharp guitar work, intense drumming and well-crafted songs are still there…only more concise, more vicious.
Dark Descent Records will release Towards Rebirth on July 24th on CD, vinyl and digital formats.
(Photo Credit – Andrew Brophy) L-R: Dan Brophy – Rhythm and Lead Guitars and Vocals, Andrew Brophy – Drums and Lead Vocals, Dustin Smith – Bass Guitar and Vocals, Ruth Guechtal – Rhythm Guitar and Vocals
Hamilton, Ontario, extreme‑metal outfit METALADIAN erupt with the release of “Deaditation,” the ferocious and hypnotic title track single from their upcoming debut album out on Canada Day, July 1st, 2026. After more than twenty years of composing, refining, and shaping the band’s sound, composer, lead vocalist, and drummer Andrew Brophy finally unveils the first official chapter of METALADIAN’s long‑awaited recorded legacy.
“Deaditation” is METALADIAN’s most aggressive and unrelenting work, a dizzying, chromatic, multi‑vocal assault built on a three‑stage structure: plateau, ascension, descent. Each time the cycle restarts, the tempo subtly increases, dragging listeners deeper into a spiralling frenzy.
“The interplay between vocalists is quick, dizzying and hypnotizing… the music is incrementally and constantly gaining momentum, driving the track to a spiralling frenzy by the final descent,” adds Brophy.
Lyrically, the single paints a blackened world where victims reclaim power through a psychic retaliation, a Deaditation, forcing abusers to feel the pain they inflicted “100,000 fold.” Musically, it opens with riotous crowd samples, chromatic bass lines, droning harmonies, ripping feedback, and a tribal drum solo that launches the track into its relentless progression.
Fans of extreme metal, progressive death metal, and classical‑influenced metal will immediately recognize the ambition and precision behind the single.
Arriving July 1, 2026, “Deaditation”is the culmination of more than two decades of writing. Brophy began composing the framework on classical guitar in 2003, later expanding the material into a full three‑album arc.
Track Listing:
Left Hand Path – 9:44
Deaditation – 6:21
No Worse Death Than The Loss Of All Hope – (Wondering Why I Wonder Why) – 7:35
Confrontation With God – 11:59
Cure For Judgement – 6:51
Welcome To Your Holy Hell – 8:49 Album Length: 51:19
The debut album is a story‑driven descent and ascent, moving through spiteful violence, spiralling depression, suicidal ideation, confrontation with God, revenge, and finally, redemption.
“The album is drenched in violence and darkness, but with a hint of light that begins to show itself as the album progresses,” says Brophy.
Musically, the record is dense, chromatic, harmonically lush, and rhythmically punishing. Vocally, all four members contribute in a rapid‑fire call‑and‑response style: Andrew Brophy (drums, lead vocals) with melodic leads and rhythmic anchors, Dustin Smith (bass) brings guttural, ogre‑like lows, Dan Brophy (guitar) adds vicious, rabid‑dog riot vocals and Ruth Guechtal (guitar) exports ripping, high‑screeching screams. The result is a massive, layered vocal machine unlike anything in the Canadian metal landscape.
METALADIAN formed in Hamilton, Ontario, as the vehicle for Andrew Brophy’s intricate compositions, music that blends thrash, death, progressive, and technical metal with the darker works of classical composers such as Bartók, Penderecki, Mussorgsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, and Mahler.
“Metaladian is my passion, my main source of creativity and catharsis for years,” adds Brophy.
Their sound is best described as complex, emotional, heavy, dark, and hypnotizing. The band’s lineup is deeply interconnected: Andrew and guitarist Dan are brothers, Ruth (guitar) is Dan’s wife, and Dustin (bass) is their “metal brother from another mother.”
All four also perform in the Hamilton extreme‑theatre metal act 30 Immolated; 16 Returned, and three members hold classical‑music degrees, including two doctorates in composition.
Recommended for fans of Strapping Young Lad, Metallica (early), Suffocation, Bela Bartok, and Ludwig Van Beethoven, METALADIAN’s “Deaditation” is available for pre-order at: https://metaladian.bandcamp.com/
Technical death metal juggernauts PSYCROPTIC present their new single, “No Blade Of Grass.” The track comes off the band’s impending new full-length, and first for Metal Blade Records, The Pulse Of Annihilation, set for release on July 17th.
“This one has a good blend of old-school PSYCROPTIC-style riffage and slightly sludge filled, loosey-goosey sections straight outta the classic death metal era,” remarks guitaristJoe Haley. “The whole thing is brought together with the choral/orchestral chorus. Something for everyone! Going to be a fun one to rip live!”
Bassist Todd Stern agrees, “It’s an unbelievably catchy tune! The main verse is one of my favorite bits on the whole record. Classic riffage, steam rolling the whole song forward with solid momentum all along. Badass.”
Adds vocalist Jason Peppiatt, “I had so much fun with this song as it was the first song that [vocalist Jason] Keyser had written for the band and it was awesome to have someone bring different ideas to the table than what I normally would. Vocally it’s nice and fast and has a real sick flow and groove to vocal parts.”
Watch PSYCROPTIC’s “No Blade Of Grass” video HERE.
Watch PSYCROPTIC’s previously released video for first single, “Gathering A Venomous Herd,”HERE.
Across The Pulse of Annihilation, PSYCROPTIC sounds focused, disciplined, and fully aware of their trajectory. Complexity remains foundational, but it is now guided by compositional restraint and veteran confidence. With this release, the band reaffirm their status not merely as technical death metal stalwarts, but as architects actively shaping its future, proving that mastery, sharpened by time, only grows more lethal.
The Pulse Of Annihilation features cover art by Belial Necroarts (Gaerea, In Aeternum) and will be available on digipak CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
World Ablaze (Tiger’s Eye) – (US) Sleepy Hollow (Radioactive Dust) – (US) 180g Black – (EU – Ltd. 500) Barren Waste (Swamp Green Gold Melt) – (EU – Ltd. 250) Fires Of Time (Gold Black Splatter) – (EU – Ltd. 250)
PSYCROPTIC will join labelmates Rivers Of Nihil for a short run of Australian dates this August with support provided by Growth and Slaughtercult. From there, PSYCROPTIC and Rivers Of Nihil will unite with The Zenith Passage (also on Metal Blade) for four shows in Japan. See all confirmed dates below and stay tuned for additional live dates to be announced in the weeks to come.
PSYCROPTIC w/ Rivers Of Nihil, Growth, Slaughtercult: 8/13/2026 Magnet House – Perth, AU 8/14/2026 Lion Arts – Adelaide, AU 8/15/2026 Max Watts – Melbourne, AU 8/21/2026 Manning Bar – Sydney, AU 8/22/2026 Necrosonic Festival – Brisbane, AU
w/ Rivers Of Nihil, The Zenith Passage: 8/24/2026 Socore Factory – Osaka, JP 8/25/2026 3Star Imaike – Nagoya, JP 8/26/2026 Space Odd – Tokyo, JP 8/27/2026 Space Odd – Tokyo, JP
For over two decades, PSYCROPTIC has operated at the vanguard of technical death metal, defined by instrumental precision, structural intelligence and an uncompromising creative ethic. From their Tasmanian origins to commanding stages worldwide, the band have built a reputation on rhythmic complexity, exacting musicianship, and a refusal to plateau.
At the core of this next phase is guitarist and principal songwriter Joe Haley. Over time, Haley’s compositional voice has evolved from pure technical density into something more architecturally deliberate. On The Pulse Of Annihilation, riff construction feels sharper, transitions more fluid, and thematic motifs more intentional. Haley’s writing demonstrates a seasoned understanding of pacing—knowing when to constrict, when to expand, and how to weaponize silence and space within otherwise relentless arrangements. Experience has not diminished intensity; it has refined its delivery.
The record features the dual-vocal assault of Jason Peppiatt and Jason Keyser (Origin), a partnership that debuted on PSYCROPTIC’s previous full-length, Divine Council. Peppiatt’s commanding growl intertwines with Keyser’s razor-edged articulation, creating a dynamic vocal interplay that adds dimension and contrast to the band’s dense instrumentation. This twofold approach heightens the record’s impact, featuring layered, confrontational elements that remain tightly synced with the band’s intricate foundation.
PSYCROPTIC: David Haley – drums Joe Haley – guitars Todd Stern – bass Jason Peppiatt – vocals Jason Keyser – vocals
Raleigh, North Carolina traditional heavy metal band CRIMSON STEEL have released their new single “Dark Rider,” the second single from their forthcoming full-length album Show No Fear, out October 2, 2026 via Heaven and Hell Records.
“Dark Rider” charges forward with classic heavy metal intensity, galloping rhythms, sharp riffing, and apocalyptic imagery. The track captures CRIMSON STEEL in full command of their traditional metal foundation, pairing high-energy musicianship with a cinematic sense of dread and momentum.
Built around visions of plague, death, famine, destruction, and unavoidable catastrophe, “Dark Rider” descends like an omen. Relentless percussion, forceful bass, soaring vocals, and layered guitar harmonies drive the song with urgency, giving it the feeling of a warning carried on steel and thunder.
Show No Fear presents CRIMSON STEEL in a fully realized narrative landscape shaped by fear, transformation, power, sacrifice, and perseverance. Across the album, the band brings together traditional heavy metal force, cinematic atmosphere, progressive-minded arrangements, and emotionally charged performances. The record moves with the scope of dark fantasy while staying rooted in the human struggle to confront fear, endure conflict, and emerge with strength.
With Show No Fear, CRIMSON STEEL delivers an album built for listeners drawn to classic heavy metal storytelling, soaring vocals, driving rhythms, and dramatic musicianship. The production preserves warmth and organic energy while giving the record the clarity and impact of a modern heavy metal release.
Show No Fear was produced by Wendy Brancaccio and recorded and mixed at Vintage Noise Studio with Wendy Brancaccio and Bill Spears. The album was mastered by Anthony Focx. Cover artwork and design for Show No Fear isby Johnathan @gerardster.
CRIMSON STEEL:
Tina Langevin – Lead Vocals David Ryan – Guitars, Backing Vocals Joel McGee – Bass, Vocals Will Adkins – Drums, Backing Vocals
Italian death metal act GORGE announce the release of their debut full-length album Deeds of Horror, set to arrive on August 27, 2026 via Time To Kill Records. The band also unveils the first single taken from the record, “Visions Before Dying”, now available on all digital platforms.
“Visions Before Dying” is a relentless death metal assault, driven by blistering speed and suffocating intensity reminiscent of the classic brutality associated with bands like Suffocation and Dying Fetus. The song moves between ferocious blastdriven passages and crushing, cavernous grooves, creating a violent dynamic that feels both chaotic and oppressive.
Lyrically, the track explores the mysterious threshold between life and death. Inspired by psychological and metaphysical films such as Altered States and Jacob’s Ladder, the song dives into the unsettling visions and dreamlike experiences that might occur in the final moments before the body gives out.
“Visions Before Dying” imagines the mind drifting through fragments of memories, distorted realities, and unknown dimensions, where dreams, hallucinations, and subconscious fears merge into a final sequence of surreal revelations, a descent into the last visions the brain may conjure as consciousness slowly fades into darkness.
Track-list:
1. Sacred Misconception 2. Visions Before Dying 3. Mortal Decimation (Deeds Of Horror) 4. Interlude 5. Unhinged Punishment (ft. Angel Ochoa) 6. Without Inheritance 7. Fear Of Losing Another Vital Limb 8. Repetition Of The Kill
Formed in 2025 by Edoardo Nicoloso (Fulci, Jorelia, TV-Crimes) and Roberto Sava (Jorelia), GORGE were created with the intent of exploring death metal in its most direct and uncompromising form, drawing inspiration from the raw energy of the genre’s foundational years while developing a personal and dynamic approach.
The band’s approach is rooted in a direct, riff-driven philosophy that draws heavily from the foundational era of Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Gorguts and Malevolent Creation, updated with just the right amount of modern weight without compromising its original identity.
GORGE blends death metal with a gritty hardcore sensibility, resulting in a groovy yet ferocious sound that avoids overused slam dynamics in favour of tighter songwriting and internal rhythmic variation. At the centre of everything lies the riff, treated as the primary narrative force across all compositions, supported by a constant attention to structural tension and release.
Delve into the chaos of the cosmos with “Limitless,” the new single release from the US and Mexico based melodic death metal band FALSIMONIAN. The quartet’s dynamic heavy sound is influenced by Mexican folk and Latin-American roots music, as well as progressive elements and jazz. FALSIMONIAN‘s forthcoming EP For Survival issetto arrive independently on November 7, 2026.
Drawing inspiration from concepts such as autotheism, the big bang, and relativity, the band takes a more abstract approach with their lyrics in “Limitless”. The track’s narrative is positioned from the perspective of a celestial being, leaning into the cosmic horror realm, which is a personified form of the universe.
A chaotic mood emerges from “Limitless” which begins with an onslaught of sharp and aggressive rhythmic stabs. The violent intensity creates a sense of disturbance and discomfort. Stylistically, “Limitless” is rooted in melodic death metal though progressive sections and groove passages are incorporated across the track. This song also features the first guitar solo heard by Cesar Robles on the upcoming EP in a display that is initially melodic before developing into intricate, technical shredding.
Presented through the lens of a fictional, dystopian world, the EP considers the everyday impact onto individuals who are living under the threat and fear of a world-ending catastrophe. “Limitless” is a key moment for the narrative’s protagonist in which, through a moment of introspection, they decide to take action against the imposing darkness.
For Survival was produced by Jesus Fuentes Valverde, with mixing and mastering by Gil Andrade. Drums engineering was undertaken by Ruben Sanchez at Urvn Studios, with guitars and keyboards recorded by Jesus Fuentes Valverde and vocals recorded by Erick Valverde. Guitar and vocal editing, and bass programming, was by Jesus Fuentes Valverde. Additional guitars on “Limitless”, “Judgment” and “For Survival” were recorded and edited by Cesar Robles.
For Survival Track-list:
Freefall – 3:57
The Enemy – 4:02
Limitless – 3:44
Judgment – 4:48
For Survival – 5:05
All artwork photography for the EP and single releases are from X-Rays Erick Valverde has taken over the last 10 years. The artworks utilize original photographs of a colorful sunset as the light source behind the X-Rays. These colors are commonly seen in the desert skies of the US/Mexico border. Ariadne Willis, adjusted the photographs for the layout and design of the EP and single covers. Erick’s accidents and health struggles have also indirectly influenced the overall theme of the EP. Additional photography by Rancho Creativo Studios.
FALSIMONIAN:
Erick Valverde – Vocals Jesus Fuentes Valverde – Guitars, Keyboards Cesar Robles Sanchez – Lead Guitars Mauricio “Moritz” Gonzalez – Drums
TIL THE END’s self-titled Lifeforce Records debut album will be released on September 11th and is up now for preorder/ presave.
New single Until the End up now on all digital platforms.
With their widely acclaimed debut EP Dark Kings, TIL THE END made an impressive entrance into the melodic death metal community last year, immediately winning over a broad audience. With the release of their first full‑length album, the band now takes the next major step. The self‑titled record on LIFEFORCE RECORDS is a clear statement: an expression of confidence, artistic determination, and an unwavering focus on what matters most – the music. And the music speaks for itself.
The line‑up of the group, founded in 2023, brings together four musicians firmly rooted in the international scene: vocalist Antony Hämäläinen (Nightrage, Armageddon), guitarist Kostas Sotos (Mystic Prophecy, Crystal Tears), drummer Márton Veress (Orgy, Armageddon), and bassist/rhythm guitarist Nic Svensson (Slaves For Scores, Swede Studios). TIL THE END is their shared vehicle to pay tribute to the legendary Gothenburg sound while simultaneously pushing it forward with modern energy and a contemporary artistic vision.
01. Form the Beginning (Genesis) 02. Lava 03. Dismal Paradise 04. These Little Voices 05. I’m Falling Apart 06. Awakening 07. Hybrid Fragments 08. Cemetery Trees 09. Higher and Beyond 10. Until the End
Album Artwork by Gustavo Sazes (Soilwork, Nightrage, Firewind, etc.)
Monolord, who are currently in the midst of a U.S. tour following the release of their new album, Neverending, have partnered with Dunable Guitars for a pair of signature model instruments: Dunable USA Custom Gnarwhal and R2 Bass.
Monolord have been great friends of Dunable Guitars for almost a decade, using the brand’s guitars and basses as weapons of choice for their torrential downpour of heavy tones and catchy hooks live and in the studio. Neverending is a perfect showcase of their mastery in blending loud metal with great songwriting, and similarly an encapsulation of what Dunable instruments were built for.
Artist signature models for Thomas Jäger and Mika Hakki are long overdue, and Dunable is happy to finally present their Dunable USA Custom Gnarwhal and R2 Bass signature instruments, limited to only six of each model.
“Mika and I have been playing our Dunables for a couple of years now and to get your own instrument with your own specifications, it’s pure magic,” Jäger says. “These instruments came out great and we’re absolutely stoked.”
Hakki adds: “After years of using and owning several Dunable Guitars, it’s a great privilege to be part of the Dunable team with this amazing instrument. When Sacha Dunable asked us what color options we wanted for the instruments, I just saw this sick scorched bass in my mind, and he got probably equally as stoked on the idea as we did. Great minds twist alike!”
These guitars and basses feature a custom Monolord Icon graphic on the headstock, tuxedo stripe pickguard, and a charred Swamp Ash body, giving a classy yet grizzled look to these weapons of doom.
The single High-Wind P90 pickup in Jäger’s Gnarwhal comes from Lollar Pickups, a company whose founder literally wrote the book on pickup winding. The P90 lends itself incredibly well to all applicable tones, from loud cleans to ultra heavy fuzz and distortion.
Hakki’s R2 Bass comes in two pickup variants – one with dual Dunable Katana pickups, for a hot output, but sharp attack, and one with a Dunable D-Split and D-J pickup combo, for a more traditional sound.
Grab one of these unique instruments while you can. Orders are live at this link: https://dunableguitars.com/
Dunable Gnarwhal – Thomas Jäger limited artist collab model
Scale length: 24.75″ Neck: mahogany Fingerboard: Ebony Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Inlay: none Side dots: luminlay side dots Body: charred swamp ash Finish: satin lacquer Nut: Graphtech Tusq Tuners: Graph Tech Ratio Bridge: Nashville TOM/Stop Tail Bridge Pickup: Lollar Soapbar P90 – High Wind Controls: 1 volume Setup: E standard 10-46 Case: hardcase
Dunable R2 Bass – Mika Hakki limited artist collab model (Katana variant)
Scale length: 35″ Neck: maple Fingerboard: Ebony Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Inlay: none Side dots: luminlay side dots Body: charred swamp ash Finish: satin lacquer Nut: Graphtech Tusq Tuners: Leo Quan Badass Clover Bridge: Leo Quan Badass Neck Pickup: Dunable Katana Single Black Foil Bridge Pickup: Dunable Katana Single Black Foil Controls: 2 volume 1 tone Setup: E standard 105-45 Case: hardcase
Dunable R2 Bass – Mika Hakki limited artist collab model (PJ variant)
Scale length: 35″ Neck: Maple Fingerboard: Ebony Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Inlay: none Side dots: luminlay side dots Body: charred swamp ash Finish: satin lacquer Nut: Graphtech Tusq Tuners: Leo Quan Badass Clover Bridge: Leo Quan Badass Neck Pickup: Dunable D-split Bridge Pickup: Dunable D-J Controls: 1 volume Setup: E Standard 105-45 Case: hardcase
ETERNAL RECURRENCE presents the debut self titled EP, Eternal Recurrence. Led by composer and multi-instrumentalist C. Alex Luke, ETERNAL RECURRENCE embraces the symphonic metal genre from an alternative perspective with orchestral arrangements drawn from chamber music. The new EP release arrives alongside a music video for the track “Precious Stones“.
The creative process behind “Precious Stones” differs from the rest of the track list on Eternal Recurrence as it was the first song written for the EP dating back to the COVID pandemic. Initially composed as a straightforward metal track with no symphonic elements, “Precious Stones” was subsequently reworked to incorporate the chamber music arrangement and adhere to the new creative direction for ETERNAL RECURRENCE.
Eternal Recurrence – Track List:
Precious Stones
8 by 8
Amor Fati
Relativity
Eternal Recurrence
“Precious Stones” features two guest vocalists. Mordian of DIAMORTE and SHIELD OF WINGS delivers a powerful alto performance during the chorus and bridge, while James Dorton of BLACK CROWN INITIATE, DIAMORTE and NE OBLIVISCARIS contributes harsh vocals to the heavier sections of the song.
Furthermore, “Precious Stones” is the only song on the EP not written by C. Alex Luke. The lyrics were written by Jake Thiele, Luke’s former bandmate from UNTIL EXTINCTION. On the lyrical theme Thiele shares, “In short, ‘Precious Stones’ is about the futility and stupidity of the things that divide us and how we let them suck the enjoyment out of life.”
All material on Eternal Recurrencewas composed around a chamber ensemble led by German Dmitriev on violins, Steven Schumann on cellos, Maciek Szczyciński on double bass, and C. Alex Luke on piano. These elements are combined with aggressive guitars, lead work, and drumming rooted firmly in modern metal. The EP cover artwork and layout is by Timur Khabirov at All4band Design, and the project’s logo was designed by Pavel Kurbanov at All4band Design.
About ETERNAL RECURRENCE:
ETERNAL RECURRENCE is a symphonic metal project based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2025 by multi-instrumentalist and composer C. Alex Luke. Known for blending progressive and extreme metal with classical instrumentation, the project takes a chamber music approach to symphonic metal, prioritizing the nuance and expressiveness of real musicians over large-scale orchestral simulation.
Drawing influence from bands such as KAMELOT, EPICA, OPETH, DREAM THEATER, and REVOCATION, ETERNAL RECURRENCE balances intricate compositions with aggressive modern metal. While traditional symphonic metal often relies on massive orchestras or dense sampled arrangements, ETERNAL RECURRENCE was created around the belief that the human touch of live performance remains essential, especially in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Rather than emulating 19th and 20th century symphonic traditions, the project looks to chamber music for inspiration. Chamber ensembles are designed for smaller spaces and intimate performances, emphasizing clarity, interaction, and detail. This philosophy defines the sound of ETERNAL RECURRENCE.
All material on the debut release, Eternal Recurrence, was composed specifically for a chamber string ensemble alongside full metal instrumentation.
Eternal Recurrence serves as both an introduction and a mission statement, presenting symphonic metal that values realism, restraint, and emotional detail without sacrificing heaviness or intensity. The project exists at the intersection of classical tradition and modern metal, focused on authenticity, composition, and the expressive imperfections that only human performers can provide.
Québec City-based Bulgarian folk and black metal band TSAR STANGRA will release their new full-length album, Химните на разрушените светове (Hymns of the Broken Worlds), on July 1, 2026 via GLOBMETAL PROMOTIONS.
Created over the course of nearly a decade, Химните на разрушените светове is the band’s most ambitious work to date. The album explores Bulgarian history, folklore, pagan ritual, exile, language, and cultural memory through a collision of black metal aggression, Balkan melody, ceremonial atmosphere, tambura, orchestration, and lyrics written in Bulgarian.
Founded by vocalist Stanislav Stefanovski, TSAR STANGRA was built around the mission of preserving Bulgarian heritage through extreme metal. On Химните на разрушените светове, that mission expands into a larger meditation on identity, displacement, and the meeting of worlds.
Written largely in Québec by musicians from different cultural and musical backgrounds, the record carries a natural tension between Bulgarian folk tradition and Western black metal, between pagan symbolism and literary sources shaped by Christian Bulgarian poets, between ancestral memory and life far from the homeland.
The album opens with “Тракийци – Черни химни за изгубените” (“Thracians – Black Hymns for the Lost Ones”), an epic invocation of Thracian memory and Bulgarian ancestry. “Хан Аспарух” (“Khan Asparuh”) follows with a martial black metal tribute to the founder of the First Bulgarian Empire, while “Черна песен” (“Black Song”) turns inward through the poetry of Dimcho Debelyanov.
The record later moves through the exile and longing of “Тъга за Юг” (“Longing for the South”), the Kukeri ritual force of “Земни стражи” (“Guardians of the Earth”), and the uncompromising pagan invocation of “Завръщането на родния бог” (“The Return of the Native God”), before closing with “Българският език” (“Bulgarian Language”), a tribute to the survival of Bulgarian language and identity.
The artwork, created by Paolo Girardi, reflects the album’s central theme of cultural collision. Kukeri, ancient masked figures from Bulgarian pagan tradition, stand before the burning Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, one of Québec’s most recognizable Christian landmarks. The image captures the album’s vision of old ritual, new geography, ancestral memory and transformation.
Химните на разрушените светове follows TSAR STANGRA’s debut full-length Небесният ковач(Celestial Forger), the 2023 single “Черна песен” (“Black Song”), and the 2024 live album Битката за Фиорда – На живо в Сагене (The Battle of the Fjord – Live in Saguenay).
Track-list:
“Тракийци – Черни химни за изгубените” (“Thracians – Black Hymns for the Lost Ones”) – 6:45
“Хан Аспарух” (“Khan Asparuh”) – 6:35
“Черна песен” (“Black Song”) – 4:41
“Последният поход” (“The Final March”) – 3:03
“Тъга за Юг” (“Longing for the South”) – 4:49
“Земни стражи” (“Guardians of the Earth”) – 6:42
“Завръщането на родния бог” (“The Return of the Native God”) – 3:11
“Българският език” (“Bulgarian Language”) – 5:43
For fans of ROTTING CHRIST, NEGURA BUNGET, DRUDKH, MELECHESH, BATHORY, and IMMORTAL, the new album offers a deeply cultural and ritualistic take on pagan black metal.
Swedish metal force SARCATOR has officially signed a worldwide record deal with Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The partnership marks a significant new chapter for one of Scandinavia’s most exciting rising metal acts as it continues its relentless ascent on the international stage.
Having built a reputation through three acclaimed studio albums, explosive live performances, and a fearless approach to songwriting, SARCATOR is now preparing the next phase of its evolution together with Reigning Phoenix Music. Further details regarding the band’s upcoming fourth studio album will be revealed soon.
The band comments:
“Promising news, friends! We have officially partnered up with the German-American powerhouse Reigning Phoenix Music. As you may know, this fresh new label has already come to be the home for acts such as Opeth, Deicide & Meshuggah to name a few. So apart from being in good company, we believe this partnership will support the band as we break new ground, forward! Onwards! Stay tuned for what’s next.”
Emerging from Sweden’s thriving extreme metal underground, SARCATOR has quickly become one of the most compelling new forces in metal. Blending blackened aggression, death metal intensity, thrash energy and a strong sense of melody, the band has developed a sound they describe as “death’s rock”; a bold and dynamic expression that reflects both their roots and their continuous evolution.
WelcomingSARCATORto the RPM roster, Reigning Phoenix Music co-founder Gerardo Martinez states:
“Every few years you run into a band that truly shakes your foundation and makes you realize that Heavy Metal will be here for eternity. That band is SARCATOR. Truly, one of the bands that will take Metal into the future and one band to pay attention to in present day. What a pleasure to have them on RPM!”
Lambros Kokkinos, who will be working closely with the band on behalf of the label throughout this next chapter, adds:
“The exciting thing about SARCATOR is that it still feels like a secret. The kind of band you discover before everybody else does. And I have a feeling that 10 years from now, we’ll look back at this moment and be very happy we were there early.”
Between the ages of just 14 and 20, the members of SARCATOR released their first demo tape, Visions of Purgatory, through Redefining Darkness Records in 2019. Only two years later, the band received a nomination for Best Rock/Metal Album at Sweden’s prestigious P3 Guld Awards for its self-titled debut album, released in 2020.
Following the release of the second album Alkahest via Black Lion Records in 2022, SARCATOR expanded its live activities, quickly establishing a reputation for fierce, blackened performances that continue to captivate audiences across Europe and beyond.
The third studio album Swarming Angels & Flies, released in early 2025 via Century Media Records, represented a major artistic and career milestone, further expanding the band’s reach and recognition through touring with the likes of Hellripper, 1349, Midnight, and others, as well as earning a nomination for “Best Hard Rock/Metal Album” at Sweden’s Grammis Awards (other nominees were Sabaton, The Haunted, The Hellacopters and winners Ghost).
Now entering a new era with Reigning Phoenix Music, SARCATOR is preparing to unveil its fourth studio album in 2026, reinforcing their position among the leading names of a new wave of Scandinavian extreme metal!
Prominent progressive metal label Sensory Records proudly announces the signing of LAZARUS EFFECT, the new solo project of former Symphony X bassist Thomas Miller.
“I’m very excited to announce, after years of contemplating and eventually writing and recording my first solo project, the signing to Sensory Records,” Miller writes. “After speaking and collaborating with Ken Golden, I’ve decided it’s the perfect team to launch the CD and start the promotions for a Fall 2026 release. I met Ken in 1998, while still in Symphony X, and always had it in the back of my mind that, if I did decide to record and release an album, he’d be at the top of the list.”
“I hope everyone is as excited as I am. Between recording with some of my old friends and bandmates to finding the perfect match in Sensory Records to give it the proper attention and promotional care I was hoping for. So, the new chapter has begun, and I’m looking forward to a prosperous future relationship with Sensory Records and re-connecting with the old fans as well as new ones. Stay tuned.”
Label owner Ken Golden states, “I was a fan of Symphony X early on and met Thomas back in 1998. Those Symphony X albums were part of my introduction into the world of progressive metal and instantly won me over. Thomas was a vital part of the band’s sound, and I feel that the LAZARUS EFFECT project is going to surprise and excite fans of Symphony X and Thomas’ brilliant bass work.”
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, whom he then recorded and played out in several bands with. 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, who had recorded with several local bands and labels including Megaforce Records. After interactions with fans over the years and realizing his chemistry with How, he decided to start writing for the LAZARUS EFFECT project.
He then asked Michael Romeo and Michael Pinnella to lend their recording talents to the project, and then Eric Rachel, producer of Symphony X’s first six albums, to mix and master the album. The result is music and lyrics inspired by majestic themes, progressive metal, and various musical overtones.
With the album fully complete, Thomas is now starting to promote the release of the album and working in collaboration with The Lasers Edge Group’s distribution and promotional team. The LAZARUS EFFECT debut is currently being finalized for release early this Fall. Expect additional details, previews of the album, and more to begin posting during the Summer.
L-R – Shawn Hillman (Fretless bass) | Miguel Marcheterre-Pina (Guitar) | André Dubien (Vocals) | Photo Credit – Jade Weeles & Miguel Marcheterre-Pina
Debut Album Theasterion Out July 2026
Montréal’s rising technical death‑metal force Volubilis announces the release of their second single, “Le Flamboiement Stellaire,” the follow‑up to their first single “Ashes & Embers” and the latest preview of their upcoming debut conceptual full‑lengthTheasterion, arriving July 10th, 2026.
Founded in 2020 by Afro‑Canadian multi‑instrumentalist and world‑builder Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina, Volubilis has evolved from a pandemic‑era bedroom project into one of Canada’s most promising new progressive and technical metal acts. Joined by André Dubien (vocals), Jacob Collins(drums), Alexis Rioux (guitar), and Shawn Hillman (fretless bass), the band has quickly gained recognition for its intricate musicianship, ambitious storytelling, and immersive sci‑fi universe.
“Le Flamboiement Stellaire” serves as the album’s opening chapter, both musically and narratively. Written with the intention of becoming a tech‑death anthem, the track explodes with prestissimo riffing, melodious solos, and relentless blast beats. It is also the only song on the album written in French, grounding the band’s conceptual universe in Québec’s metal identity.
“Le Flamboiement Stellaire was written to purposefully become a metal hit. With prestissimo, intricate riffs, melodious solos and blasting drums, the song is an homage to tech‑death’s best acts. We insisted on writing lyrics in French to make it a veritable testimony of Québec’s vernacular metal,”says Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina
Lyrically, the single introduces the prophecy at the heart ofTheasterion, the foretelling of a catastrophic supernova, the political fracture it creates within a human colony, and the mercenaries who flee to the hostile planet Theasterion in search of survival.
Listen to “Le Flamboiement Stellaire” at the following links:
Track Listing: 1. Le Flamboiement Stellaire (5:16) 2. Theasterion (6:30) 3. Homo Cumulus (5:48) 4. Ashes & Embers (4:50) 5. The Prism (4:01) 6. Unukhalai Supernova (6:24) Total Album Length: 33min
A sweeping sci‑fi epic told through six tracks,Theasterion blends technical death metal, progressive structures, neoclassical flourishes, and cinematic world‑building. The album explores humanity’s collapse, interplanetary survival, and the enigmatic Homo Cumulus, an anthropoid species native to Theasterion.
Musically, the record pushes Volubilis’ songwriting into more complex, immersive territory, with influences ranging from Beyond Creation, Vale of Pnath, and Obscura to Ne Obliviscaris and neoclassical composition.
Album pre-order/pre-save available at the following links:
Album Band Line-up: Miguel Marcheterre-Pina – Rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars, composition, concept art, lyrics. Shawn Hilman – Fretless Bass, Contrabass André Dubien – Vocals, lyrics on songs 03 & 06. Jacob Collins – Drums Alexis Rioux – Guest solos on songs 01, 02, and 03. Michelle Gao: Violin, viola on song 06
Live Band Line-up: Miguel Marcheterre-Pina – Guitar, backing vocals Shawn Hilman – Fretless Bass André Dubien – Vocals Jacob Collins – Drums Alexis Rioux – Guitar
German power metal force STORMHAMMER have released a music video for their brand-new single “Scars Of The Abyss“. Combining crushing riffs, soaring melodies and a gripping atmosphere, the track delivers a powerful metal statement that perfectly showcases STORMHAMMER’s unmistakable sound.
Commenting on the song, bassist and backing vocalist Horst Tessmann states:
“Scars Of The Abyss is one of the songs that best reflects the blend of old-school power metal and modern heaviness that defines this album.”
With “Scars Of The Abyss”, STORMHAMMER unleash another impressive preview of their forthcoming studio album Wrath Of The Hammer, released on July 17 via ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music. Blending anthemic choruses, dynamic musicianship and emotionally charged songwriting, the band once again demonstrates their ability to merge classic power metal traditions with contemporary heaviness and depth.
Track-list: 1. Beware 2. Wrath Of The Hammer 3. Ashes Of The Throne 4. Light In The Dark 5. Wheels Of Eternity 6. Guardians Of The Night 7. Veil Of Fire 8. Scars Of The Abyss 9. Shattered Dominion 10. The Dune
Heavy, atmospheric, and built for maximum neck damage, SEA SLEEPER return with their new single, “Lunar Degenerates,” the latest preview of their forthcoming sophomore album, Burden of Antlers, set for release on September 18, 2026.
“Lunar Degenerates” captures the band at their most visceral and dynamic, fusing classic crunchy, bang-your-head riffage with the expansive progressive weight that has become a defining part of SEA SLEEPER’s sound. The track also leans into the band’s long-running Mastodon influence, particularly the Crack the Skye-esque textures that have surfaced across both of their albums.
The band calls “Lunar Degenerates” “easily the funnest song on the record to play,” pointing to its high-energy riffs, shifting atmosphere, and explosive return from an ambient passage back into the main riff as one of the song’s standout moments.
With its mix of brute force, spacey atmosphere, and locked-in rhythmic power, “Lunar Degenerates” offers another glimpse into the world of Burden of Antlers, an album that promises to expand SEA SLEEPER’s sonic range, while staying rooted in the crushing, riff-forward heaviness that first defined them.
Burden of Antlers – Track-list:
Machines of the Bombing Run
Manifestor
Lunar Degenerates
Abysmal Trench
Burden of Antlers
They’ll Miss You
Coma
Husk
About SEA SLEEPER:
With a passion for death and post metal, SEA SLEEPER infuse their heavy sound with an array of genre influences to produce something more dynamically extreme. The band formed in 2019 comprised of Jesse Cooley (guitar/lead vocals), Shane Cooley (drums/vocals), and Nick Kessler (bass/vocals), with Tony Spradlin (lead guitar/vocals) subsequently completing the line-up in 2022.
The debut EP Nihilism was released independently in 2019, followed by their acclaimed debut album Nostophobia. Released in 2021 via Metal Assault Records, Nostophobia garnered notable recognitionachieving the #7 spot for album of the year at GBHBL in 2021, as well as seeing the band become a Top Selling Bandcamp artist in the same year.
Blackened death machine COMPLEXANT has arrived. These Australian extremists are poised to unleash their first-ever full-length album, Apex.
The album boasts 10 tracks of brilliantly violent riffing fueled by percussive intensity and unearthly vocals. Following a collection of critically-acclaimed singles and 2023’s A Rite of Passage EP, COMPLEXANT is set to cement their status in the global metal community with Apex.
The band has launched the video for the album’s first single, “No Angels Weep.”
“A tale of vengeance, revenge and killing the false friends who scheme against you, when paranoia turns into reality,” says vocalist Dan Greigsy about the song. “Murdered one by one with an old gardening tool, then buried in the backyard. You have freed yourself from your living burden, but you are now haunted by a rotting garden sprouting from your sins”
Vocals on Apex were tracked by Joey Marsh at Beyond the Marsh Studios, with guitars and bass tracked by Shannon Zivkovic. The album was mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, Suffocation, Shadow of Intent, Ingested). Cover art created by Matt Priso.
Line-up:
Shannon Zivkovic – Guitar Gavin Bradley – Guitar Dan Greigsy – Vocals Chris Tuckley – Bass Seb Su – Drums
BIO: COMPLEXANT bring together members from across Australia to deliver a vicious blend of Death Metal and Black Metal.
Drawing influence from bands such as Behemoth, Suffocation, Emperor and Nile, they have been touring nationally since 2022 while steadily building their catalogue with a string of singles and an EP. Since the bands inception they have shared the stage with international titans Cryptopsy, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Signs Of The Swarm, Within Destruction, and Disentomb.
Dark black metal project HULDER has released “View From Nemeton,” the lead single and accompanying music video from their forthcoming album Verbolgen, due August 7th, via 20 Buck Spin (North America) and Season of Mist (World ex-North America). The single opens the album’s campaign and marks the first visual statement from what stands as the project’s most fully realized work to date.
“Captured on analog mediums in the forests of the Pacific Northwestern landscape and woven together by Liana Rakijian and Hulder, ‘View From Nemeton’ serves as a glimpse from the eye of the otherworld,” the band states.
“View From Nemeton” moves through the ceremonial and the spectral, its lyrics evoking a sacred site in the realm of the otherworld where the living and the dead converge: “In realm of the otherworld where undead and living shall meet / View from Nemeton as veil of soma is thinned.” The track builds on a foundation of layered riffing and atmospheric density, anchored by the recurring incantation “Bone to Bone / Limb to Limb / Blood to Blood,” before opening into sequences of hurdy-gurdy and keys that widen the piece’s ceremonial register.
Emerging from the Pacific Northwest, HULDER built a devoted following across a series of releases marked by their commitment to ancient craft, uncompromising production, and a sound rooted in the Northern European black metal tradition.
Verbolgen sees the project expand its instrumental palette: drawing in hurdy-gurdy from KELD (Majesties, Obsequiae, Celestiial) and split drum contributions from VAPULA and VROLOK (Aeternus, Gorgoroth), while sharpening the dual creative core that has defined its most compelling work.
Verbolgen Track-list:
Drie Raven (Intro) (2:18)
The Crowning (6:28)
Thy Binding Oath (5:38)
Verbolgen (4:01)
…And We Shall Sing (6:01)
In Blood and In Earth (7:09)
Den Nacht Zijn Lied (6:45)
View From Nemeton (5:23)
The Glow of Dawn (4:48)
Full runtime: 48:33
In support of the forthcoming release, HULDER will embark on a North American tour in August with DIMMU BORGIR, HYPOCRISY and SUFFOCATION. Tickets are available at: https://hulder-official.com/pages/shows.
HULDER North American Tour Dates:
Aug 7 – New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square Aug 8 – Worcester, PA @ The Palladium Aug 10 – Toronto, ON @ History Aug 11 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS Aug 13 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater Aug 14 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre Aug 15 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore Aug 18 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom Aug 21 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield Aug 23 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo
Echa Krwi available to pre-order via Pagan Records
Polish black metallers Azels Mountain have released a new video, created by Zaćma Visual Studio, ahead of the release of their third full-length album, Echa Krwi, scheduled to arrive on 26th June via Pagan Records.
On this new album, Azels Mountain continues its descent into darker and more reflective territories, channelling themes of memory, blood, sacrifice and transcendence through a colder, more expansive musical expression shaped by both mystic reflection and the lingering shadows of more recent historical experience.
Compared to previous releases, Echa Krwi is a more mature and culturally rooted vision. Beyond the foundations of underground black metal, the album draws inspiration from classical Polish music, literature and the spiritual atmosphere woven through the nation’s artistic heritage.
Echoes of melancholy, longing, pride, and existential struggle permeate the compositions, giving the record a distinctly Polish character. The result is an album that channels the spirit of forgotten landscapes, ancestral memory, and the restless soul embedded within Polish culture itself, transforming Echa Krwi into something both deeply personal and timeless.
Sirkis completed the artwork for the new album, while Zaćma Visual Studio handled photography. Renowned designer Christophe Szpajdel crafted the band’s refreshed logo. On the production front, the material was recorded at M23 Studio, with mixing and mastering duties executed by Satanic Audio.
Track-list: 1. Intro 2. Wschód 3. Bezdroża Jałowe 4. Ku Szczytom i Cieniom 5. Pieśń Wrony 6. Pomrok Czasów 7. Rytuał Zapomniany 8. Sen o Polach Bezkresnych 9. Nikt Nie Woła 10. Pustka
Formed in 2013, Azels Mountain emerged from the shadows of the Polish underground with a vision rooted in spiritual symbolism and the raw essence of black metal. Drawing inspiration from Slavic heritage, mysticism, death, and anti-religious contemplation, the band crafts music steeped in cold atmosphere, hypnotic melodies, and fierce aggression.
Their sound balances the spirit of classic black metal with hypnotic, ritualistic compositions and mystic atmosphere. Across releases such as Góra milczenia (2016) and Wieczny sen (2019), Azels Mountain established a distinct identity built on melancholic depth, grim intensity and uncompromising style.
Azels Mountain will perform at Gothoom Festival in Slovakia, 24-25 July 2026.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the new album from New Jersey’s old school Death Metal veterans GrimLegion. Harbingers Of Death is up now for pre-order and will be released July 10th on CD and Digital formats along with merch. Grim Legion features members of Evoken and Condition Critical.
Following up on the acclaimed 2014 album Unholy Resurrection, New Jersey’s GrimLegion (formed back in 1988) return from the grave once again to unleash more vicious old school Death Metal insanity. Harbingers Of Death showcases 10 punishing tracks of sheer brutality and crushing torment for real ones only! The current Grim Legion lineup consists of John Paradiso (Evoken), Randy Cavanaugh (Evoken), Ryan Donato (Condition Critical), Markus Misery (Fatal Array) and Devlin Bane (Godzero, Nucleus, Fatal Array).
Tech Hell Cyber Thrash, the incinerating debut from Texas and Alaska-based thrash metal trio SCATTER, is out now and can be streamed in its shredding entirety.
Born out of pandemic hacker movie marathons and late nights soldering together guitar pedal clones, SCATTER is the brainchild of Spenser Hodge and a love letter to 90s cyberpunk and hacker culture. Spenser enlisted Texas guitar wizard Ruben Cantu and longtime Alaskan collaborator Justin Rodda to help realize this vision.
The first material born of this collaboration now arrives with SCATTER’s debut EP, Tech Hell Cyber Thrash, a ripping and diverse collection of songs that run the gamut from classic death metal brutality to throwback speed metal harmonized leads, wrapped up in a paranoid, bloodsoaked thrash metal treatise on the interconnected hell world we call Earth. Deploying five incinerating tracks in under nineteen minutes, Tech Hell Cyber Thrash was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, California (Autopsy, Vastum, Necrot) and completed with artwork by Matt Stikker (Metallica, Power Trip, Billy Strings).
Tech Hell Cyber Thrash is out now digitally through SCATTER and on cassette via Immortal Jaw Recordings limited to 50 copies. Unleash hell HERE.
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