Baltimore (MD) – One-man Melodic Doom Metal outfit, Orchid Throne, ring in the new year with the official video for “Ephemerality,” the third single from forthcoming debut full-length, Buried in Black.
“Ephemerality” is also available on the usual streaming platforms, including Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Orchid Throne is set to release Buried in Black on January 9, 2026! The project consists solely of Nicholas Bonsanto (Lör,Empress, Helianthus, Barren) who wrote and performs the music, as well as producing, mixing and mastering the album.
After nearly 17 years of playing supporting roles in various bands, Nicholas Bonsanto (Lör, Empress, Helianthus, Barren) is proud to make his debut as a solo artist as the man behind Orchid Throne.
While not a concept album, Buried in Black weaves themes of anxiety, depression, fear of death, and the search for life’s meaning throughout its lyrics. The title describes both the music itself and the feelings that Bonsanto has kept buried within for years. It may sound bleak, but what is buried in black will be set free and brought to light on January 9th.
“This album is a long time coming for me,” said Bonsanto. “For more than a decade, I collected little recordings of ideas in the hope that one day they’d be useful. I could not be more proud of myself for how the album came out and for all of the things I have learned along the way.”
Maltese death metallers BOUND TO PREVAIL have unveiled the title track from their upcoming debut full-length album, “Enthroned in Torment”, now available as a new single. The song offers a further insight into the band’s approach, built on compact, forceful riffing and a dynamic balance between aggression and structure. Enthroned in Torment is set for release on January 7th, 2026 via Lethal Scissor Records.
The record is a powerful rediscovery and reinterpretation of the early 2000s death metal vein, blending old-school brutality with a modern edge. Drawing on the technical ferocity of old masters like Suffocation and Monstrosity, as well as the more extreme, yet precise, pummeling approaches of Beheaded, Hour of Penance and Inveracity, the album delivers tracks that are simultaneously tense, technical and fluid, giving every riff room to breathe and strike with maximum impact.
Enthroned in Torment fuses the relentless aggression of classic death metal with contemporary clarity and production, creating a sound that honors the past while feeling undeniably current. Crushing drumming, thunderous bass, and razor-sharp guitars intertwine with menacing vocals to forge an unrelenting wall of sound. The album explores the morbid tension between malevolence and benevolence, set in a chaotic realm shaped by false beliefs and deceitful ambitions.
Track list:
01. The Nevergod 02. Into the Depths 03. Defier of Empires 04. Consecrated Perdition 05. Atone in Blasphemy 06. Dawn of Emptiness 07. Tomb of the Graveless 08. Enthroned in Torment
With this debut, BOUND TO PREVAIL stake their claim in European death metal, offering a masterful balance of old-school intensity and modern precision that will captivate fans of both eras.
Album line-up:
Keith Fenech – guitars Kevin Mifsud – bass Alan Briffa – vocals Jean Vella – guitars Mark Farrugia Sant’Angelo – drums
Current band line-up:
Keith Fenech – guitars Kevin Mifsud – bass Alan Briffa – vocals Mark Farrugia Sant’Angelo – drums
It took nearly 10 years since THE HOLEUM’s last album Sublime Emptiness and now the Spanish progressive post-doom band is back with their third album Ensis, which is set to be released on March 20th, 2026.
And to end the year right with some cosmic tunes, THE HOLEUM is known for, we present the first single The Fermi Paradox of the forthcoming new effort.
Baptized with a name derived from astrophysical theories about dark matter and black holes, THE HOLEUM was formed in 2014 in Alicante, Spain. Founded by former members of NahemaH, Demised, quantumXperience, Hela, Neptunian Sun, and Priest of Dawn, the quintet set out to push the boundaries of heavy music and to intensify the emotional impact of darkness in sound. Their concept is both cosmic and sonic: “THE HOLEUM is related to the dark matter that forms the black holes in the universe. THE HOLEUM is not a black hole, but black holes are formed by The Holeum. That is the idea from which we extract our concept – we are a sonic and cosmic vision of the sublime.”
With their third album Ensis (2025), the band continues its journey through experimental metal, death doom, melodic metal, and post-metal. This work is more than a continuation; it is a condensation and expansion of their previous soundscape. Ensis reveals itself as finely nuanced, challenging, yet at the same time profoundly sensitive and multifaceted. The songs unfold like cosmic landscapes where heaviness and melancholy meet subtle emotionality.
The intensity remains palpable, but it is complemented by a deeper sensitivity that draws the listener into a fragile balance between harshness and delicacy. Ensis is an album that demands and touches at once, a work that makes the complexity of human existence audible in the mirror of the universe.
Australian-Finnish dark progressive gothic metal collective THE ETERNAL have announced their upcoming EP Celestial, set for release on January 16, 2026 via Reigning Phoenix Music, and have dropped the first video single, “It All Ends“.
Pre-save / pre-order the EP, available on all major digital platforms and as an extremely limited-edition eco-friendly recycled vinyl:https://theeternal.rpm.link/celestialPR
“It All Ends” marks the first preview of Celestial and sets the tone with a powerful mix of haunting atmosphere, melancholic weight, and progressive finesse. The track unfolds slowly and deliberately, pulling the listener into its storm of brooding riffs, somber melodies, and an emotional vocal performance that feels both intimate and colossal. The song’s dynamics build toward a towering, epic finale that showcases the band’s cinematic approach to heavy music.
Lyrically, “It All Ends” cuts deep. Vocalist and guitarist Mark Kelson, who also designed & edited the video, explains:
“The lyrics of “It All Ends” convey a stark meditation on betrayal, disillusionment, and the collapse of trust. Through the recurring imagery of “empty words” and “broken shards,” the song captures the futility of promises that have lost their meaning and the devastation left in their wake.”
“The repetition of the phrase “it all ends” underscores the inevitability and finality of this unraveling, while the storm imagery reflects the emotional turbulence beneath the surface. At its core, the song portrays the painful recognition that fractured communication and faithlessness lead to irreversible endings, leaving behind a lingering sense of loss that feels both suffocating and inescapable.”
“Celestial” Track Listing:
Absence Of Light
Celestial Veil
It All Ends
Bleeding Into Light
Casting Down Shadows
Everlasting MMXXVI
With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, joined by Jan Rechberger (drums, Amorphis) and Niclas Etelävuori (bass, ex‑Amorphis/Flat Earth) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL are proving themselves a genuinely international collaboration and with the forthcoming EP, fans and first-time listeners alike get a first taste of the band’s signature intensity and powerful new material.
Icelandic metal collective POWER PALADIN returns with force, steel and fire as they present their brand-new single “Sword Vigor”, the first taste of their upcoming studio album Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment, due out on March 27, 2026 via ROAR – a division of Reigning Phoenix Music!
“Sword Vigor” delivers classic heavy metal spirit wrapped in epic power metal form, driven by galloping riffs, soaring melodies and a strong sense of heroism. The track continues the band’s fantasy-driven narrative universe and serves as the next chapter in an ongoing saga of trials, destiny and triumph. Fans of GLORYHAMMER, TWILIGHT FORCE, and DRAGONFORCE will feel right at home.
The band comments: “‘Sword Vigor’ is a roaring NWOBHM-inspired power metal anthem, the blazing sequel to the saga begun in Kraven the Hunter. When all hope seems lost for our hero, salvation descends from the heavens: a warrior who has mastered the ancient and furious art of Sword Vigor.”
Accompanying the single is an official music video that captures POWER PALADIN’s love for classic heavy metal, combining a tongue-in-cheek attitude with a straightforward, no-frills approach.
And if you’ve ever wondered how power metal bands come up with these epic lyrics, POWER PALADIN have the answer and it involves a healthy dose of humor. To find out what rhymes with fire – and where hobbits come into play check out the following video the band just posted on their Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSSEYXcjKVU/
With their new offering Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment, POWER PALADIN take the next step in their musical journey. The album features eight epic tracks, each unfolding like a chapter in a sweeping saga of power, mystery and adventure.
Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment Track-list: 1. Sword Vigor 2. Glade Lords Of Athel Loren 3. The Royal Road 4. The Arcane Tower 5. Aegis Of Eternity 6. Camelot Rock City 7. Keeper Of The Crimson Dungeon 8. Valediction
Building on the success of their debut With the Magic of Windfyre Steel, the band delivers a more mature and refined sound while fully retaining the energy and spirit that defined their early days. The album was mixed by Haukur Hannes (AUÐN, DYNFARI) and mastered by Frank de Jong (BLEEDING GODS), resulting in a production that is both powerful and crystal clear.
Once again, POWER PALADIN pay homage to their influences – IRON MAIDEN, DIO and HELLOWEEN – while confidently carving out their own place in the modern power metal landscape. The album artwork, created by James Child (Astral Clock Tower Studios), perfectly captures the adventurous and fantastical essence of the record.
POWER PALADIN: Atli Guðlaugsson (vocals) Bjarni Þór Jóhannsson (guitars) Ingi Þórisson (guitars) Einar Karl Júlíusson (drums) Bjarni Egill Ögmundsson (keyboards) Kristleifur Þorsteinsson (bass)
About POWER PALADIN: Formed in Iceland, POWER PALADIN emerged from a shared passion for classic heavy metal, soaring melodies and fantasy-driven storytelling. Since their inception, the band has blended the spirit of traditional power metal with the raw edge of NWOBHM influences, forging a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Their debut album With the Magic of Windfyre Steel quickly established POWER PALADIN as a rising force in the international power metal scene. With Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment, the band further expands their musical and lyrical universe, proving their dedication to epic songwriting, strong hooks and timeless metal values.
NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS erupt with ferocious precision on their latest single, “Hungry For Brains,” taken from the forthcoming EP Zombie Blood Nightmare, arriving February 20, 2026.
A thrashy, smashy, in-your-face assault, “Hungry For Brains” showcases the band at their most unapologetically feral. Built entirely upon the half/whole diminished scale, the track spirals through symmetrical chaos and delivers a sound as unhinged and ravenous as its subject matter.
Fans of technical metal will find plenty to chew on, especially when the track erupts into a blistering guitar solo performed by James Norton, former college roommate of guitarist Mike. His shredding adds an extra layer of necrotic flair.
Lyrically, the song dives headfirst into zombie carnage and grotesque undead imagery, continuing the band’s love for cinematic horror and high-energy gore. “Hungry For Brains” embraces the spirit of classic zombie mayhem and sets the tone for the terror-laced chaos awaiting listeners on Zombie Blood Nightmare.
Zombie Blood Nightmare – Track Listing:
Left To Die (4:39)
No More Room In Hell (5:19)
Chopped Up and Burned (7:00)
Lumbering, Blood Sucking Freaks (3:42)
Hungry For Brains (4:41)
Démoni (3:15)
Produced, recorded, and mixed by Charlie Waymire at Ultimate Studios and mastered by Ernesto Homeyer, Zombie Blood Nightmare features six tracks of shred-heavy, horror-drenched chaos. Zombie Blood Nightmare arrives February 20, 2026.
W.E.B.’s music has earned high praise for its “drama, extremity, and bloodthirst in equal parts… energetic and unhinged.” The formidable symphonic extreme metal lineup is best experienced at one of their many crushing live gigs. Enter Darkness Alive, their first-ever live album, recorded in the band’s hometown of Athens on September 22nd, 2024.
“We shared the stage that night with Dark Funeral, and since we were making changes within the band, that had us excited. We made the decision to mark this day with a special release, hence our first official live album,” says vocalist/guitaristSakis Prekas.
Choosing the nine songs for Darkness Alive was simple. “We can tell almost immediately which songs work for a concert and we always keep the audience in mind,” Prekas explains. “We want the people who come to see W.E.B. perform to have a good time, to get our message, to grasp them and make a damn memorable metal show, as it should be.”
Darkness Alive truly captures the band at the top of their game. Standout tracks include “Dragona,” blasting black metal with an epic finale that forever will be a staple in W.E.B.’s live setlist, “Into Hell Fire We Burn,” which Prekas describes as a, “thunderous marriage of black and heavy metal with a chorus that literally orders you to sing along,” and today’s single, “Dark Web,” an intense melodic death and modern metal onslaught off their 2021 Colosseum LP. “Dark Web” spits out the way people with power and money treat others: in the most brutal manner.
Darkness Alive will be released digitally on February 20th, 2026. Find preorders at: metalblade.com/web
Darkness Alive – Track Listing:
Crimson Dawn (Live)
Pentalpha (Live)
Dark Web (Live)
Into Hell Fire We Burn (Live)
Murder Of Crows (Live)
Necrology (Live)
Morphine for Saints (Live)
Dragona (Live)
Eligos (Live)
W.E.B. is currently composing material for their next full-length album that will see them hitting the road once again. “It is by far the best material we’ve ever had on a record. I intend to keep the promise to myself regarding W.E.B. that all new material must be better material, otherwise there is no reason to release it,” Prekas concludes. “Stay Dark.”
Italian melodic death metal force KARMIAN open a new and uncompromising chapter with the release of their first single, “Beastmaster of the Void”, taken from the forthcoming full-length Horror Vacui. The track arrives accompanied by an official visualizer published on the Rockshots Records YouTube channel.
“Beastmaster of the Void” stands among the album’s most direct and unrelenting compositions – a surge of sharp riffing, relentless pacing, and psychological intensity. Drawing from the real-life crimes tied to the Bestie di Satana case, the song transforms adolescent alienation, obsession, and spiritual distortion into a violent descent through the existential void that defines the entire record. Here, the band channels the chaos, confusion, and moral collapse at the heart of the narrative, turning true events into stark allegory.
The single also offers a first glimpse into the conceptual breadth of Horror Vacui: a collection of nine songs, each inspired by a different Italian murderer, revealing how psychological emptiness, social disintegration, and spiritual vacuum mutate into violence.
Rather than glorifying crime, the album examines the roots of human collapse – the internal abyss that corrodes empathy, identity, and meaning. Musically, it merges the ferocity of melodic death metal with narrative tension and introspective depth, confirming the band’s distinctive approach to extreme music.
Horror Vacui was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Luca Cocconi and Simone Sighinolfi at Audiocore Studio, with artwork and the new Karmian logo created by Sheila Franco. All songs were written by Andrea Baraldi and Nicholas Badiali, with lyrics by Andrea Bertolazzi and arranged collectively by Karmian.
Karmian Line-Up: Andrea Bertolazzi – Vocals Andrea Baraldi – Guitars Michele Perla – Guitars Luca Marmi – Bass Nicholas Badiali – Drums
With a career stretching from their early beginnings in 2005 to their present incarnation, Karmian have become one of the most distinctive voices of Italian melodic death metal, known for merging aggression, drama, and conceptual storytelling. Their upcoming full-length marks their most mature and introspective work to date, deepening the psychological and existential focus that has defined their evolution.
For fans of: The Haunted, Kataklysm, Heaven Shall Burn, At The Gates, early Dark Tranquillity, and early In Flames.
LOCUS NOIR “CemeteryYouth” is taken from Shadow Sun upcoming debut full lenght album out on Feb 27.
“Cemetery Youth” is the essence of Locus Noir: echoes of Type O Negative’s gloom and Paradise Lost’s epic melancholy, filtered through the stark pulse of old-school Post-Punk à la The Sisters of Mercy. Not to mention that the lead guitar and some of the backing vocals come courtesy of Ben Christo (The Sisters’ own guitarist).
Lyrically, it’s an explicit nod to the bands that shaped me during my formative years: a love letter to the darker side of 90’s rock music.
Available in Limited edition Marble vinyl & Limited Edition digipack with 2 bonus tracks.
LOCUS NOIR is the latest musical endeavor from Ben DMN, also known for his work as the frontman of Swiss Death Wave powerhouse SYBREED.
Conceived as a return to the music that shaped his formative years, the project draws its energy from late-night introspection, creative renewal, and a distinctly crepuscular sensibility. Initially conceived as a solo project, LOCUS NOIR is set to evolve into a fully-fledged band.
Musically, LOCUS NOIR blends Type O Negative gloom, The Fields of the Nephilim mysticism, and Paradise Lost melancholy, all infused with a post-punk edge. The result is a sound that feels both contemporary and timeless, a modern interpretation of what Gothic Metal can be.
On debut album ‘Shadow Sun’ , band main songwriter and vocalist Ben steps fully into a melodic, haunting vocal register, merging the theatrical delivery of Peter Murphy with subtle echoes of the late Peter Steele. The lyrics move between the esoteric and the intimate: love and death, desire and decay, nocturnal excess and the bitter aftertaste of parties stretching well past dawn.
Locus Noir‘s debut album Shadow Sun is due for release in 2026 on ListenableRecords.
Band Line up: Ben DMN – Vocals Claire Genoud – Guitar Ales – Bass Ben Marmier – Drums
Track-listing:
1. Walpurgisnacht 1996
2. Shadow Sun
3. Cemetery Youth (track featuring Ben Christo of The Sisters of Mercy )
Charming dark cabaret metal adepts TARDIGRADE INFERNO are set to release their third studio album, Hush.
The album is a compelling result of TARDIGRADE INFERNO’s evolving signature style and the sheer power of their live performance. What truly defines the band is the experience the listener gets at their live shows, the thoughtful songwriting, the ironic lyricism, and the striking, highly aesthetic visuals.
In June 2025, TARDIGRADE INFERNO released an atmospheric and emotional live album, Made In Hell, that captures their ferocious performance and their connection with the audience. Hush blends all of these strengths with an authentic sound delivered with studio precision.
Experience your first taste of Hush with the official music video for the album’s first single, “Hide ‘n’ Seek.” Watch now at: youtu.be/fscAHuASUoo?si=MUtH3v_zxPv413fE
Hush is due out March 5th, on CD, digital and four exclusive vinyl editions. Pre-order the album at https://tr.ee/TiHush
TARDIGRADE INFERNO: Darya Rorria – vocals Alexander Pavlovich – guitars, keys Maxim Belekhov – bass Andrew Drew – drums
Track-list:
1. The Final Show
2. Hide ‘n’ Seek
3. Deadly Fairytales
4. All In your Head
5. Dead Fish Smile
6. Subatomic Heist
7. I.C.D.
8. Goor
9. Hush
10. Hypograph
11. I Am Eternal
Hush naturally picks up where 2023’s Burn the Circus left off. At the beginning you hear the crackling of a circus burning down. A surviving radio plays a mournful melody that opens a grand show amid the ashes. Like a massive blazing phoenix, TARDIGRADE INFERNO opens its wings with elemental force. It sweeps away what remains and reclaiming its place at the center of attention.
The gorgeous Darya Rorria uses her flexible contralto to tell stories that are anything but cheerful. Her expressive vocals pulse with the music. They tease sharply, flow lyrically, spread in a soft velvet hush, and fade into a tragic whisper. They soar through tense passages and then glide back down into a low, intimate tone. The lyrics are charged to the point of electric crackling, just as one expects from the TARDIGRADE INFERNO.
Their trademark keyboards sound even more retro-futuristic, paying tribute to the classic horror movies of the past. The guitar acts like the wildest creature in the prairie with it’s fury clothed in the polished frock coat of a respectable gentleman. The bass has the “AWESOME” knob turned to 100%. The drums are emotional, dynamic, and alive. Altogether it creates a familiar yet more sincere and revealing sound. The music becomes almost visible, almost tangible.
TARDIGRADE INFERNO have always paid special attention to the visual side of their art; from stage costumes and characters to their album covers. The cover for Hush was created by artist Milena Kress in a dark-aesthetic style.
This is the band’s first experience with analog painting – the piece is oil on canvas. It conveys the anxiety and emotional intensity that mirror the album’s lyrics. It’s also the first time the band’s mascot, the Tardigrade, is absent from the cover. It symbolizes a kind of coming-of-age. The toys have been left behind in the nursery.
Mixing, mastering, and production were handled by Vladimir Lehtinen, who has been working with the band continuously since the release of The Worst of Me EP. Vladimir helped the band capture their live energy without losing the studio polish of their recordings.
Dresden-based black/thrash newcomers LEAD INJECTOR present their debut album Witching Attack – an uncompromising homage to classic extreme metal, recorded over seven intensive days in August 2025 at Stereoid Studios in Schönfels, Saxony. “It was a really awesome time, we experimented a lot, racked our brains and learned a great deal,” recalls vocalist/bassist Leo about the sessions.
Founded in 2022, the trio is the first serious band for all three members after experiences in solo projects and school ensembles, and they quickly found their place in the local scene with their 2024 demo From the Crypts… of Hell. Witching Attack now combines re-recorded demo tracks with fresh material written in the meantime.
The songwriting process usually follows a proven pattern: guitarist Jason develops riffs and collects lyrical ideas which Leo further elaborates, with all three arranging together.
From the beginning, Lead Injector have demonstrated a knack for catchy song structures that sets them apart from average acts in this style. “We make sure that each of our songs is individual and unique, no two sound alike,” Leo emphasizes. This approach creates variety and memorability, qualities not taken for granted in the genre. The striking album artwork comes from SepulchralOwl.
The artist, who has accompanied the band since its early days, creates everything by hand from merchandise to flyers to stage banners, giving Lead Injector an unmistakable visual identity.
The band is deeply rooted in Dresden’s metal scene and maintains close connections with fellow groups like Sintage, Acid Blade and Mortuary Nightmare. The continuous exchange and mutual inspiration shape not only the music but also the sense of community at concerts, where familiar faces are always encountered.
LINE-UP: Justus – Drums Leo – Bass / Vocals Jason – Guitars
TRACK LISTING: 01 Siege Upon Heaven 02 Sacrifice This Bitch 03 Evil Executioner 04 Witching Attack 05 Chains 06 Angel Destructor 07 Pest Thrash 08 M.C.C.I. 09 Infinite Force 10 Nuclear Antichrist
Brooklyn’s crust smeared death metal unit ANTI-SAPIEN return with their new single “D.E.A.D.”, a track that highlights the band’s punk, hardcore and crust influences. Built on a mosh friendly intro, a fast d-beat verse and sharp higher register vocals, “D.E.A.D.” taps into the band’s love of filthy crust and NYDM style slam riffs. The song breaks away into a vicious party slam section complete with vintage 808 bass drops, showcasing the band’s ability to merge primitive heaviness with energetic hooks.
“D.E.A.D.” stands for “Do Everything All Day”, an acronym coined by a longtime friend of Blake over twenty years ago. The song’s theme reflects the idea that too much of life is wasted on worry, stagnation and unfulfilling obligations. ANTI-SAPIEN use the track to champion a philosophy of living fully and deliberately, honoring the dreams of loved ones who are no longer here and refusing to get caught in cycles of empty distraction.
The band notes that “D.E.A.D.” has quickly become one of their strongest live songs. Audiences respond instantly to the opening mosh part, and the track’s position as the start of Side B of the upcoming EP is intentional. Written with a side A and side B mindset, the song is meant to reintroduce listeners with a surge of energy and leave them wanting more as it barrels into a double bass driven solo and breakdown finale.
The EP At the Mercy of the Merciless arrives January 16 on Terminus Hate City. It is the second official recording from ANTI-SAPIEN and continues the band’s growth as purveyors of crust smeared death metal. The members bring decades of experience across grind, death metal and classic metal projects and write specifically to support the unique tone set at the band’s inception: fun and catchy, but grimy, sweaty and raw.
At The Mercy of the Merciless Track list:
Old Drugs
Eater Of Ghosts
D.E.A.D.
At The Mercy Of The Merciless
Grinding The System
George Washington’s Teeth
Written throughout their touring schedule, the EP reflects the band’s evolution into more complex riffing and structures while preserving the primitive, oozing character that defines their sound. Pre-orders are available HERE.
ANTI-SAPIEN:
Blake Charlton – Guitar and Lead Vocals Alex Fewell – Drums Ryan Murphy – Bass and Backup Vocals Nathan Rand – Lead Guitar
Portuguese power duo SOUL OF ANUBIS will release their new album, Ritual, on February 20th, 2026 via Time To Kill Records. After more than a decade of intense activity, relentless touring and a steadily growing reputation across Europe, the band returns with a record that captures the full scope of their signature sound.
“’Incarnation’ represents the rebirth into a new cycle to enter the path of peace after the conflicted struggle in life. It is the story of a man who, after his death, gets on the boat to head towards the perfect world and who faces difficult struggles during his crossing. Along the way, he must leave behind oppression, starvation, pain and mind, leading him to immortality”.
Line-up:
Hugo Ferrão – Guitar, Vocals Rui Silva – Drums
Formed in 2010 in Northern Portugal, SOUL OF ANUBIS have carved out a distinct place within the European underground thanks to their explosive fusion of thrash, sludge, doom and post-metal. Their sound channels the raw urgency of Mantar, the primal energy of early Mastodon, and the relentless drive of High On Fire and Black Cobra, yet remains unmistakably their own, a visceral blend of aggression and dynamic shifts that refuses to be confined to a single genre.
On stage, the duo are known for their fierce and magnetic performances, delivering an unfiltered surge of heaviness that connects with audiences on a deeply physical level. Over the years, they have performed extensively across Portugal and beyond, building a loyal following through their intensity and authenticity.
The upcoming album promises to push their sonic boundaries even further, expanding upon their trademark blend of massive riffs, dark groove, and emotional gravity, while highlighting a newfound sense of urgency and compositional versatility.
Track list:
1. Ritual 2. Mind Crusher (feat Keijo Niinimaa from Rotten Sound) 3. Incarnation 4. Vermin 5. Dead Cult 6. God’s Burial 7. Human Torch 8. Unholy Tomb
Accabadora will see their 3 song debut EP, Mazzolu, release on February 1st. This is Doom Metal from another doom dimension! Heavy? Try to imagine hearing the initial ground splitting of a super volcano, in a manner of speaking heavy! Maurice de Jong on bass and vocals is a monster! His barbarous voice alone is a welcomed ear blowing experience to perceive.
Guitarist Raoul Dumas showcases both clamorous riffs and sedative melodies that meld together like yin-yang, a sonic doom force all his own. Drummer Nico Beemster exhibits the sonic doomsday whomps, adding that end of days homage to the unearthly and spellbinding rhythm section.
Do yourself a metal favor and experience this Doom Metal EP from Accabadora for your own good this February 1st. Metal be thy name. – Stone
Tracklist: 1 – Grasp the light 2 – Monstrous God 3 – Wrath
Accabadora is a Dutch doom band, founded in 2024. The band name comes from Sardinian mythology and refers to the woman who would relieve the sick and elderly from their suffering – at night, with a wooden hammer. It serves as a poetic metaphor for the themes of suffering, release, and death that shape the band’s music. Musical reference points include Conan, Primitive Man, and Amenra: crushingly heavy, slow, but dynamic.
The debut EP “Mazzolu” was recorded in the autumn of 2025 in a rehearsal room the band converted into a studio for the occasion, with engineer Maik Snippe at the controls. The result is a recording that stays close to the band’s live energy.
The EP will be released on February 1st, 2026, on all streaming platforms. A series of shows will follow in the spring; dates to be announced.
Accabadora consists of:
Maurice de Jong – bass and vocals (known from Gnaw Their Tongues)
Photo Credit – Rae Chatten Thunderor L-R: Jonny Nesta (Guitar) | JJ Tartaglia (Vocals, Drums) | Brycen Gunn (Bass)
+ Canadian Tour w/ Burning Witches & EU Tour w/ Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.)
Canadian heavy metal force Thunderor, fronted by JJ Tartaglia (vocals, drums, Skull Fist) and Jonny Nesta (guitar, ex-Skull Fist), alongside Brycen Gunn on bass, are igniting excitement with their high-octane new single “Pump Up The Volume.” The track offers the first glimpse of their forthcoming sophomore album,Bleed For It, slated for release at the end of March 2026. With their trademark fusion of Arena Rock Opera Heavy Metal, Thunderor deliver soaring vocals, massive choruses, and uplifting energy designed to inspire fans to live boldly and chase their dreams.
The single also doubles as the opening number from Thunderor The Musical, the band’s ambitious rock opera, which premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival 2025. Featuring a cameo from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow in the promotional clip, the track sets the tone for an album that promises both fun and depth.
“This one is a lot of fun. Turn up the music, pump up your life, Pump Up The Volume! It’s also the opening number for the Musical, and it sets the mood nicely. Although the rest of the album ventures to many different places. Special thanks to Olivia Chow and the City of Toronto for her cameo in the promo clip, super cool.” – JJ Tartaglia.
Following their acclaimed debut, Thunderor’s second album Bleed For It showcases significant growth in both songwriting and performance. The band highlights improved vocals and more expansive anthem-driven choruses, delivering a soundtrack that balances raw heavy metal energy with theatrical flair.
The upcoming album is a concept record, serving as the official soundtrack to Thunderor The Musical. Fans can expect a journey through uplifting themes of love, struggle, and perseverance, all wrapped in the band’s trademark high-energy sound.
Drawing inspiration from legends like Meat Loaf, Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen, The Darkness, H.E.A.T., Night Flight Orchestra, and their own roots in Skull Fist, Thunderor’s sound is a modern twist on classic heavy and hair metal.
In additional news, Thunderor will be hitting the road in 2026, supporting Burning Witches on their first Canadian Tour in April, followed by a Scandinavian Tour supporting Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.) in May (dates listed below).
Canada Tour 2026 with Burning Witches: April 20 – Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC April 21 – La Source De La Martiniere – Quebec City, QC April 22 – The Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON April 23 – The Garrison – Toronto, ON
Scandinavia Tour 2026 with HOLMES (The Sound of WASP): May 15 – Nordic Noise – Copenhagen, Denmark May 16 – Godset – Kolding, Denmark May 27 – The Abyss – Gothenburg, Sweden May 28 – Muskelrock – Blädinge, Sweden May 29 – Lokstallet – Skövde, Sweden May 30 – Gjerdrum Rock Club – Gjerdrum, Norway May 31 – Sjøboden Live Scene – Mandal, Norway
With their third album Exequiae (Latin for “funeral rites”), Lone Wanderer from Freiburg im Breisgau/Germany makes a striking statement in the realm of Funeral Doom. The band’s High Roller debut continues the thematic line of its predecessor The Faustian Winter, from the end of Faustian culture to inner grief and existential despair.
“Thematically and musically, we’ve never been closer to the core of Funeral Doom than with these five songs,” explains songwriter and guitarist Bruno Schotten. The tracks, including the nearly 25-minute centerpiece ‘To Rest Eternally’, combine majestic slowness, dense harmonies, and overwhelming heaviness. “The extended length of this track wasn’t intentional, but a logical necessity of the theme.”
Musically, Exequiae marks a high point in the band’s development: “Despite extensive excursions into elaborate harmonies, a red thread runs through the album. Including some more death-doomy passages, it sounds darker and more cryptic than ever.” The artwork, in keeping with the quartet’s tradition, is by Romantic painter Ernst Ferdinand Oehme, whose ‘Procession in the Fog’ captures the album’s grave stillness.
“We oversaw every step of the production, from the first guitar note to the final mix. This album is completely our work,” Schotten emphasizes. Exequiae is a funeral mass in slow motion, majestic, despairing, uncompromising – and stands as the band’s most compelling statement to date, treating Funeral Doom as a true art form.
TRACK-LISTING: 01 Anhedonia’ 02 Epistemology of the Passed 03 Existence Nullified 04 Life’s Lost Vanity 05 To Rest Eternally
LINE-UP: Bruno Schotten – Vocals Guitar Jonas Weber – Guitar Simon Brooker – Bass Jakob Zeblin – Drums
DISCOGRAPHY: Principles (EP, 2014) The Majesty of Loss (2016) The Faustian Winter (2020) Exequiae (2026)
Seattle (WA) – Fusing classic U.S. power metal, AOR and all things epic metal; Greyhawk returns with their third album of triumphant battle hymns!
Cruz Del Sur Music will release Warriors of Greyhawk on February 13, 2026 (North American physical product distribution on March 6). The album will be available on CD, Tape, Viny LP, and digital formats.
Refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for adventure; Greyhawk are back with their third album of epic, melodic power/heavy metal fused with an anthemic AOR angle. Shredding guitars, soaring vocals, powerful rhythms and songs that will stick with you are all a part of this majestic opus.
Grandiose and powerful vocals complete the mix, which is perfectly blended by Henrik Udd’s sublime production which is detailed and grandiose. Daniel Porta has provided artwork for this record and clearly the band have had a strong input on all aspects of the release to make sure the entire experience is gripping for you, the fans.
Not many bands blend the more traditional epic heavy/power metal glory with these AOR elements but Greyhawk do so marvellously, giving the music not only power but memorability, showing that on their third album, this will definitely stand the test of time. The musicianship is continually improving on all counts, from the crushing drumming to the mind-blowing guitar work to the operatic and stunning vocals. Lovers of all things fantastical, adventurous and metallic will be enchanted, enthralled and bedazzled by this stratospheric effort.
“This album is a return to the epic metal roots that we had on our debut album Keepers of the Flame”, says founding member Darin Wall. “It also features some faster songs where we explore our love for power metal, as well as some of the 80s AOR vibes we had on the last album Thunderheart. Songs about inner strength, overcoming obstacles in life, and triumphing in victory are all present here. Creating an experience where the listener can find inspiration from the lyrics and energy of the songs, or detach from reality a bit and get lost in some of the epic fantastical themes is the goal. Ronnie James Dio is the band’s biggest influence as far as lyrical themes go.”
Photo Credit: Ian Phares Photography
Line-Up:
Anthony Corso: Vocals Jesse Berlin: Lead Guitar Rob Steinway: Rhythm Guitar Darin Wall: Bass Guitar Nate Butler: Drums
Monolord return to the U.S. next June for their first North American tour since 2022, traversing the western United States with performances that include stops at The Regent Theater in Los Angeles and the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
The news arrives as the trio of Thomas Jäger (guitar/vocals), Esben Willems (drums), and Mika Häkki (bass), wraps up work on their highly anticipated fifth album.
“The new album is a wrap! Recording with Sylvia Massy has been a fantastic experience and we can’t wait to bring these new songs on the road,” the band shares, collectively.
Tickets are on sale now, via Monolord.com. Mizmor supports on all dates.
Monolord U.S. tour dates:
June 11 San Diego, CA Casbah June 12 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst June 13 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall June 14 Sacramento, CA Harlow’s June 16 Eugene, OR John Henry’s June 17 Portland, OR Nova PDX June 18 Seattle, WA Substation June 19 Bellingham, WA Structures Brewing June 20 Tacoma, WA Airport Tavern Music Hall June 23 Denver, CO Marquis Theater June 24 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge June 25 Las Vegas, NV Swan Dive June 26 Pioneertown, CA Pappy & Harriet’s June 27 Los Angeles, CA The Regent Theater
Photo credit: James Rexroad
Since forming in Gothenburg in 2013, Monolord have become one of doom’s most revered acts. Their music has earned praise from a wide range of publications including Bandcamp who described the band’s music as a “propulsive, tense balance between boogie and brutality,” Pitchfork noted the band’s ability to “render supernatural dread and cosmic nothingness into cavernous, hypnotic grooves,” and Decibelcelebrated their “heavy-as-mountains” sound.
Monolord have released four critically acclaimed albums: Empress Rising (2014), Vænir (2015), Rust (2017), and Your Time to Shine (2021). Their sound combines monolithic heaviness, psychedelic expansiveness, and meticulous production.
Belarusian Death Metal Pack, Eximperitus, are set to release the follow-up to 2021’s widely praised sophomore album, Šahrartu! Willowtip Records will unleash Meritoriousnessof Equanimity January 30th, on vinyl, cassette, CD, and digital formats.
The album’s first single, “The Untimely Fruit of the Unsaid,” is available now on all digital platforms, including: YouTube, Bandcamp, Spotify, Deezer, and Apple Music.
“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…“
– Eximperitus
Eximperitus‘ forthcoming third album, 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…
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).
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