Having made their back catalog available to a wider public via High Roller Records, Mexican speed and thrash metal force Phantom will release their third full-length assault Not Midnight Yet via the label. Recorded and mixed once again with Héctor “Northen” Ibarra at Nehtron Studios in Guadalajara and mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in Germany, this new album captures the band at their most technical and dynamic.
“I am never fully satisfied with my records and I try to push forward and expand our boundaries with every new material, without changing the soul and core of what Phantom stands for: Old School Heavy Metal,“explains mastermind J.C. García. “This record puts together very well everything that we are. Because of that, I think this is a juggernaut of an album”.
Tracks such as ‘Hordes Of Bats’ deliver relentless speed and riff-driven aggression, while ‘Dracula’s Curse’ and the title track lean into powerful midtempo dynamics and complex structures. ‘The Pale Remains Of Time’ stands out as one of the album’s most ambitious moments, combining melodic vocals, clean guitar interludes and subtle progressive touches.
“I try to break the established formula and add more textures and layers while keeping the old school spirit,” J.C. states. “It’s a very personal record and a work I’m very proud of. I think this is the most solid Phantom record to date”. With Not Midnight Yet, Phantom sharpen their identity and deliver a powerful, atmospheric statement, proof that the night is far from over.
ALBUM TRACK-LIST: 01 Hordes of Bats 02 Out of the Mausoleum 03 Dracula’s Curse 04 Morgenstern / Iron Strike 05 The Pale Remains of Time 06 Summoned to Kill 07 Not Midnight Yet 08 Solomonari 09 Sepulchral Majesty 10 Curse Your Name 11 A Trail Full of Sorrows 12 Echoes from the Fights
PHANTOM: Harel O. – Guitars J.C. García – Vocals, Guitars Raír Tavizón – Bass J.P. Alatorre – Drums
A long-lost relic of Eastern European extreme metal resurfaces in definitive form, as F.O.A.D. Records present a newly remastered edition of FANTOM’s seminal demo material, now available on vinyl.
Remastered by Patrick Engel, this upgraded version captures the raw essence of one of Hungary’s earliest and most obscure black/thrash entities, often regarded as even darker and more sinister than their contemporaries.
This official reissue includes the band’s classic 1987 demo Lucifer jelenj meg!, now expanded with 7 additional tracks taken from a rare 1987 session not featured in the previous 2016 vinyl edition. The material has been re-transferred from a rediscovered tape – the best sounding source in existence – and meticulously remastered for vinyl by Patrick Engel at Temple Of Disharmony.
Drawing influence from bands such as Bathory, Possessed, Hellhammer, Venom and Slayer, FANTOM forged a primitive yet highly distinctive sound. Their songwriting is direct and unrefined, but steeped in a uniquely oppressive atmosphere of darkness, malevolence and occult tension.
The release comes as a silver laminated LP, including two inserts featuring lyrics, rare photographs and original artwork, preserving the band’s visual and sonic identity in full detail.
A crucial document of early black/thrash from behind the Iron Curtain: raw, obscure and essential for collectors and devotees of the genre’s darkest origins.
Mexican death metal force NECROCCULTUS have made their upcoming full-length album The Afterdeath Blackness available for exclusive streaming in advance via Death Metal Promotion, offering listeners a complete immersion into their latest work ahead of its official release.
Set to be unleashed on April 24th, 2026, through Terror From Hell Records, the album stands as a powerful reaffirmation of the band’s unwavering dedication to pure and uncompromising death metal. Across its eight tracks, The Afterdeath Blackness delivers a carefully balanced blend of crushing riffs, intricate songwriting, and a dense, ritualistic atmosphere that reflects decades of underground commitment.
Proud standard-bearers of the purest and most solemn death metal tradition, NECROCCULTUS return with a record that both honors and revitalizes the genre’s roots. Forged through years of underground militancy and unwavering dedication to the death metal cause, the band channels its accumulated experience into an album that feels timeless yet fiercely alive. The Afterdeath Blackness stands as a statement of intent: death metal in its most essential, uncompromising form.
Track-list:
I. Intro (The Highest Sphere Of The Dead) II. Slaughter Of Bestiality III. Transition To The Tortuous Reign IV. Unburied Hellish Presences V. Dread Midnight Entities VI. Multiform Devourer Of Souls VII. Old Coffin Miasma VIII. The Afterdeath Blackness
Across eight tracks, the album showcases everything that has defined NECROCCULTUS since their inception: massive riffs, carefully crafted songwriting and a dark atmosphere rooted in ritualistic heaviness. The compositions are elaborate without ever becoming self-indulgent, balancing complexity with raw impact and maintaining a natural flow that keeps the listener immersed from beginning to end. A constant sense of menace runs through the record, while a subtle veil of epic grandeur elevates the material beyond mere brutality.
Rather than chasing trends or modern gimmicks, NECROCCULTUS embrace the spirit of classic death metal, filtering it through decades of underground commitment and artistic growth. The result is an album that sounds both reverent and commanding, a work that speaks directly to devoted followers of the old ways while reaffirming the band’s place among today’s torchbearers of authentic death metal.
NECROCCULTUS was formed in 2003 as a five-piece band consisting of César (guitar), Omar (bass), Chago (guitar), Daniel (drums), and Isaías (growls). During the following three years, this original line-up recorded several releases, including the brutal full-length Encircling The Mysterious Necrorevelation (2005) for Sempiternal Productions (US), a 7” EP for Blood Harvest Records (Sweden), a three-way split CD with Sanctifier and Throneum on Warfuck Records (Colombia), and a split LP with Shub-Niggurath released by Iron Bonehead Productions (Germany).
In 2024, founding member Isaías H. reactivated NECROCCULTUS alongside a new line-up: Roel (guitar), Néstor (bass), Alex (guitar), Dante (drums), and Isaías (growls). After performing several live shows, the band entered the studio between July and October 2025 to record their new abominable full-length, The Afterdeath Blackness, featuring eight tracks of bestial, unholy death metal.
The Afterdeath Blackness was recorded, mixed and mastered at MAT Studio. Vocals has been recorded at The Cave Home Studio, between July and October 2025. Engineering by Alex Méndez Music by NECROCCULTUS Lyrics by Isaías H. Keyboards session on tracks 1, 6 and 8 by Astarot Cover artwork by Thomas (Necromaniac) Layout by Lorenzo Santini Executive Production by Terror From Hell Recs
The Boar Metal beasts of BOARZOY have launched the official music for “Agency (Is Necessary),” the first single off their upcoming new album, The Great Fires.
The song perfectly encapsulates the band’s sludge-fueled, groove-forward brand of metal. Imagine a boar running roughshod through the pit at a DIY show and you’ve got BOARZOY.
The band comments on the song, “This track is about doing the right thing, especially in the present moment. It’s also our first release with a music video, so we really wanted to capture the intense energy we bring to shows. It’s a display of our ‘Boar Metal’ sound – aggressive, eclectic and hits hard.”
Watch the video for “Agency (Is Necessary)” now at this location.
Their debut album, Ever Watchful Hateful Eye is available at: boarzoy.bandcamp.com.
BIO: “From Boston, BOARZOY has forged their own genre, ‘Boar Metal’ – a balance of raw heaviness, eclectic styles, and intense live energy. Known for their high-energy shows, the band is preparing to move to New York City later this year to further expand their reach”.
Born out of a shared and deep respect for acts such as Motörhead, Venom, and Sodom, Chäinfist is exactly what it sounds like: fast, noisy, heavy rock at its meanest.
Behind the project are two names well embedded in the Nordic extreme music underground. Trigger is the alias of Owe Inborr, founding member of the Finnish black metal outfit Ondfødt and noise punks Dispyt, the man behind Wolfthrone Studios, the Ostrobothnian recording studio that has become one of the most sought-after rooms in Nordic extreme music, having shaped records for the likes of …And Oceans, Kvaen, Azaghal, Moonlight Sorcery, Morbikon, and dozens more.
On the other side of the room, Bullet, aka Marco Luponero, the frontman known from Luponero and previously Terrorwheel and Altaria, handles lead vocals and shares instrument duties with Trigger across the entire record.
Bullet recalls: “I called up Trigger one day and said ‘look, I’m charting new territory with my own music, but I think it would be nice to have some sort of project where I could still channel my Motörhead-style spirit. Trigger understood the drill straight away, didn’t hesitate for a second.”
The two have collaborated on several of Luponero’s releases before, so the chemistry was already there. “We aren’t trying to reinvent anything with Chäinfist”, explains Trigger. “We’re just two guys who feel the need to play very fast and very loud. The songs basically write themselves.”
Listeners got a first taste of what the duo’s been up to in March of 2026, when Chäinfist released their eponymous first single. Now they drop the entire debut album, also titled Chäinfist. Leading the release is the single “The Tomb Is Burning“, accompanied by a music video.
Released by Finnish label Stormbound Records, Chäinfist is available to stream and is also available in two physical formats exclusively from Stormbound’s online store: the label’s proprietary Beatjaxx format and a strictly limited cassette run.
Inspired by Robin Williams’ quote, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about,” BLACK SITES have released their new single “Silent Wars“. The single lands ahead of the forthcoming full length, For Eternity. The album is set to release independently on July 17, 2026.
BLACK SITESfounderMark Sugarcomments on “Silent Wars”: “This track is one of my favorites. While there’s some blatant Jake E. Lee homages, a lot of the song was inspired by Americana artist Jason Isbell, of all people. The guitar bit at the very end was recorded as I wrote it, the take that’s on the record is the first time I ever played it.”
Heavy driving rock ‘n’ roll rhythms kick off “Silent Wars” with high energy. Drawing from traditional rock and metal styles, the track delivers a powerful message through moody verse arrangements and a catchy chorus hook.
For Eternity was produced by Mark Sugar & Chris Black, recorded at I Can’t Believe It’s Not Mace Street Studios, with mixing and mastering by Dan Swano. Drums on For Eternity were recorded by Vladimir Ružičić at Kebac Recording Studio.
About BLACK SITES: Based out of Chicago, IL, USA, BLACK SITES was founded in 2016, initially as a studio project, by vocalist and guitarist Mark Sugar. Sugar was later joined by members John Picillo (bass), Ryan Bruchert (guitar) and Chris Avgerin (drums). BLACK SITES combines old school metal with guitar harmonies, melodic/clean vocals and progressive elements, primarily drawing inspiration from the likes of VOIVOD, BLACK SABBATH, and KING’S X.
For Eternity Track Listing:
When It Calls (5:09)
Aquarius Betrayed (5:05)
Above Soil, Beneath Sky (4:47)
Giving Up The Ghost (6:43)
Blades (For The Chosen Ones) (4:51)
Silent Wars (4:51)
When Prophecy Fails (5:49)
Unanswered For Eternity (6:54)
BLACK SITES released their debut In Monochrome in 2017 (Mascot/Provogue Records), followed by Exile in 2019. 2021 saw the release of Untrue that was produced by Sanford Parker and awarded Record Of the Year by Dr. A.N. Grier at AngryMetalGuy.com. BLACK SITES ventured to The Promised Land? with their 2024 full-length that featured Tom Draper. (Ex-CARCASS/SPIRIT ADRIFT) on the track “Chasing Eternity”.
Now, in 2026, Mark Sugar is joined by new members Jose Salazar (bass), Lee Smith (guitar) and Chris Black (drums). The forthcoming album For Eternity is set to release independently on July 17, 2026.
BLACK SITES: Mark Sugar (vocals, guitar) Jose Salazar (bass) Lee Smith (guitar) Chris Black (drums)
APOSTLE unveils their latest single, “Illusion of Loss,” a dynamic and emotionally charged composition that offers a glimpse into the band’s forthcoming full-length album, A Splinter in the Infinite Noumenon, arriving June 5, 2026 via Terminus Hate City.
“Illusion of Loss” begins with a sharp, brief breath before an angular and moody guitar and bass melody settles over a plodding, swinging half-time drum groove. Murice White‘s vocal cadence moves fluidly within the arrangement, locking into the rhythm as the song unfolds. A sudden, deliberate drop in intensity introduces an arpeggiated and introspective passage driven by a rolling snare, gradually building toward a release carried by a mid-tempo blast beat.
The track expands in scope as Murice’s tremolo-picked lead cuts through with urgency while his vocals rise in intensity. Michael’s bass provides a steady melodic anchor, shaping the mood beneath shifting textures. A discordant, arpeggiated lead slices through the mix while Evan’s drumming shifts into a driving double bass pattern that pushes the song forward before returning to a reprise of its opening movement. The closing moments feature a distorted spoken sample describing barely livable conditions in a city, extending the song’s thematic reach outward.
“Illusion of Loss” reflects on the fragility of life, the isolation that can accompany grief, and the internal changes that follow. The song draws from the experience of personal loss and the emotional weight that lingers in its wake. It considers how loss reshapes identity, how it brings forward buried parts of oneself, and how memory can guide purpose moving forward. The connection between individual grief and shared human experience remains central throughout.
The album title references Carl Jung’s description of humanity as a “splinter in the infinite deity,” framing the record as an exploration of spiritual duality, grief, and self-examination. Across six tracks and 27 minutes, the band move through themes of loss, mortality, internal conflict, and eventual healing. The record serves as both a meditation on the human condition and a deeply personal tribute shaped by grief and remembrance.
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Connor Ray at Sobek Sound and mastered by Erol Ulug at Bright Lights, A Splinter in the Infinite Noumenon presents APOSTLE in their most refined and expansive form.
APOSTLE:
Murice White – vocals, guitar Michael Thomas – bass, vocals Evan Price – drums
L-R – Frank Tosi – Lead Guitars, Dave English – Drums, Max Capshaw – Vocals, Jun Takeshita – Lead Guitars | Photo Credit: Another Demon
NYC’s rising thrash force Another Demon has announced the official re‑release of their debut EP As Above So Below, out now as of April 18th, 2026, via Ragebreed Records, with global digital distribution through Earache Records. Originally issued independently, the EP now returns with expanded reach and renewed momentum, cementing the band’s fast‑growing presence in the modern thrash landscape.
The re‑release also spotlights a major highlight from the original EP: a guest appearance by legendary guitarist James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary) on the track “Drawn and Quartered.” Murphy’s contribution adds a historic stamp of extreme metal pedigree to the band’s already razor‑sharp sound.
Another Demon describes their sonic identity in five words: Powerful, Fast, Aggressive, Thrashing, Evil. The band believes the EP’s wider release will resonate strongly with new listeners:
“Those who haven’t heard it yet will feel instantly familiar with what we do, and instantly want more,” commentsguitaristFrank Tosi.
Crafted through years of dormant ideas and revived creative drive, As Above So Below blends classic thrash roots with atmospheric tension, horror‑driven storytelling, and a modern edge. The band’s goal is to give fans a listening experience that connects both on the surface and on a deeper, more cathartic level.
The six tracks on As Above So Below form a cohesive descent into horror, dystopia, and spiritual unraveling, each offering a different facet of the band’s dark, aggressive vision. From the frantic Evil Dead inspired chaos of “Reduced to Ash” to the crushing crisis‑of‑faith intensity of “Deaf Gods,” the EP moves through relentless riff‑driven aggression with “Skull Vessel” before hitting its standout moment, “Drawn and Quartered,” featuring a blistering guest performance from metal icon James Murphy.
Track Listing: 1. Reduced To Ash – 3:13 2. Deaf Gods – 3:05 3. Skull Vessel – 1:49 4. Drawn and Quartered ft. James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary) – 5:42 5. War March – 5:44 6. As Above So Below – 5:45 EP Length: 25:20
The atmosphere shifts into ominous, cinematic territory with “War March,” a ritualistic march into looming destruction, before the title track As Above So Below ties the record together through themes of duality, chaos, and spiritual inversion.
Formed in 2023, Another Demon is built from decades of collective experience across the NY/NJ/CT heavy‑music scene. Max Capshaw (Bass/Vocals) is known for his work with Sick of It All, H2O, Murphy’s Law, Burn, and more.
Max brings a hardcore pedigree and commanding vocal presence. Frank Tosi (Lead Guitar) is the primary songwriter for the EP, shaping the band’s tight, riff‑forward thrash identity. Jun Takeshita (Lead Guitar) blends 80s thrash with Japanese punk/metal intensity, expanding the band’s melodic and technical range. Dave English (Drums), the engine of the band, delivers precision, power, and dynamic rhythmic control.
“The more we’ve played together, the deeper our musical bond has grown. We’ve become a unit that knows how to read each other extremely well,” adds Tosi.
With the EP’s global re‑release, Another Demon is preparing to push further into the U.S. metal circuit. Their next full‑length album is already in development, promising an even broader and more collaborative expression of the band’s identity.
“We write these songs to satisfy our personal tastes and hope the fans appreciate that. The full‑length will show even more of our mutual personality and the best of our brand,” says Tosi.
Recommended for fans of Slayer, Testament, Exodus, Overkill, and Immortal, As Above So Below is available on the following platforms.
EP Band Line Up: Max Capshaw – Vocals / Bass Frank Tosi – Lead Guitars Jun Takeshita – Lead Guitars Frank Vaturina – Session Drums
Live Band Line Up: Max Capshaw – Vocals Frank Tosi – Lead Guitars Jun Takeshita – Lead Guitars Fred Romer – Bass Guitar Dave English – Drums
PIG’S BLOOD are going scorched earth with their inaugural release under the Dark Descent Records banner. Destroying the Spiritsees the band reach a new level of relentless, blackened brutality. An unholy barrage of volcanic riffing and abyssal hostility, Destroying the Spirit is violence incarnate.
Hailing from Milwaukee, PIG’S BLOOD have spent the last decade-plus unleashing their unrepentant strain of death metal upon the underground. While often grouped under the banner of war metal, their sound stretches far beyond any single label.
PIG’S BLOOD: Bubba Nitz – Bass Chris Ellis – Vocals Brian Serzynski – Drums Mike Gamm – Guitars Paul Mirenda – Guitars
Drawing from the raw, militant fury of bands like Revenge and Blasphemy, PIG’S BLOOD fuses that chaotic savagery with a backbone indebted to early ’90s American legends such as Deicide, Order from Chaos, and Incantation.
The result is a malformed yet deliberate hybrid, bludgeoning battle hymns delivered with a sharp, serrated edge. Through sheer force and conviction, PIG’S BLOOD continue carving out their own brutal stronghold within the death metal underground.
Chilean death metallers ROTTEN TOMB proudly announce the release of their third full-length album, Vestiges of Tortured Souls, set for June 6th, 2026 via Nuclear Winter Records. The album will be available on LP, CD and cassette formats, further cementing the band’s commitment to the underground tradition.
The first single “Mortified” is now streaming HERE.
Formed in 2016 in Iquique, ROTTEN TOMB have steadily risen as one of the most compelling acts within the South American extreme metal scene, blending death metal with doom-laden atmospheres and occult undertones. Following the strong impact of Visions of a Dismal Fate (2022) and the equally praised The Relief of Death (2024), the band now returns with their most ambitious and fully realized work to date.
Vestiges of Tortured Souls stands as one of the most anticipated death metal releases of the year. On this new record, ROTTEN TOMB refine their sonic identity without sacrificing intensity or authenticity. The riffs are sharper and more cohesive, while the melodies take on a more prominent role, painting soundscapes that feel more sorrowful and evocative than ever before.
Without losing any of the crushing heaviness and sense of decay that defined their earlier material, the band now delivers songs with an immediate and lasting impact. Each track strikes a balance between overwhelming force and carefully crafted lead guitar work, resulting in compositions that are both memorable and devastating.
The album channels the oppressive weight of the genre’s darkest pioneers alongside a deeply mournful and introspective atmosphere, while still maintaining a distinct and personal voice. This duality allows ROTTEN TOMB to push their sound forward, achieving a level of songwriting maturity that marks a clear evolution from their previous efforts.
Vestiges of Tortured Souls represents a major step forward for ROTTEN TOMB, solidifying their position at the forefront of Chile’s increasingly renowned extreme metal scene and extending their reach far beyond national borders.
For fans of: Incantation, early Paradise Lost, Krypts
Track-list:
Horror Manifestations
Condemned Reality
Lost Memories
Waiting, Dying
Mortified
Mind of Chaos
Here Lies Death
Ancestral Preservation
Human Pyre
Line-up:
Deathbringer – Guitar, vocals C. – Guitar A. Prophaner – Drums Utukku – Bass
Horrors Vile (featuring David Ingram of Benediction)
Legacy of the Damned
Rot Riffs
Hollow Husk
Dave Matrise (vocals, guitars) comments:
“Let’s start off by saying what an amazing accomplishment it is to hit 12 releases in my career. Never would I think I’d still be doing this 30+ years later. I guess be careful what you wish for. I’m very grateful to all of our fans that have supported us for so many years and for never giving up on us. To my bandmates for all of their hard work and dedication to me and JRot over all these years.
“‘Cruel Face Of War’ will not disappoint. It’s full of crushing grooves and violent hooks that will surely break anyone’s neck.”
Preorder now from our webstore – ORCD.CO/CRUELFACEOFWAR
Spanish melodic death metal band BLOODHUNTER have revealed new details on their highly-anticipated studio album, entitled Sons Of The Abandoned, that is set for release on June 12, 2026 via ROAR – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music. Pre-orders have started today.
Accompanying the album announcement, BLOODHUNTER step it up with the release of a music video for their latest single “Threshold Of Hell”, featuring Fernando Ribeiro of Portuguese dark metal legends MOONSPELL! Leaning on crushing riffs, a commanding groove, brutal vocals and a dense, shadowy atmosphere, the track is elevated by Ribeiro’s unmistakable voice, adding depth and gravitas.
Guitarist Dani Arcos comments: “I think it’s the most complete song on the album. We worked really hard on it, both musically and in terms of sound effects, the collaboration with Fernando Ribeiro… and it also has a great groove.”
Vocalist Diva Satanica adds: “It’s an anti-war song that dissects the mysteries of human behaviour and how it seems we didn’t evolve at all, making the same mistakes of the past. We wanted to emphasize this contradiction of being an anti-war song but using the typical sounds in this context, so we created our own military march shaking some spoons inside of a cooking pot (there is even a video of us recording it).”
1. The Devil’s Own 2. The Outspoken 3. Threshold Of Hell 4. Ephemeral Youth 5. Sons Of The Abandoned 6. No One Beats Death 7. Code Aeternam 8. The Path That Never Ends 9. The Night Is Darker Before The Dawn 10. Masters Of Deceive 11. Human Insecticide
Formed in Galicia, Spain, BLOODHUNTER have steadily carved their name into the international extreme metal scene through relentless touring, uncompromising sound and a clear artistic vision. Fronted by Diva Satanica, the band blends extreme metal aggression with melodic depth, groove and narrative ambition, forging a sound that is both ferocious and emotionally charged.
With Sons Of The Abandoned, BLOODHUNTER solidify themselves as a band unafraid to evolve, challenge expectations and expose their own scars. This is not just another extreme metal album, it is a statement of identity, resistance and survival in a world that constantly demands compromise.
STREAM THE NEW SINGLE/VIDEO, “OF RADIANCE AND LEVITATION,” NOW!
New England’s revered and fast-rising melodic death metal band FIRES IN THE DISTANCE will release their eagerly awaited third full-length album, Circadian Promise, on June 12 via Prosthetic Records.
Serving as the follow-up to 2023’s acclaimed Air Not Meant For Us, Circadian Promisesees FIRES IN THE DISTANCE refining their melancholy, synth-embroidered sound to cathartic new heights. The result is a record that is both virtuosic and visceral, progressive yet authentic, further establishing the band as one of the genre’s most compelling emerging forces.
Circadian Promise also ushers in an exciting new chapter for the band, introducing vocalist/guitarist Brendan Hayter. He joins founding songwriter, lyricist, and guitarist Yegor Savonin, bassist Craig Breitsprecher, and drummer Jordan Rippe.
Commenting on the forthcoming record, Hayter states:
“I think this is the album the band was destined to make. When I heard the demos, the word ‘timeless’ continuously came to mind. All four of us pulled out all the stops to make Circadian Promise exactly what it wanted to be. For me personally, as a new member and a vocalist, I thought the music was begging for new expressions through the human element—clean vocals and different timbres of screaming to channel various stages of the emotional process. Thankfully everyone embraced the vocal diversity, and it’s been an honor to push myself to new limits on this record.”
Today, the band has unleashed the album’s lead single, “Of Radiance and Levitation,” alongside an accompanying music video directed by Jayson Cessna.
Adding about the crushing new track, Savonin says:
“As the introduction to the new record, this track encapsulates the essence of what’s to come and brings forward new elements of melodic vocals to complement a variety of themes, including loss, abandonment, healing, reprieve, and determination.”
By This Time Tomorrow (Feat. Johan Reinholdz of Dark Tranquillity)
Once the Silence Takes Your Place
Agonal Dreaming
Originally conceived in 2016 as founding guitarist Yegor Savonin’s solo project, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE quickly evolved into a full band, earning acclaim with 2020’s Echoes From Deep November and 2023’s Air Not Meant For Us. Following a high-profile 2024 North American tour, the group reunited with producer Dave Kaminsky and orchestrator Randy Slaugh, while welcoming new vocalist/guitarist Brendan Hayter. The resulting six-track album—some songs stretching beyond nine minutes, is their bleakest yet most embracing work, blending cinematic orchestration, organic production, and dynamic vocal contrasts.
Lyrically and thematically, Circadian Promiseexplores spiritual erosion, mortality, and the search for acceptance, balancing existential weight with hard-won optimism. Recorded in Connecticut and North Carolina, the album retains a resonant human warmth even in its most technical passages, pairing atmospheric strings and expansive leads with Hayter’s serrated growls and somber cleans.
Singles like “Of Radiance and Levitation,” “To You, Author of My Fade,” and “By This Time Tomorrow” reflect deeply personal meditations on depression, self-awareness, and grief, while showcasing the band’s cinematic scope and emotional intensity. With touring planned for 2026 and beyond, Circadian Promise continues FIRES IN THE DISTANCE’s decade-long pursuit of catharsis, melding Savonin’s introspective vision with powerful songwriting, immersive arrangements, and evolving musical ambition.
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE: Lineup: Yegor Savonin – guitar/lyrics/songwriting Brendan Hayter – vocals/guitar/additional lyrics Craig Breitsprecher – bass/backing vocals Jordan Rippe – drums
Chilean death metal cult icons GODLESS are set to unleash their highly anticipated new full-length, Adversus Parousia, on June 6th, 2026 via Nuclear Winter Records. The album will be available on LP, CD, and cassette, marking the return of a band whose legacy in the underground has been quietly monumental since their formation.
The first single “Omega Omnipotens: Hosanna in Nullificatio” is now streaming HERE.
Since their inception in 1997, GODLESS have operated with an unwavering devotion to the darkest corners of death metal. Long before Chile’s scene garnered international attention, the band forged their path, crafting music of uncompromising intensity. Composed of seasoned veterans, GODLESS have always approached their work with meticulous care, andAdversus Parousia is the culmination of years of patient refinement.
The new album demonstrates a rigorous adherence to traditional death metal principles, yet its execution is anything but predictable. Every riff and atmospheric detail is carefully considered, resulting in a sound where weight and nuance coexist in perfect balance.
Tracks crawl and coil with a pitch-black intensity, yet subtle dynamics emerge, revealing layers of depth beneath the surface of the oppressive, obsidian-toned compositions. The music exudes a solemnity that only true masters of the craft can orchestrate, commanding attention with its ceremonial gravity.
Following a nine-year silence since their last EP, Omega Omnipotens, GODLESS return with a work that challenges both themselves and their listeners. Adversus Parousia embodies fidelity to the ethos of death metal, eschewing pretension for a direct confrontation with darkness and dissolution. The album fuses trance-like momentum, fervent aggression and an unwavering sense of transgression, producing an experience that is as merciless as it is mesmerizing.
With Adversus ParousiaGODLESS reaffirm their position as architects of Chilean underground death metal, presenting a record that is simultaneously complete, refined and uncompromising. For those attuned to the gravest depths of the genre, this release promises a profound, immersive encounter with the essence of death metal at its most solemn and potent.
Witness the return of pure hostility.
For fans of: Immolation, Morbid Angel, Dead Congregation, Drawn And Quartered
Baltimore Black Metallers, Nixil, have partnered with Invisible Oranges for the premiere of “I Am Not Here,” the second single from the forthcoming split release with Black/Death quartet, Drouth, titled Toward Dead Temples.
The bands have each released a statement concerning their respective contributions to Toward Dead Temples, as follows:
Nixil: “Our contributions to Toward Dead Temples explore the spiritual depth of death and isolation. Through the use of imagery representative of the crumbling edifice of christo-fascism, we strive to push toward the eradication of the oppressor in all its manifestations. Sonically, this album marks a point of transition for us, beginning a deep dive into darker waters on a quest for stranger, more unsettling discordance. We are thrilled to be joining forces with our friends in Drouth to present this anthem of defiance against the crushing weight of impending dictatorship – until all tyrants and their temples fall.”
Drouth: “Originally recorded during The Teeth of Time sessions in late 2023, ‘Cathartes Aura’ and ‘The Outer Church’ stand on their own by representing both the past and future of Drouth. We are proud to share this release with our friends in Nixil and join them in spreading sonic misery throughout the West Coast this May.”
FFO: Enslaved, Ludicra, Blut Aus Nord, Altar of Plagues, Dawn, Black Curse, Ulcerate, Spectral Wound, Weakling, Sacramentum, Schammasch, Watain, The Ruins of Beverast
Nixil and Drouth will embark on the Toward Dead Temples West Coast Tour 2026, in May. Tour dates are as follows:
May 7: Seattle, WA – Neumos (Northwest Terror Fest) May 8: Eugene, OR – John Henry’s May 9: Redding, CA – The Dip May 10: Sacramento, CA – Cafe Colonial May 12: Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge May 13: San Diego, CA – Tower Bar May 14: Palmdale, CA – Transplants Brewing May 15: Santa Rosa, CA – Arlene Francis Center May 16: Eureka, CA – Savage Henry Comedy Club May 17: Portland, OR – The High Water Mark
Toward Dead Temples will be released April 24 on vinyl, cassette tape, and digital formats.
Rio de Janeiro (BR) – Progressive Post-Metal outfit, Loneshore, have joined the Willowtip roster and will release their second full-length album, Nothing Left to Deconstruct, on June 19.
Following the well received 2018 debut album, From Presence to Silence, the new record for Willowtip retains the core elements of memorable melodies, unconventional song structures and post-metal atmospheric soundscapes, yet pushes the songwriting and arrangements to a whole new level.
Bruno Farinazzo (Guitars) Luan Moura (Bass) Luiz Felipe Netto (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards) Pedro Mercier (Drums) Renan Rubim (Guitars, Keyboards)
Credits:
Music by Loneshore. Lyrics by Luiz Felipe Netto.
Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Luiz Felipe Netto. Mastered by Magnus Lindberg. Additional Guitar Engineering by Zach Wish. Artwork by David Preissel. Band Photos by Vitor Coutinho. 35mm film Developing/Scanning by Pedro Barone (Gelatina Lab/RJ). Layout by Moornebheym.
The end has come… long revered and widely acclaimed heavy metal giants SPIRIT ADRIFT have released their sixth and final album, Infinite Illumination, today via 20 Buck Spin. Bookending a monumental decade+ long run, the band’s bittersweet swan song is marked by one of their most ambitious and crushing records to date.
SPIRIT ADRIFT mastermind Nathan Garrett’s final magnum opus is a return to the wellspring that first inspired it all and a testament to a band that in the last 10 years has crafted an impeccable signature thoroughly their own, molded from the elemental matter of more than a half century of heavy metal exaltation.
Infinite Illumination has a directness to it, a sense of urgency and raw intensity. The songs feel inevitable, like they had to be driven out from deep within during a time of great upheaval. The fatalistic ‘Born in a Bad Way’ summons a vengeful “broken relic from another age” that must “live again and make them pay” via Garrett’s swaggering snarl, while “White Death” impugns “God shined on a chosen few, we must kill the rest of you”.
These songs have a palpable sense of malaise both spiritual and terrestrial, personal and universal, inflicted via crushing traditional Doom riffs, thunderous mid-tempo marches and Garrett’s impassioned vocal delivery.
Long after the band is gone fans will continue to discover the SPIRIT ADRIFT catalog and witness the breadth of greatness they delivered in just a decade’s time. Every melodic, epic and emotionally charged thread that defines the band’s legacy honors the animating force behind pure creative ambition. And at its core Infinite Illumination carries both the weight of conclusion and the troubling realization that it is rarely painless to say farewell.
Infinite Illumination is available digitally today. Gatefold LP and CD editions will be released May 15th. Pre-order here: https://www.20buckspin.com/spiritadrift
Spirit Adrift’s music is an alchemical sonic melting pot that combines classic doom, traditional heavy metal, and the intensity of old school thrash, forging a unique and forward-thinking sound. Led by founder, multi-instrumentalist, and frontman Nate Garrett, the band built a reputation for towering riffs, anthemic songwriting, and emotionally charged performances rooted in both personal struggle and defiant perseverance.
Emerging in 2016, Spirit Adrift released a string of critically acclaimed albums: Chained to Oblivion, Curse of Conception, Divided by Darkness, Enlightened in Eternity, and Ghost at the Gallows. Earning praise from outlets such as Decibel, Revolver, Metal Hammer, and Kerrang!, who ranked the band among the best of the decade.
Spirit Adrift toured and shared stages with the likes of High on Fire, Yob, Crowbar, Corrosion of Conformity, Midnight, and has appeared at major festivals such as Download, Hellfest, and Psycho Las Vegas. Their live shows were visceral and cathartic, equal parts power and conviction.
In 2026, Spirit Adrift announced their end with the release of their 6th and final album, Infinite Illumination. While their band’s story comes to a close, their legacy and profound impact on heavy music will be felt for decades to come.
The long-established German death metal ensemble FLESHCRAWL has signed a worldwide deal with Distortion Music Group (DMG) – Powered by Reigning Phoenix Music. The signing marks a new chapter as the band prepares to unveil their tenth studio album, Epitome of Carnage on June 12, 2026. FLESHCRAWL‘s obliterating new single “Blood Dominion” marks the first release under this collaboration, following a series of prior releases that saw select DMG roster artists issued via Reigning Phoenix Music.
On the single release, FLESHCRAWL comments:“Choosing ‘Blood Dominion’ as our first single is a statement. It is the ultimate teaser for what this album delivers: no mercy. It captures the very essence of FLESHCRAWL – fast, raw, and straight to the point. An uncompromising and pure reflection of what that band is about.” The band continue, “We didn’t want any long-winded intros or other stuff – we wanted to hit the ground running and go straight all in. From the second you put this on, you know exactly what’s coming: pure, rough chaos. That was always the plan.”
“Blood Dominion” is unforgiving in its brutal nature. Striking ferociously with untamable rhythms, thunderous percussion and bloodthirsty vocals, “Blood Dominion” offers a thrilling display of unrestrained intensity that makes a clear statement.
Track Listing: 1. Blood Dominion 2. Chapel of Guts 3. Grave Messiah 4. Embers of Wrath 5. Committed to Suffer 6. Reign Forever 7. Chronicles of Bloodshed 8. Rebuilt from Flesh 9. Orphan God 10. Path of Thorns 11. Heralds of Death 12. Of Fire and Flesh
The long-awaited Epitome of Carnage is constructed on the foundation of an expansive career. FLESHCRAWL remain devoted to the death metal genre despite having encountered loss and change along the way. As the tenth full-length release, the new album stands as testament to FLESHCRAWL‘s unwavering creativity and drive. Arriving seven years after 2019’s Into the Catacombs of Flesh, Epitome of Carnage reveals a renewed vigor and power that bleeds through the track list.
Contained within Epitome of Carnage are twelve vicious onslaughts that showcase FLESHCRAWL‘s unimpeded speed and power. Materializing alongside demonstrations of inescapable heaviness, explosive riffs, and melodic touches amongst the shadows, they leave behind no survivors.
Kansas City thrash masters HELLEVATE will unleash their sixth assault this spring!
Killicon Valley is relentless in execution. Eleven tracks of the bullshit-free, ‘thrash-or-be-thrashed’ attitude the band has cultivated over their nearly 20 years of existence. Today, that fury has escalated beyond the breaking point. The result is an album that true fans of old-school thrash can blast with pride.
Guitarist Dan Whitmer comments on Killicon Valley, “We couldn’t be more excited about this release! It’s the result of the last few years of a concentrated effort to expand our songwriting capabilities and deliver something for every kind of metal fan there is. Sonically, we’re going to places we haven’t been to before, and we’re trying out a lot of different approaches, sounds, and songwriting angles in our mission to make heads bang worldwide! Everyone involved has pushed themselves physically and mentally in their performances, and it’s all come together in a unique blend of melody and aggression, tackling every subject from our anger at the injustices in the world, to velociraptor attacks and Japanese spider demons. Grab a brace, because this album will make you wreck your neck!”
Get your first taste of Killicon Valley with the album’s lead single, “In the Long Grass.” Check out the official video at: youtu.be/4pvJtJcOrvo.
HELLEVATE will mark the release of Killicon Valley with an album release show at Warehouse on Broadway in Kansas City, MO. Support will come from Jackson Country 5, Meat Shank, and Bloodscent. Check the event page for details.
HELLEVATE is a thrash metal band from Kansas City, MO, known for their unique blend of melodic thrash, extreme metal, and power metal influences. Formed in the late 2000s by guitarist Dan Whitmer, HELLEVATE maintains a commitment to writing unforgettable music that hits hard and leaves a lasting impression.
Lyrically, the band continues to deliver powerful messages with directness and intensity. Together, they have crafted a sound that is both expansive and undeniably thrash, incorporating influences from speed metal, power metal, death metal, and hardcore to create something truly unique.
Photo credit: Kaitlyn Waggoner
Line-Up:
Robert Browne – Vocals Dan Whitmer – Guitar Joshua Cole – Guitar Zack Burke – Bass Ruben Lopez – Drums
HELLEVATE‘s discography includes their debut self-titled album (2012), Kill Confirmed (2014), Weapons Against Their Will (2016), The Purpose Is Cruelty (2023) and their newest album Killicon Valley (2026).
Since their debut in 2012, HELLEVATE has built a reputation for delivering electrifying live performances, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in metal, including EXODUS, KREATOR, ACCEPT, OVERKILL, DESTRUCTION, HAMMERFALL, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, GHOUL, VENOM INC., and DANZIG, among others.
PIONEERING DOOM BAND’S FIRST NEW MUSIC SINCE 2006’S WATCHING FROM A DISTANCE
Warning return with Rituals of Shame, their first new album in 20 years, due June 19 via Relapse Records. The band’s 2006 album, Watching from a Distance, has become one of the most revered releases in doom metal, with Pitchfork noting it “stands among the high water marks of the genre,” and Stereogum declaring it the “greatest doom record of all time.”
“It’s my privilege to be able to present to you the first track released from Rituals of Shame,” Patrick Walker shares as “Stations” (https://youtu.be/x49aT-WREO0) is now available. “Whether you’re among those who have been waiting for this for twenty years, or whether you’re new to my music, it is with great pleasure and some relief, that I can finally give you a taste of the album that will follow later in the year. I wrote and recorded the entire record throughout 2025. This is the year I shall have the honour of sharing it with you.”
Walker, who also leads 40 Watt Sun, began work on Rituals of Shame in January 2025, writing seven days a week over three months as he turned his full focus back to Warning. The album was recorded at The Arch Studio, a 140-year-old former church in Southport, U.K., with recording and mixing handled by Chris Fullard (Idles, Sunn O))), Ulver).
The decision to make a new Warning album emerged from a transformative period in Walker’s life. Reluctant to explain his lyrics, he acknowledges only that the work reflects a deeply personal present moment, with the collection echoing the themes that have long defined his writing: longing, separation, and most of all, love.
Rituals of Shame also reflects a range of Walker’s longstanding influences, from the expansive melodic structures of Marillion to the restraint and clarity of June Tabor. He also cites John Brenner of Revelation as a formative influence, particularly in shaping his approach to articulating emotion through heavy music.
The collection is available now for pre-order (https://orcd.co/warning-ritualsofshame) on various vinyl variants and other physical formats, as well as digital pre-saves.
Rituals of Shame track listing:
Rituals of Shame
Stations
Night Comes Down
Landing Lights
Teacher
Warning tour dates:
April 16 to 19 Tilburg, NL Roadburn Festival July 10 to 12 Pleszew, PL Red Smoke Festival July 29 to August 1 Bergen, NO Beyond The Gates August 13 to 15 Francavilla Al Mare, IT Frantic Festival August 13 to 16 Carhaix-plouger, FR Motocultor Festival September 4 Helsinki, FI KULT September 12 to 13 Leon, MX Candelabrum Metal Festival November 7 Nuremberg, DE Sonus Obscura Festival November 13 Athens, GR An Club
Warning hail from Essex, U.K., emerging from the British doom scene in 1994. The band released two albums in their initial run, The Strength to Dream (1999) and Watching from a Distance (2006). The band reunited in 2017 for a limited number of live performances including an appearance at Roadburn Festival. Warning is Patrick Walker (vocals/guitar), Wayne Taylor (guitar), Marcus Hatfield (bass), and Andrew Prestidge (drums).
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