“Shattered Crosses is one of my favorite tunes on the new record,” says vocalist Jason McMaster, “and I could not be happier with the result of the writing and tone of the song. The lyrics are about the war efforts, the church efforts, and how governments send people off to war, seemingly only as a confusing way to make dealings of loss for big money.”
McMaster goes on to state that “the video is a step up in production from what we’ve done previously, including bigger cameras, a bigger venue, etc, which allowed us to really get the point across. We are a traditional heavy metal band and we want people to see and hear; we aren’t trying to rearrange or reinvent anything. It is straight-away classic metal and the video shows the world that intent.”
Photo Credit: Steve Miller
The video features camera work and visual production by PennyRock Productions. Budro Partida and the crew of PennyRock are quickly becoming nationally known for the company’s full feature documentary film, Bloody and Bruised – The Untold Story of the Back Room. The Back Room is a now defunct Rock and Metal venue in Austin, TX, which spawned a scene that attracted and hosted worldwide touring acts for over 30 years.
The stories told in the film are legendary, as local bands were discovered there and lifelong relationships made. Needless to say, the band is extremely proud to have had PennyRock produce the video.
“I’m a metal fan, so I was thrilled for the opportunity to work with a band the caliber of IGNITOR,” adds Partida. “Going into the shoot I knew that the visual tone of the video should be red-hot to match the ferocity of the song. I wanted the viewer to get a sun burn.”
“Shattered Crosses” is also available on all streaming outlets.
Horns and Hammers is available on Bandcamp via Metal on Metal Records, and in the United States onwww.revoltvinylrecords.com. Revolt Vinyl Records will make it available on CD and vinyl.
U.S. residents can order the CD directly from the band at ignitorband.com.
Line-up:
Stuart “Batlord” Laurence – Guitar Robert Williams – Guitar Jason McMaster – Vocals Billy “Chainsaw” Dansfiell – Bass Pat Doyle – Drums
Rising metal force LIONS AT THE GATE has just unveiled their latest single, “Silhouettes of Me,” a powerful new track that explores the personal and emotional battles with addiction and depression. This introspective release showcases the band’s signature mix of haunting melodies and hard-hitting riffs, anchored by vocalist Cristian Machado‘s gripping lyricism and raw vocal performance.
“‘Silhouettes of Me’ is a song close to our hearts, lyrically touching on the struggles of addiction and depression, and the changes that it took to find victory over them,” says Machado.
The track weaves together themes of resilience and reflection, showcasing LIONS AT THE GATE‘s ability to balance both aggression and vulnerability. The accompanying video captures the intensity of the band’s live energy in a monochrome red setting, balancing darkness and hope. Watch it HERE.
Additionally, LIONS AT THE GATE is set to hit the road this December, joining local Texas metal heavyweights UPON A BURNING BODY for the “Cold Nights Over Texas” tour. They’ll be joined by genre-bending support act VCTMS, creating a high-octane lineup ready to deliver an unforgettable experience across six cities in the Lone Star State.
Fans can expect a dynamic mix of powerful, high-energy performances as LIONS AT THE GATE brings “Silhouettes of Me” and other fan favorites from their debut album, The Excuses We Cannot Make, to the stage. Tickets are available HERE.
There’s No Such Things As Monsters Tour – Wednesday 13, The Dead Rabbitts, & I Ya Toyah – ticket/tour info: http://www.officialwednesday13.com
03/14/25: Las Vegas, NV @ Count’s Vamp’d 03/15/25: Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky 03/16/25: Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone 03/18/25: Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom 03/19/25: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon 03/21/25: Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post 03/22/25: Pomona, CA @ Glass House 03/23/25: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 03/25/25: Mesa, AZ @ The Nile Theater 03/26/25: Albuquerque, NM @ Launch Pad 03/28/25: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger 03/29/25: Dallas, TX @ Trees 03/30/25: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live 04/01/25: Birmingham, AL @ Saturn 04/02/25: Knoxville, TN @ Open Chord 04/04/25: Atlanta, GA @ The Loft @ Centerstage 04/05/25: Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones 04/06/25: Greenville, SC @ Radio Room 04/08/25: Baltimore, MD @ Zen West 04/09/25: Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho 04/10/25: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom 04/12/25: Hampton Beach, NH @ Wallys 04/13/25: Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electrique 04/15/25: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace 04/16/25: Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room 04/18/25: New York, NY @ The Gramercy 04/19/25: Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater 04/20/25: Lititz, PA @ Mickey’s Black Box 04/22/25: Pittsburgh, PA @ Crafthouse 04/23/25: Cleveland, OH @ Mercury 04/25/25: Columbus, OH @ The Kings Of Clubs 04/26/25: Flint, MI @ Machine Shop 04/27/25: Cadillac, MI @ Venue Event Center 04/29/25: Joliet, IL @ The Forge 04/30/25: Madison, WI @ The Annex 05/02/25: Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater 05/03/25: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
Following ten years of silence after the release of their debut album The Embers of the Stars and the untimely death of vocalist Steven, Ahamkara return with a new lineup and new album The Harrow of the Lost, an unflinching exploration of the transformative nature of grief.
An emotionally charged and fiercely personal record, “The Harrow of the Lost” takes the Ahamkara sound in a more complex and tormented direction, encompassing existential rage, nihilistic despair and all in between. Both rawer and more organic in sound, intensified by the electrifying drum work of new member Austin Lunn (Panopticon).
Scaling greater peaks of Emperial ambition than ever before, the album integrates the expansive reach of the Cascadian black metal sound with the densely detailed savagery of classic Emperor and the aching melancholy of early Anathema to produce a deeply involving journey of genre-transcending atmospheric metal.
Completed by a heartfelt and uncompromising vocal performance from founding member Michael and the nuanced, evocative synth work of Alexandra (also of label mates Nemorous), this is a journey into the scorched earth landscapes of bereavement that no follower of the Bindrune family should miss.
Blackened death metal quintet AOIDOS carve out a fusion of haunting melodies and atmospheres from the realms of black metal in conjunction with the power and groove of death. Storytelling is core to the band, whose name AOIDOS means bard in Ancient Greek. Light your fire, pour yourself a drink and prepare for dark and shadowy tales as the band present their new offering, “Trauma”. The single is the first to emerge ahead of the forthcoming album Oizys that is set for release on November 29th, 2024, via Nox Liberatio Records. Watch “Trauma” HERE.
Dynamically, AOIDOS sculpt a thrilling soundscape across “Trauma” which encounters high intensity with brief moments that are almost serene. Delicate piano melodies enthrall among the weight of the heavy instrumentation. “Trauma” includes lyrics in the band’s native language – Portuguese. “The chorus is totally in Portuguese”, the band explain, “and it sings the plea of ‘Trauma’, a force that sees itself not as an oppressor, but as a protector, a shield between the victim and the true extent of the tragedies they went through.”
Tracklist + Running Times:
Dieaed – 01:29
Thrall – 05:56
Fire – 06:26
Oizys – 06:28
Trauma – 05:50
Old Ballad – 01:48
The Wheels – 04:03
Black Swan – 06:06
From the Surface Grate – 05:10
Slumber – 01:53
All! Wherever! Always! – 04:27
Full Album Running Time: 49:26
About AOIDOS: AOIDOS came to be following a night of mead at the iconic Taberna 58, in Coimbra, Portugal, in 2019. Inspired by storytelling and the Aoidos, who were the bards and minstrels of Ancient Greece, the band bring this element into their heavy and ambient style.
Influenced musically by the likes of GOJIRA, BEHEMOTH and WATAIN, alongside classical piano compositions, AOIDOS strive to create a rich and textural soundscape that embraces the fierce energy of death and ethereality of black metal. To date, the band have taken to stages around South West Europe, including festival appearances at Bajonca Rock Fest, Rock dos Romanos, Mosher Fest, Melena Fest.
Most recently, AOIDOS shared the bill with VADER, SEPTICFLESH and MOONSPELL at Laurus Nobilis Music Festival 2024. With a number of single releases behind them, AOIDOS are now set to unveil their debut album Oizysthis November.
AOIDOS: João “Freitanás” Freitas (Vocals / Guitars) Ekid Marques (Vocals / Bass) Pedro Miguel (Drums) Ivo Resende (Guitars / Backing Vocals) Erlkönig (Piano)
Special Guests: Chris Barber (Drums)
Credits: Producer: João “Freitanás” Freitas Recording Studio: All tracks recorded at Home and our Rehearsal Space in Coimbra except Drums, which were recorded at Golden Jack Studios, Coimbra. Engineer: João “Freitanás” Freitas and João Dourado Mastering: João Dourado Mixing: João “Freitanás” Freitas Album Cover Artist: Sofya Alves Band Photos by: Ruben Lopo
Detroit (MI) – Detroit power metallers, DEMON BITCH, have premiered “Master of the Games,” the title track and second single from their long-awaited sophomore album!
Gates of Hell Records (a Cruz Del Sur Music sub-label) will release Master of the Games November 29 on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.
The sophomore effort from Detroit, Michigan pillars of classic metal Demon Bitch, Master of the Games is a nine-song effort that is unmatched and unpredictable!
An eight-year buffer between studio albums left Detroit true metallers Demon Bitch with one, singular option: To be as uncompromising as possible. While there was an assortment of lessons learned along the way, Demon Bitch used their time wisely to ensure their sophomore Master of the Games long-player turned out exactly like they wanted.
Recorded in Lansing, Michigan between 2022 and 2024 under the watchful eye of George Szegedy, Master of the Games evokes the raw, obscure feelings of underground power and classic metal and captures it throughout nine songs of timeless glory.
Demon Bitch features several members of the heralded White Magician within its ranks, including vocalist Logon Saton, the guitar tandem of Lord Mars and Solon Saton and Drummer Master Commander. The band is rounded out by returning bassist B. Beastmaster, who was featured on the 2014 Death is Hanging… EP.
At its core, Master of the Games is a chaotic offering of obscure and underground U.S. power metal and classic heavy metal with some eclectic moments ranging from 1970s sensibilities to more extreme influences.
The over-the-top approach found on the band’s Hellfiends debut remains, although Demon Bitch has injected several epic moments to make the album even more dynamic. And it’s all tied together by lyrical themes of fantasy, legends and lore, highly disputed claims about the world around us, mystery, secrecy and the unknown captured through ominous, esoteric and dark romantic expression. According to Logon, the stories told in the lyrics are “left pretty open for interpretation in most cases, but I certainly think there’s some interesting concepts for you to look into.”
The album’s artwork was handled by Logon, who wanted to complement some of the more esoteric and mysterious aspects that Master of the Games encompasses, both lyrically and musically. He was working on both the lyrics and the artwork around the same time period, so he spent a lot of time staring at the painting while writing and thinking of ideas. This helped to inspire some lyrical passages in songs like “Sentinel at the Spire,” “Tower of Dreams” and “Soldiers of Obscurity.”
The release of Master of the Games was preceded by Demon Bitch’s first-ever European dates. The band played Chaos Descends in Germany; a festival populated by some of the truest diehards in the metal scene.
Demon Bitch also played a few exclusive club shows in Vienna and Croatia. Not surprisingly, the response was universally positive. And, now, with the release of Master of the Games around the corner, the next phase of Demon Bitch’s career begins. Let the games begin!
Call your chiropractor – WARFIELD has arrived with breakneck force!
WARFIELD state about signing with Napalm Records: “This is happening! We are more than proud to announce that Warfield has officially signed with Napalm Records. After over a decade of pouring our souls into this band, this is very special to us. We also want to take this opportunity to genuinely thank all the people who supported us along the way. We can’t wait to let you all know what we have in store for you. Are you ready for this?”
Senior A&R Sebastian Münch says about WARFIELD: “Warfield creates the same feelings you get when you listen to Kreator, Sodom or Destruction for the very first time! Warfield are lethal, authentic and surprisingly fresh! We are incredibly proud to join forces with Warfield from the metal stronghold Kaiserslautern!”
Reading, Pennsylvania-based progressive death metallers RIVERS OF NIHIL will embark on a full European tour in February. Support comes from Prog legends CYNIC as well as BEYOND CREATION and labelmates DÅÅTH! Full dates below.
Comments RIVERS OF NIHIL: “We can’t wait to return to Europe on The Aggressive Progressive Tour this February. We are honored to have Cynic, Beyond Creation, and Dååth along with us for the ride. This lineup truly embodies both the ‘aggressive’ and ‘progressive’ nature of what this tour is all about. We can’t wait to see all of you, and who knows? Maybe even bring some new music along for the trip.”
THE AGGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE EU/UK TOUR 2025 RIVERS OF NIHIL w/ CYNIC, BEYOND CREATION, DÅÅTH:
28.02.25 Germany Köln Essigfabrik 01.03.25 Belgium Antwerp Zappa 02.03.25 France Paris La Machine 04.03.25 UK Glasgow Slay 05.03.25 Ireland Dublin Academy 06.03.25 UK Bristol The Fleece 07.03.25 UK Southampton Engine Rooms 08.03.25 UK Manchester Club Academy 09.03.25 UK London Electric Ballroom 10.03.25 UK Birmingham XOYO 12.03.25 Netherlands Haarlem Patronaat 13.03.25 Germany Hamburg Gruenspan 14.03.25 Sweden Stockholm Fryshuset Klubben 16.03.25 Finland Helsinki Tavastia 18.03.25 Norway Oslo John Dee 19.03.25 Denmark Copenhagen Pumpehuset 21.03.25 Poland Warsaw Proxima 22.03.25 Germany Berlin Columbia Theater 23.03.25 Germany Nürnberg Z-Bau 24.03.25 Austria Wien Flex 25.03.25 Hungary Budapest Dürer Kert 26.03.25 Germany München Backstage 27.03.25 Italy Milan Slaughter Club 28.03.25 Switzerland Aarau Kiff 29.03.25 Germany Karlsruhe Substage
Ticketing details and further information can be found at: lnk.to/RON-EUROPE2025 – ticket sale starts October 25th at 11am CET.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the debut full length album from filthy, vicious Canadian Death Metal destroyers Immortal Force. Mystic Seance Unrealities is up now for pre-order and will be released November 22nd on CD and Digital formats along with merch.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions welcome Immortal Force with their debut album Mystic Seance Unrealities! Hailing from Western Canada, this four-piece Death Metal band worships the old analog metal sound, the filthiest horror flicks of the ’80s, and anything bizarre, absurd, and menacing! On Mystic Seance Unrealities, these Canadian freaks forego false trends and instead create something timeless, as seen through an otherworldly lens, with themes such as heinous crimes committed without method; dissecting the prophesied departure from life; propagation of extraterrestrial lifeforms; life manifested and subsequently uncreated.
Mystic Seance Unrealities takes listeners through ten devilish tracks of obscure Thrashing Death Metal steeped in abstract ideas & peculiar affairs and features artwork by Paolo Girardi (Power Trip, Revocation, The Black Dahlia Murder). Immortal Force also unleashes two covers, one by the mighty Napalm Death and one by gore masters Carcass.
For congregants of all that’s unknown and macabre, Immortal Force‘s debut is a MUST-listen for fans of Master, Nunslaughter, Pestilence, Demilich, Impetigo, Mortician, Deicide, Timeghoul and all late 80’s/early 90’s EVIL!!
Narcotic Wasteland, fronted by ex-Nile guitarist/vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade along with drummer Joseph Howard (Fields of Elysium), Neuromorphic) and bassist Kenji Tsunami (Ontogeny), will be hitting the road with Long Island, NY old school death metallers Pyrexia for the“Cemetery Slam Tour” from November 15th to 23rd. Narcotic Wasteland will also perform at this year’s SwarmFest in Tampa Bay, FL following the tour (dates listed below).
Plus Fans who purchase tickets for Austin and Houston show dates will be automatically entered in the raffle to win a Jackson guitar signed by all the bands playing. Check out the Instagram videos below.
In additional news, the trio unveiled their new music video for the single “Barbarian” this past September and will be featured on their forthcoming album “Digital Cordyceps” out on Megaforce Records (release date TBD) to follow their 2017 breakout sophomore album “Delirium Tremens”.
Dallas Toler-Wade comments on the track:
“For me, Barbarian is a prime example of me doing the thing I love and that defines me the most. Continuously striving to improve my craft as a musician and a songwriter. But also the overall message of this song. Live!! Be free!! Find your own path!!! Question everything!!! And also we don’t need politicians or religion to shape our moral centers. In fact, It seems they distort the truth every chance they get. This whole album cycle has seemed to have this recurring theme about the narcissistic oligarchy that we have all fallen victim to. I Dallas Toler, Wade the barbarian, will fight this mockery until I leave the land of the living, and even after that, my powerful voice will echo through the halls of time!! Because I am a barbarian!!”
Pyrexia (Headliner) + Narcotic Wasteland Tour Dates: 11/15/2024 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street 11/16/2024 – Fort Worth, TX – The Rail Club 11/17/2024 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger 11/18/2024 – Houston, TX – BFE Rock Club 11/19/2024 – Austin, TX – The 13th Floor 11/20/2024 – Tulsa, OK – The Vanguard 11/21/2024 – Corpus Christi, TX – Boozerz Friday 11/22/2024 – Shreveport, LA – Strange Brew 11/23/2024 – Long Beach, MS – TRAX Narcotic Wasteland only 11/24/2024 – Tampa, FL – Swarmfest – Brass Mug
Narcotic Wasteland is a relentless force in the metal realm, known for its infernal performances and unyielding sound. Led by former Nile guitarist Dallas Toler Wade, the band has forged an unholy covenant with legions of devoted followers, spreading chaos and devastation wherever they tread.
A face-melting experience, Narcotic Wasteland unleashesblistering guitar wails to heart-pounding drum onslaughts, with every track promising to be an infernal ritual that will leave metalheads possessed by the spirit of pure chaos. Prepare for sonic hellfire!
Australia’s SARCOPHAGUM will release their debut full-length, The Grand Arc of Madness, on December 6th, 2024 through Nuclear Winter Records.
The album track “Feudal Futures” is now streaming at THIS LOCATION.
SARCOPHAGUM spawned to life in the early half of 2021, during the time of the plague as a new project featuring Golgothan Remains members past and present. The purpose being to provide a channel to explore new ideas and sounds in a studio-only setting.
The dark death metal realm remains the primary influence and a debut EP, Conduits to the Underworld, was released in 2022 through Nuclear Winter Records, followed swiftly by a stand alone single, “This Wrought Creation”. Now their full length debut is here,The Grand Arc of Madness. Poised to unleash a soundscape of disharmony and terror over the listener, the angular horror awaits…
Both a culmination of their already characteristic aesthetic and a whole new twist upon it, The Grand Arc of Madness sees SARCOPHAGUM fusing clanging angularity with haunting atmospherics, chaos with eerie melodicism, epic narrative with primal crush.
Mixed and mastered by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios.
Cover art by Khaos Diktator.
Track list:
Ritual Pillars Burn
Feudal Futures
Vermiform
The Grand Arc of Madness
For fans of: Ulcerate, Immolation, Adversarial, Golgothan Remains
Metal Blade Records is very pleased to welcome Italian doomsters MESSA to its worldwide roster!
MESSA plays evoking doom metal with Middle Eastern vibes. Deliciously haunting female vocals, ‘70s guitars, and Arabian Oud combine to conjure a sound that is entirely their own. With influences as diverse as Dead Can Dance, Om, Swans, Killing Joke, Electric Wizard, Thergothon, and Current 93, the band has moved from the first occult then noir-tinged doom metal of their previous works to an innovative atmospheric Mediterranean sound. The evolution is clearly showcased in their latest studio album, Close.
MESSA emerged on the first day of 2014. Guitarist/bassist Marco and vocalist Sara began to develop the basic concept while writing the first songs. Later, guitarist Alberto and drummer Rocco joined the band. The extreme diversity of their musical backgrounds immediately proved to be essential in the construction of their sound. In 2016, their first opus, Belfry, was released, and MESSA embarked on several tours across Europe and the US.
By 2018, their second work, Feast For Water, brought the band on tour even more extensively. Their latest studio work, Close, released in 2022, was lauded by critics and defined as, “the sound of a band fleshing out their place in doom metal’s past, present, and future” by Metal Injection. MESSA appeared on such illustrious festivals as Hellfest Open Air, Roadburn, and Desert Fest. The band’s latest record, Live At Roadburn, was released on April 7th, 2023, offering their main-stage triumph, joined by a unique constellation of musicians and instruments. Seeming to both embrace and defy everything it means to be a metal band, MESSA meshes Mediterranean sounds with crushing doom riffs, with an emphasis on atmosphere and an unusual use of instrumentation.
Comments MESSA, “We’re glad to announce we’ve joined forces with the legendary Metal Blade Records. We are beyond stoked to become part of the incredible legacy of this label, marking their catalog with our music. Since 1982, Metal Blade has put fundamental metal artists on the map, and being in this label’s roster is a big honor for us. We can’t wait to share some glimpses of what we are working on! In the meantime, you can catch our live shows in the following European cities.”
MESSA Live: 10/17/2024 Sunset – Martigny, CH 10/18/2024 Artik Club – Freiburg, DE 10/19/2024 Kufa Haus – Braunschweig, DE 10/20/2024 Desertfest – Antwerp, BE 10/21/2024 AZ – Aachen, DE 10/22/2024 Cassiopeia – Berlin, DE 10/23/2024 VooDoo – Warsaw, PL 10/24/2024 2Progi – Poznan, PL 10/25/2024 AJZ – Chemnitz, DE 10/26/2024 Lazy Bones – Hamburg, DE 10/27/2024 Samhain Festival – Maastricht, NL 11/09/2024 Catania Tattoo Convention – Catania, IT 12/13/2024 Kapu – Linz, AT 12/14/2024 Hellgart Festival – Stuttgart, DE
MESSA: Sara – vocals Marco – guitars, bass Alberto – guitars Rocco – drums
CATEGORY 7, featuring John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Phil Demmel (Kerry King, Machine Head), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), Jack Gibson (Exodus), and Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Overkill), today announces their 2025 first ever tour in support of their self-titled Metal Blade debut.
The fourteen-show trek commences on March 6th in Baltimore, Maryland and runs through March 23rd in Atlanta, Georgia. Direct support on all shows will be provided by Exhorder (except Milwaukee). Additional support will be provided by Hand Of The Tribe on all dates, as well as Dead By Wednesday on the first four dates, and Engineered Society Project on the remainder of the tour, starting in Warrendale.
Comments vocalistJohn Bush, “Looking forward to CATEGORY 7 blowing off the roofs of some venues on the East Coast and Midwest in March of 2025. This will be the first time the band will be playing live so come and check out some killer musicianship. Playing songs from the debut record should be fun. See ya there!”
Adds guitaristPhil Demmel, “Batten down your hatches because the C7tempest is about to touch ground in the US this March! We are all so thrilled to launch this band and bring our show through the states! See you in the eye of the storm!”
Presales on Blabbermouth.net and Knotfest.com will begin tomorrow, October 9th with the general on sale beginning Friday, October 11th. VIP upgrades will be available for all shows at category7official.com. The VIP purchase does not include the show ticket. See all confirmed dates below.
CATEGORY 7 w/ Exhorder, Dead By Wednesday, Hand Of The Tribe: 3/06/2025 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 3/07/2025 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ 3/08/2025 Middle East – Downstairs – Cambridge 3/09/2025 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA w/ Exhorder, Engineered Society Project, Hand Of The Tribe: 3/11/2025 Jergel’s – Warrendale, PA 3/12/2025 The Asylum At Temple Live – Cleveland, OH 3/14/2025 The Machine Shop – Flint, MI 3/15/2025 The Forge – Joliet, IL 3/16/2025 The Rave II – Milwaukee, WI ** 3/18/2025 Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN 3/19/2025 Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE 3/21/2025 Pop’s – St. Louis, MO 3/22/2025 Exit/In – Nashville, TN 3/23/2025 The Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA ** w/ H1Z1, Misfire, Engineered Society Project, Hand Of The Tribe (no Exhorder)
Category 7 was released on July 26th to worldwide critical acclaim and debuted at #8 on the Billboard Rock Chart. The band has released four videos to date for the tracks “In Stitches,” “Exhausted,” “Mousetrap,” and “Apple of Discord.” The band has received major support from the Sirius XM channel Liquid Metal.
Category 7 was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Mike Orlando at Sonic Stomp Studios with art and layout by Carlos Fides at Artside Studio (Angra, Evergrey, Kamelot). Stream and purchase the record at: metalblade.com/category7.
Florida’s own power metal force, SEVEN KINGDOMS, is thrilled to announce their signing with Reigning Phoenix Music. This exciting partnership marks a new chapter for the band, kicking off with the highly anticipated release of their upcoming EP, The Square, on November 8th, 2024
In celebration of this announcement, SEVEN KINGDOMS has dropped a brand-new single and accompanying music video for the EP’s title track, “The Square.” The song delivers the band’s signature blend of high-energy riffs, soaring vocals, and epic power metal melodies, while the video brings the track to life with a captivating, cinematic experience that fans are sure to love. Watch the video for “The Square” HERE.
Guitarist Camden Cruz comments: “It’s an honor and privilege to join the RPM family alongside bands like Helloween, Kerry King, Meshuggah, Sonata Arctica and many more! We’ve been independent for some time, and we’re thrilled to join a team where that independence can coexist with a proper label. With this EP we have best of both worlds behind us and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship here with Reigning Phoenix Music!”
“The Square is our latest offering. In this EP we deliver a sampling of what sounds and feels we are aiming to bring to the next full release which will also come out on RPM late next year! We hope you love it as much as we do, and we will bring this material on our North American Headlining tour with Striker and Lutharo in November and December and also to Europe when we support Unleash The Archers in February and March 2025!”
Reigning Phoenix Music states: “RPM is very excited to start our new partnership with DMG (Distortion Music Group) and Maurizio Iacono, and offering a new song from Seven Kingdoms is a great way to kick it off!”
Manager Maurizio Iacono further adds: “With the new firepower that RPM will be providing to DMG artists, you can bet that American power metal sensation Seven Kingdoms will be making a lot of noise in the coming year. The Floridians are one of the fastest-rising heavy metal bands from North America, and we expect them to make waves worldwide with their virtuoso guitar skills, impressive vocal range, catchy anthems, and entertaining live shows.”
Sabrina Cruz – Vocals Camden Cruz – Guitars Kevin Byrd – Guitars Keith Byrd -Drums
In addition to the EP’s release, SEVEN KINGDOMS will embark on an extensive touring schedule. The band will kick off with a North American headlining tour in November and December, joined by STRIKER, LUTHARO, and OSYRON for select dates. Following that, they will support power metal legends UNLEASH THE ARCHERS on a European tour in February and March 2025.
11/9 – Boozers Rock Bar – Corpus Christi, TX 11/10 – Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 11/11 – Haltom Theater – Haltom, TX 11/12 – 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK 11/13 – Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM 11/14 – Vultures – Colorado Springs, CO 11/16 – Last Exit Live – Phoenix, AZ 11/17 – Sinwave – Las Vegas, NV 11/18 – Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 11/19 – Knucklehead – Los Angeles, CA 11/20 – DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA 11/21 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR 11/22 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA 11/23 – Jacknife – Kelowna, BC 11/25 – Dicken’s – Calgary, AB # 11/26 – The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB # 11/27 – The Black Cat – Saskatoon, SK # 11/28 – Sidestage – Winnipeg, MB # 11/30 – Reggies – Chicago, IL 12/1 – Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 12/3 – Meadows – Brooklyn, NY 12/4 – Metro – Baltimore, MD 12/5 – Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 12/6 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA 12/7 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL 12/8 – Conduit – Orlando, FL
# = Osyron Joins
European Tour Supporting UNLEASH THE ARCHERS:
12.02 – Substage – Karlsruhe, DE 13.02 – Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE 14.02 – Live Music Hall – Cologne, DE 15.02 – De Kreun – Kortrijk, BE 16.02 – The Underworld – London, GB 17.02 – La Machine – Paris, FR 19.02 – Dynamo – Zurich, CH 20.02 – Legend Club – Milan, IT 21.02 – Backstage – Munich, DE 22.02 – Masters Of Rock Cafe – Zlin, CZ 23.02 – Barba Negra – Budapest, HU 25.02 – Szene – Vienna, AT 26.02 – Kwadrat – Cracow, PL 27.02 – Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE 28.02 – Rockhal – Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU 01.03 – Kronensaal – Hamburg, DE 02.03 – Patronaat – Haarlem, NL
International Deathcore/Power Metal dynamos, DRAGONCORPSE, are back and armed with a vibrant new EP, The Fall of House Abbarath! Set for a November 1 release on Shattered Earth Records, the EP is nothing short of a game changer for the quintet.
On the new EP, the band took its already innovative, energetic sound, created through the fusion of deathcore and power metal, and sharpened it to a fine point on The Fall of House Abbarath. DRAGONCORPSE took the feedback gathered from the release of debut EP, The Drakketh Saga, to heart and used it to refine their approach.
“For new fans, I believe we’ve added more elements of deathcore and power metal while adding more excitement into the music for an authentic listening experience like no other band,” bassist Noah Nikolas Laidlaw explains. “We put a lot of emphasis on the atmosphere of the music,” adds drummer Justin Gogan. “Throughout the entire EP there is a medieval theming that resonates in the music that keeps the tracks feeling refreshing and fun. With the addition of Mark on keys/orchestration, he brought with him a completely different approach to songwriting that I am sure fans are going to appreciate!”
FFO: Dragonforce, 3 Inches of Blood, Nekrogoblikon, Lorna Shore, Brand of Sacrifice
All songs performed by: DRAGONCORPSE. All songs written by: DRAGONCORPSE. Produced by: DRAGONCORPSE and Matt Schmidt. Mixed by: Matt Schmidt. Mastered by: Matt Schmidt. Album artwork by: Avellustration.
BAND BIO:
DRAGONCORPSE is a death metal band that fuses power metal and deathcore, creating a unique sound marked by operatic vocals and guttural screams. They stand out with their symphonic elements, adding depth and creativity to their music. The band, with members across Canada, the U.S., and Australia, maintains a cohesive, powerful sound despite the distance.
Known for their humor, they embrace memes and use the term “DRAGUSSY” to playfully reference their love for dragons in power metal culture. DRAGONCORPSE offers a dynamic and distinctive experience for fans of death metal, power metal, or deathcore.
ENEMY INSIDE is back with a vengeance, releasing their new single, “Should Have Known Better.”
The modern metal outfit delivers a track that blends fierceness and finesse, unafraid to challenge and redefine the genre. The lyrics drive this message home with a steadfast resolve, showcasing the band’s knack for blending introspective storytelling with raw emotion and heavy-hitting energy, digging deep into themes of betrayal and resilience. “It’s a reminder that you cannot look into someone’s head and should watch out for those uninterested in your success and well-being,”the band explains. “It’s for all the fake friends talking behind your back or only sticking around in your best moments but not at your worst. You tried to play the wrong person – you should have known better.”
The accompanying music video mirrors the song’s fierce narrative. Frontwoman Nastassja Giulia takes on the role of a high-society icon, confidently dominating a high-stakes gambling table. The video, crafted by Nastassja alongside creative collaborator and guitarist Evan K, and mixed and mastered by Christoph Wieczorek, seamlessly intertwines sophistication and defiance. It captures the essence of the song’s message — standing strong in the face of betrayal, reclaiming power, and serving a taste of karma to those who have underestimated you.
ENEMY INSIDE European Tour 2025 Special Guests: Letters Sent Home 20.02.2025 DK Copenhagen – Rust 21.02.2025 DE Hamburg – headCRASH 22.02.2025 DE Berlin – Privatclub 23.02.2025 DE Hanover – Béi Chéz Heinz 27.02.2025 DE Bochum – Rockpalast 28.02.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 01.03.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Club) 06.03.2025 DE Cologne – Helios 37 07.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann (Studio) 08.03.2025 CH Aarburg – Musigburg 13.03.2025 DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 14.03.2025 CZ Prague – Storm Club 15.03.2025 PL Kraków – Klub Zaścianek 16.03.2025 PL Warsaw – Klub Hydrozagadka 21.03.2025 NL Utrecht – De Helling 22.03.2025 NL Maastricht – Muziekgieterij 28.03.2025 FI Tampere – Olympia-kortteli * 29.03.2025 FI Helsinki – On the Rocks * w/o LSH
About ENEMY INSIDE: Defiant. Empowered. Unstoppable. Enemy Inside has cemented themselves as a force in the modern metal scene, blending haunting melodies with intense, aggressive riffs. Their music captures the struggle of battling inner demons, resonating with a growing fanbase worldwide.
Garnering over 9 million streams on Spotify and 3 million YouTube views, their previous albums, Phoenix and Seven, have solidified their reputation for delivering as thought-provoking as hard-hitting music while sharing stages with some of the biggest names in metal and performing at festivals like Wacken Open Air, Full Metal Cruise, Nummirock and Dynamo Metal Fest.
Watch more: “What We Used To Be” – YouTube “Sayonara” – YouTube
PRIMAL FEAR & Reigning Phoenix Music announce the new studio album Domination; welcome new members & unveil initial 2025 tour dates!
Spanning more than 25 years of pure heavy and power metal, PRIMAL FEAR have face numerous challenges since their formation in 1997. Despite these obstacles, the band have repeatedly risen from their lowest points, like a phoenix from the ashes. After a recent line-up change, which saw Thalìa Bellezecca join on guitar and André Hilgers on drums, the group are now in the final stages of completing their upcoming 15th studio album, Domination, which is currently being recorded.
“We’ve entered the studio and we can choose from a pool of about 25 songs! We’re absolutely happy!” smiles founding member Mat Sinner (bass, vocals). Produced by Sinner and co-produced by Ralf Scheepers and Magnus Karlsson, the new offering will be mixed and mastered by the group’s confident partner Jacob Hansen at his Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark by the end of this year.
Long-time guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who has recently returned to the PRIMAL FEAR live touring crew, is once again a vital part of the creative process as well. He adds: “I can’t wait to hit the stage with PRIMAL FEAR again! It’s going to be an incredible ride! We’re going to create something truly special together, both live and in the studio, and I’m so grateful to share this journey with all you metalheads! Metal is forever!”
The metal titans are determined to outdo themselves once again and to surpass the success of their recent album Code Red, which achieved the highest chart notations in the band’s history. Their efforts are progressing exceptionally well. Vocalist Ralf Scheepers states about the current process: “I haven’t felt as great in a long time as I did singing some of the new songs!”
But that’s not all: behind the scenes, preparations are in full swing, and PRIMAL FEAR fans should mark September 5, 2025 on their calendars. This date not only marks the release of Domination but also the launch of a European tour, starting in Hamburg, Germany, and spanning eight countries to celebrate the album’s debut. The tour will be preceded by several festival appearances (more details to be announced soon, so stay tuned!), with their first performance featuring the highly energized new line-up set for Rock in Rautheim next May. Contact: ITM.
PROFILER have announced the details of the deluxe edition of their debut album, A Digital Nowhere, that was released earlier this year through SharpTone Records. The news comes alongside the release of a new single titled ‘Notion’.
Vocalist and guitarist Mike Evans comments:
“Notion discusses the theme of loneliness. It delves into how fear and insecurity from childhood trauma can overwhelm the soul, and how debilitating this can be. It’s a song about feeling like a misfit, a reject, an outsider. It’s an emotionally charged track written from personal experience.”
PROFILER is: Mike Evans – Vocals, Guitar Joe Johnson – Bass
PROFILER will be heading out across the UK as main support to DEFECTS later this year. Full details below.
29th Oct – Glasgow – Classic Grand 30th Oct – Newcastle – The Cluny 31st Oct – Manchester – Rebellion 1st Nov – Leeds – Key Club 3rd Nov – London – O2 Academy2 Islington 4th Nov – Bristol – Exchange 6th Nov – Oxford – Jericho Tavern 7th Nov – Birmingham – Flapper
A DIGITAL NOWHERE (DELUXE EDITION) TRACKLIST 1. All In Forever 2. Artifice 3. Delay 4. Animo 5. To Utopia 6. Zero 7. Operator 8. Consumed 9. The Living Receiver 10. Sequence 11. Constricted 12. Fakers 13. Depth Perception 14. Notion
Sept. 12, 2024, Northampton, U.K. – OBEYER, who recently signed to 3DOTRecordings, have released a two-song digital single: “Second Sun” and “Radiant” (listen to both here: https://go.mhe.fm/obeyer_secondsun).
The U.K. based outfit, which features former members of Midlands’ underground favorites, Lay Siege, also released a video for “Second Sun” (https://youtu.be/J23tgJFInuo).
Upon news of the band’s relationship with the Periphery-owned label arrived, vocalist Carl Brown said: “We are so incredibly excited to be joining 3DOT Recordings and feel privileged to be given the opportunity to be part of such an amazing roster of artists. 3DOT not only has a track record of putting out incredible music but also putting the artist and art above all. It became clear very quickly after speaking with the team that there was no better home for us and our debut album.”
Periphery/3DOT Recordings’ Misha Mansoor added: “We’re excited to work with OBEYER and help bring their music to the world. From the very first listen we felt these guys were something special, and we’re confident a lot of people will agree when they hear these songs. We can’t wait to get this record out!”
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