Time To Kill Records is thrilled to welcome Dublin based metallers THE RISEN DREAD to their roster. Their sophomore album, Death From Above, is set for release in the coming months.
Death From Above marks a significant shift towards a heavier and more aggressive sound. While retaining their signature blend of intensity and melody, the band has incorporated stronger thrash metal and melodic death metal influences, seeking a sharper and more relentless edge. More details about the album will be revealed soon – stay tuned.
Bio:
THE RISEN DREAD is a metal band from Dublin, Ireland. Since forming in 2019, they have risen from the Irish underground scene to become an international touring act, earning a reputation for their intense sound and energetic live performances.
Their debut EP, Delusions (2019), introduced them to the scene and set the stage for their first full-length album, Night Hag, released in January 2022. Written and recorded during the global pandemic, the album showcased the band’s evolution and featured guest appearances, including Andreas Kisser of Sepultura on the single “White Night”.
THE RISEN DREAD has made its mark on major stages, performing at Wacken Open Air in 2022 and joining Vader and Marduk for the United Titans tour across Europe and the UK.
In 2024, with the release of the single “Betrayal” and an extensive South American tour playing in Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, the band continued to expand its reach. In January 2025, THE RISEN DREAD entered the studio to record their next album, promising a new chapter in their journey.
Line-up:
Marco Feltrin – Vocals William Ribeiro – Guitars Mat Maher – Bass Marcos Batata – Drums
Our North American tour with Holy Fawn, Inter Arma and Glacial Tomb is only two months away! For the first time ever we are offering VIP meet-and-greets; dates for the tour are below, and VIP packages + tickets are available here.
Our latest single from our upcoming self-titled album, “American Death,” dropped last week, along with a video. Preorder the new album, pick up the new merch, and watch the new music video now at https://www.riversofnihil.com.
THE AGGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2025 RIVERS OF NIHIL, HOLY FAWN, INTER ARMA, GLACIAL TOMB:
5/22 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA 5/23 The Palladium (Upstairs) – Worcester, MA 5/24 Rec Room – Buffalo, NY 5/25 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH 5/27 Pike Room @ Crofoot – Pontiac, MI 5/28 Reggies – Chicago, IL 5/29 The Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN 5/30 Bourbon Theater – Lincoln, NE 5/31 Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO 6/01 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT 6/03 Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC 6/04 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 6/05 Dante’s – Portland, OR 6/06 Goldfield Trading Post – Roseville, CA 6/07 Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA 6/08 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 6/10 Nile – Mesa, AZ 6/11 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM 6/12 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX 6/13 The Rail – Ft. Worth, TX 6/14 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 6/15 Scout Bar – Houston, TX 6/17 Basement East – Nashville, TN 6/18 Eulogy – Asheville, NC 6/19 The Canal Club – Richmond, VA 6/20 The Meadows – Brooklyn, NY 6/21 Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC 6/22 Lees Palace – Toronto, ON
Our Europe + UK headline tour with Cynic, Beyond Creation and Daath has been going strong for nearly three weeks and has about 10 shows left to go. Now is the time to grab tickets if you haven’t yet. See you out on the road!
THE AGGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE EU/UK TOUR 2025 – RIVERS OF NIHIL, CYNIC, BEYOND CREATION, DAATH:
Remaining dates: 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
Cover art: “L’Umana Fragilità” by Salvator Rosa (1656)
Troy (NY) – “Fleshspoil,” the eponymous third single from forthcoming FLESHSPOIL debut album, The Beginning of the End, is out now and streaming on Bandcamp! Get in on it below!
A new force in Blackened Death Metal has emerged to lay waste to 2025! FLESHSPOIL, featuring veteran players from Arsis, The Final Sleep, and Illucinus, will release full-length debut album, The Beginning of the End, March 28 on digital format!
Fans of classic death, black, and doom metal take note! FLESHSPOIL delivers a haunting and aggressive soundscape, and features a lineup of seasoned musicians:
Jeff Andrews (guitar/vocals), a veteran of New York’s metal scene, known for his work with The Final Sleep, Armor Column, Hush, Ironweed, Scavengers, and Held Under. Mike Van Dyne (drums), known for his role in Arsis, where he played on acclaimed releases such as A Celebration of Guiltand A Diamond for Disease, and toured globally alongside heavyweights like Behemoth, Arch Enemy, Exodus, Cynic, Dying Fetus, Grave, Necrophagist, Napalm Death, and Six Feet Under. Dan Saltzman on bass, hails from the Bay Area, whose impressive work has been showcased in Illucinus and The Hunt, as well as recent demonstration videos for ESP bass guitars.
Produced and mixed by Brett Portzer (Skinless, Author & Punisher, Arsis), The Beginning of the End consists of six tracks clocking in at 37 minutes. It is the creative vision of Andrews and Van Dyne, who recorded two albums and performed together alongside such notable bands as At The Gates, Wolves In The Throne Room, Sanctuary, Rivers of Nihil, Fates Warning, All That Remains, and many others with their previous band, The Final Sleep.
The Beginning of the End additionally includes guest appearances by Kyle Chapman (Aethereus, Blighted Eye), John Judson (Rwake, Scott Kelly), and Petr Oplatka (Illucinus).
Line-up: (L-R) Mike Van Dyne – Drums Jeff Andrews – Guitar/Vocals Dan Saltzman – Bass
Guitar solo and additional chaos on “Bleed Through This Life” by Kyle Chapman of Aethereus and Blighted Eye. Guitar solo on “Walking Dead” by Petr Oplatka of Illucinus.
Lap steel guitar on “Bleed Through This Life” and “Skies Turn To Graves” by John Judkins of Rwake.
Drum tracking engineered by Brett Portzer at White Lake Music & Post. Guitar and vocal tracking engineered by Van Dyne/Andrews.
Produced, mixed & mastered by Brett Portzer. Music and arrangements by Andrews/Van Dyne. Lyrics by Andrews.
PATCHWORK, the Rockford-based metal band known for its fierce and provocative music, have released “Divide,” the latest single from their upcoming album Scars. Featuring the distinctive vocals of Dallas Toler-Wade (NARCOTIC WASTELAND, ex-NILE) and the intricate guitar solos of Ronnie Parmer (BLOODMESSIAH, MALEVOLENT CREATION). “Divide” is now available on all major streaming platforms.
“Divide” ventures into the darker and more intense territory of death metal, marking a significant departure from PATCHWORK‘s typical sound. The song addresses the deep fractures within contemporary society, spotlighting the insidious influence of unseen powers that manipulate and distort public perception through Orwellian tactics.
Brad Carlson, guitarist and one of the primary songwriters for PATCHWORK, crafted the music and arrangement for “Divide,” utilizing a drop C tuning to create a heavier, more aggressive sound. The collaboration with Dallas Toler-Wade brought a new dimension to the track, with his experience in death metal bringing authenticity and intensity to the vocals.
Ronnie Parmer’s guitar work complements the song’s thematic depth. Known for his dynamic playing style, Parmer’s solos add a visceral edge to the track, enhancing its emotional and sonic impact.
“Divide” serves as a poignant reminder of the cultural and social battles being waged silently in everyday life. The song’s lyrics, written by Dave Caruana, reflect on the lasting consequences of these battles, suggesting a collective memory and a reckoning to come. The proverb “the axe forgets, but the tree remembers” underscores the enduring awareness and resilience of those affected by divisive tactics.
“Divide” both challenges the listener musically but also encourages a deeper reflection on the forces that shape our world. The single sets the stage for the release of Scars, scheduled for May 15, 2025, promising an album filled with powerful narratives and relentless metal craftsmanship.
Scars – Track Listing: You Have Failed (feat. Todd Paluzzi) Scars Fallout (feat. Bobby Gustafson) Relllik (feat. Kragen Lum) Ruined Methuselah Divide (feat. Dallas Toler-Wade, Ronnie Parmer) The Vulture Skies in Flames (feat. Michael Gilbert) The Empty Buried Alive (feat. Bobby Gustafson) Bitter Truth (feat. Dallas Toler-Wade) At The End (feat. Kragen Lum)
Tampere, Finland -based thrash metal act OSIRIS REX – led by US thrasher Superstar Joey Severance – have premiered their new single and official video ‘Arrival Of The New Dawn’, today, March 21st, exclusively via Bravewords. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming EP.
Superstar Joey Severance on ‘Arrival Of The New Dawn’: “It’s the story of an extra terrestrial entourage who descends upon the Earth with the sole mission of bringing law and order to the human populace. Do they come in peace? It’s certain that if any E.T.’s were to visit us, we would be their slaves and there wouldn’t be a single human made weapon that would be able to defend the species. Are they living among us right now? They could be…..”
Today marks the release of the new album by New England metal band AVERSED. Erasure of Color is now available on all streaming/download platforms, as well as jewelcase CD, and limited-edition smoked colored vinyl (300 copies) and cassette (100 copies) from supportive physical and online retailers, as well as Bandcamp and our webstore – Options HERE
Additionally, to celebrate today’s album release, AVERSED have premiered another fine music video highlighting the band’s ferocious live performance for the track “Burn.” Watch video HERE
“We shot the ‘Burn’ video at our home base venue – the Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts,” explains guitarist Sungwoo Jeong. “We unleashed our videographers into the packed crowd to brave the pit and capture the energy of the show and they survived! Happy to have captured that amazing show for all eternity
“The first iteration of ‘Burn’ originally came about when Sungwoo wanted to write an anthemic song for big stages,” reveals drummer Jeff Saltzman. “Naturally, when we finished arranging it together, it had a full-on rumba-clave section and a bass solo. And then I wrote lyrics espousing violent class revolution, not exactly typical anthem material! However, I think the final product is really a great picture of Aversed, combining a series of chaotic elements into a cohesive piece that is both catchy, and evocative.”
“Burn” joins two previous singles/videos “Lucid Decapitation”and “Cross to Bear” as samples of the group’s latest work showcasing the quintet’s intense, progressive, and blistering material.
Erasure of Color comes packaged with intriguing artwork from Adam Burke (Unto Others, Gatecreeper, Cloak) of Nightjar Illustration, and is self-produced by bassist Alden Marchand and guitarist Sungwoo Jeong with orchestrations composed/arranged by Vikram Shankar (Redemption, Silent Skies, Pain Of Salvation) with a mix by AJ Viana (Wormhole, Hath, Cognitive) and mastered by Brad Boatright (Code Orange, Obituary, 200 Stab Wounds).
AVERSED formed in Boston with guitarist Sungwoo Jeong and bassist Martin Epstein remaining the sole members from the early days. By 2016, with the additions of drummer Jeff Saltzman (currently on tour with Allegaeon) and guitarist Alden Marchand, the band released their impactful EP, Renewal, demonstrating their ambition and future promise.
Their blend of extreme instrumentation and tender melodicism was highlighted with 2021’s full-length CD, Impermanent, displaying further growth, musicianship and potential. Now joined by Sarah Hartman on vocals, AVERSED are armed with a new album full of rage and yearning. Erasure of Color presents a glimpse of hope and beauty on a backdrop of raging, mournful Gothic Extreme Metal.
Boom! We’re heading back to Europe to crush some summer festivals and play some shows with our buds in Sacred Reich! Get your tickets now and come rage with us!
“Punish The Runt” is the latest single from Australia’s KING PARROT. The track comes by way of the band’s forthcoming new full-length, A Young Person’s Guide To King Parrot, set for release on June 6th via Housecore Records in North America.
A hook laden, auditory assault encompassing all of the elements that KING PARROT fans have come to know and love in the band’s sound, “Punish The Runt” encapsulates modern grindcore elements, with a punk rock ethos, and grooving riffs making for a true reflection of the band.
Comments vocalist Matt Young, “This new one is a personal favorite of mine. We enjoyed putting this one together and it’s got every aspect of what the band does in it: grind, thrash, punk, and even rock ‘n’ roll elements. It was one of the first tracks we put together in the writing sessions. We hope you all dig listening as much as we did writing.”
Stream KING PARROT’s “Punish The Runt” at Spotify HERE or Bandcamp HERE.
Watch the band’s previously released video for “Fuck You And The Horse You Rode In On” HERE and “Target Pig Elite” HERE.
A Young Person’s Guide To King Parrot will be released on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats. Find physical preorders at the Housecore Records webshop HERE, Bandcamp HERE, and all other digital services HERE.
A Young Person’s Guide To King Parrot marks KING PARROT’s first new output in five years. A hostile and abrasive slab of sensory destroying anthems, the record features ten thoroughly crafted blasts through the psyche of this crazed Aussie quintet. Recorded at Melbourne’s Dangertone studios with engineer Luke Walton, it’s the first full-length album since 2017’s critically adored Ugly Produce offering and their first new music since 2022’s Holed Up In The Lair EP.
Applying a similar approach to the writing process of their previous records, which has been historically organic and old-school, KING PARROT adopted a new approach to the studio process. Pulling the new record together was a meticulously creative endeavour and the final product is the most complete, aggressive, and urgent the band has ever sounded.
KING PARROT recently wrapped up a monstrous thirty-five date arena tour through Europe and the UK supporting Pantera and Power Trip followed by a full European club tour with death metal pioneers, Master. In May/June the band will take to the streets again on an eleven date Australian tour with more live adventures to be announced in the coming days. For tickets, visit, kingparrot.net.
KING PARROT Live: 5/09/2025 Whalers – Warrnambool, VIC 5/10/2025 Golden Vine Hotel – Bendigo, VIC 5/30/2025 The Warehouse – Townsville, QLD 5/31/2025 McGuires Hotel – Mackay, QLD 6/06/2025 Republic Bar – Hobart, TAS 6/07/2025 Royal Oak – Launceston, TAS 6/20/2025 Brunswick Ballroom – Melbourne, VIC 6/21/2025 Barwon Club – Geelong, VIC 6/22/2025 Singing Bird – Frankston, VIC 6/27/2025 Crowbar – Sydney, NSW 6/28/2025 Thrashville – Hunter Valley, NSW
March 21, 2025, AUSTIN – The Sword have announced their first European tour dates since 2015, with the recently reunited band slating a trio of intimate club performances alongside festival appearances, including Copenhell, Freak Valley, and Tons of Rock.
The Sword European Tour:
June 19 Copenhagen, DK Copenhell Festival June 21 Netphen, DE Freak Valley Festival June 22 Nijmegen, NL Doornroosje June 25 Gothenburg, SE Monument June 26 Stockholm, SE Slaktyrkan June 28 Oslo, NO Tons of Rock Festival
Tickets for the three exclusive club dates are on-sale now, with ticket links available via TheSwordOfficial.com.
The legendary Austin-based band announced their reunion earlier this year, bringing their signature blend of crushing heaviness and cosmic groove back to audiences who have long awaited their comeback. JD Cronise, in conversation with Revolver, discussed The Sword’s Levitation Festival performance as a turning point for the foursome, describing the experience as “like putting on a comfortable pair of sneakers.” Kyle Shutt added: “I can’t tell you what it means to see everyone’s positive reception. It feels so good to see people out there almost more enthusiastic about the band than ever – it’s something we’ll never take for granted.”
Prior to their European dates, the band will play a pair of Texas shows: April 10 at the Granada Theater (Dallas) and April 11 at Paper Tiger (San Antonio). Additional performances will be announced soon.
Photo credit: Dave Creaney
The Sword is JD Cronise (vocals, guitar), Bryan Richie (bass, keyboards), Kyle Shutt (guitar, vocals), and Santiago Vela (drums). Following their 2003 inception, The Sword quickly became one of the most revered names in heavy music. With a blend of crushing riffs, intricate storytelling, and a sound that bridges classic metal and modern rock, The Sword has released six albums: Age of Winters (2006), Gods of the Earth (2008), Warp Riders (2010), Apocryphon (2012), High Country (2015) and Used Future (2018).
“On No One’s Word” is taken from BARK‘s forthcoming album The Time has Come out on April 2025. Produced by Martin Furia (Destruction..). It is a death ‘n’ roll anthem for those who dare to stand on the flames of the fire stake. It may seem that you are alone, but you’re not. Times may change but the Man trying to rule you is a constant. If you sing the chorus of “On No One’s Word”you instantly grow an extra pair of balls to fight back.
For fans of: Entombed, Cro Mags, Dismember, Sepultura, Motörhead…
Recorded at their own studio Jurassic Recordings, under the guidance of guitarist Martin Furia (producer for Destruction, Nervosa, Toxik, Chemicide…) the album boasts a production that amplifies BARK’s signature sound while pushing their sonic boundaries even more to achieve their most brutal album to date.
BARK: The Time Has Come Album Track-listing: 1 Negativist 2 Shaman 3 Dodge the Bullet 4 On No One’s Word 5 Whisky Rivers 6 Faceless 7 Wanted Man 8 Seven 9 Wildheart 10 Lord Of The Skies 11 Wrath Unchained 12 The Curse From Above
LINE UP: Ron Bruynseels – Vocals Martin Furia – Guitar Toon Huet – Guitar Jorn Van der Straeten – Bass Ward Van der Straeten – Drums
DISCOGRAPHY: Bark ep (Self released – 2015) Voice of Dog (Sideburn – 2016) Like Humans Do (Sound of the Hound Records – 2017) Written in Stone (Sound of the Hound Records – 2020) Rambler of Aeons (Listenable – 2022) The Time has Come (Listenable – 2025)
Rockshots Records is proud to announce the signing of SECRET RULE, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the band’s decade-long journey.
With a refreshed lineup and a renewed artistic vision, SECRET RULE is gearing up to unleash its highly anticipated tenth studio album in 2025, slated for release after the summer.
Known for their unique ability to blend symphonic atmospheres with modern metal vibes, SECRET RULE is stepping into a bold new sonic era.
The upcoming album will showcase an evolved sound, a powerful fusion of influences, combining the cinematic edge of Within Temptation’s latest works with the raw energy of Falling In Reverse. From this new chapter, fans can expect a dynamic, high-energy sound, enriched with the band’s signature melodies and anthemic choruses.
With a fresh lineup, SECRET RULE continues to push boundaries, reaffirming its role as a driving force in modern metal. The album explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the battle against inner and external struggles, delivering an intense and immersive experience.
In the meantime, the band is currently on the road as a supporting act for Temperance and Induction, part of an intense 15-date European tour. SECRET RULE is also set to play some of the most prestigious summer festivals, including Masters Of Rock (Czech Republic), Rock Imperium Festival (Spain), and Laurus Nobilis (Portugal), with more dates and exciting news coming soon!
A brand new single will be unveiled very soon, giving fans a first taste of what’s to come.
“A new era begins, and we are ready to bring our energy to the stage! This March, we hit the road across Europe with Temperance and Induction, and we cannot wait to see you all! Plus, we are beyond excited to play at three incredible festivals this summer: Imperium Rock Festival, Masters of Rock, and Laurus Nobilis”.
A unique music and film project to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Silesian Film Archive in Katowice
Images of Silesian cities recorded on film tape, history, tradition, everyday life, industrial heritage. Cinematic alchemy of image, music and Silesian spirit.
Only a few tickets left for the second concert on 6th April. Tickets for the 5th April concert sold out in 2 (!) days
Polish black metal titans Furia will take part in a unique project on 5th and 6th April at Kinoteatr Rialto for the 25th anniversary of the Silesian Film Archive in Katowice, Poland. Furia will play its songs accompanied by unique materials from the only regional film archive in the country.
The band has chosen archival films, which show, among other things, how the Silesian region was created and developed, how the legendary Spodek in Katowice was built, how life changed in Silesian cities and towns. We will also see artistic impressions inspired by the industrial landscape of the region or local crafts; recorded on film tapes, full of nostalgia, images of ordinary life: everyday activities that our grandparents, parents or ourselves engaged in years ago.
During this anniversary concert, we will see materials from the Silesian Film Archive, which Furia will illustrate with compositions from its albums, transferring the images of old Silesia to a completely different, surprising and hypnotising dimension.
Furia is one of the most original Polish black metal bands. The band was formed in 2003 in Katowice by vocalist and guitarist Michał “Nihil” Kuźniak. The band also includes Kamil “Sars” Staszałek (bass), Grzegorz “Namtar” Kantor (drums) and Artur Rumiński (guitar, since 2013). Furia has several album releases under its belt, performances in Japan, Romania, UK, at OFF Festival and at the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, among others; a nomination for the “Polityka” Passport and cooperation with Jan Klata and the Krakow Stary Theatre on the adaptation of Stanisław Wyspiański’s “Wesele”. An important source of inspiration for the Katowice band is the tradition, culture and art of Upper Silesia: its mythological universe, to which they willingly and often refer in their work (e.g. “Guido”, “W Śnialni”).
The Silesian Film Archive was established 25 years ago in Katowice and is run by the Silesia Film Institute. It is the first and only regional film archive on the cultural map of Poland. Located in the basement of the Kosmos Cinema in Katowice, the Film Archive is mysterious because the relatively little-known space is filled with traces of film history. There you will find stills, posters, scripts, press clippings and over 10,000 film copies. Above all, thousands of old film material (including 8 mm, 16 mm and 35 mm tapes), especially those related to the subject of Upper Silesia. The Film Archive carries out its mission by collecting, storing, restoring, digitising and making available old film materials. www.filmotekaslaska.com
FURIA at the cinema. Concert for the 25th birthday of the Silesian Film Archive
5.04.2025 | SAT | 7:00 PM | Kinoteatr Rialto | tickets: PLN 95 | SOLD OUT 6.04.2025 | SUN | 7:00 PM | Kinoteatr Rialto | tickets: PLN 95
After the triumphant release of their recent critically acclaimed EP Year of the Four Emperors, Canadian Death Metal gladiators EX DEO have just released a lyric video for “Galba“. The song is a ferocious opener for the EP that showcases exactly why they are considered to be at the forefront of the genre.
The band says about the track: “Galba rises from the ashes of Nero’s reign, a tyrant cloaked in the guise of savior. The track mirrors his ruthless ascent, dominated by unrelenting riffs and venomous proclamations of power. His insatiable hunger for wealth and domination sets the tone for the chaos to follow. As the walls of Rome close in, the Praetorian Guard turns against him in a violent crescendo, heralding his downfall. Galba’s story is a chilling testament to hubris and betrayal.”
The EP is currently available on both CD and as an extremely limited edition vinyl directly from Reigning Phoenix Music. Order/Listen to The Year Of The Four Emperors HERE: https://exdeo.rpm.link/yotfeP
Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme and hard music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists by offering best services and practices in the industry. RPM’s paramount goal is to help the artists amplify their music and talent to a winning formula for success. The label recently opened a new office in London, UK.
20 Buck Spin’s first release of 2025 arrives, as the harrowing eponymous debut LP from Austin, Texas-based death metal quartet CORPUS OFFAL is being prepared for release this Friday.
The unexpected demise of Cerebral Rot came swiftly after two renowned cult albums. Yet just as expediently, a malodorous new organism arose in its place, CORPUS OFFAL. Still featuring Cerebral Rot’s rancid core of guitarist/vocalist Ian Schwab (ex-Demoncy) and guitarist Clyle Lindstrom (Fetid, Caustic Wound), the CORPUS OFFAL rhythm section of bassist Jason Sachs (ex-Demoncy) and drummer Jesse Shreibman (Bell Witch) now summons intensely elevated waves of stomach-churning nausea.
photos by Chris Eaton
After last year’s demo defloration, CORPUS OFFAL presents its eponymous full-length, erupting like a festering corpse dragged from a midnight sewer; putrid, pulverizing and perversely invigorating.
A bludgeoning autopsy of death metal, gore, and deathgrind, the low-tuned grooves, discordant leads, and mid-tempo rumble of Cerebral Rot is evident in tracks like “Spinous Forms Of Mortal Abhorrence” and the title track while setting the bar for a melted transformation into more ghastly liquified forms.
The gargling slime vox of Schwab are dangerously radioactive, summoned straight from the sealed basement of a nuked morgue narrating a splatter-fest of morbid poetry, decomposing flesh, absurd experiments, and gruesome transgression. Each song plays out like a medical examiner’s case file crossed with the fevered ramblings of a psychopath, precise in its anatomical horror and repugnant in its bizarre depravity.
Consecrated with an impossibly heavy Billy Anderson production, by the time CORPUS OFFAL reaches its cataclysmic conclusion, you’re left drained, disoriented, and left wondering whether you’ve survived a masterpiece or witnessed the musical equivalent of a snuff film. So, enter the crematorium, inhale deeply and be filled with the corporeal intoxication of CORPUS OFFAL’s carnage. This is a sonic slaughterhouse and you’re the carcass. Fans of Cerebral Rot, Fetid, Disgorge, Cenotaph, Goatlord, Undergang, and Cianide should not miss this.
Corpus Offal was recorded at Jackpot! Recording Studio/Everything Hz, engineered by Billy Anderson (Melvins, Sleep, Bell Witch), mastered by Dan Lowndes Resonance Sound, and completed with art by Karina Monzon and layout by Dan Fried. The video for the LP’s title track was directed, filmed, and edited by Chris Eaton.
Stream CORPUS OFFAL’s eponymous debut early only on YouTube RIGHT HERE.
Corpus Offal wil be released this Friday, March 21st on LP, CD, and digital platforms. Preorders can be placed at the 20 Buck Spin webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE, and if you missed it, watch the terrifying video the title track HERE.
CORPUS OFFAL will launch a widespread US incursion supporting the album. The band will tour across the country alongside Mephitic Corpse from April 26th through May 29th, including a set at the Maryland Deathfest XX official pre-fest on May 21st. See all confirmed dates below and watch for additional live dates to post.
CORPUS OFFAL w/ Mephitic Corpse: 4/26/2025 Black Magic Social Club – Houston, TX 4/29/2025 Nile Underground – Phoenix, AZ 4/30/2025 Knucklehead – Los Angeles, CA 5/01/2025 Eli’s Mile High – Oakland, CA 5/02/2025 High Water Mark – Portland, OR 5/03/2025 Belltown Yacht Club – Seattle, WA 5/04/2025 The Shredder – Boise, ID 5/06/2025 Aces High – Salt Lake City, UT 5/07/2025 Hi-Dive – Denver, CO 5/09/2025 X-Ray Arcade – Milwaukee, WI 5/10/2025 Cobra Lounge – Chicago, IL 5/11/2025 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN 5/12/2025 TBA – Detroit, MI 5/13/2025 Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH 5/14/2025 No Class – Cleveland, OH 5/15/2025 Smiling Moose – Pittsburgh, PA 5/16/2025 Cobra Cabana – Richmond, VA 5/17/2025 TV Eye – Queens, NY 5/18/2025 Atlas Brew Works – Washington, DC 5/20/2025 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA 5/21/2025 Maryland Deathfest Pre-Fest @ Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 5/27/2025 Chapel Of Bone – Raleigh, NC 5/28/2025 529 – Atlanta, GA 5/29/2025 Holy Diver – New Orleans, LA 5/31/2025 Hotel Vegas – Austin, TX
The wait is over! Vallorch returned on March 14, 2025, with their highly anticipated album, The Circle, which is the band’s most ambitious and immersive work to date. Building upon their folk and symphonic metal roots, the band refines its signature sound into a dynamic fusion of powerful riffs, enchanted melodies, and cinematic orchestration.
Following the release of the anthemic “Circle Of The Moon” and the raucous folk metal celebration “Drink Some More!”, The Circle delivers an even broader spectrum of emotions and soundscapes. The album revolves around the theme of the night, capturing its dual nature, a time for reflection and solitude but also revelry and connection. From grandiose symphonic arrangements to festive folk elements, each track immerses the listener in a journey through legends, emotions, and the band’s signature sonic landscapes.
Compared to their previous works, Neverfade (2013) and Until Our Tale Is Told (2017), Vallorch has evolved their songwriting, crafting an album that is tightly composed and emotionally resonant. The folk influences remain, but with an even more polished and cinematic touch, elevating their sound to new heights.
Fans of Nightwish, Eluveitie, Alestorm, Epica, and Wind Rose will find themselves drawn into Vallorch’s world, where folk traditions and symphonic metal collide in an unforgettable experience. With myth-inspired lyrics, powerful storytelling, and an undeniable passion for their craft, Vallorch cements their place as one of the most exciting acts in modern folk metal.
March 14th marked a new era for Vallorch. The Circle isn’t just an album, it’s an invitation to journey through the night, to embrace the contrasts of light and dark, and to lose yourself in the magic of Vallorch’s sound. Prepare to step into The Circle!
Vallorch Line Up: Sara Tacchetto – vocals, choirs, tin whistle, bagpipe Leonardo Dalla Via – vocals, harsh vocals, choirs, bass, programming Marco Povolo – vocals, choirs, keyboards, bouzouki, programming Massimo Benetazzo – Drums Mattia Buggin – electric and acoustic guitars
Guests:
Serena Zucco (Adgarios) – violin Glorya Lyr (Eard) – Celtic harp in “Antermoia”
Directed, shot, and edited by Simone D’Addazio. Shooting assistance by Sara Vescia. MUA by Erica Pillon. Band attire designed and crafted by Verdiana Biffis.
Line-up: Thomas Girardello – Vocals, Bass Mirko Marchesini – Guitars Francesco Tresca – drums
Italian death metallers SONUM are now premiering their new single, “In This Void We Dwell”. The track is taken from their upcoming second album, The Obscure Light Awaits, set for release on April 11th, 2025, via Dusktone. With this song, SONUM open the gates to a dark and relentless sonic journey, blending sharp riffs and oppressive atmospheres into an uncompromising assault.
Following the critical acclaim of their debut, Visceral Void Entropy (2022), SONUM delve deeper into the labyrinthine realms of dissonance and atmosphere. The Obscure Light Awaits is an ambitious work that simultaneously pushes boundaries and honours the roots of the genre.
The album eschews unnecessary complexity in favour of a tight focus on songwriting, weaving together intricate, sibylline passages with a raw, unrelenting power that shows the influence of the pioneering works of old and contemporary death metal legends such as Gorguts, Morbid Angel, Execration and Artificial Brain.
A true testament to SONUM’s evolution, The Obscure Light Awaits presents a sonic journey defined by dark, otherworldly textures and relentless energy. The band’s ability to merge atmospheric depth with crushing riffs showcases their commitment to creating music that is both immersive and uncompromising. It’s an exploration of contrasts, between the abstract and the visceral, the chaotic and the structured.
Fans of progressive and atmospheric death metal will find The Obscure Light Awaits to be a landmark release that stands tall amidst this year’s most formidable works.
Stay tuned for more singles and further announcements as we approach the release date.
Track-list:
01. Due To Inner Mess… 02. In This Void We Dwell 03. Famine 04. Trapped In The Labyrinth of Aberration 05. Ad Mortem (Iter Est) 06. Beyond The Gate… 07. The Obscure Light Awaits 08. Nobody Is Innocent 09. Messenger Of Cosmic Dread 10. Deliver Us (Final Trip)
All songs produced by SONUM and Mixed & Mastered by Luca Dal Lago.
Cosmic blackened death metal trio ULTHAR is preparing to launch their North Eastern Campaign 2025 tour this week. The tour begins this Thursday, March 20th in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and will crush its way across the East Coast and into the Midwest and back, ending in Baltimore, Maryland on March 31st where they’ll share the stage with Undergang and Torture Rack. See all confirmed dates below.
ULTHAR North Eastern Campaign 2025: 3/20/2025 The Golden Pony – Harrisonburg, VA 3/21/2025 Bonk’s Bar – Philadelphia, PA 3/22/2025 Gold Sounds – Brooklyn, NY 3/23/2025 Ralph’s Rock Diner – Worcester, MA 3/24/2025 Cabaret Foufounes – Montreal, QC 3/25/2025 The Baby G – Toronto, ON 3/26/2025 Psychic Garden – Rochester, NY 3/27/2025 Reggies – Chicago, IL 3/28/2025 Bug House – Fort Wayne, IN 3/29/2025 Shred Shed – Pittsburgh, PA 3/30/2025 West Edge Factory – Huntington, WV 3/31/2025 Metro Baltimore – Baltimore, MD
ULTHAR will be touring in support of their critically praised Anthronomicon and Helionomicon LPs released together in early 2023 via 20 Buck Spin.
Anthronomicon album cover
Anthronomicon embodies the continued progression of ULTHAR’s mastery over its art. From the opening blasts and twisting mania of “Cephalophore,” ULTHAR baffles with angular warped riffage, dipping in and out of various dimensional spheres. Each of Anthronomicon’s eight tracks represents a fractious piece of a larger puzzle, each a maze unto itself that when taken together allows one to traverse this inverted surrealist conundrum.
Where its sister album Anthronomicon presents an eight-piece puzzle of labyrinthine tumult, Helionomicon takes those elements and creates two towering twenty-minute monoliths of radiant avant-garde immensity. Each track, appropriately titled “Helionomicon” and “Anthronomicon,” transports the listener on a vast journey of psycho-cerebral spectacle where hitherto unimagined landscapes take shape and strange intangible structures pierce the disintegrating firmament.
Helionomicon album cover
Anthronomicon andHelionomicon are available on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats. Find physical orders at THIS LOCATION.
Find digital orders for AnthronomiconHERE and HelionomiconHERE.
Anthronomicon and Helionomicon were each recorded in April 2022 at Developing Nations in Baltimore, Maryland by Kevin Bernsten and mastered at Signaturetone in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Adam Tucker. Each album cover is half of a larger original piece created for ULTHAR by Ian Miller (Stormkeep, Bolt Thrower, Games Workshop). Additional artwork was created by the bad’s Steve Peacock.
On May 16, 2025, powerhouse label ROAR will proudly reissue the first three, iconic records by Swedish thrash and speed metal legends Hexenhaus: A Tribute To Insanity (1988),The Edge Of Eternity (1990), and Awakening (1991)!
Available on CD, colored vinyl and digitally, the physical products will also come with new liner notes and an exclusive history text. All formats got remastered by Ronnie Björnström (Mezzrow a.o.). Find pre-order options listed below!
Depending on the path you chose, one could say that the story of Sweden’s best kept thrash metal secret starts all the way up in the northern parts of Sweden. In a city called Boden to be more precise. That’s where the metal force Maninnya Blade took it’s form during the middle of the 80:s. Their take on speed metal caught the interest of the young guitarist Mickael Vikström, better known as Mike Wead and later on the guitarist in both Mercyful Fate and King Diamond. He would start out as a fan of the band, but it didn’t take long until’ he was their new guitarist and the talk of the town.
“When I joined them they already had four great songs more or less done already. It was; “Requiem”, “The Dead Are Restless”, “Delirious” and “Eaten Alive”,“ Wead reveals. “The style was much heavier than the music we had done before and to mark the fresh start of the band, at least that’s how we saw it, we also decided to change the name from Maninnya to Hexenhaus. The name is German for witch’s house and is a reference to the Malefizhaus in Bamberg, Germany. A frightful place where hundreds of suspected witches were tortured and executed during the early 17:th century.”
To call the material “heavier than before” is an understatement. The music on the four songs that ended up on the today highly sought after demo cassette “Demo 1988” drew its inspiration from bands like Metallica, Slayer and Mercyful Fate. A stellar testimony of what was going around in the early thrash metal scene around that time. The lucky ones that possess the “Demo 1988” cassette got a true gem on their hands.
After signing with Axis Records, the band entered the studio to record their stellar debut album A Tribute To Insanity. Half of the album contains the four songs that made up the demo, as well as four more songs that seen the band combine ideas and trading riffs like never heard before on a Swedish metal album. A Tribute To Insanity was originally released on vinyl on the 17th of October 1988. Pre-order the ROAR reissue, a must-have that belongs into every well-sorted speed and thrash metal record collection, now on https://Hexenhaus.rpm.link/tributePR
The follow-up album, The Edge Of Eternity, was released on November 1st 1990. To pre-order this reissue from ROAR, visit: https://Hexenhaus.rpm.link/eternityPR
During the same time asThe Edge Of Eternity was released in the early 90’s, Megadeth released their classic album Rust In Peace, Exodus came out with “Impact Is Imminent” and Germany’s Mekong Delta (who also was a big influence on The Edge Of Eternity) came out with their most popular album Dances Of Death (And Other Walking Shadows). To say that the thrash scene was looking good is an understatement, it was boiling hot!
In the midst of it stood Hexenhaus just waiting for the big breakthrough. “We thought that we would get approached by different management and offered tours that would take us all over Europe but that never happened”, Mike Weadsighs. “We were amateurs when it came to promote ourselves and how could we be anything else? We didn’t know that we needed to do more than creating albums to get a breakthrough!”
When the offers didn’t come as expected, Mike and the band started to work on new material. But just like the last time it was with a new line-up who was more than ready to give their all for the band. Besides the broken bones, the blood and the gated reverbs, the recordings of Awakening went smooth. The album was released in August 1991 and much to the bands dismay nothing happened for them this time either.
“Once again we got great reviews from abroad”, Mike recalls. “Big and important magazines like Metal Hammer, Kerrang, Metal Forces and Aardschok gave us fantastic reviews! Even better than the ones we’ve received before, but we just couldn’t break through. We were still stuck in Sweden doing small shows put together by fans.” The band called it a quits in 1992.
The Circle Music has signed the influential Swedish melodic death metal band, Gates of Ishtar. Revered as one of the genre’s most underrated acts, Gates of Ishtar are poised to triumphantly return with their first new album in nearly three decades.
Formed in Luleå, Sweden, Gates of Ishtar burst onto the scene with their seminal 1996 debut album, A Bloodred Path, which quickly cemented their place in the pantheon of melodic death metal. Two more critically acclaimed albums followed, The Dawn of Flames (1997) and At Dusk and Forever (1998), showcasing their signature blend of razor-sharp riffs, thunderous drums, and the unmistakable growls of vocalist Mikael Sandorf. Despite their early success and promising trajectory, the band went on hiatus, leaving a void in the metal scene that their dedicated fanbase keenly felt.
After a 17-year silence, the anticipation for a reunion grew, and while a planned comeback in 2015 was sadly derailed by the passing of drummer Oscar Karlsson, Gates of Ishtar finally resurrected in November 2023 with a powerful performance at House of Metal. The overwhelming response from fans at this show ignited the spark for new music, leading to the decision to record a new album.
The Circle Music is ecstatic to welcome Gates of Ishtar to their roster. “If there was a list of the most underrated bands in metal, Gates of Ishtar would hold a prominent place,” states the record label. “It’s been almost 30 years since their legendary debut ‘A Bloodred Path’ appeared, and still remains in the pantheon of melodic death metal. Life often plays strange games. One thing is certain: Gates of Ishtar is owed a lot and they are coming back determined to claim it all, one by one. It is our great joy to be on this journey together! Stay tuned, the Gates are open again…“
Gates of Ishtar themselves are equally enthusiastic about this new chapter. “The gates are open once more!!! We are super excited to work together with Maria and The Circle Music to bring you our new album! It will be the first new release in almost 3 decades and we have put all our hearts and souls into this beast of an album,” the band comments. “The process of writing this new material has been a joyful experience and it didn’t take more than a minute to realise that we still had that magic flow between us all in the band. We can’t wait to hear your response to it and hopefully we meet you all out there in 2026! Hail Inanna!”
Fans who have been eagerly awaiting new material will be thrilled to hear that Gates of Ishtar’s signature sound remains potent, delivering Swedish melodic death metal at its finest.
Adding to the significance of their return, Gates of Ishtar recently performed a devastating live show in their hometown of Luleå. This performance coincided with the 30th anniversary of their very first concert in the same location, marking a powerful full-circle moment for the band.
Norwegian death metallers CELESTIAL SCOURGE are back with a bang, unveiling their brand-new music video for “Wandering Waste of Oxygen,” a track from their debut albumObservers ofThe Inevitable, out now via Time To Kill Records.
‘“Wandering Waste of Oxygen’ pays homage to all the people out there who are rotten from the inside and out. To all living beings that refuse to contribute and only exist to live as parasites in our lives. To pollute the air we breathe with their wretched words and false tongues. These creatures deserve no room for solace or refuge when the inevitable strikes upon them. The track itself is a more old-school paced, riff based song to guide you on the journey of total disgust”.
Observers of The Inevitable – track-list:
The Advent of Deities
Vessels
Exterminated
Wandering Waste of Oxygen
Insectoid Evisceration
The Optic Chiasm
Assembling Deformities
Ancient Forms
Line-up:
Stian Gundersen: bass Kristoffer Lunden: drums Eirik Waadeland: vocals Hans Jakob Bjørheim: guitar Sindre Wathne Johnsen: guitar
Founded in 2021 by bassist Stian Gundersen, CELESTIAL SCOURGE has already carved out a name for themselves with their relentless energy and unparalleled musicianship. Their sound is a brilliant blend of haunting growls, guitars wielded with malicious precision, thunderous bass lines, and drumming so fast it challenges the speed of light. It’s a musical onslaught inspired by the vast mysteries of space and the terrifying beauty of its dark corners.
The band’s line-up features members with a pedigree in some of the most revered names in underground extreme metal, including Blood Red Throne, Deception, Ruun, Vorbid, and Todesking. Drawing inspiration from titans like Suffocation, The Faceless, The Zenith Passage, Cattle Decapitation and Cannibal Corpse, CELESTIAL SCOURGE crafts a sound that’s both ferociously modern and rooted in the genre’s brutal legacy.
This release expands on the themes and sonic landscapes introduced in their debut, catapulting listeners further into the boundless chaos of the universe.
For fans of: Suffocation, Deeds Of Flesh, Beyond Creation, The Faceless
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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