Freya, the veteran hardcore/metal band hailing from Syracuse, USA, is set to drop their newest single “Blood Thirst”. This powerful track showcases the band’s unique blend of hardcore intensity and thrash metal fury that they have been perfecting for over two decades. The single is a straightforward banger, drummer Ethan D. Henry comments on the track:
“I’m not vegan or anything but I was just thinking of this concept of some trophy hunters entering the forest killing and taking what they wanted and leaving the corpses of their victims to rot. I imagined a grizzly bear being fed up finding rotten deer, turkey, and whatever else on his daily trek. Full of rage, he is forced to fight back and chase the men out of the forest. Like Batman haha. But a pissed-off grizzly bear.”
Drawing inspiration from the hard-hitting, old-school hardcore vibe of bands like Biohazard, the song opens with a memorable riff that immediately grabs the listener’s attention. As the track progresses, Freya seamlessly shifts into a thrash metal assault reminiscent of Slayer, showcasing the band’s ability to blend genres with precision and intensity.
Henry also comments that he wanted this track to crank and hit hard, “it’s about capturing that raw energy that makes hardcore and thrash so powerful”. “Blood Thirst” will appeal to both hardcore and metal fans alike, especially those with an interest in Earth Crisis, Terror, and Hatebreed.
Listen to “Blood Thirst” via its premiere on NoEcho HERE.
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.
Europe – English Friends…we have a handful of Headline Shows to end the year and we are dragging our Old Friends and California Thrash Metal legends SADUS with us! Where will WE meet YOU? Tickets OnSale Friday!!
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.
Progressive deathcore giants WITHIN THE RUINS will kick off a short run of Southwestern headlining shows next week with support provided by Gore. Later this month, the band will head East for another round of shows in the US and Canada. Support will be provided by Dreamwake. In December, the band will join Shadows Fall for their 20th anniversary celebration of The War Within at the historic Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Tickets for all shows are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below and stay tuned for additional WITHIN THE RUINS shows to be announced in the weeks to come.
WITHIN THE RUINS w/ Gore.: 10/09/2024 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX 10/10/2024 Roxy Theater – Denver, CO 10/11/2024 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK 10/12/2024 RBC – Dallas, TX 10/13/2024 Vibes Underground – San Antonio, TX
w/ Dreamwake: 10/23/2024 The Foundry – Lakewood, OH 10/24/2024 The Pike Room – Pontiac, MI 10/25/2024 Lee’s (Cave) – Toronto, ON 10/26/2024 Foufounes – Montreal, QC 10/27/2024 Webester Underground – Hartford, CT End Tour
12/21/2024 The Palladium — Worcester, MA w/ Shadows Fall, Unearth, E-Town Concrete, Jasta, Brick By Brick
Phenomena II is available on CD, LP, and digital formats. Find orders at THIS LOCATION.
Watch WITHIN THE RUINS’ videos for “The Last Son” HERE, “Castle In The Sky,” HERE, and “Demon Killer” HERE.
Evolution drives longevity. WITHIN THE RUINS relentlessly pushes forward, incinerating complacency and innovating out of its ashes. The Western Massachusetts quartet — Joe Cocchi (guitar), Kevin McGuill (drums), Paolo Galang (bass, clean vocals), and Steve Tinnon (lead vocals) — razes convention with a sonic sensory onslaught anchored by polyrhythmic bludgeoning, head-nodding grooves, viscerally evocative vocals, and vivid storytelling.
Their controlled chaos has resulted in tens of millions of streams (a rarity for acts this uncompromisingly heavy), packed houses on tour, and widespread acclaim courtesy of Alternative Press, American Songwriter, Loudwire, Metal Injection, Phoenix New Times, and many more.
Now, they continue to evolve on their seventh full-length offering, Phenomena II. “When you listen to us, we hope you feel like you found some fresh metal,” notes Cocchi. “After doing anything for a long time, it’s easy to get stuck in your ways. So, we always try to present something you haven’t heard before — and you aren’t going to get anywhere else.”
“We couldn’t be happier Phenomena II is finally out for everyone to hear,” adds Tinnon. “We’re extremely proud of how it turned out, and we hope you all enjoy the characters and songs as much as we enjoyed making it!”
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
Countdown to our first headlining tour in ages! Get your tickets now, this is going to be RAGING! ESPECIALLY the fact that we will be doing our first Bay Area headlining show in many years! Joining us are Havok, Candy and Dead Heat. Get your tickets now and come join us for some good friendly violent fun!
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!”
On October 4th, the complete discography of Mantic Ritual will be reissued in a beautifully repackaged and expanded 2LP for the band’s debut album’s 15th Anniversary, officially licensed from Nuclear Blast Records. Plus, we’re adding the 2022 ‘Heart Set Stone’ EP and a unreleased bonus track – the band’s take on the Scorpions classic “Blackout” recorded during the ‘Executioner’ sessions. Limited to 300 copies on Clear with Black Splatter vinyl. Includes 4-panel insert with lyrics, credits, extra photos and personal liner notes from the members recalling memories of the time.
MANTIC RITUAL originally formed as Meltdown in Pittsburgh in 2005. Building a buzz with Northeast heavy metal fans over the next two years they moved across the country to Los Angeles in 2007, where performances alongside leaders of the budding Southern California thrash revival such as Warbringer, Fueled By Fire, and Merciless Death earned them attention from discerning metal audiences and a record deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
Changing their name to MANTIC RITUAL, the quartet flew to Germany to record with producer Andy Classen, and released their full-length record ‘Executioner’ in March 2009. Cover artwork provided by Colin Marks (Aborted, Exodus, Allegaeon).
The album received critical acclaim at the time of its release, with MetalSucks praising the band’s “ability to display solid songcraft while maintaining a high-level of heaviness,” Blabbermouth taking note of their “passion, chemistry and intensity,” and the Washington Post noting that “MANTIC RITUAL’s old-school sensibilities act like a group hug that brings punks and headbangers together.”
MANTIC RITUAL fell apart after tours with Rotting Christ and Destruction in 2010. But reformed in 2021, with Carlos Cruz (Warbriner, Exmortus, Hexen) on drums, to release the 6-song ‘Heart Set Stone.’ Now both albums, plus their unreleased cover of the Scorpions classic “Blackout” has been compiled in one set for your (re)discovery and enjoyment.
The spiritual successor to God is Myth and Ars Magna Recordings, AlteSeelen is a new US-based label supporting the extreme metal underground and adjacent subgenres.
Founded by the heads of God is Myth and Ars Magna Recordings, Alte Seelen aims to produce high-quality releases while illuminating the bands, artists, and individuals who contribute to the music that is our life’s blood. In time the label hopes to expand its reach to provide unique items, ranging from prints to wood carvings and leatherwork.
While the label acknowledges and draws upon the experiences of the past, Alte Seelen represents a conscious decision to leave those ventures dormant and dreaming.
A new banner has been raised… Halloween 2024 will see the release of the first two Alte Seelen titles.
Ringare – Sorrow Befell (majestic black metal / dark synth), CD and digital (originally released on vinyl by Iron Bonehead).
Kveldstimer – Scripture of the Woods (primitive, yet majestic Black Metal), CD and digital (limited-edition cassette released by Altare Productions).
In late fall/early winter, Alte Seelen will release By The Grace of Death from atmospheric black metal band Canis Dirus. Bindrune Recordings will handle vinyl treatment.
We’re excited to announce our second guitarist. From now on the Italian/Cuban guitar sensation Thalia Bellazecca of Angus McSix will join PRIMAL FEAR as a full member and guitar partner of Magnus Karlsson!
Comments Thalia: “I’m stoked and excited to have the opportunity to play with these giants of the heavy and power metal scene. I feel so honored to share the stage with these amazing musicians and to start a new journey also with this incredible and historical band! Can’t wait to start working with all of you!”
Comments Ralf Scheepers: “After my last show in Italy, I got to know Thalia personally and I realized what a wonderful person she is… Anyone who knows me knows that personal contact and sympathy is very important to me. So I read up on her musical projects and skills and was blown away by her incredible talent! I can’t wait to work with her in the studio and of course live soon!“
Welcome Thalia and we’re super happy to have you in the Metal Commando!
New video and re-recorded version of classic track “No One’s Crying” streaming now!
Italian heavy metal veterans Crying Steel have released a re-recorded version of their iconic track “No One’s Crying”, originally released on their 1987 debut album On The Prowl. The new version features Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear and ex-Gamma Ray on vocals.
The video was created by Natalia Śmiechowicz / @n.station (Motörhead, Dokken, Uriah Heep)
The release of the video follows the news of the band’s new permanent live and recording vocalist Tiziano HammerHead Sbaragli. Crying Steel will be performing with the new vocalist at Italian Metal Heroes festival on Saturday 31 August.
Earlier this year the band released “Live And Thunder”, a brand new live album recorded at the band’s 40th anniversary festival in their hometown of Bologna in Italy. Grab the album via Bandcamp, listen via Spotify and other digital platforms.
Crying Steel was formed in 1982 and is considered to be one of the very first heavy metal acts to come out of Italy. The band’s discography includes: Crying Steel (1985), On the Prowl (1987), The Steel is Back! (2007), Time Stands Steel (2013), Crying Steel Deluxe Edition (Crying Steel and On the Prowl remastered + Wacken DVD – 2016), Stay Steel (2018) and Steel Alive (2019).
Next week, Finnish metal icons AMORPHIS will return to North America on a co-headlining tour with their comrades in Dark Tranquillity. The journey begins on September 3rd in Richmond, Virginia and winds its way through over two-dozen cities with the tour coming to a close on October 6th in New York City. Support will be provided by Fires In The Distance. Tickets for this must-see tour are on sale now at: amorphis.net/tour. See all confirmed dates below.
AMORPHIS w/ Dark Tranquillity, Fires In The Distance: 9/03/2024 Canal Club – Richmond, VA 9/02/2024 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 9/06/2024 Prog Power USA @ Center Stage – Atlanta, GA * AMORPHIS Headlining 9/07/2024 Conduit – Orlando, FL 9/09/2024 White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX 9/10/2024 Trees – Dallas, TX 9/11/2024 The Rock Box – San Antonio, TX 9/13/2024 Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ 9/14/2024 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 9/15/2024 Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA 9/17/2024 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA 9/18/2024 Goldfields Roseville – Roseville, CA 9/20/2024 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR 9/21/2024 Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC 9/22/2024 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 9/24/2024 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT 9/26/2024 Marquis Theatre – Denver, CO 9/27/2024 The Bottleneck – Lawrence, KS 9/28/2024 The Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN 9/29/2024 The Forge – Joliet, IL 10/01/2024 Opera House – Toronto, ON 10/02/2024 Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC 10/03/2024 La Source de la Martinière – Quebec City, QC 10/04/2024 The Middle East Down – Cambridge, MA 10/05/2024 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 10/06/2024 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
Last month, AMORPHIS released Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia) via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). Exactly thirty years after its original release, the band celebrated the anniversary of their milestone release, Tales From The Thousand Lakes, with a unique live edition of the record, which represents an essential collector’s item for every AMORPHIS connoisseur. The magic of this work, grandly transferred onto the stage of Helsinki, Finland’s Tavastia Club, displays the band in their full glory: powerful, passionate, and unforgettable.
Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia) manifests AMORPHIS‘ unparalleled dynamism and artistic uniqueness. Rarely has the raw power and emotional depth of a live performance been captured so authentically as on this sonic memento and extraordinary concert film. With their second album, AMORPHIS erected a monument to Finnish mythology, nature, and music that remains as touching, inspiring, and nurturing today as it was back in 1994.
Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia) is out now via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) and can be ordered both physically (CD+Blu-ray-digipak or colored vinyl) and digitally or streamed now at: amorphis.rpm.link/taleslivePR.
Watch AMORPHIS’ previously released videos for “Drowned Maid” HERE, “Black Winter Day” HERE, and “Into Hiding” HERE.
This week, we finally kick off our North American tour with Unleash The Archers on Thursday in Los Angeles! Who’s ready to celebrate with us? It’s uncertain when we’ll have the chance to return, so make sure you don’t miss it!
Today marks the release of a new digital single from HATCHET. Surprisingly it’s the band’s cover of the W.A.S.P. classic “Hellion” from the LA shock rockers 1984 self-titled debut album, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary last week. “Hellion” can be heard on all streaming/download digital platforms or check it HERE https://youtu.be/V05Sa9n3Hv0?si=QA9epgSClc7Rl7TE
“Fist-pumping, headbanging, hardest of hard rock songs is what WASP’s ‘Hellion’ makes me feel. Few songs can take me from bored, sleepy, end of the day dredge to just full-on can’t sit still in your seat, rockin’ out with your cock out!” reveals HATCHETsinger/guitarist Julz Ramos.
“While there’s definitely heavier, faster, music galore out there, something about the energy in the recording of that specific song from that early time period of the band just can’t be beat. I’ve always wanted to play this song in some way. So here we go!
I really do have to lend a big thanks to our bassist and (ANUBIS frontman) Devin Reiche for helping with the melodic vocal duties on this one. It was a bit of a challenge for me, but with some coaching and his vocals in there thickening it up, it really enabled it to become a reality.”
“Hellion” will be included on the band’s forthcoming EP, Leave No Soul, out Oct. 25th, which also includes the title track https://youtu.be/w45dmT7Hvn4?si=aie6nhKcF8s_DtFI plus 2 more originals and the group’s take on another cover – ANNIHILATOR’s “Human Insecticide.” This specially priced EP (featuring cover artwork from Andrej Bartulovic/All Things Rotten (Raven, Hirax, Alcatrazz) and recorded, mixed and mastered by Nick Botelho/NB Recording (Interloper, The Kennedy Veil) the team behind HATCHET’s last albums, is available for pre-order now on limited-edition (300) blood moon colored vinyl, limited run (100) of cassettes or CD. https://lnk.to/leavenosoul
“We’re thrilled to finally release ourselves into you… haha – Yup! Go get yours now as they are very limited in physical format,” exclaims Julz. “Once they’re out – they are out!”
HATCHET was formed in 2006 by teenagers that shared a mutual love for the bands that built their hometown Bay Area metal scene two decades prior. Bands such as Testament, Exodus, and the early work of then-Bay Area transplants Metallica infused the initial blueprint that informed HATCHET’s sound. Signing to Metal Blade Records the group released ‘Awaiting Evil’ in 2008, followed by the release of three more albums – 2013’s ‘Dawn of the End,’ 2015’s ‘Fear Beyond Lunacy’ and 2018’s ‘Dying to Exist.’ The group has also cemented their status as a live powerhouse, performing alongside acts such as Trivium, Soilwork, Flotsam and Jetsam, Metal Church, Raven, Warbringer, Misfits’ Doyle, Jeff Loomis, Kataklysm, Krisiun, Havok and Exmortus.
Chicago (IL) – Progressive Tech-Death stalwarts, GIGAN, are pleased to announce the forthcoming release of Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus, their first album in seven years! The album will be released October 25 on CD, Ltd edition CD long box, vinyl, cassette, Ltd edition four-album cassette boxset, and digital formats via Willowtip Records.
Metal Injection has premiered the first single and opening track, “Erratic Pulsitivity and Horror.” Click the link below to stream!
The single will be released to all platforms on Friday, August 23. Album pre-orders will be available on the same day.
Speaking to the new album, GIGAN’s founding member, guitarist, sole-songwriter and lyricist; Eric Hersemann, had this to say: “Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimusis a perfect expression of where GIGAN is as a band and where we are headed into the future. Like all GIGANsongs, our emphasis is on creativity and limitless imagination, while still working within the realms of interwoven madness and colorful technicality combined with the oppressive elements of misanthropic dissonance and crushing brutality. Any fan of GIGAN, or any fan of genuine Metal music that is completely fearless and without pretentious delivery, is in for a mind-bending treat.”
Track Listing:
Trans-Dimensional Crossing of the Alta-Tenuis
Ultra-Violet Shimmer and Permeating Infra-sound
Square Wave Subversion
Emerging Sects of Dagonic Acolytes
Katabatic Windswept Landscapes
Erratic Pulsitivity and Horror
The Strange Harvest of the Baganoids
Ominous Silhouettes Cast Across Gulfs of Time
Photo Credit: Dopirt Photography
Line-up:
Eric Hersemann – All electric, acoustic and bass guitars, theremin, otomatone, synths, lyrics, concepts and madness.
Nathan Cotton – Drums, percussion and Sunny weather.
Jerry Kavouriaris – Vocals and violence.
Credits:
All music, lyrics, vocal patterns and concepts: Eric Hersemann. Recorded and mixed by Sanford Parker at Palisades Studio and the Hypercube in Chicago, IL.
Mastered by Collin Jordan at Boiler Room. All album art and layout: Max Winter (Teratogen)
Rochester (NY) Contrarian is recording a new album and guess who’s back? Confirmed by the band via Bandcamp, original members Jim Tasikasand and George Kollias have joined forces once again to record Contrarian’s sixth studio album to be entitled Escaping Depravity.
The recording process has started in Athens, Greece and with sound engineer Doug White at Watchmen Studios as with previous albums. Contrarian’s last tour was in support of Suffocation and Atheist across North America. A touring line-up has also been established to support the upcoming album.
Escaping Depravity will be released through Willowtip Records. Contrarian released its previous album, Sage of Shekhina, on Willowtip Records in 2023.
After our last trip to Latin America in 2020 and the great time we had there, we knew we had to come back! In April and May 2025, the time has finally come for the Latin American Crusade!
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