Vancouver (BC) – Canadian/U.S. progressive rock/metal band, SYRINX, have released sophomore album, Time out of Place, on Ocula Records!
SYRINX‘s sophomore LP Time Out of Place is a modern-day rock opera that pushes the boundaries of heavy metal and classic prog rock. Glistening ethereal soundscapes collide with crushing riffs, heavy moods, and unforgettable hooks. Music with true cerebral depth, recorded entirely on analog gear with no computers or A.I. trickery.
The album carries forward the signature guitar riffs of Graham McGee (ex-Spell, Opulent Decay, For None and All) alongside the soaring vocals of JP Abboud (ex-Traveler, Termination Shock, Prequel to Madness). The result is a bold, uncompromising vision.
Killed By Deaf – A Punk Tribute To Motörhead album cover
FOURTEEN OF THE FINEST PUNK BANDS ON THE PLANET COVERING THEIR FAVORITE MOTÖRHEAD SONGS INCLUDING RANCID, PENNYWISE, THE BRONX, GBH, FEAR AND A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED COLLABORATION OF MOTÖRHEAD & THE DAMNED PERFORMING THE DAMNED CLASSIC: “NEAT, NEAT, NEAT”
Sept. 10, 2025 – Heavy metal and punk rock! It’s fair to say that these two noisy tribes now have a great deal in common, often melding together, almost indistinguishable, to produce bastard offspring of their own. But it wasn’t always this way. Indeed, there was a time when fists were more likely to be thrown than bumped, and beers more likely to be hurled than shared – except when it came to Motörhead. That was the one band all could agree on. The one band that was truly ours!
But while Motörhead’s impact on metal has long been acknowledged, their influence on punk, particularly the post-Sex Pistols second wave shouldn’t be underestimated. Cause and effect: It’s that simple. And such is the case with hundreds, thousands, of other bands, all made faster, dirtier, louder, better, by Motörhead. None more so than in punk rock. And that’s because Motörhead were, in essence, a punk rock band.
Lemmy once said: “The punks loved us. The only reason we weren’t in that lot was because we had long hair, so obviously we must be heavy metal. That was the thinking. But a lot of kids heard us without seeing a picture, so they thought we were a punk band.”
Across the fourteen tracks on the cunningly titled Killed By Deaf – A Punk Tribute To Motörhead (Oct. 31, BMG Recordings), you’ll hear a loving tribute to Motörhead from some of punk rock’s biggest and most respected bands. Luminaries like Rancid, Pennywise, Lagwagon, GBH, The Bronx, and FEAR all contribute raucous versions of their favorite Motörhead tracks… and also up-and-coming upstarts like Slaughterhouse contribute, because, let’s face it Motörhead always loved and championed the underdogs.
Killed By Deaf – A Punk Tribute To Motörhead will be available on vinyl, CD and digitally. Pre-orders are available now: https://motorhead.lnk.to/killedbydeaf.
Killed By Deaf – A Punk Tribute To Motörhead track-list:
Lemmy and Motörhead aren’t honored with their own space in the Punk Rock Museum for nothing. Long before they covered the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” on We Are Motörhead and long before writing “R.A.M.O.N.E.S.” for the 1916 album in tribute to New York’s finest, Motörhead were sharing stages with the likes of The Damned, as they would continue to do many times over the years. Hell, Lemmy even joined The Damned (when they were The Doomed), albeit briefly, and playing some now infamous shows, and playing bass on a couple of studio tracks. It’s only fitting then, that the only non-Motörhead song on this album is from when he teamed up with them again in 2002 for a previously unheard and blistering version of The Damned’s classic, “Neat Neat Neat.”
The ancient, demonic rites of South American metal are resurrected as EVILCULT prepares to unleash their third full-length album, Triumph of Evil, on September 19th via Awakening Records. Forged in the fires of chaos and blasphemy, this new offering is a merciless assault on Christian morality and a hell-forged tribute to the primitive, raw energy of ’80s underground metal.
Since their formation in 2016, the Brazilian horde, composed of vocalist/guitarist Lucas From Hell, bassist Speed Lobo-Guará, drummer Filipe Stress, and guitarist Hell Bordini, have clawed their way to the forefront of the modern black-speed-thrash scene. Their previous blasphemous tomes, At theDarkest Night (2020) and The Devil is Always Looking for Souls (2023), established them as keepers of a sacred, unholy flame. On Triumph of Evil, they wield it like a burning crucifix, searing the very foundations of convention.
The album’s sound is a venomous amalgam of Teutonic thrash and first-wave black metal, heavily indebted to the savage legends who first dared to mix speed with satanic rage. Lucas From Hell’s vocals rip through the chaos with a feral aggression, shifting from guttural growls to the piercing, possessed shrieks. The raw, analog production ensures every riff, solo, and blast beat echoes with the primitive spirit of ’80s legends like Hellhammer, Sodom, and the ferocious Brazilian pioneers Sarcófago.
The concept of Triumph of Evil is a direct, blasphemous inversion of a common religious narrative. The album’s stunning, hand-painted artwork shows Satan not defeated, but victorious, humiliating the Archangel. This visual rebellion sets the stage for the title track and the album as a whole: a merciless celebration of evil and the subversion of all that is considered holy. This is not just metal worship; it’s a declaration of war.
The album’s lead single, “Midnight Ritual,” serves as a perfect introduction to this hellish journey. Penned as a “killer track” with a “catchy chorus,” it is a raw, blood-soaked anthem celebrating the fusion of heavy metal with unholy rituals. This song, and indeed the entire album, was a testament to the band’s dedication, with songs written and arranged remotely under immense pressure, just weeks before their upcoming European tour.
This isn’t an album for the faint of heart. It is a raw, uncompromising tribute to the true underground. Triumph of Evil is a sound forged in defiance and a testament to the enduring power of pure, unholy metal.
Infinity Dream recently announced a new alliance with Nameless Grave Records for their upcoming album Silver Lining on October 17, 2025. To mark their return, the band has unleashed the album’s first single and music video, “Lost Embrace,” available HERE.
Silver Lining builds upon the band’s acclaimed 2022 debut, Memories, expanding their sound with greater atmosphere, soaring harmonies, and the seamless interplay of male and female vocals. The band members are no strangers to metal though, as they call have been part of the incredible power metal band WIDOW, who have released their work via Cruz del Sur and Pure Steel previously.
Formed in 2019, Infinity Dream draws from the dark grandeur of Tony Martin era Black Sabbath, the drama of Dio, and the mysticism of Warlord and Rainbow; all while crafting songs with their own voice and emotional weight. Their music blends the heaviness of doom with the melodic spirit of classic metal, making Silver Lining a compelling listen for both devoted underground fans and the new legion of fans who have come to love bands like Ghost and Witchcraft.
Silver Lining was recorded at Wootensound Studios with drums tracked at Sonark Studios, produced by John Wooten III and Chris Bennett, and mixed by Steven Raets of Sonark Media. The album’s striking artwork and visual design were created by Chris Harris.
Eastern Pennsylvania-based brutal death metal faction PILE OF KNIVES presents their second EP, Driven By The Blade, confirming the record for release on Halloween and dropping the first single, “Stabbed.”
Based in the Pocono Mountains, PILE OF KNIVES may be a new name to many, but the band’s origins stretch back more than a decade to when guitarist Chett Kolakoski, Lee Messerschmidt, and drummer Dylan “Pickle” Jaludi played together in their prior band, Existence. Following nearly a decade-long hiatus, the band began jamming together again in late 2022.
It didn’t take long for them to realize they wanted to take it a step further and get a new band going. Within a few months, Messerschmidt’s friend Jay Stromeyer was recruited to play bass. Shortly thereafter, Bryan Martinez, formerly of Grimus, was enlisted as the band’s vocalist, and PILE OF KNIVES was born.
Infusing influences from their favorite bands from across the spectrum of death metal, slam, beatdown hardcore, and deathcore. PILE OF KNIVES found their footing and began laying down new demos, and recorded their debut EP, No Light, which was released in the Summer of 2024.
Their relentless groove-laden attack reflects the works of brutal death metal acts Skinless, Dying Fetus, Internal Bleeding, Origin, and Through The Eyes Of The Dead, with the more metallic hardcore-adjacent death/beatdown acts like Crawlspace, Final Resting Place, Shattered Realm, and No Zodiac. Lyrically, Martinez infuses his love of horror films and real-life experiences, reflecting themes centered around regret, self-loathing, and grappling with one’s own flaws.
photo by Tia X Slaughter
Upon the release of No Light, PILE OF KNIVES was already cultivating new material, some of which now arrives on the band’s second EP, Driven By The Blade. The EP takes the band’s calculated yet unhinged viciousness to further levels of intensity, delivering four new tracks of simply merciless, slamming death.
Driven By The Blade was recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced by Shaun Werle, with the drums recorded at Soundmine Recording Studio. The cover art and photography are by Giancarlo Bruno and the lyric videos are by Jon Lievano of Malevolent Media Videos. Additionally, the song “Kukri” features guests Anthony Bacola on acoustic guitar and Ben Karas on violin.
With the lead single from the EP, “Stabbed,” Martinez writes, “It’s tough sometimes having to deal with vulnerability, and that’s mostly where I had gained influence from when writing this song. I had to look at myself and accept that I have flaws like the rest of us, and that’s okay. This, mixed with my love for brutal horror films, inspired the single and the remaining songs on the EP.”
Watch PILE OF KNIVES’ “Stabbed” lyric video on YouTube HERE and stream the track on Bandcamp HERE and other digital services HERE.
Driven By The Blade – Track Listing:
Laceration
Shank
Kukri
Stabbed
Driven By The Blade will be released on October 31st. Digital preorders are live HERE. A CD version will be available for preorder shortly through Been There Scene That Records.
Additional lyric videos and an official video from the EP will be playing shortly.
PILE OF KNIVES plays shows throughout the East Coast scene and continues to write music, with their next release already under construction.
PILE OF KNIVES: Bryan Martinez – vocals Lee Messerschmidt – guitar Chett Kolakoski – guitar Dylan “Pickle” Jaludi – drums Jay Stromeyer – bass
Route One Booking is proud to announce that New Orleans’ undisputed kings of Sludge Metal and ‘The Heaviest Band in the World’, the mighty Crowbar, will return to the UK & Ireland in February 2026!
Kirk & the boys will be bringing a killer package for support too. Legions Of Doom, (featuring members of Trouble / Saint Vitus / Pentagram / COC etc) will be main support and rising UK hardcore / metalcore stalwarts Silverburn (featuring Jimbob of Taint / Hark) will open each show so get there early!
Tickets will go on sale for all dates on Friday 12th September at 10.00am UK time.
FEBRUARY 2026:
12.02: Dolans warehouse, Limerick, IRE 13.02: Limelight 2, Belfast, N. IRE 14.02: Opium, Dublin, IRE 16.02: Cathouse, Glasgow, UK 17.02: University, Newcastle, UK 18.02: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, UK 19.02: Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK 20.02: Phoenix, Exeter, UK 21.02: Rebellion, Manchester, UK 22.02: Waterfront, Norwich, UK 24.02: KK’s Steelmill, Wolverhampton, UK 25.02: The Globe, Cardiff, UK 26.02: Kola, Portsmouth, UK 27.02: Electric Ballroom, London, UK 28.02: Blitz, Preston, UK
Reigning Phoenix Music, in collaboration with Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, is thrilled to announce that COLD SLITHER, the reimagined heavy metal menace inspired by the infamous band from G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero, is preparing to take New York by storm. The show will take place on October 11th, the same weekend as NYC’s Comic Con, where the Gramercy Theatre will be conquered by an explosive sonic force that fuses nostalgia with a modern metal powerhouse. Get your tickets HERE.
Zartan comments on the forthcoming NYC show:
“Well, well, it seems as though there are several potential recruits whom have a desire to join our small but elite society of Dreadnoks… This time in New York City! Our services are once again called upon by Cobra Commander and Reigning Phoenix Music to melt minds with Cold Slither! So be it, my Dreadnoks and I will see you all October 11th… Come prepared…Cobraaaaa!!”
The show announcement follows the release of the self-titled debut album in June of this year via Reigning Phoenix Music. Also on the horizon, the G.I. Joe-stanning supergroup are set to join the Decibel Flexi Series with an exclusive new banger, “Cobra Island.”
Cold Slither is a declaration of war. Fronted by the enigmatic Zartan and his ruthless Dreadnok bandmates Torch, Ripper, and Buzzer, the band fuses old-school heavy metal with anarchic energy and unrelenting force. With tracks built on punishing riffs, venomous vocals, and apocalyptic atmosphere, COLD SLITHER resurrects the myth and turns it into a modern-day metal juggernaut.
Featuring 10 original tracks and a remastered version of their cult-classic single “Cold Slither,” the album plunges into dystopian metal with themes of swamp-born menace and Cobra-fueled power. The Cold Slither album is available across digital and vinyl formats.
“Taan ti le Xibalba” now available on all streaming/download platforms
Guadalajara-based Ancestral folk metal group CEMICAN – hailed by Revolver as “an ancient Mexican answer to The Hu or Heilung” – are proud to bring you their latest opus, ‘U_k’u’uk’ankil_Mayakaaj.’ Much anticipated, this album comes out Oct. 31st and the pre-order for it is here: http://lnk.to/cemican
Available on digital, as well as jewelcase CD with 20-page booklet and limited-edition colored 2LP gatefold vinyl featuring two variants – the N. American variant on K’Awiil (300 blue orange haze) representing the celestial fire/lightning and abundance or the European variant Itzamna (200 purple) for he who embodies the cosmos – the god of the heavens who taught the Mayan people language. We’ve even added the two singles released mid-cycle (one created for Adult Swim programming) as bonus tracks.
“Cemican’s new album, ’U k ‘u’ uk’ankil Mayakaaj’ (translated as the Mayan Resistance) is based on Mayan ideology, worldview, mysticism, and the universe. It contains various legends and stories of ancestral gods, the duality of life and death, as well as stories based on the band members, transformed with that touch that identifies us,” explainsdrummerTlipoca.
“The concept was taken as a way to revive what our warriors and their Mayan people were, honoring this great Mayan culture and representing the worldview and mysticism of this great ancestral empire.”
“The album contains a dark and aggressive atmosphere, as well as some songs with tranquil melodies. A sound that embodies that language of music with ancestral instruments that Cemican has achieved as its own unique and hallucinatory sound, fused with lyrics that blend Spanish with Yucatan Mayan. This new album is a tribute to our ancestral peoples, their stories and their customs, giving a valuable message of their language and their ancestral glory.”
Today, we also reveal the cover art to ‘U k ‘u’ uk’ankil Mayakaaj’ created and designed by Tlipoca.
“It depicts the great creation of the Mayan universe and the elements of life (water, fire, wind, and earth) by the great supreme Itzamnaaj… raising the great Temple of Kukulkan for the worship of the Mayan people. Among the immensity of the ocean, the first sacred man emerges, creating the inter-dimensional chaos between trails and nebula. In the right hand of the great Itzamnaaj, a black hole is born, representing the great infinite darkness. In his left hand, a whirlwind of fire represents the beginning of light or the dawn of life and the beginning of it. At the top, between an avalanche of meteors and stellar earth, two faces are drawn: that of a woman or mother, who gives life or the birth of humans; and on the other side, the face of death, representing the cycle of earthly man in his passage through this life.”
The album has been preceded by two single/music video releases: the thundering “Taan ti le Xibalba” and “KUKULKÁN WAKAH CHAN” with its corresponding epic music video.
The music of CEMICAN – whose name means “the duality of life and death” in the Aztecan language of Nahuatl (spoken by 2 million people in Central Mexico) – incorporates elements of the legends, mysticism and ideologies of ancient Mexican culture. Compared by Revolver to “Slipknot scoring Mel Gibson’s ‘Apocalypto,’” while praised by Brooklyn Vegan for “combining indigenous instrumentation with Headbanger’s Ball-worthy riffage” the group combine the modern instrumentation of a metal band with traditional pre-Hispanic instruments.
Since releasing their third album, In Ohtli Teoyohtica In Miquiztli, in 2019, and M-Theory Audio debut, CEMICAN have performed alongside some of metal’s top names (Amon Amarth, Korpiklaani, Ensiferum, Eluveitie, etc.) in their native Mexico.
In addition, the six-piece group became a regular fixture of European festivals like France’s Hellfest and the Paris edition of Download Festival, Germany’s Wacken Open Air, Spain’s Resurrection Fest and Leyendas Del Rock, as well multiple festival performances in their homeland – Hell & Heaven Fest, Force Fest, Mexico Metal Fest, Dragon Rojo Fest, Tattoo Fest, Knotfest and countless more; as well as appearances in Central and South America. CEMICAN have received regular airplay on Sirius XM Liquid Metal, and composed an original song, “Yóok ‘ol kaab Maya,” for the Adult Swim network. 2025 will mark more opportunities and breakthroughs are in store for the extremely original, creative and epic act.
Swedish metal band ELEINE simply can’t return to the stages unnoticed: embarking on a massive European tour as special guests to label mates PRIMAL FEAR, they simultaneously celebrate the release of their We Stand United EP through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). A strong title underlining the unparalleled bond ELEINE have built with their worldwide fan legions over the years, which becomes even thicker! An unreleased song as well as live and orchestral versions of selected ELEINE classics are now available for streaming and on limited CD and vinyl editions. Get your (signed) copy & listen to We Stand United here:
Vocalist Madeleine & guitarist/vocalist Rikard comment: “We wanted to give you something in between album cycles. A feel of what’s to come, where we stand right now and a closer look at our past. This is We Stand United – an EP dedicated towards our strong and loyal fans across the world including live tracks and something brand new! On this EP, w present you with live tracks on CD and vinyl for the first time ever! We enjoy the studio, but it will always be when performing LIVE that we truly thrive as a band. This is where we connect with the crowd, where we create beautiful and empowering memories together and where we get to live out the songs on stage. We Stand United is a 5-track EP carrying new heavy riffs, thundering live performances and a rawness we feel many will appreciate.”
Introduced by “Towards The Fields”, the release’s main focus lays on its brand new title track, which highlights the group’s magic touch for vibrant songwriting while still giving space to their soaringly uplifting and symphonic trademark moments. To give the We Stand United music video the attention it deserves, ELEINE are pleased to announce that they’ll witness its unveiling together with their main driving force – their fans – on Monday, September 8 @ 6PM CEST. Subscribe here & join the watch party: https://eleine.rpm.link/youtubePR
We Stand United – Track Listing: 01. Towards The Fields (Intro) 02. We Stand United 03. Never Forget [Live at Masters of Rock 2024] 04. We Are Legion [Live at Masters of Rock 2024] 05. Promise Of Apocalypse [Symphonic Version]
Lead single “Down to Hell (Black Cat Bar)” features banjos, distorted guitars, percussion, chains and “lots of alcohol.”
Guests on album to include Okoi Thierry Jones (Bölzer), Perikis Tikof (Opened Paradise) and Ioanna Noir Zacharopoulou (Glitter Grotesque).
The Harvest – a Southern Gothic-inspired record about dead lovers, serial killers and lost souls, will be released on 17 October and is available for pre-order.
The Dark Americana outfit :Skull & dawn: will release their second full-length album, The Harvest, on 17 October 2025, through The Circle Music. The first single, “Down to Hell (Black Cat Bar)“, is now out with a new video.
An introductory track to the album’s sound, “Down to Hell (Black Cat Bar)” tells a story of late-night revelry and a dark descent. The band describes it as an “urban ceremony” filled with banjos, distorted guitars, percussion, chains and “lots of alcohol”, culminating in a fall into a “dark well” that leads straight to hell.
Watch the video for “Down to Hell (Black Cat Bar)”:
:Skull & dawn: are: Manos Six – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Electric Guitar, Percussion Stamos A. – Electric Bass Chris Abatis – Electric Guitar Alex Tabakakis – Drums + Percussion Vassilis Kemanidis – Violin
The upcoming album The Harvest dives deep into a mysterious world of Southern Gothic horror, featuring songs about dead lovers, serial killers, lone cowboys, and lost souls. The album blends the band’s neofolk past with a true Americana sound and a Southern Gothic atmosphere.
The Circle Music said: “Although at first glance the style of :Skull & dawn: might seem out of step with The Circle’s previous releases, for some inexplicable yet undeniable reason, The Harvest felt destined (from the moment of its creation) to be released by us.
“It’s not just the fact that :Skull & dawn: have shared the stage with several of The Circle’s artists during live performances; it’s the very atmosphere of the album itself. From the very first listen, we all had the same instinctive reaction: The Harvest had to be released by us. There was simply no other way.”
The Harvest will be released in digital and CD formats, with the CD version including two bonus tracks: “Kingdom of the Corn (Live)” and “St. James Infirmary (Live)”. A limited edition black LP (250 copies) and a limited edition gold LP (250 copies) with a printed insert will also be available.
Guests on the album include: Okoi Thierry Jones (Bölzer), Perikis Tikof (Opened Paradise), Ioanna Noir Zacharopoulou(Glitter Grotesque) and Vasso Jism.
Founded in 1999 under a different name as a trio in Athens, Greece, the band started by creating industrial noise music using hammers and electric screwdrivers. From 2002 to 2009, they embraced the heritage of Old Europe and folk instruments under the name Défilé des Âmes. They released the full-length LP Lust & Stone, a split EP, and several DIY EPs. They also collaborated with notable artists like Sieben.
The band reformed in 2009 as :Skull & dawn:, shifting their sound to be influenced by the American South. Their debut album, Zombie Horses (2016), fused their industrial roots with American folklore, creating a sound inspired by artists like The Bad Seeds and Hank 3. They have maintained a strong live presence over the years, performing with a wide range of artists, including Jarboe, Chelsea Wolfe and Psychic TV.
The Harvest – track-listing: 1. Down to hell (Black Cat Bar) 2. Knoxville Girl 3. Kingdom of the Corn 4. Born Dead 5. GG Allin 6. Gold is the Metal 7. Trouble was her Name 8. Old Testament 9. Hail to the King 10. Kingdom of the Corn (Live) (CD Bonus Track) 11. St. James Infirmary (Live) (CD Bonus Track)
Photo credit: Timo Isoaho AMORPHIS @ Sonic Pump Studios (Helsinki, Finland)
L-R: Olli-Pekka “Oppu” Laine (bass), Tomi Koivusaari (guitars), Santeri Kallio (keyboards), Jan Rechberger (drums, percussion), Tomi Joutsen (vocals), Esa Holopainen (guitars)
Invited to Helsinki’s Sonic Pump Studios under a pretext, Finnish metal icons AMORPHIS have been decorated with gold records for sales of their 2022 studio album Halo by their label partners Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The band’s management, distribution and media partners gathered secretly earlier this week to witness the handover of the awards at the iconic Finnish recording studio, where the sextet crafted a number of much-loved albums over the years and even parts of Halo.
Still being busy with interviews to support their forthcoming offering Borderland, due out on September 26, 2025, as well as tour preparations, AMORPHIS were pleasantly surprised when the shiny vinyls were presented to them.
Guitarist Esa Holopainen states: “Achieving a gold record is far from being guaranteed in these days. We’re truly grateful to all listeners and fans who supported us along the way. ‘Halo’ wasn’t an easy album to make as the corona virus was challenging the world. Some parts of its production had to be done remotely, while at other times we were actually allowed to travel to our beloved neighbouring country Sweden. ‘Halo’ also isn’t the easiest album of the AMORPHIS catalogue, but it certainly has its special moments which will live on through people’s sound systems and our live shows.”
Originally released on February 11, 2022, AMORPHIS managed to hit the top of the official album chart in their home country for the sixth time in their eventful career with Halo. Many other notable global entries (Germany #3, Switzerland #4, Austria #7) completed this enormously successful launch under complicated circumstances.
Followed by a Finnish headline run and a European arena tour alongside ARCH ENEMY, ELUVEITIE and GATECREEPER, the group’s new album, Borderland, will become available in late September.
Pre-order Borderlandin your preferred physical format (ltd. box set & more) & stream it once out to possibly add yet another gold record to AMORPHIS’ treasure room:
The new music video from heavy rock all-stars ALPHA DESTROYER – featuring Martin Sweet (Crashdïet), Kelly LeMieux (Buckcherry), and Eric Sexton-Dorsett (Sleepless), is now streaming. “Lobotomized” marks the third single off the band’s upcoming debut album, Fast Lane.
A true ripper in every sense, “Lobotomized” anchors the album’s thematic momentum, cementing the band’s vision for sonic intensity in untamed fashion.
Fast Lane is due out this fall on Necromantic Press Records. Physical copies of Fast Lane, including limited-edition red splatter and standard black vinyl, will begin shipping on October 15. The album will be available on all streaming platforms on October 31. Pre-orders are available at this location.
Maggot Stomp is proud to announce the debut full-length album from death metal upstarts Dying Remains. Merciless Suffering is set for release on Friday, September 19th. The band has also unleashed a chilling new music video for the track “Hung and Drawn,” which can be viewed HERE.
Merciless Suffering is a masterclass in songwriting, delivering an uncompromising blend of crushing brutality and catchy, well-crafted moments that mold together into a monolithic force. This is death metal for those who appreciate the genre’s time-tested foundation. Dying Remains brings together seminal sounds reminiscent of acts like Morta Skuld, Jungle Rot, and Obituary while still keeping things fresh and exciting for a new generation of death metal to take root.
The video for “Hung and Drawn” was directed by Aron Diaz and serves as a visual companion to the album’s core lyrical themes. Drawing heavily from ’70s and ’80s B-grade gore films, the video is a short horror film that depicts one gruesome segment from the album’s over-arching story of a sprawling torture chamber. The band, all avid fans of the horror genre, wanted to bring this macabre vision to life, and the result is a truly unsettling and memorable piece of art.
DYING REMAINS TOUR DATES – Headline: 9/12 | Edmonton, AB | 99ten 9/13 | Calgary, AB | The Rock Shop 9/14 | Vancouver, BC | The Cobalt 9/15 | Seattle, WA | Belltown Yacht Club 9/16 | Olympia, WA | The Crypt 9/17 | Portland, OR | Twilight Cafe 9/19 | Sacramento, CA | The Starlet Room
w/ Gored Embrace: 9/20 | San Fernando, CA | Midnight Hour 9/21 | San Diego, CA | The Che Cafe 9/22 | Phoenix, AZ | Palo Verde Lounge 9/23 | Tuscon, AZ | 951 Calle Castile 9/25 | Houston, TX | Eighteen Ten Ojeman 9/26 | San Antonio, TX | O’Death 9/27 | Dallas, TX | Double Wide 9/28 | Kansas City, MO | Howdy 9/30 | Denver, CO | Seventh Circle 10/2 | Salt Lake City, UT | Black Lung Society 10/3 | Boise, ID | TBA 10/4 | Spokane, WA | The Big Dipper
w/ Mutilation Barbecue: 10/6 | Fargo, ND | The Aquarium 10/7 | Minneapolis, MN | Pillar Forum 10/8 | Milwaukee, WI | Cactus Club 10/9 | Chicago, IL | Reggies 10/10 | Cleveland, OH | No Class 10/11 | Fort Wayne, IN | Legion Post 241 10/12 | Louisville, KY | Magnolia Bar 10/13 | Springfield, MO | Lindbergs Tavern
Cold Flare Eternal, the new full-length from Finnish melodic death metal veterans BEFORE THE DAWN, is out now on Reaper Entertainment!
A work of stark contrasts and emotional depth, Cold Flare Eternal blends crushing heaviness with soaring melancholy, delivering a sound both devastating and deeply human. It’s an album shaped by clarity of vision, cinematic atmosphere, and the unmistakable Scandinavian sense of darkness and beauty.
Released alongside the album is the powerful new video for the track “Stronghold.” Comments the band, “It’s like a punch in the face delivered with love and powered with anvil heavy guitars, profoundly massive growls, hammering drums, and beyond epic melody. That is ‘Stronghold;’ the musical embodiment of straightforward bone bounding metal.”
Watch BEFORE THE DAWN’s video for “Stronghold” HERE.
Watch BEFORE THE DAWN’s previously released video for “Fatal Design” HERE, “As Above, So Below” HERE, “Stellar Effect” HERE, and “Shockwave” HERE.
Cold Flare Eternal weaves together massive riffs, introspective melodies, and a haunting emotional weight that lingers long after the final note fades. After the band’s celebrated return with Stormbringers and a year of intense touring, Cold Flare Eternal is more than a followup, it’s a statement of purpose. A record that doesn’t just demand to be heard but be felt.
Recorded once again at guitarist Juho Räihä’s studio, the album brings together crushing heaviness, soaring melodies, and the atmospheric beauty of Finland’s dark landscapes.
Cold Flare Eternal features core art by Gogo Melone (Wolfheart, Insomnium, Xandria, Omnium Gatherum) and is available on CD, LP, and digital formats.
BEFORE THE DAWN will join Wolfheart for an extensive European tour later this month. Tickets are available at btdmetal.com. See all confirmed dates below.
BEFORE THE DAWNw/ Wolfheart, Suotana, Full House Brew Crew: 9/20/2025 Koba Live – Abadiño, ES ** 9/21/2025 Revi Live – Madrid, ES ** 9/22/2025 Wolf, Barcelona – ES ** 9/25/2025 De Helling – Utrecht, NL 9/26/2025 Kulturwerk – Herford, DE 9/27/2025 Kubana – Siegburg, DE 9/29/2025 Backstage By The Mill – Paris, FR 9/30/2025 DVG Club – Kortrjik, BE 10/01/2025 Logo – Hamburg, DE 10/02/2025 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE 10/03/2025 Turock – Essen, DE 10/04/2025 Café Central – Weinheim, DE 10/05/2025 Analog Music Hall – Budapest, HU 10/06/2025 Klub Zaścianek – Krakow, PL 10/07/2025 Collosseum – Košice, SK 10/08/2025 Rock Café – Prague, CZ 10/09/2025 Orto Bar – Ljubljana SI 10/10/2025 Slaughter Club – Milan, IT 10/11/2025 Chollerhalle – Zug, CH 10/12/2025 Club Vaudeville – Lindau, DE 10/13/2025 Backstage – Munich, DE ** BEFORE THE DAWN + Wolfheart only
BEFORE THE DAWN – Finnish Headlining Dates: 9/05/2025 Tavastia – Helsinki, FI 9/06/2025 Olympia – Tampere, FI 9/13/2025 Möysän Musaklubi – Lahti, FI 10/24/2025 Logomo Teatro – Turku, FI 10/25/2025 House of Rock – Kouvola, FI 11/07/2025 Monde – Rovaniemi, FI 11/08/2025 Kantakrouvi – Oulu, FI
BEFORE THE DAWN: Tuomas Saukkonen – guitar Paavo Laapotti – vocals Juho Räihä – guitar Pyry Hanski – bass
Rising rock force KALAMITY KILLS unleashes a bold and reverent take on “I Don’t Know” with their latest video release, featuring powerhouse drummer Ray Luzier (KORN) and legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, THE WINERY DOGS). This electrifying reinterpretation of the classic track pays homage to the enduring legacy of the Prince of Darkness himself: OZZY OSBOURNE.
The idea for the tribute was sparked after the band witnessed OZZY’s final performance at the Back to the Beginning Concert in Birmingham, England. Deeply moved, KALAMITY KILLS set out to honor the icon who shaped so much of their musical DNA.
Guitarist JAMEY PERRENOT, whose playing is deeply influenced by the late, great RANDY RHOADS, infused this version of “I Don’t Know” with both reverence and fire. Fans of OZZY will also hear subtle nods to other classics woven throughout: a sonic Easter egg hunt for the diehards.
Special thanks to Ray Luzier and Billy Sheehan for joining the sonic rebellion on this one.
The release also comes with news that the Expanded Edition of Kalamity Kills will be available on September 9, 2025. This edition will include brand-new tracks, alternate mixes, and exclusive content on CD in limited quantities. A candy apple red vinyl edition is set to follow in April 2026.
Track Listing:
Anthem
Dearest Enemy
What’s On Your Mind
Dark Secrets
The Chemistry of Meant To Be
ALIEN
Hellfire Honey
Burn
Sinners Welcome
I Still Believe
Amen
Bonus Tracks:
Afraid
Starry Skies (988) (feat. Aaron Gillespie from Underoath)
Dark Secrets (2025 Version)
Dearest Enemy (Pressure) (Scott Bush alt. Mix)
The Chemistry of Meant To Be (Kellan McGregor Radio Mix)
Jingle Bells (Slay)
About KALAMITY KILLS:
KALAMITY KILLS is a hard rock band forged in the heart of East Nashville, Tennessee. Formed in 2022 by vocalist Jamie Rowe and guitarist/producer Jamey Perrenot, the band emerged from the ashes of a solo project into a fully realized sonic assault; fueled by raw emotion, modern aggression and a deep respect for rock’s roots. With a sound that fuses the swagger of classic hard rock with the intensity and polish of modern metal, KALAMITY KILLS strikes a rare balance between power and vulnerability.
Best known for their debut self-titled album Kalamity Kills, the band quickly turned heads thanks to high-profile collaborations with members of KORN, 3 DOORS DOWN, LA GUNS, CONQUER DIVIDE, and UNDEROATH. Their music has earned national airplay on SIRIUSXM’s Octane, landed on the Billboard Active Rock charts, and crossed over into viral success without ever chasing trends.
More than just a studio project, KALAMITY KILLS is a growing force with a full live lineup, including bassist/vocalist Julia Lauren Bullock and drummer Rob Bodley. Their songs, ranging from explosive anthems to brutally honest ballads, tackle themes of faith, failure, hypocrisy, redemption, and the messy beauty of being human.
KALAMITY KILLS is for the outsiders, the misfits, the ones who’ve been burned and are still standing. Loud. Unapologetic. Unforgettable.
“I Am The Primal Fear” is the perfect track to mark the release of German metal force PRIMAL FEAR’s new album, Domination. Out today via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), the 13-track record is a powerful statement of the band’s legacy and a showcase of their unmistakable sound.
Order Domination (excl. bundles, ltd. CD earbook, digipak-CD, jewel case-CD & various vinyl variants) & stream it here: https://primalfear.rpm.link/dominationPR
A future fan favourite and live anthem in the making, “I Am The Primal Fear” kicks off with a burst of solo drumming before the full PRIMAL FEAR engine roars to life, unleashing thunderous riffs and soaring melodic leads. The verses feel like an intense showdown, with vocalist Ralf Scheepers delivering a fierce performance, driven by the relentless rhythm section of bassist Mat Sinner and drummer André Hilger. Adding to the firepower is the band’s new guitar dream team, Thalìa Bellazecca and Magnus Karlsson, trading off with precision and power.
The intense call-and-response dynamic builds to a powerful, no-holds-barred chorus that sends a clear message: despite a few setbacks over the years, PRIMAL FEAR never considered calling it quits. The eagle was never gone, it was simply gathering strength, ready to soar once again and shake the metal world with an album that confidently claims its place among the top tier of heavy and power metal.
“Again, outta my way, I am the Primal Fear! No one can stop me and I’m gonna hunt you tonight, I’m your worst nightmare whenever you are trying to fool me!” states Scheepers.
Lyric video produced by Ingo Spörl (Omni Sensus Media)
Domination was recorded at Dennis Ward’s Kangaroo Studios (HELLOWEEN, ANGRA etc.) in autumn 2024, produced by Mat Sinner and co-produced by Ralf Scheepers as well as Magnus Karlsson. Rounded off by multiple PRIMAL FEAR mixing/mastering engineer Jacob Hansen (AMORPHIS, VOLBEAT etc.) at his own studios in Denmark, the album artwork was designed by Death.Milk.Designs.
Domination – Track Listing: 01. The Hunter 02. Destroyer 03. Far Away 04. I Am The Primal Fear 05. Tears Of Fire 06. Heroes And Gods 07. Hallucinations 08. Eden [feat. Melissa Bonny of AD INFINITUM] 09. Scream 10. The Dead Don’t Die 11. Crossfire 12. March Boy March 13. A Tune I Won’t Forget Bonus Track [physical only; excl. jewel case-CD] 14. Bridges Will Burn
L-R: André Hilgers (drums), Magnus Karlsson (guitars), Ralf Scheepers (vocals), Thalìa Bellazecca (guitars), Mat Sinner (bass, vocals)
PRIMAL FEAR live: Domination Tour 2025 w/ ELEINE Presented by Metal Hammer, musix, Rock Antenne, Rock It!, Break Out & ITM 05.09.2025 DE Hamburg – Markthalle 06.09.2025 DE Leipzig – Anker 07.09.2025 DE Bochum – Zeche 09.09.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal
10.09.2025 DE Munich – Backstage 12.09.2025 DE Memmingen – Kaminwerk 13.09.2025 DE Mannheim – Capitol 14.09.2025 DE Regensburg-Obertraubling – Eventhall Airport 16.09.2025 CH Pratteln – Konzertfabrik Z7 18.09.2025 DE Berlin – Hole 44 19.09.2025 DE Naila – Frankenhalle 20.09.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann (Halle) 21.09.2025 BE Sint-Niklaas – De Casino 23.09.2025 NL Amstelveen – P60 25.09.2025 PL Warsaw – Stodola 26.09.2025 CZ Prague – MeetFactory 27.09.2025 CZ Zlín – Masters of Rock Café 30.09.2025 ES Madrid – Mon 01.10.2025 ES Murcia – Garaje 03.10.2025 ES Barcelona – Salamandra 04.10.2025 ES Pamplona – Sala Totem
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR FEATURING TWO SETS (DEATH CULT/THE CULT) BEGINS OCTOBER 9
Sept. 4, 2025 – The Cult reissue two of their acclaimed albums, Choice of Weapon and Hidden City, on vinyl on Oct. 17 via Cooking Vinyl.
Originally released in 2012 and 2016 respectively, the albums form part of a trilogy that witnessed the rebirth of the band with Record Collector dubbing Choice of Weapon “their best album in years,” and The Guardian noting Hidden City features “the strongest Cult songs in years” in a four-star review.
Available now for pre-order, Choice of Weapon arrives as a 2LP limited-edition color-in-color effect vinyl (LP1: red/black vinyl, LP2: purple.black vinyl). Hidden City has been newly remastered for vinyl by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound and is presented as a 2LP set (LP1: red vinyl and LP2: white vinyl).
Choice of Weapon was recorded in the California desert with Chris Goss (Queens of the Stone Age, Masters of Reality) at the helm and finished by long-time collaborator Bob Rock who first worked with the band on Sonic Temple. Driven by the lead single “For the Animals,” Choice of Weapon earned iTunes’ Rock Album of the Year in 2012 and debuted at #1 on the UK Rock Chart. Out of print since the original pressing, it has become one of The Cult’s most sought-after modern releases.
Hidden City, The Cult’s tenth studio album was also produced by Rock. Introduced by the sonic assault of “Dark Energy,” the 12-track collection is a master class in space and time, showcasing a band in its absolute prime.
The band embarks on a North American tour next month, with the special performances featuring two sets each night: one from the band’s post-punk origins as Death Cult, and another spanning The Cult’s stories discography. Tickets are on-sale now via TheCult.us. Patriarchy opens as special guests.
October 9 Niagara Falls, ON OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino October 11 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre October 14 New York, NY Beacon Theatre October 15 Washington, DC Warner Theatre October 17 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium October 18 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Center October 20 Fort Worth, TX Will Rogers Auditorium October 21 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre October 24 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl October 25 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum October 27 San Francisco, CA The Warfield October 29 San Diego, CA The Sound October 30 Los Angeles, CA The Shrine Auditorium
Raleigh (NC) – U.S. Black ‘N Rollers, Valletta, have signed to Lifeforce Records and are set to release new EP, Bitter Lucid Truth, on October 24.
There’s a palpable sense of urgency in Bitter Lucid Truth. Valletta’s second proper release embraces what guitarist and singer Keenan Carroll describes as “anger, repulsion and intolerance toward the current political landscape.” But for all its confrontational inspiration, it’s also one of the year’s most thrilling metal releases.
With Bitter Lucid Truth, the Raleigh, N.C. quartet of Carroll, drummer Justin Valletta, bassist Cody Rogers, and guitarist/backing vocalist Will Goodyear, churn negative emotions into forceful, dynamic and “just genuinely pissed-off” outbursts that are equally searing and soaring.
This should come as no surprise from the veteran troupe, whose collective resume spans a heavy spectrum from sludge to prog to black metal, in bands including Lord Almighty, Barishi, Mo’ynoq, Prayer for Cleansing, and Between the Buried And Me. And, indeed, Valletta’s 2024 debut, Summer, (Forcefield Records), defined a compelling hybrid of anthemic melody and bitter vitriol. But while Summer slung big riffs and even bigger hooks, Bitter Lucid Truth wields them like weapons.
“Aggressor” and “Cold Death” fuses the melodic impulses that have drawn comparisons to Tribulation and Kvelertak with a harsher, more belligerent approach more akin to Tragedy’s bold and defiantly melodic neo-crust. This is perhaps most apparent in the EP’s closing salvo, “Spitting the Word,” which answers “Doing Well’s” comparatively reflective tone with a vicious exclamation point. Of the song’s intent, Carroll says, “It’s time to speak your mind. No more thought paralysis.”
Managing to capture a boiling rage with a more dynamic and expansive approach to songwriting, Bitter Lucid Truth is a massive leap forward for the already ascendant band. Expect to see these vicious anthems take on a new life when Valletta brings them to the stage.
Bitter Lucid Truth will be available on limited 12″ splatter vinyl, CD Digipak, ultra-limited cassette , and digital formats. Pre-order/Pre-save the EP at: https://orcd.co/valletta_blt
U.S. tours are planned for October of this year, surrounding the EP’s October release. In 2026, Valletta will accompany a European tour with a re-release of Summer also expected through Lifeforce Records.
Line-Up:
Justin Valletta – Drums Cody Rogers – Bass Keenan Carroll – Guitar & Lead Vocals Will Goodyear – Guitar & Backing Vocals
Cascading Misery, the suffocating and ominous debut album from Pittsburgh-based death metal quartet RITUAL MASS, is now streaming ahead of its release this Friday on 20 Buck Spin.
The debut full-length album from RITUAL MASS is more than a collection of songs, it’s a series of calculated assaults on the virtue of the holy. Evolving beyond earlier EP and demo releases, Cascading Misery encapsulates the bludgeoning infliction of pain and the slow peel of skin by flame, rife with both sonic chaos and extinguished hope.
From the outset of album opener “Obsidian Mirror,” the atmosphere is oppressive, thick with a suffocating malaise. There is a sense of something ceremonial at work but not in a way that seeks communion. Rather it’s ordeal as sacrament. Riffs strangle and churn into convulsive submission, oscillating from slow agony to psychotic break, over which a guttural lament so savage it freezes the blood is wrenched through dungeon stone.
Each track unfolds like time spent in isolation, bound by chains, the mind slowly unraveling and surrounded by memories of torment both real and imagined. By the time the epic 14-minute album closer “Disquiet” dissipates into a mass of formless static, RITUAL MASS has dragged you into a world where suffering is not an end but a condition of existence. Cascading Misery is music for the dissolution of hope, the terror of being, and the long march toward death.
Cascading Misery was engineered by Greg Wilkinson at Mr. Smalls Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, with vocal tracking engineered by John Kerr, and mixed/mastered by Wilkinson at his Earhammer Studios in Oakland (Ulthar, Autopsy, Undergang, Vastum). The cover painting, logo, and layout were done by RITUAL MASS’s P. Trona with additional artwork by Bo Orr and Erik Von Bartholomaus and 35mm photography by J. Adams.
Stream RITUAL MASS’ Cascading Misery in its consuming entirety early on YouTube RIGHT HERE.
The signing of RITUAL MASS to the 20 Buck Spin roster marks the first band from the label’s current base in Pittsburgh. For fans of Vastum, Krypts, Phrenelith, Master, Incantation, Abhorrence, Funebrarum, and Disembowelment, RITUAL MASS must be heard.
photos by J. Adams
Cascading Misery will be released on LP, CD, MC, and digitally this Friday, September 5th. Find preorder options at the 20 Buck Spin webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE.
RITUAL MASS Live:
10/02/2025 Brillobox – Pittsburgh, PA *Cascading Misery record release show
RITUAL MASS is booking new dates in support of Cascading Misery, including a hometown release show for the album on October 2nd. Watch for further details and dates to be posted.
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!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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