The tremendous Testament begins their European Festival Summer 2026 Tour on June 29th in Antwerp, Belgium, at Middenvijver Park. Death Angel, Metal Church, Armored Saint and Hellripper join as guests on select dates!
06/29 – Antwerp, BEL @ Middenvijver 07/01 – Viveiro SPA @ Resurrection Fest 07/03 – Villaava, SPA @ Sala Totem Aretoa (feat. Hellripper) 07/04 – Barcelona, SPA @ Rock Fest 07/05 – Cartagena, SPA @ Rock Imperium Festival 07/07 – Zaragoza, SPA @ Teatro de las Esquinas (feat. Hellripper) 07/08 – Toulouse, FRA @ Le Bikini (feat. Hellripper) 07/29 – Bergen, NET @ Beyond The Gates Festival 07/31 – Rejmyre, SWE @ Skogsrojet Festival 08/01 – Gothenburg, SWE @ Pustervik (feat. Metal Church & Armored Saint) 08/02 – Lund, SWE @ Mejeriet (feat. Metal Church & Armored Saint) 08/04 – Kiel, GER @ Die Pumpe (feat. Metal Church) 08/05 – Leer, GER @ Zollhausverein (feat. Death Angel) 08/06 – Schlotheim, GER @ Party San 08/07 – Cologne, GER @ Essigfabrik (feat. Death Angel & Metal Church) 08/08 – Kortrijk, BEL @ Alcatraz Festival 08/09 – Derbyshire, UK @ Bloodstock Open Air 08/11 – Karlsruhe, GER @ Substage (feat. Death Angel & Metal Church) 08/12 – Obertraubling, GER @ Airport-Eventhall (feat. Death Angel & Metal Church) 08/13 – Krakow, POL @ Klub Studio (feat. Metal Church & Armored Saint) 08/14 – Moravsky Krumlov, CZE @ Rock Castle 08/15 – Dinkelsbuehl, GER @ Summer Breeze 08/16 – Eindhoven, NET @ Dynamo Metalfest
TESTAMENT:
Chuck Billy – vocals Eric Peterson – guitar Alex Skolnick – guitar Steve DiGiorgio – bass Chris Dovas – drums
The new studio album, Coronach, from Scotland’s Hellripper, will be released on CD, vinyl, cassette and digital formats by Century Media Records on March 27th 2026.
Boston-based progressive death metal band GRAVEBORN are set to return this spring with the release of their fifth full-length album Metempsychosis.
In the five years since the release of 2021’s Transmigrator, GRAVEBORN has been meticulously crafting their newest magnum opus – an 11-track concept album about continuity in the face of collapse.
Throughout the course of Metempsychosis, GRAVEBORN challenges themselves and the listener to stare into an internal and external abyss. Moving from inner psychological fracture to societal and species-wide decline, the album rejects narratives of tragedy or triumph, treating destruction as a necessary mechanism of transmission. Metempsychosis asks one question and refuses to soften the answer- what remains when everything else is gone?
Hear part of this journey with the album’s new single and final track, “Orthologs.” Watch the lyric video now at youtu.be/rdi995yM6pw.
Photo Credit: Totem Coast Photography
Reggie Lewis – Bass Jesse Blanchette – Guitars Chris Ramusiewicz – Guitars John LeBlanc – Vocals Marc Brennan – Drums
Vocalist John Leblanc describes the track as the album’s closing statement – a reflection on consciousness as continuity, and the nature of self-evolution.
“‘Orthologs’ is about what survives after annihilation, not as hope, but as function. It’s evolution under pressure. Forced transformation. The essential self persists, but the form changes radically. I don’t return to who I was. I don’t heal into the old shape. I become something else because survival requires it. Like orthologous genes, the structure diverges, but the core purpose remains intact. This isn’t triumphant. It’s real. It’s not a victory lap. It’s the moment after the maw, when something still stands. Not because it’s unbroken, but because it adapted.”
This song means: continuity is not comfort. Continuity is persistence. I am changed. I am not whole. But something essential still functions, still moves forward, still exists.
Not healed. Not restored. Still here.
And that is enough.”
Stream the album’s first two singles, “Ember of Existence” and “Temporal Sands” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Formed in 2013 in Boston, MA, Graveborn serves up an ethereally heavy strain of progressive death metal. Over the last decade, they have released 4 albums Samsara (2014), Seeds Of Life (2016), The Athenaeum (2018) and Transmigrator (2021). Graveborn performed throughout the Northeast US with the likes of Fallujah, Rivers of Nihil, Cognitive, Ghost Bath, Ov Sulfur, and others. Graveborn weaves the themes of self-evolution and introspection through their lyrics, and embodies this ethos in their collaborations.
WINTERSUN S/T – released back in 2004, via Nuclear Blast. Cover art by Kristian Wåhlin aka Necrolord.
Tobias Sammet’s AVANTASIA The Mystery Of Time – released back in 2013, via Nuclear Blast. Album cover art by Rodney Matthews.
Cinderella Long Cold Winter – released back in 1988, via Mercury Records. Yes, it’s surely been a long cold Winter.
SONATA ARCTICA Talviyö – released back in 2019, via Nuclear Blast. Cover photograph and editing by Finnish photographer Onni Wiljami. Layout by Janne Pitkänen.
Immortal At The Heart Of Winter – released back in 1999, via Osmose Productions. Cover artist: Jean Pascal Fournier. Graphic design by Grafik Sarl.
Thank you for visiting and checking out these album covers that scream Winter. I applaud all the artists that created the above album art! Stay safe out there and be kind to your fellow humans. – Stone
Miami hardcore band POWERPLAY enter a new chapter with the release of their latest single, “Liberosis,” marking the band’s first release since signing with Terminus Hate City. The track features a guest appearance from Andrew Neufeld of COMEBACK KID, adding another surge of energy and connection to the song’s message.
“Like many newer bands, we were born out of the pandemic,” says vocalist Adam Hussler. “We had all been writing and playing music with various other projects for many years. PowerPlay was actually never supposed to be a touring entity or anything it has become, but just a musical outlet. Like all things, it evolved, and we just rode the wave, so to speak.”
That growth and perspective are at the heart of “Liberosis.” The track confronts mental health struggles and the long standing emotional battles many people face every day. Built as an anthemic rally cry, the song centers on the realization that while life can feel overwhelming, no one has to face it alone.
“Liberosis” delivers a message of acceptance and solidarity. It reflects the understanding that we can only control certain aspects of our lives while drawing strength from friends, family, and community.
POWERPLAY is a hardcore band from Miami, Florida, formed in 2021 during a time when the world had slowed down but emotions were running high. What started as a creative outlet between longtime friends quickly gained momentum, turning into a full force band built on honesty, intensity, and connection.
Made up of Adam Hussler on vocals, Julius Lopez on drums, Andrew Herrero on bass, and Oscar Rodriguez on guitar, POWERPLAY bring together years of experience from various projects across the South Florida scene. Their sound draws influence from SICK OF IT ALL, BLOOD FOR BLOOD, WHERE FEAR AND WEAPONS MEET, and BURIED ALIVE, blending classic hardcore urgency with deeply personal themes.
Lyrically, POWERPLAY focus on real life struggles, mental health, personal responsibility, and the everyday weight of being human. Songs like “Liberosis” channel those themes into anthemic, shout along moments built for both personal reflection and packed rooms.
Since forming, POWERPLAY have built their name through relentless touring and high energy live performances. They have shared stages with bands across the hardcore scene and appeared at numerous festivals and tours throughout the United States and Central America.
Their 2024 EP Sealed Envelopes helped establish their presence, while continued touring and new releases have pushed the band into a new phase, including their recent signing to Terminus Hate City.
At their core, POWERPLAY are driven by authenticity. They write music that reflects their own lives, struggles, and perspectives, creating songs that connect through shared experience, unity, and the strength found in community.
Melodic deathcore band THE JOTUNN have released their newest single, “The Departure,” the final track on the upcoming physical edition of their album Summoner, available now. The song serves as both a closing statement for this chapter of the band and a powerful step toward what comes next.
Originally introduced as a three-song release, Summoner Part I established the foundation of the band’s current era. The physical edition expands the album with Part II, which includes “Blood Flower,” the band’s cover of “Suicide Nation,” and now the intense and cinematic closer, “The Departure.”
The track was recorded in Michigan with producer Josh Wickman, known for his work with WITHIN THE RUINS, KING 810 and WAKING THE CADAVER. The result is a sharpened and fully realized version of THE JOTUNN’s sound, combining punishing heaviness with dark melody and atmosphere. The song highlights a band that has refined its identity and emerged stronger than ever.
An official video for “The Departure” was filmed by Tom Stumpf, who also worked on the band’s previous two records. The visual continues THE JOTUNN’s tradition of pairing their music with unsettling and cinematic imagery that deepens the emotional impact of their work.
Lyrically, “The Departure” explores the disturbed mind of Ed Gein, focusing on psychological horror and mental unraveling rather than glorification. The band uses the story as a narrative lens to examine darkness, instability, and inner torment, matching the song’s intense and oppressive atmosphere.
With this release, THE JOTUNN bring the Summoner era to a powerful close while signaling a new beginning. “The Departure” represents the band at its most focused and evolved, offering a glimpse of an even heavier and more ambitious future.
About THE JOTUNN: Based out of Cleveland and Columbus Ohio, THE JOTUNN formed in 2021 after guitarist and songwriter Shawn Kahan presented a number of demos to Paul Kahan. Soon producer Cole Martinez (ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, WHITECHAPEL, ABORTED) was on board taking up the role of bassist and producer of their music.
Nick Amato (ATOMIC WITCH) performed drums on the band’s debut album Graveworshipper (2022), prior to Adam Biats joining the line-up. The outfit was awarded the Columbus Artist Grant in 2023, and subsequently in 2025.Cole left the band in June 2025 on good terms, leading to the arrival of Leo Debevc on guitar and Londyn Snow on bass.
Credits: Recording Studio: Dreadcore Productions Produced, Engineered, Mixed and Mastered: Josh Wickman Drum Pre-Production: Nick Hawkins Lyrics, Song and Performance by The Jötunn
The architect of crossover thrash is back. Nameless Grave Records is proud to announce the official release of the self-titled debut from SUBVERSION TRIGGER, the new Seattle-based powerhouse led by Les Evans (Cryptic Slaughter). The album will be available on CD and Cassette on February 25th, with pre-orders launched!
“I wanted to get back to something that felt immediate and dangerous,” says Evans regarding the project. “Subversion Trigger is the sound of us not overthinking it. Just raw, crossover energy with the volume pushed past the limit.”
For fans of the blistering speed of Municipal Waste, Excel, Cryptic Slaughter and the manic delivery of The Accüsed, this release is an essential addition to the crossover canon. With the digital version already circulating, these limited physical editions serve as the definitive “artifact” for collectors and die-hards alike.
Ukrainian black metal stalwarts LUCIFUGUM return with Adanom, a new gatefold 7” EP that stands as one of the most significant chapters in the band’s 31-year journey along the Damned Path. Released on January 31st, 2026 via Aesthetic Death, Adanom is a defiant statement of Satanic Black Metal Authentism: underground, uncompromising and forged in the harshest of circumstances.
The release marks the powerful return of Stabaath to vocal duties, following a serious throat injury, bringing renewed venom and intensity to the Coven’s sound. Created, recorded, and mixed under the shadow of missile and drone attacks in the Ukrainian cities of Mykolaiv and Kharkiv, Adanom carries a raw, unfiltered urgency that reflects both resilience and unwavering conviction.
Track-list:
Side A
AB(∞)RH(ВОЛЯ) – 00:57
Смола у крові нашій – 05:46 (Dedicated to all defenders of Ukraine, to everyone who keeps his/her own front line.)
SideB
Lucispear – 05:09 (Dedicated to the first Rebel, the first torch of Truth. To the One who is an example of Fortitude and Purposefulness.)
Montreal (QC) / Stockholm (SE) – International Progressive Metal band, Voidchaser, have announced the April 9th release of their second full-length album, titled Interstellar I.
Depicting themes of technological overreach, mass corruption and personal struggles related to identity, love and survival, the narrative unfolds within a vast, lore infused deep space universe. Interstellar I balances a dense and layered wall of sound with high-energy choruses and memorable melodies, where every moment serves the storytelling.
Musically, the album brings to mind the style of Devin Townsend’s Ziltoid the Omniscient and Dream Theater’s Systematic Chaos, while reinterpreting those influences through Voidchaser’s own modern and distinctive sound, while also drawing from classic foundations found in Deep Purple’s Machine Head and Black Sabbath’s Paranoid. With this release, Voidchaser returns with a level of maturity that defines their most ambitious and fully realized work to date.
Voidchaserwill release the album’s first single, “Welcome to the Terror Corp,” on February 13.
Photo Credit: Josh Kirschner
Line-Up:
Chad Bernatchez – Vocals, Guitar Jici Lord-Gauthier – Guitar, Bass Colin MacAndrew – Drums
On April 10th at Piranha Bar in Montreal, QC, Canada, Voidchaser will launch their new album, Interstellar I, performing it in its entirety in an exclusive live set, along with additional material. Omnivide and Jovian Storms will perform as special guests. More details at: voidchaser.net
Track Listing:
1. The Grand Design
2. Welcome to Terra Corp
3. Initiation Day
4. Hyperconverter
5. Anything for Love
6. Rain / Solar Winds
7. Ivory Tower
8. Renew
Credits:
Lyrics and Songwriting by Chad Bernatchez. Production and Arrangements by Jici Lord-Gauthier. Management and Booking by Jici Lord-Gauthier (Chaotic Good Music). Mixed and Mastered by Jason Poulin. Drums Recorded by David Lizotte. Session keyboards by Mathieu Fiset. Artwork by Sam Harwood. Photography by Josh Kirschner (Kirschner Studios).
Those are demonic icicles that are growing off our home. I kill them and they grow again.
Here in Dayton Ohio, it’s like a scene from the 2004 motion picture The Day After Tomorrow. I’m not usually this dire in my comparisons. Our poorly plowed neighborhood and seeing many cars getting stuck in the snow, with temperatures reaching -9 degrees Fahrenheit during daytime hours is not an ideal dreamscape that I usually yearn for.
It’s been several days since a record 14 inches of snow fell here, last Saturday into Sunday, with no mercy from the record sub-freezing temperatures. I have been physically isolated from the outside world and getting quite cabin happy. My saving grace has been listening to Metal.
Image credit: WHIO Channel 7, Dayton Ohio
Yes, I do have family and my dog Ozzy to turn to as well; yet music is unique therapy that puts me at a level of ease like none other. I know I’m not alone. I know it could be worse. God help us all.
With that off my whiner list, here are a few select choices of Metal I’ve been listening to for mental wellness. CKY is not a total Metal pick yet the relation is there. Maybe these current favorites of mine can help you through any bullshit you’re dealing with. Please enjoy and thank you for spending time here!
RAGE A New World Rising was released last year. This album is an astonishing accomplishment from this German pioneering Power Metal band! Not. One. Dull. Microsecond.
Wednesday 13 and Lord Of The Lost have teamed-up to punch my brain repeatedly, with their new song: I Hate People. I love everything about this song and more.
Over the years, CKY has always been there for me, with their maturing melodic and melancholic sound. Their vocal harmonies also do the magic trick too. The newest CKY song Can’t Stop Running, from last October, checks all the boxes!
Stay warm, stay safe and be kind to your fellow human beings – Stone.
AN EPIC 9-LP DELUXE COLLECTOR’S BOXSET MARKING 40 YEARS OF THE NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL LEGENDS, WITH FRESH AUDIO MASTERS. INCLUDING 48-PAGE BOOK & DVD WITH EXCLUSIVE NEWLY RECORDED CAREER INTERVIEW.
Initially forming under the moniker of Black Death, back in 1986, the star of Darkthrone has ascended with reverence and a degree of infamy over the course of four decades, to become one of the most notable metal bands to have emerged from Norway. Highly inspirational to a whole generation of bands, and also uncompromisingly steadfast throughout their now extensive catalogue, the long-standing duo of Fenriz & Nocturno Culto have remained dedicated to the art of the riff and forging their own path, relentlessly steering the band against the tide of trend.
DARKTHRONE – THE FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD ALBUM ARTWORK (FRONT COVER)
From the death/doom technicality of 1991’s debut masterpiece Soulside Journey, through the spearheading of the notorious “second wave of black metal” period of the earlier 1990s, and the integration of punk & heavy doom elements along the way, the Nordic titans have undoubtedly carved an exquisite & eclectic legacy.
DARKTHRONE – THE FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD (BACK COVER)
To celebrate these four decades of existence, Peaceville will release this limited deluxe mammoth 10 disc boxset – The Fist In The Face Of God on March 6th 2026.
“This box celebrates 40 years through forests and over heath and includes a filmed interview with us which is as rare as chicken teeth” – Fenriz
The set focuses on the purer black metal period of the band. Featuring nine classic albums in this collection, from the “unholy trinity” of Peaceville albums spanning 1992’s genre-defining A Blaze In The Northern Sky up until 1994’s Transilvanian Hunger opus, the set concludes with Darkthrone’s 2004 swansong for then label, Moonfog Productions, in the form of Sardonic Wrath.
Darkthrone circa 2001 – photo by Sebastian Ludvigsen
With each album having received a freshly updated master, courtesy of Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony, to ensure they remain in line with the originals, each title is also supplied with their original covers & sleeve designs & presented on heavyweight vinyl.
Furthermore, included in the set is a 48-page book written by longtime friend of the band, Harald Fossberg, detailing the career of Darkthrone through this essential period for the band’s development and output, and contains rare images from the period.
Accompanying this is a DVD with an exclusive new interview, recorded in 2025, with both Fenriz & NocturnoCulto, also conducted by Harald Fossberg, covering the full history of the band, plus bonus features in the form of a trilogy of interviews from 2003, plus the band’s rare 1996 live show in Oslo.
Finally, the set includes a selection of posters and art prints containing artwork and classic band photography.
Nameless Grave Records is proud to announce the March 27 release of ‘Heavy Metal Hairspray,’ the crushing new album from HEAVY METAL SHRAPNEL. Spearheaded by the mighty Andrew Lee (Ripped to Shreds) and featuring the legendary vocals of Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen), the album marks a shift toward a leaner, meaner brand of US Power Metal.
Eschewing the symphonic and styles of his recent work, Heavy Metal Hairspray sees Boals returning to the aggressive, riff-filled territory that defined his career-making performance on Yngwie Malmsteen’s Trilogy.
“Heavy Metal has long needed a kick in the balls. Mawkish nostalgia and ironic parody betray a lack of love and understanding for HEAVY METAL THUNDER, and heavy metal is all about love. This is the comeback of big hair and even bigger riffs”
The album also brings in another legendary musician on “Overdose,” featuring a guest appearance by keyboard wizard Derek Sherinian. Abandoning long-form indulgence, HEAVY METAL SHRAPNEL delivers high-impact songs that honor the legacy of Cacophony, Vinnie Moore, and Tony MacAlpine.
Today, you can get your first whiff of the aerosol can by checking out “Love is a Racket,” the first single from the new record.
NYC’s legendary hardcore pioneers AGNOSTIC FRONT have released the official lyric video for “You Say”, off of their latest album, Echoes In Eternity. Ferocious and energetic, the song captures the band’s trademark spirit of defiance in the face of hypocrisy. Powerful gang vocals drive this anthem of revolt, underpinned by charging guitars and thundering drums. The message is clear: AGNOSTIC FRONT refuses to cave to the injustices that plague modern society.
Vocalist Roger Miret comments: “‘YOU SAY’ is a war cry against the normalization of corruption and empty promises. Whether it be governments, corporations, or straight up con artists, they all have the same interests…. Their own! Our message has always been and will be ‘F**K YOU’ to these entities, and to hold them accountable.”
AGNOSTIC FRONT has also announced the highly-anticipated European leg of their “Echoes In Eternity” Tour, with dates in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, France, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Belgium. The tour features special guests WISDOM IN CHAINS and RAW BRIGADE.
With decades of influence on the global hardcore scene, AGNOSTIC FRONT continue to uphold their legacy as one of the most vital and uncompromising voices in punk music. Echoes in Eternity reaffirms their status as cultural torchbearers, channeling the same spirit that sparked from New York’s Lower East Side to inspire generations worldwide.
Rising Blackened Symphonic Death Metal force Eternios return with their monumental new single “Requiem of the North,” the title track from their highly anticipated sophomore album due out in late 2026. The single marks the next evolution of the project originally founded by multi‑instrumentalist and composer Colin Ryley (Hyperia, Bayonet Dismemberment), who launched Eternios as a studio‑only creative outlet before expanding it into a full live band.
Following the acclaimed 2025 debut Mysterium, praised for its fusion of aggressive black metal and sweeping orchestral arrangements, Eternios now sharpen their vision with a colder, more expansive sound rooted deeply in the landscapes that inspired it.
“Requiem of the North” is both a musical and emotional centerpiece for the upcoming album.
“This single and the album in general are my love letter to the northern wilderness of Canada. I’ve spent countless hours roaming the forests and mountains of Western Canada. That cold, melancholic silence you feel surrounded by snow and frost is something I wanted to channel directly into the music,”says Colin.
The track erupts with blast beats, tremolo‑picked harmonies, and sweeping orchestral layers before shifting into a massive, melodic chorus. A neo‑classical C‑section and a soaring dual‑guitar outro push the composition into cinematic territory, blending extreme aggression with haunting beauty.
Colin describes Eternios’ sonic identity in five words: Melodic, Aggressive, Melancholic, Intricate, Fast.
“Requiem of the North”embodies all of these traits while offering a polished and expanded version of the sound established on Mysterium. With the transition toward live performance, vocalist Marlee Ryley (Hyperia) now fronts the band, allowing Colin to focus fully on guitar and orchestrations.
“I’m very proud of how the single turned out. I think it’s a great representation of what’s coming on the full‑length. I hope fans of extreme black metal and extreme melodic metal both find something to connect with,” adds Colin.
The single’s artwork, created by renowned artist Mike Hrubovcak (Visual Darkness), is a chilling preview of the full album’s visual world.
“It’s very winter‑heavy. Icy blues, whites, and music notation swirling out of a polar blizzard. Mike’s work with Imperial Crystalline Entombment is some of my favourite black metal artwork ever, so collaborating with him was incredible,” says Colin.
Eternios remains a deeply personal project at its core. Colin explains further:
“All the songs were written by me, usually locked away for hours piecing together structures and symphonic arrangements until I’m satisfied. The music almost always comes first. The lyrics are shaped by the imagery the music creates.”
While the debut album was entirely written, performed, and produced by Colin Ryley, the new era of Eternios will see more collaboration as the full lineup solidifies. “Requiem for the North,” the album, will feature nine original tracks and one cover, delivering a sweeping journey through frostbitten atmospheres, melodic aggression, and symphonic grandeur. The album is expected in Spring 2026, with more singles to follow.
“This album contains all the darkness, harmony, and aggression that define Eternios. The songs have been flowing naturally, and I expect many more albums to come,”adds Colin.
Today, IGORRR presents their latest video, “Limbo.” The track comes by way of the outfit’s chart topping fifth album, Amen, released in September via Metal Blade Records.
French multi-instrumentalist and producer Gautier Serre has been operating under the name IGORRR for 20 years now, yet each new record still resounds with a startling freshness and radical vitality. Gautier’s steadfastly unclassifiable and stunning Amen full-length maintains this impact, blindsiding the listener with a new set of exploratory curveballs and continuing to surprise and unnerve even the most attuned enthusiast. The record includes guest appearances by Scott Ian (Anthrax), Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle), and Mike Leon (CKY, ex-Soulfly).
Of “Limbo,” Gautier elaborates, “It’s an endless battle between good and evil. Beauty navigates through evil, always keeping its head above the surface, even in the heaviest storm.”
European fans can catch IGORRR live next month on an extensive headlining tour with support provided by their Metal Blade labelmates Dvne as well as Thoughtcrimes. Secure your tickets now as many shows have already sold out! Additional live performances will be announced in the weeks to come. See all confirmed dates below.
IGORRR w/ Dvne, Thoughtcrimes: 2/05/2026 La Boite Noire – Meisenthal, FR 2/06/2026 Im Wizemann Hall – Stuttgart, DE 2/07/2026 Backstage Werk – Munich, DE 2/08/2026 Alcatraz – Milan, IT 2/10/2026 Kino Siska – Ljubljana, SI 2/11/2026 Gasometer – Vienna, AT 2/12/2026 Roxy – Prague, CZ 2/13/2026 Barba Negra – Budapest, HU 2/14/2026 Progresia – Warsaw, PL 2/16/2026 Loftas – Vilnius, LT 2/17/2026 Helitehas – Tallinn, EE 2/18/2026 Kulttuuritalo – Helsinki, FI 2/20/2026 Fryshuset – Stockholm, SE 2/21/2026 Rockefeller – Oslo, NO 2/22/2026 Amager Bio – Copenhagen, DK 2/24/2026 Metropol – Berlin, DE 2/25/2026 FZW – Dortmund, DE 2/26/2026 Tivoli – Utrecht, NL 2/27/2026 L’Aeronef – Lille, FR 2/28/2026 Le 106 – Rouen, FR
Switzerland’s rock heavyweights GOTTHARD return with a brand-new single, “Smiling in the Pouring Rain”, a stripped-down, heartfelt moment led by Nic Maeder’s warm, comforting voice. The song is about finding strength in hard times and remembering that the storm always passes.
The idea was to give it a positive vibe. Even if sometimes life could be sad, or sometimes even sadder. What you always have to keep in mind is that something good is always going to come sooner or later. So you have to keep believing in what you do, and especially in yourself. We’re trying to give a little bit of hope. That’s the idea behind this song.” — Leo Leoni
“This song is basically about life and the unexpected great things that can come out of bad times. Life can feel like a never-ending roller coaster, and this track is kind of our take on ‘Singing in the Rain’.” — Nic Maeder
“Smiling in the Pouring Rain” showcases once again GOTTHARD’s ability to craft emotionally resonant rock music that uplifts as much as it moves.
Nic Maeder (vocals), Leo Leoni (Guitar) Photo: Manuel Schütz
“Smiling in the Pouring Rain” will be included in GOTTHARD’s upcoming mini-album, More Stereo Crush, set for release on March 13, 2026, through RPM. Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Leo Leoni, mastered by Sascha “Busy” Bühren, and featuring artwork by Manuel Schütz and Thomas Ewerhard, the album continues to highlight the band’s signature mix of melodic hooks, powerful vocals, and rock-solid instrumentation.
More Stereo Crush – Tracklist:
Right Now
Ride The Wave
Liverpool [feat. Marc Storace]
Smiling In The Pouring Rain
Snafu
Don’t Miss The Call
Mayday
Burning Bridges [Radio Edit]
GOTTHARD Live:
06.06.2026, CH, Bellinzona, Nevermind Music Fest 07.06.2026, CZ, Plzen, Metalfest 03.07.2026, ES, Barcelona, Barcelona Rock Fest 05.07.2026, SWE, Knislinge, Time to Rock Festival 11.07.2026, BG, Mogilovo Village, Midalidare Rock 16.07.2026, D, Schopfheim, Sommersound 17.07.2026, A, Thüringerberg 18.07.2026, A, Innsbruck, Innsbruck Music Hall 23.07.2026, D, Tuttlingen, Honberg Sommer 24.07.2026, D, Mosbach, Rock FM Open Air 25.07.2026, D, Esslingen (Neckar), Burg Esslingen Open Air 22.08.2026, CH, Aarburg, Riverside 28.08.2026, CH, Arbon, SummerDays 29.08.2026, CH, Spiez, Seaside Festival 06.11.2026, CH, Fribourg, Bellarena
Szczecin, Poland; 26 January 2026: Hells Bells Festival has unveiled the first wave of bands for its debut edition in the heart of Szczecin in Poland. Taking place across 26-27 June 2026 at the scenic Plac Gryfitów on Łasztownia – a historic island district in Szczecin known for its iconic “Craneosaurs” (historic port cranes) and stunning views of the Oder River – the festival will deliver a mix of international legends, top domestic acts and younger new bands.
The first wave of confirmed bands is led by the absolute titans of Polish death metal, Vader. Known globally as pioneers of the genre, Piotr “Peter” Wiwczarek and his cohort return to Szczecin for a highly anticipated performance, ending a long absence from the city’s stages to deliver a set of pure carnage.
Joining them are British hardcore punk icons, Discharge. As the architects of the D-beat style and the legendary 1982 classic “Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing”, their appearance completes the “Big Three” of British punk in Szczecin, following recent visits from The Exploited and GBH.
The announcement is bolstered by two further legendary Polish names. Dezerter, the pioneers of Polish punk rock, will celebrate their 45th anniversary at the festival. Following the release of a new studio album in February 2026, fans can expect a career-spanning set ranging from foundational hits to fresh anthems.
Finally, Furia will bring their hypnotic and boundary-pushing black metal to the Łasztownia waterfront. This appearance is currently the band’s only confirmed festival set for the 2026 summer season. It follows the band’s recent, highly acclaimed “Furia gra kino” (Furia plays cinema) performances, which saw the band perform live to archival film material.
Early Bird weekend tickets are available now via the official festival website until the 9th of February or until they sell out. In addition to standard passes, the festival offers reduced rates for minors (ages 13-18) and special family tickets (for children under 13 with a guardian).
Time To Kill Records is set to ignite Miami with a special celebration on the eve of one of the world’s most iconic metal gatherings. On January 28th, the label will host a party at Las Rosas, Miami, bringing together fans and artists for a night of extreme music, community and pure underground energy.
Taking place the day before 70000 Tons of Metal sets sail, the event serves as a meeting point for the global metal scene already descending on the city.
The night will be headlined by a live performance from RECORRUPTOR, the ferocious death metal outfit from the Time To Kill Records roster, ready to deliver a crushing set that embodies the label’s uncompromising spirit.
In addition to the live show, the evening will feature DJ sets, exclusive giveaways, and special surprises, creating a full-scale celebration of heavy music culture and the growing presence of Time To Kill Records in the international metal landscape.
Louisiana metal legends CROWBAR – led by riff lord and vocalist Kirk Windstein with guitarist Matt Brunson, drummer Tommy Buckley, and returning bassist Pat Bruders (Down, ex-Goatwhore) – will join their brethren in Eyehategod for the second leg of their US co-headlining tour this Spring. The journey begins on March 19th in Baton Rouge and runs through April 18th in New Orleans. As an added bonus, Bl’ast will appear on select dates.
Tickets are on sale now at: crowbarnola.com/tour. See all confirmed dates below.
CROWBAR w/ Eyehategod: 3/19/2026 Chelsea’s Live – Baton Rouge, LA 3/20/2026 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX 3/21/2026 The Haltom Theater – Haltom City, TX 3/22/2026 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM 3/23/2026 Rockhouse – El Paso, TX 3/24/2026 Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ 3/25/2026 Soda Bar – San Diego, CA 3/26/2026 Swan Dive – Las Vegas, NV 3/27/2026 Ventura Music Hall – Ventura, CA 3/29/2026 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA w/ Bl’ast 3/30/2026 John Henry’s – Eugene, OR w/ Bl’ast 3/31/2026 Ray’s Golden Lion – Richland, WA w/ Bl’ast 4/01/2026 Dante’s – Portland, OR w/ Bl’ast 4/02/2026 El Corazon – Seattle, WA w/ Bl’ast 4/03/2026 Chameleon – Spokane, WA w/ Bl’ast 4/04/2026 The Shrine – Boise, ID w/ Bl’ast 4/05/2026 Aces High – Sale Lake City, UT w/ Bl’ast 4/06/2026 Oil City Brewing – Casper, WI 4/07/2026 The Oriental – Denver, CO w/ Bl’ast 4/08/2026 The Record Bar – Kansas City, MO 4/09/2026 The Blue Note – Columbia, MO 4/10/2026 Stage Two – Evansville, IN 4/11/2026 Madison Live (matinee show) – Covington, KY 4/11/2026 Madison Live – Covington, KY 4/12/2026 Eastside Bowl – Nashville, TN 4/13/2026 Eulogy – Asheville, NC 4/14/2026 Super Rad Arcade – Lynchburg, VA 4/15/2026 The Bunker – Virginia Beach, VA 4/16/2026 Reggie’s 42nd Street – Wilmington, NC 4/17/2026 The Eastern – Atlanta, GA w/ Acid Bath 4/18/2026 Tipitinas – New Orleans, LA
CROWBAR’s most recent studio offering, the critically acclaimed Zero And Below, was released in April 2022 via MNRK Heavy. Produced, mixed, and mastered by Duane Simoneaux at OCD Recording And Production in Metairie, Louisiana, Zero And Below is the band’s most unforgivably doom-driven record since their 1998 landmark effort, Odd Fellows Rest.
CROWBAR was created in 1990 from the ashes of The Slugs! Original members Kirk Windstein and Jimmy Bower (Down, Eyehategod) had a vision to move away from the trendier thrash sound of that time, and create their own brand of doom metal with a bit of upbeat hardcore mixed in. Heavily influenced by The Melvins, Carnivore, Trouble, Saint Vitus and a blend of Black Sabbath meets East Coast Hardcore.
CROWBAR set out to create an original sound which has become influential to many bands over the last 36 years. Windstein is the only original member and has helped carry the band through numerous lineups and twelve critically acclaimed albums.
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