London technical metal unit PERPETUAL PARADOX will soon unleash their newest EP, May Misery Befall You.
This five-song rager pulls PERPETUAL PARADOX back towards a riff-first approach to songwriting, technical death metal with blast beats, shred and melody, without letting the technicality take center stage. After the broader sprawl of their 2025 full-length, Deathwish, the band sought to make something more focused and unified, where riffs, solos, breakdowns and stronger compositional turns feel like proper sections rather than ideas stitched together in the studio.
This is showcased in the EP’s lead single, “Smell the Rot.” Considered by the band to be the EP at its most frantic and technical, the song is packed with blast beats, chromatic riffing, odd chords, and the only “real shred” moment on the record. Written under a heavy Black Dahlia Murder influence, “Smell the Rot” folds bluesy, off-kilter lead work into a song about societal decay and the grim acceptance that the rot has already taken hold.
“This song is basically about humanity embracing its own collapse,” comments the band. “The idea is that we’re already too far gone and you can almost smell the decay in the air before everything fully falls apart. The ‘blighted lord’ can be interpreted in different ways, whether that’s death, corruption or humanity itself. The line ‘apostates together, but dying alone’ is really important because even though society is more connected than ever, we’re still completely disconnected from each other. In a twisted way the song is almost making fun of unity, because the only time humanity truly becomes one is once we’re reduced to a pile of ash.”
Watch the official music video for “Smell the Rot” at this location.
May Misery Befall You is due out on August 28th, via Bleeding Art Collective.
Germanic black metal wargods MYSTIC CIRCLE are preparing to tour LATAM this October in support of MALEVOLENT CREATION marking their first live shows in two decades. Both MYSTIC CIRCLE and MALEVOLENT CREATION will be joining SIX FEET UNDER in Zapote, Costa Rica, on October 17.
Led by Beelzebub and A. Blackwar, MYSTIC CIRCLE craft their own distinctive brand of old-school death and black metal infused with traditional metal elements and influenced by the soundtracks of horror. Dark legends and tales of witchtrials of their native homeland bleed through the tracks on the latest album Hexenbrand 1486 first released on October 31, 2025, via ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music.
A. Blackwar and Beelzebub will be joined by an array of talented guest musicians to bring their inescapable sound to life in an unforgettable live ritual.
LATAM Tour 2026 Dates:
Oct 16 – Ciudad de México, Mexico – Hendrix Circus Bar Oct 17 – Zapote, Costa Rica – Pepper’s Club* Oct 18 – Bogota, Columbia – TBT Oct 20 – Lima, Peru – Yield Rock Oct 22 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Cariola Oct 23 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – El Teatrito Oct 24 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Hangar 110
*Supporting SIX FEET UNDER
About MYSTIC CIRCLE: MYSTIC CIRCLE‘s first ritual began in the early 90s. Following a period of hiatus, 2022 saw the return of the band anew with the self-titled Mystic Circle album that was rewarded with a sensational #78 place in the German album charts. This was continued the following year with Erzdämon and now completed with Hexenbrand 1486 released via ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music, in 2025.
MYSTIC CIRCLE sound unmistakable, their trademarks are manifold and their hunger seems almost insatiable. What the duo has created in recent years is unparalleled and continues the legacy that the band created in the nineties with their classics Drachenblut (1998) and Infernal Satanic Verses (1999). MYSTIC CIRCLE themselves describe their style as extreme metal, their very own mix of old-school death and black metal, traditional heavy metal of the eighties and horror soundtracks.
With their latest full length, Hexenbrand 1486,MYSTIC CIRCLE also achieved a notable milestone as the album contains the band’s 100th song. Across 2026 the band are turning their focus to the live stage, preparing to unleash the shadows upon audiences across Latin America.
MYSTIC CIRCLE Is: Beelzebub – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards A. Blackwar – Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Keyboards
Maryland-based Death/Thrash crew, Ninth Realm, will release their sophomore album, Damnation’s Veil, on August 28th, via Transcending Obscurity Records.
Damnation’s Veil is a consistent blend of death-thrash, metallic hardcore, black metal and traditional heavy metal. The album will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.
Ninth Realm has released three singles from the album. Those are:
Amelia Morris (Bass) Charles House (Rhythm Guitar) Ben Hageage (Vocals) Joey Burke (Drums) Liam McMahon (Lead Guitar)
Tracked between April and July 2025, the production process for Damnation’s Veil was split between recording drums, guitars and bass with Matthew Michel at Viva Studios (Goetia, Antichrist Siege Machine, Infant Island, Left Cross, Blood Monolith) in Fairfax, VA, while vocals were handled by Sebastian Philips (Exhumed, Mammoth Grinder) at his home studio in Dundalk, MD.
In other news, Ninth Realm has announced an album listening party and album release show, both of which will take place in Washington, D.C.. The Damnation’s Veil album listening party happens on August 29th at Lyman’s Tavern. The album release show will take place on on October 9th at Pie Shop.
Cover art by Jerry “Wyrmwalk” Hionis (Frozen Soul, Morgul Blade, High Command, Inhuman Nature, Troncale, Wrecking Ball, Maul)
Influences on this record include: Iron Age, Bolt Thrower, Mercyful Fate, Power Trip, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Dissection, Autopsy and Candlemass.
BIO:
Ninth Realm is a death-thrash band founded in Maryland and the surrounding DMV area. Formed in 2019, the band has released six individual recordings, including a demo, two EPs, a promo tape, and a full-length album, as well as several splits and compilations with other bands. Drummer Joey Burke and lead guitarist Liam McMahon started the project while in college at the University of Maryland.
Conceptually, the band draws from Joey’s original dark fantasy world, Tythorin; a setting shaped by themes of vengeance, fate, grief, trauma, and the indomitable willpower of the human spirit.
Czechia OSDM beasts Sněť are set to release their newest full-length, V bažinách vědomí.
Having annihilated the underground with their 2021 debut LP and kept things flowing with two splits in the interim, this promises to be an excellent slab of old-school death metal.
Experience the madness to come with the music video for the album’s first single, “Kladivo ve tmě.”
Sněť is: Krutörr – drums Hnisatel – guitars Hrdlořez – bass Ransolič – guitars Řád Zdechlin – vocals
V bažinách vědomí kicks right in with ominous and eerie atmospherics coupled with some absolutely revolting grooves; it is clear these fiends mean business. It should be abundantly obvious that Sněť have been refining their craft to something precise and lethal.
Keeping those ’90s hallmarks intact while adding subtle touches that show they’ve found their own identity, the album delivers a gruesomeness and discomfort that reflects the band’s evolution without sacrificing any of its punishing intensity.
Consuming the listener with an eldritch atmosphere while piercing through the fog with pure rancidity, Sněť’s new album boasts a massive production that crushes with total morbidity. Combining the mulch-like tones of death metal’s golden era with an even warmer, more classic sound creates a devastating mix.
Beyond its grotesque exterior lies a savage and gripping record, balancing memorable hooks with violent, chaotic passages. There is no pretence to Sněť, they simply play death metal the way they want to hear it, and that shines throughout V bažinách vědomí. If you love brutality, grooves, death, and riffs, don’t miss this one.
V bažinách vědomí – track list:
1) Tíha světů
2) Kladivo ve tmě
3) Natur
4) Ve stínu slunce
5) Apokalyptický smaragd budoucí doby
6) Moskyt
7) Jako každý
8) Nekončící koloběh snění a probouzení
9) Dřevěný kůl
10) Znetvořená panna
V bažinách vědomí was recorded at Golden Hive Studio by Amák Golden, and mixed and mastered by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios. Cover art by Řád Zdechlin (Tomáš Mitura).
NEW VIDEO FOR ‘BRAIN MATTER DISPLACEMENT’ STREAMING NOW!
Alabama metallic hardcore wrecking crew NO CURE have officially released their long-awaited debut full-length, It Is Going To Get Dark, available now via SharpTone Records. To celebrate the album’s arrival, the band has also unveiled a new music video for the crushing standout track, ‘Brain Matter Displacement.’
Across twelve unrelenting tracks, It Is Going To Get Darkcaptures the fury, frustration, and uncompromising intensity that has made NO CURE one of the fastest-rising names in modern hardcore. Blending metallic aggression, death metal precision, and hardcore grit, the album pushes the band’s sound further than ever before while remaining rooted in the raw energy that has fueled their rapid ascent.
Commenting on their debut, vocalist Blaythe Steuer says:
“There is a deep malaise overhead as we are subjected to the way the world is turning. It is clear that things are getting worse, and there is no end in sight. This fixation combined with the gruelling touring lifestyle we’ve lived the past few years has resulted in the perfect first No Cure LP. We recorded this deep in the woods of Alabama between tours, and loss surrounded the band as it was being written. Despite the great shows and tours we’ve been doing, this has been a painful time for the band. Each song has purpose and it is critically important that we deliver a record that is worth listening to from start to finish. If you don’t see that it is going to get dark yet… you will soon.“
Photo Credit: Nick Chance
Coinciding with their new release, the new video for ‘Brain Matter Displacement’ delivers a fitting visual companion to one of the album’s most devastating tracks, matching its relentless pace and crushing heaviness with a visceral performance-driven presentation.
Already hailed as one of the year’s most anticipated hardcore releases, It Is Going To Get Darkbuilds on the momentum of previously released singles including ‘Convulsing In The Dark‘ and ‘Slowly Turning Blue,’ further cementing NO CURE’s reputation for combining crushing riffs, uncompromising heaviness, and memorable songwriting into a sound that refuses to pull its punches.
Fans can catch NO CURE on their current headline tour, featuring support from BIG ASS TRUCK I.E., BAYWAY, and BOLTCUTTER. Tickets are available HERE.
It Is Going To Get DarkTrack-list:
1. When The Spasms Cease 2. Oblivion Crusade 3. Brain Matter Displacement (Ft. Jayway) 4. Slowly Turning Blue 5. Ironclad (Ft. Tyler Short) 6. Starved In Sanctuary (My Hands Are In Your Chest Cavity) 7. My World In Flames 8. Convulsing In The Dark 9. Sharpen The Blade (Ft. Skyler Condor) 10. Purity Spiral (Ft. Vincent Bennett) 11. I Am Still Fucking Straight Edge 12. Everything I Love Is Dead or Dying
‘WHEN THE SPASMS CEASE’
‘SLOWLY TURNING BLUE’
‘CONVULSING IN THE DARK’
NO CURE – Tour Dates:
W / BIG ASS TRUCK I.E., BAYWAY & BOLTCUTTER July 9 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar July 10 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere July 11 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground July 12 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom July 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Ukie Club July 14 – Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground July 15 – Lakewood, OH – Mahall’s July 16 – Toronto, ON – Hard Luck July 17 – Detroit, MI – The Sanctuary July 18 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge July 21 – Denver, CO – HQ July 22 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court July 24 – Palmdale, CA – Transplants July 25 – Oxnard, CA – Mystery Shop (★) July 28 – Dallas, TX – RBC July 29 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Underground July 31 – Orlando, FL – The Abbey Aug 1 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade Aug 2 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819 Aug 3 – Richmond, VA – The Canal Club Aug 9 – Houston, TX – The End Aug 11 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street (★) Aug 13 – Las Vegas, NV – American Legion Post 8 Aug 14 – San Diego, CA – Corazon Del Barrio Aug 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Sound And Fury (☆)
New Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available
Long-running German thrash outfit EXUMER will release their new full-length, Death Mask Messiah, on August 28th through Metal Blade Records.
Death Mask Messiah, which marks the band’s first new studio output in seven years, further cements EXUMER’s legacy as a dauntless thrash metal institution. A logical and compelling progression from the German legend’s three previous albums, the 11 ferocious songs, produced by Dominic Paraskevopoulos (Kreator, Caliban) and mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk (Soulfly, King Diamond), take a more brutal and direct musical approach.
“We are a lot more aggressive than on Hostile Defiance and are returning to a more ‘in your face’ style on Death Mask Messiah,” confirms co-founding vocalist Mem V. Stein. “We’re furthering the process that began with our first offering for Metal Blade, 2012’s Fire & Damnation, where we wanted to sound like a contemporary band while maintaining the spirit and our musical heritage of the 1980s.”
Recorded from December 2025 through January 2026, Death Mask Messiah is EXUMER’s sixth album and fourth for Metal Blade. It’s also the first EXUMER LP recorded with the rhythm section of drummer Jerome Reil and bass player Alex Voss. “They have formidably integrated themselves as musicians and friends into the EXUMER tapestry,” Mem says. “You can feel their young energy, coupled with our trademark aggression and experience. The band sounds more focused and yet raw, thanks to their addition to the lineup.”
Death Mask Messiah also surprises: There’s a guest and a cover song: Nasty Ronnie from American metal legends Nasty Savage sings on EXUMER’s version of his band’s track “Unchained Angel.” EXUMER supported the band in 1988 on their first European tour.
The record is inspired conceptually by US politics of the last decade, the pandemic, the use of misinformation to stir up cultural divides, and the like. Mem also mused on the 30-year anniversary of Waco, Texas and the standoff with the Branch Davidians. “David Koresh was a false prophet and wore a death mask, manipulating and leading his followers to certain death,” Mem says. “Each song on Death Mask Messiah picks up an individual theme of these two strains of thought.”
For instance, the title track and lead single brings everything together with the Waco raid/siege and Koresh as the main character but also paints a universal picture of charlatans who lead the United States to hell with their lust for power.
Mem further elaborates, “We deliberately chose this track as the first single, as the sonic assault of its main riff and the lyrical concept represent the totality of our intentions for this album. It marks a clear step toward elevating the band to the next level of our career, leaving nothing to the imagination and reinforcing our place as one of the most powerful forces in the entire genre.”
Death Mask Messiah, which features front art and layout by Björn Gooßes of Killustrations (Sodom, Vomitory), will be released on CD-Digipak and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
180g Black “Galaxy” Red/Black “Saturn” Grey/Brown Ripple (Ltd. 250) “Onyx” Black Ice w/ White Splatter (Ltd. 250)
EXUMER Live: 10/23/2026 Nuclear Winter Festival 2026 – Hirschaid, DE 11/21/2026 Alcatraz & Pluto Festival – Deinze, BE 2/20/2027 Endzeit Festival 2027 – Essen, DE
EXUMER: Mem V. Stein – vocals Ray Mensh – guitars Marc B. – guitars Alex Voss – bass Jerome Reil – drums
VADER – REIGN FOREVER IN KINGDOM OF BLOOD with: JUNGLE ROT, FLESHCRAWL, TRASH PANDA
Sep-5 Milwaukee, WI @ X-Ray Arcade Sep-6 Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary Sep-7 Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge Sep-8 Albany, NY @ Empire Underground Sep-9 Lowell, MA @ Taffeta Music Hall Sep-10 Montreal, QC @ Le Studio TD Sep-11 Quebec City, QC @ Festival Envol & Macadam Sep-12 Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom Sep-14 Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows Sep-15 Bensalem, PA @ Broken Goblet Sep-16 Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819 Sep-17 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Hell) Sep-18 Orlando, FL @ Conduit Sep-19 Ft Lauderdale, FL @ Cultiure Room Sep-20 Tampa, FL The Orpheum Sep-22 Austin, TX @ Come and Take it Live Sep-23 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar Sep-24 Haltom City, TX @ Haltom Theater Sep-25 Tulsa, OK @ The Shrine Sep-26 Lincoln, NE @ 1867 Bar Sep-27 Chicago, IL @ Reggies Rock club
Chicago (IL) – Progressive Tech-Death stalwarts, GIGAN, have announced the Summer Séances Tour 2026! All dates will be in August, culminating in a headline appearance at Zymurder Fest IV on August 22.
The band released the following statement concerning the tour:
“GIGAN will soon be traveling towards our headlining performance at Zymurder Fest IV Saturday, August 22nd and we are playing some excellent places on the way there! We are ecstatic to return to the road; particularly since our last tour was cut short, and we are definitely ready to rearrange the imaginations of those that join GIGAN at our performances this time around! We look forward to seeing all of you that we can during the Summer Séances Tour 2026!”
Tour Dates:
August 15 – The Wood Shop – Brooklyn, NY
August 16 – Dingbatz-Clifton, NJ
August 19 – Sanctuary – Hamtramck, MI
August 21 – The Annex – Madison, WI
August 22 – Zymurder Fest – Menomonie, WI
Tour poster art and layout by the burgeoning king of swing, Erik Pertl!
Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus, GIGAN‘s first album in seven years, was released October 25, 2024 on CD, Ltd edition CD long box, vinyl, cassette, Ltd edition four-album cassette boxset, and digital formats via Willowtip Records.
Since 2005, GIGAN has been an unsung vanguard of abstract and creatively dissonant extreme metal. Pushing boundaries and never compromising the artistic vision throughout the debut EP and subsequent four full-length albums has led GIGAN to be considered an unwavering force of both innovation and extremity.
It has been almost seven years since GIGAN has released new music and the time spent away has only honed and sharpened the still-deadly blades of creativity for which GIGAN has always been known; while also infusing fresh elements not yet heard within the GIGAN Universe. The results of GIGAN’s current hard work is their new beast of an album entitled Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus.
HYPOCRISY will continue their Mass Hallucination North American Tour this August, with newly added headline dates surrounding their upcoming run as special guest to DIMMU BORGIR.
Presented by Heart of Music Agency, the tour will bring HYPOCRISY across Canada and the United States, with select headline performances added in key markets including New York, Omaha, Salt Lake City, and San Diego.
Known for their crushing live presence and uncompromising extreme metal legacy, HYPOCRISY return to North America for a powerful summer run that will give fans both full headline sets and major support appearances alongside Dimmu Borgir.
HYPOCRISY — Mass Hallucination North America 2026:
08/10 – Toronto, ON – History * 08/11 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS * 08/12 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre 08/13 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre * 08/14 – Chicago, IL – The Vic * 08/15 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore * 08/16 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room 08/18 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom * 08/19 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall 08/21 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield * 08/22 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at House of Blues 08/23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo *
* Special guest to Dimmu Borgir
About HYPOCRISY:
HYPOCRISY has a 30 year history with 12 albums, hundreds of gigs all over the world, and thousands of fans. This influential Swedish death metal band started from the will of one person, and this person’s name was (and is) Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, THE ABYSS, PAIN, ex-LINDEMANN). Having made the first demos all by himself, after getting an offer from Nuclear Blast, he invited musicians to form an actual band.
Since then, HYPOCRISY gained success with its records and rocking live performances, and evolved musically and conceptually. Heavy and rich sound with catchy melodic riffs, crushing drum fills, obscure lyrics and versatile vocal parts became a signature style of the band. Its discography from debut Penetralia to the recent Worship, through such legendary albums as The Fourth Dimension, Abducted, and Virus, it’s indeed a thrilling metal journey. A journey that continues.
Today, apart from Peter, the band consists of Mikael Hedlund (bass), who joined HYPOCRISY back in 1991. Guitarist Thomas Elofsson is a session member since 2013. In 2022, the band was joined by a session drummer Henrik Axelsson.
Don’t let the name ‘Hypocrisy’ trick you: Peter Tägtgren stays true to himself, to the music and the fans, never stops creating and never settles for less than perfect.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the new EP from Västmanland Sweden’s Black Metal beasts Gast. Förbannelser is up now for pre-order and will be released July 31st on CD and Digital formats along with merch.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions welcome Gast to the roster with the new EP Förbannelser! Gast channel the dark and cold essence of the northern landscapes through intense Black Metal. Their music combines raw intensity with haunting melodies, while their lyrics explore themes of evil, madness and folklore.
Förbannelser (which translates to Curses) explores death, decay, greed, nightmares and the end of humanity. Curses lie at the core, driving the downfall of both individuals and the world itself, taking shape as despair, insatiable greed, spreading plague and the final collapse. Gast deliver a wave of northern darkness, crafted for those who crave intensity, atmosphere and the presence of something ancient and malevolent rising beneath the surface.
For fans of Marduk, Grá, Necrophobic, Hate, Black Curse, Profanatica, Stormruler and Cloak.
Australian death-doom collective REEKMIND unveil the full stream of their new EP Glints From The Crematorium, now available through an exclusive premiere hosted by Death Metal Promotion. Set for release on July 24, 2026, via Night Terrors Records on CD and 12” vinyl formats. The new release expands the band’s bleak and immersive sonic identity, pushing their approach beyond the foundations established with their debut full-length.
Rooted in massive riffs, oppressive atmospheres and an overwhelming sense of emotional collapse, REEKMIND continues to channel a form of catharsis where despair and weight coexist in perfect balance. The new material preserves the raw and organic intensity that defined the band’s earlier work, while broadening its expressive scope through more fluid structures and a deeper focus on tension, contrast and immersive pacing.
The EP also features guest vocals by Daniel Butler (Vastum, Decrepisy, Acephalix) on “Flesh Draped on a Pitiful Frame”, adding an additional layer of hostility and anguish to the release. Furthermore, the track “Rehearsal in a Body of Death”will appear exclusively as a bonus track on the physical edition and will not be made available digitally.
Track-list:
Flesh Draped on a Pitiful Frame
Cyst Megalith
Rehearsal in a Body of Death (Bonus Track)
Line-up:
Dane – Vocals & Lyrics Nicholas – Guitars Lem – Bass Ned – Drums
Recorded and mixed by Lewis Noke Edwards at Black Lodge Studios in August & October 2025.
Mastered by Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound Studios.
Rehearsal In a Body of Death performed live at Black Lodge Studios.
Additional vocals on “Flesh Draped on a Pitiful Frame” by Daniel Butler. Artwork by Lord_Serus. Photography by Keegan Thomas.
Finnish black metallers BLOODMOTHER will release their debut album Militant Black Magic on September 25th, 2026, via Time To Kill Records.
A sharp and uncompromising record, it refuses shortcuts and avoids hiding behind pretentious structures or overly foggy atmospheric detours. Instead, it focuses on pure impact and precision, built entirely on riffs that cut deep and leave no room for distraction.
The album stands as a severe statement of intent, stripping everything back to its essential violence and clarity, delivering a sound that is direct, punishing and relentlessly focused on damage rather than ornament.
The first single“Liturgical Decay” is available now:
“Liturgical decay, the meaningless ritualization of dead flesh. When Death calls and the pious decompose, the futility of their faith becomes evident. This is what Bloodmother is all about, a sonic war machine rolling over your graves in celebration of the end of life”.
Formed in 2021 by Kuolontuoja, BLOODMOTHER was conceived with a clear and uncompromising purpose: to channel the spirit of true Finnish black metal through a sound stripped of excess and focused entirely on aggression. Building upon the foundations laid by the demo Death to All and the EP Soul Crusher, the band has refined a style based on razor-sharp riffs, hostile atmospheres and a direct, no-frills approach. Yet beneath its relentless surface lies a constant rhythmic variety that prevents the music from falling into predictability, maintaining tension and momentum throughout.
With Militant Black Magic, BLOODMOTHER push their vision further, delivering a work rooted in themes of faith, war, death and Satanic defiance. The album stands as the band’s most complete statement to date and a concentrated display of the ferocity that has defined their mission from the very beginning.
A new chapter begins. German metal veterans BRAINSTORM have officially announced their brand-new studio album, Nightfall. The band’s forthcoming full-length will be released via Reigning Phoenix Music in Spring 2027, marking the next milestone in a career spanning more than three decades.
Following the critically acclaimed Plague Of Rats, BRAINSTORM continue to expand the lyrical universe inspired by Indian mythology while delivering the powerful songwriting, memorable hooks and unmistakable heaviness that have become the band’s trademark. At the same time, Nightfall will see the band embracing an even rawer and more dynamic approach, reaffirming the qualities that have made BRAINSTORM one of Germany’s most enduring metal acts.
Nightfall also introduces BRAINSTORM‘s current lineup, welcoming bassist Danij Perl and drummer Kevin Lütolf. Together with vocalist Andy B. Franck and guitarists Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric, the renewed lineup has forged an album that confidently looks ahead while staying true to the band’s unmistakable identity.
Andy B. Franck comments: “It’s been a while since you last heard from me, right? Well, buckle up because next year sees the release of our new album, Nightfall, which takes us even deeper into the realm of Indian mythology and more demonic realms.
Nightfall brings you to a world of beauty and grace, but also of death and despair. I’m so excited and can’t wait to drag you all down into these abysses with me, haha! I’m really keen to bring more of that raw, primal power back into the traditional sound. The result is going to blow your minds, and with my friend Seeb (Sebastian ‘Seeb’ Leverman\Orden Ogan) at the mixing desk, we can look forward to an awesome metal album in the spring of ’27! So, get ready for an incredible journey…”
Further details about Nightfall, including a first single and more info, will be revealed in the coming months.
Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the vinyl reissue of MISERY INDEX‘s landmark 2001 debut EP, Overthrow, arriving on LP for the first time on December 15th, 2026.
A defining release in the early evolution of modern deathgrind, Overthrow captured the raw energy and uncompromising vision of a newly formed band destined to become one of the genre’s most influential names. Across five relentless tracks including a blistering cover of Terrorizer‘s “Dead Shall Rise,” MISERY INDEX forged a sound that fused death metal, grindcore and hardcore with sharp social commentary and unrelenting intensity.
Originally self-released on CD through the band’s own Anarchos Records, the EP has remained a cornerstone of extreme music history for more than two decades. Now, Time To Kill Records proudly brings this essential release back to vinyl, faithfully preserving the ferocity and impact of these historic recordings. The vinyl edition also features 3 bonus tracks recorded by the band a year after the Overthrow release (which appeared on the 2002 split with Commit Suicide).
For the first time the recording is also mastered for vinyl by Virtalähde Mastering.
Track-list:
Side A 1. Manufacturing Greed 2. Your Pain Is Nothing 3. Blood On Their Hands 4. Pulling Out The Nails 5. Dead Shall Rise (Terrorizer cover)
Side B (Bonus Tracks) 1. My Untold Apocalypse 2. Alive? 3. Reality Distortion
Frontman Jason Netherton comments:
“Its been a long time since we released this back in 2001 yet its awesome to see how much of an impact its had, and its staying power has been inspiring. We often get requests for these songs to this day and we are stoked that its finally getting the proper treatment with a fresh vinyl master from Time to Kill”.
Look for the band to release their new single “Feral Future” on 7″ vinyl as well via Time To Kill Records later this month and be sure to check out MISERY INDEX on tour in Europe and the UK this summer.
Misery Index – An Epitaph for Endtimes EU + UK Summer Tour 2026:
July 28 – Helsinki, Finland @ Kult [TICKETS] July 30 – Wacken, Germany @ Wacken Open Air [TICKETS] August 1 – Dortmund, Germany @ Dortmund Death Fest [TICKETS] August 2 – Saint Maurice de Gourdans, France @ Sylak Open Air [TICKETS] August 4 – Deinze, Belgium @ Elpee [TICKETS] August 5 – The Hague, Netherlands @ Musicon [TICKETS] August 6 – Schloteheim, Germany @ Party San Open Air [TICKETS] August 8 – Swansea, United Kingdom @ Sin City [TICKETS] August 9 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ Rebellion [TICKETS] August 11 – Bridgwater, United Kingdom @ The Cobblestones August 13 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage [TICKETS] August 14 – Dinkelsbühl, Germany @ Summer Breeze [TICKETS] August 15 – Sulingen, Germany @ Reload Festival [TICKETS]
“A Beast To Praise” contains DARK FUNERAL’s annihilating live-set for their latest studio album release We Are The Apocalypse and will be available in the USA as a Jewelcase CD, gatefold 2LP on 140g vinyl and as a digital album.
Track-list:
1. Unchain My Soul 2. The Arrival Of Satan’s Empire 3. My Funeral 4. Leviathan 5. We Are The Apocalypse 6. Open The Gates 7. When I’m Gone 8. Goddess Of Sodomy 9. Vobiscum Satanas 10. Nail Them To The Cross 11. Let The Devil In 12. The Secrets Of The Black Arts 13. Where Shadows Forever Reign
The new video from Tasmanian death metal devils THE ABSOLUTION SEQUENCE is now streaming. “The Nightlight Sigil” is the third single off the band’s highly-anticipated full-length album, Dread Cycle.
Vocalist Shawn Wells calls the song the most personal track on Dread Cycle. “The Nightlight Sigil is a tale of family trauma, toxic home environments and the way in which one is treated in the aftermath. Often those who have suffered the most where they are meant to feel protected are shamed and forgotten. The aim of this is to keep the conversation alive, and begin to heal these deep wounds.”
Following a string of EPs and singles, the album promises to be the band’s most incendiary work yet. Slated for release via Bleeding Art Collective, with distribution by Blood Blast Distribution, Dread Cycle is set to solidify the band’s position as a premier name in contemporary technical death metal.
Dread Cycle is due out on August 14.
Stream the videos for the album’s first two singles at the links below:
Dread Cycle was produced by Chris Themelco and mastered by the world-renowned Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. The album was written by THE ABSOLUTION SEQUENCE with lyrics by Shawn Wells.
Line-up:
Stephen Cusato – Rhythm Guitar/Backing Vocals Steven Mason – Rhythm Guitar Alastair Boon – Bass/Backing Vocals Luke Tucker – Lead Guitar Nick Machin – Drums Luke Sanderson – Drums Shawn Wells – Lead Vocals
L-R – Matt McGuire – Drums, Thomas Ireland – Guitar, Tom Emmans – Vocals, Eric Camilleri – Guitar
Debut EP in Memory of Bassist Dale Burrows
Ontario metalcore force As Oceans Divide continue their ascent with the announcement of their next single, “World Collapse”. The track marks the third release from the band’s upcoming self‑titled EP, following the momentum of previous singles “White Noise” and “Into The Dying Light.”
The lyric video for “World Collapse”expands the EP’s overarching themes of tension, internal conflict, and emotional weight, concepts visually represented in the EP’s striking artwork: a chained sea serpent wrapped around an anchor, thrashing against a violent ocean backdrop. The imagery mirrors the band’s sonic identity: a constant push and pull between aggression and melody, chaos and control, heaviness and atmosphere.
Track Listing:
Into The Dying Light – 4:04
White Noise – 3:31
World Collapse – 3:16
Cursed Oblivion – 3:59
One Of The Herd – 3:25 EP Length: 18:15
“World Collapse” delves deeper into the EP’s emotional core. While “Into The Dying Light” explored acceptance, resistance, and the confrontation of one’s breaking point, “World Collapse” widens the lens, capturing the feeling of everything falling apart at once, both internally and externally.
Musically, the track blends the band’s signature elements of technical, hard‑hitting riffs, dynamic melodic passages, atmospheric tension, and a powerful vocal performance from Tom Emmans that shifts seamlessly between aggression and clarity. The result is a song that feels massive, immersive, and emotionally charged, an embodiment of the EP’s core contrasts.
As Oceans Divide’s debut EP is built around contrast. Every track balances intensity with reflection, heaviness with melody, and chaos with structure. Lyrically, the EP dives into themes of internal struggle, loss, resilience, and the weight of what lies beneath the surface. The band describes the EP as “a journey rather than a collection of parts,” with each song crafted to pull listeners in, hit hard, and leave space for emotional connection.
Forged from years of friendship and a shared legacy in Canadian metal, As Oceans Divide brings together members with roots in Bloodshoteye, Aquila, Odium, Battlesoul, and more. Their sound blends early‑2000s metalcore influence with modern precision, harmonized guitars, mid‑tempo anthems, technical aggression, and emotionally driven vocals. The lineup includes Tom Emmans (Vocals), Eric Camilleri (Guitar/Songwriting), Thomas Ireland (Guitar/Production), and Matt McGuire(Drums).
The band also honours the memory of bassist Dale Burrows, whose passing in March 2026 left a profound impact on their music and their brotherhood.
Recommended for fans of Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Unearth, and God Forbid.
Japanese metal pioneers Sigh are back today with news of their new album ‘Goh-ka’; a new highlight of atmosphere, technical mastery, and meticulously arranged epics of metallic grandeur. Main-man Mirai Kawashima notes this as being as equally personal an album as ‘Shiki’, both musically and lyrically.
From a musical perspective, if you were to place the main ingredients of Celtic Frost, Voivod, Black Sabbath, horror movies and Japan into a cauldron and stir it, you will get ‘Goh-ka’. Numerous additional spices such as psychedelic rock, prog rock and classical music are also evident over the album’s close to one-hour duration.
The album title ‘Goh-ka’ has a triple meaning, being: 業火 infernal fire scorching sinners, 劫火 a huge fire that burns down the world at the end of time, and 業果 karma. The primary theme permeating the album is Kuso-zu; a series of Buddhist paintings or illustrations depicting the nine stages of a human body’s decomposition after death, created to encourage meditation on the impermanence of life, the inevitability of death, and the detachment from physical beauty and worldly attachment.
It openly shows the harsh reality that no matter how beautiful you are, you’ll be dead and rot sooner or later. And Kuso-shi is a poem based on these paintings. The artworks on the cover and in the booklet of ‘Goh-ka’ are therefore Kuso-zu themselves.
Joining Mirai Kawashima and Dr Mikannibal along with guitarist Nozomu Wakai, are Frédéric Leclercq (Kreator) on bass, plus renowned US drummer Mike Heller.
Among the additional contributors to the album, Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth notably delivers a special guest guitar solo on the track, ‘Unputenpu’.
‘Goh-ka’ was recorded across multiple studios, and once again mixed and mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD studios in Germany.
PRE-ORDERS OF THE ALBUM FROM THE PEACEVILLE STORE AND BAND STORE WILL COME WITH THE FREE ‘LEGACY OF HORRORS’ 10-TRACK SIGH SAMPLER.
Japanese metal pioneers Sigh formed in 1989/1990. Their genre-classic Black Metal debut ‘Scorn Defeat’ arrived in 1993, and with a subsequent journey through the strange and the psychedelic, incorporating a whole eclectic mix of genre styles & ideas throughout their career, Sigh has remained a vital creative force in the avantgarde field whilst maintaining their old school roots, as witnessed on the 2022 album (and first for Peaceville Records), ‘Shiki’.
This was followed by the remaking of their ‘Hangman’s Hymn’ album as part of the band’s 35th anniversary celebrations, in the shape of ‘I Saw the World’s End: Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV’ (2025).
SIGH TOUR DATES:
EUROPE OLD-SCHOOL SET (AS A TRIO) 07/09 DE Torgau In Flammen Open Air (Scorn Defeat Set) 07/10 DK Fredericia Metal Magic (Special Old School Set) 07/11 UK London Downstairs at the Dome (Special Old School Set)
US 07/26 Fire In The Mountains 07/28 Seattle WA El Corazon 07/29 Portland OR Star Theater 07/30 Sacramento CA Cafe Colonial 07/31 Berkeley CA Cornerstone 08/01 Los Angeles CA 1720
EUROPE 09/03 PL Aleksandrow Lodzki Summer Dying Loud 09/04 PL Cracow Zaścianek 09/05 CZ Ostrava Metal III 09/07 DE Munich Hansa 39 @ Feierwerk 09/08 DE Leipzig Moritzbastei 09/09 DE Berlin Badehaus 09/10 DK Copenhagen Beta @ Amager Bio 09/11 DE Hamburg Betty 09/12 DE Oberhausen Death & Damnation Fest 09/13 NL Leeuwarden Neushoorn 09/14 NL Utrecht DB’s 09/15 FR Paris Backstage By The Mill
FORTRESS FESTIVAL 2027 29-30 May 2027 Scarborough Spa North Yorkshire, UK
New additions include worldwide live debut from Gris, worldwide exclusives from Gràb and Dungeontroll, full “Confusion Gate” album set from Yellow Eyes, UK exclusives from Slagmaur and Havukruunu, and a special UK exclusive set from Forteresse
Miserere Luminis, Tardigrada, Mourir, Trha and Sinmara also added to the line-up
Scarborough, UK; 3 July 2026: Following the monumental reveal of Emperor as the first 2027 headliner, Fortress Festival has unleashed a first wave of band confirmations. Set to take place at the iconic Scarborough Spa in North Yorkshire, UK and true to the event’s growing reputation, this latest announcement is packed with worldwide live debuts and exclusives, UK debuts and exclusives, as well as special sets.
Canadian atmospheric black metal project Gris will make their worldwide live debut at Fortress Festival in 2027. The band has been an elusive studio entity for years, making this an unprecedented event for their followers:
“We have been hesitant for years to bring the music of Gris to the stage,” Gris said. “The idea has been undulating in our minds for more than a decade now, swaying from doubt to possibility, and to doubt again. We knew that it would require us to adapt the music we’ve done with great respect and care, and it seemed daunting at times. But seeing the dedication of Fortress Festival to make their event unique and of high quality, it felt like a perfect context for us to embrace the challenge of making Gris alive for the first time.”
Joining them is Bavarian black metal outfit Gràb, performing a 2027 worldwide exclusive show. “Last year I announced to step back from doing music due to health issues,” said Grànt. “However, things changed for the better. Like it or not, I decided to return. For years, Gary of Fortress Festival showed heavy interest in booking GRÀB. We, as a band, decided that the fantastic venue of Fortress is the right place to do a 2027 exclusive GRÀB concert. This marks our first concert outside Germany and Austria. We will bring Bavarian Black Metal to UK soil for the first time ever. Be there!“
Yellow Eyes will perform their acclaimed album “Confusion Gate” in full for a UK exclusive. The band shared their excitement, stating, “Eight years after our last UK performance, Yellow Eyes will finally return to England. We’re honoured to make our exclusive UK appearance of 2027 at the legendary Fortress Festival. It is rare that we make it to England, and we don’t know when we’ll be back again. If you’ve ever wanted to see us in the UK, we hope you’ll join us in Scarborough. This will be something special.”
Quebecois black metal pioneers Forteresse will return to Fortress Festival in 2027 and deliver a special UK exclusive set. Promising an unforgettable performance, the band declared, “The ghosts of epic death and rebellion are returning to England once again to storm the shores of Scarborough. This time, a special set will be curated especially for this event that shall remain secret until the time draws near.”
Fantasy synth artist Dungeontroll will deliver a worldwide exclusive set created purely for Fortress. “Join Dungeontroll for a one-of-a-kind ritual at Fortress Festival MMXXVII,” said Dungeontroll. “Tales of adventure and woe will be woven, calling forth the ancient spirits of the woods. These songs will be written and performed exclusively for Fortress; there are no plans to record or perform them again after this night.”
The barrage of UK debuts and exclusives is made even more powerful by the melancholic brilliance of Miserere Luminis, the crushing sound of Switzerland’s Tardigrada, and the chaotic intensity of France’s Mourir, all performing in the UK for the very first time. Another awaited UK debut comes in the form of the mysterious Trha.
Rounding out this monumental announcement are UK exclusive performances by the Norwegian avant-garde horror show Slagmaur, Finnish pagan black metal masters Havukruunu, and the dissonant Icelandic force of Sinmara.
“Caught In A Spell” is the latest single from up-and-coming German melancholic heavy metal troupe, THE NIGHT ETERNAL. The track comes off the band’s upcoming Metal Blade debut, Cold Velvet, set to drop on August 21st.
Comments the band, “‘Caught In A Spell’ delivers the perfect heavy metal soundtrack for a night drive. Driven by a hypnotic groove and a powerful sing-along chorus, the song evokes images of endless highways and a restless sense of wanderlust, pulling the listener towards the unknown. Director Robert Piel underlines this atmosphere with a striking video clip, following a Harley-Davidson–riding knight through a cinematic road-movie journey.”
Watch THE NIGHT ETERNAL’s “Caught In A Spell” video HERE.
Watch THE NIGHT ETERNAL’s previously released video for “Where This World Ends”HERE.
Since their foundation in 2018, THE NIGHT ETERNAL have built themselves a serious reputation with their ‘70s and ‘80s guitar-driven sounds in their very own sinister guise. The band´s previous two full-lengths, Moonlit Cross (2021) and Fatale (2023), gained applause by fans and critics alike, which resulted in successful support tours (Blind Guardian, Michael Schenker Group, Angel Witch, Lucifer) and festival gigs (Wacken, Summer Breeze, Hellfest, Alcatraz) throughout Europe as well as a spot on the infamous Hell’s Heroes fest in Houston, Texas.
With Cold Velvet, the band ultimately carved out its own subgenre, weaving darkness, dreamlike unease and deep melancholy into a dramatic yet untainted heavy metal rock ’n’ roll attitude. Recurring trademarks such as hypnotic, ritualistic rhythms, mesmeric guitar riffs, melodies and irresistibly catchy choruses permeate every track drawing the listener into a trance-like state and unleashing a relentless surge of dark energy and dopamine.
The band is currently featured on the cover of Deaf Forever Magazine. Writes the esteemed publication, “Incredible, where is this band heading next? To the very top, of course. And it would take the devil himself to prevent Cold Velvet from finally catapulting THE NIGHT ETERNAL to the pinnacle of the European scene. Catchier yet even more mystical than before, the German band throws their entire talent into the ring across eight tracks, leaving behind everything else attempting to navigate the dynamic interplay of goth rock, gritty heavy metal, and anthemic hard rock (#1 in Soundcheck).”
Cold Velvet was recorded between May and December 2025, at Church Of Sound Studios in the greater area of Munich, Germany. Production, recording, and mixing duties were handled by Michael Zech, a guitarist of black metallers Secrets Of The Moon and a highly respected producer known for his work with Sulphur Aeon, Triptykon, and The Ruins Of Beverast, among others.
The record will be released on CD-digipak and digitally as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
180g black (US) Clear Purple w/ Black Smoke (EU – Ltd. 1000; includes 7”, slipmat, velvet bag, gas lighter) “Storm Cloud” Violet Blue Marbled (EU – Ltd. 700) Steel Grey Blue Marble (EU – Ltd. 500) Light Grey Blue Splatter (EU – Ltd. 300) “Black Dust” Crystal Clear (EU – Ltd. 200)
THE NIGHT ETERNAL Live: 7/18/2026 Baden in Blut Festival – Weil am Rhein, DE 8/20/2026 Goldgrube – Kassel, DE * Release Show 8/21/2026 Bambi Galore – Hamburg, DE * Release Show 8/22/2026 Nord Sommerfest – Essen, DE * Release Show 8/27/2026 Drums of War Festival – Barcelona, ES 9/25/2026 Delta Zinnober – Essen, DE w/ Messa: 10/27/2026 Le Dodu – Marseille, FR 10/28/2026 Sala Salamandra – Barcelona, ES 10/29/2026 Sala Copernico – Madrid, ES 10/30/2026 Antirouille – Montpellier, FR 10/31/2026 Rock Art Festival – Trier, DE * THE NIGHT ETERNAL only 11/01/2026 Petit Bain – Paris, FR 11/03/2026 Cathouse – Glasgow, UK 11/04/2026 Rebellion – Manchester, UK 11/05/2026 Rescue Rooms – Nottingham, UK 11/06/2026 Thekla – Bristol, UK 11/07/2026 The Garage – London, UK 11/09/2026 13 – Tilburg, NL 11/10/2026 Kavka – Antwerp, BE 11/12/2026 Franz Club – Berlin, DE 11/13/2026 Logo – Hamburg, DE 11/14/2026 Rockpalast – Bochum, DE 11/15/2026 Artheater – Cologne, DE 11/17/2026 Das Bett – Frankfurt, DE 11/18/2026 Backstage – Club Munich, DE 11/19/2026 Dynamo – Zurich, CH 11/20/2026 Sunset Bar – Martigny, CH 11/21/2026 Live Club – Trezzo sull’Adda, IT
THE NIGHT ETERNAL: Ricardo Baum – vocals Robert Richter – guitar Henry Käseberg – guitar Aleister Präkelt – drums
“Gloomy metal from my hometown. Beautiful!” – Mille Petrozza, Kreator
“With their new record, THE NIGHT ETERNAL cements even further, why they are the rightful defenders of the New Wave of German Heavy Metal and a staple of contemporary brutal night time rocking. Who let the bats out?!” – Johanna Sadonis, Lucifer
“Genuine emotions that sweep you back and forth, plunging you into the depths and soaring you to new heights. With this album, THE NIGHT ETERNAL fills the gaping void in my musical heart, the gap between rock-infused wave and rousing metal, like no one else can.” – Maik Weichert, Heaven Shall Burn
“If THE NIGHT ETERNAL have played Champions League with Fatale, Cold Velvet secures them a safe spot in the play offs right away. Huge songs, huge sound and maybe one of the best vocalists our generation has to offer. THE NIGHT ETERNAL is the next big thing!” – S. Castevet, Vulture
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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