News – Teeth of the Divine

Swedish melodic death metal legends GATES OF ISHTAR to return with first new album in 29 years, “Murder the Light”

Erik T — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 21:01:43 +0000

Long-awaited studio album scheduled for release on 21 January 2027 via The Circle Music

Pre-orders now open for limited leather box sets, gatefold vinyl editions, CDs, cassettes and merch

Luleå, Sweden & Athens, Greece; 4 September 2026: Swedish death metal legends Gates of Ishtar have unveiled further information about their long-awaited studio comeback. “Murder the Light” will be the band’s fourth studio album and their first in 29 years. It will be released on 21 January 2027 via The Circle Music, with pre-orders open now.

“After nearly three decades, Gates of Ishtar return,” the band stated regarding the upcoming release. “This January we will release our first album since 1998. Not a look back, but a continuation built on the same foundation and spirit that defined us then and still drives us now. The new material stays true to the sound and identity that shaped our earlier work. While reflecting the years that have passed and the experiences gained along the way, now nearly thirty years later, the fire still burns even brighter and more intensely than ever. More details soon…”

The Circle Music added: “Long before melodic death metal became a global phenomenon, Gates of Ishtar helped define the Swedish sound with their masterful balance of razor-edged riffs, melancholic melodies, and timeless songwriting. Their influence can still be heard throughout the genre, even if history has never granted them the recognition they so richly deserve. “Murder the Light” does not seek to recreate the past. It expands upon it with confidence, maturity, and the same creative fire that made the band’s early recordings so enduring. Every composition reflects musicians who have remained true to their identity while allowing nearly three decades of life and experience to shape their art. This is the return of a band with something meaningful to say.”

Founded in Luleå, Sweden, Gates of Ishtar created a strong cult fan base through iconic albums such as “A Bloodred Path” and “At Dusk and Forever”. The band came back into action towards the end of 2023 for a special live gig. They returned to their old creative groove, performing at festivals, which in turn resulted in the album “Murder the Light”. The recording process started at the Humbucker Studios in Hagsätra, Sweden, in May 2026, where the band recorded the drum and bass parts. Guitars and vocal parts were recorded in the next two months, June and July, at Fallen Studios. The producer, Robert Pehrson, mixed and mastered the album at Humbucker Studios in August 2026.

The album will be available in the following physical formats:

Digi CD
Limited Luxurious Leather Box embossed in Ice Grey, including Digi CD (500 copies)
Limited Black Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket with printed Inner Sleeve (500 copies)
Limited Splatter Red & Black Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket with printed Inner Sleeve (500 copies)
Limited Transparent Marbled Orange & Black Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket with printed Inner Sleeve (500 copies)
Limited Splatter White & Black Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket with printed Inner Sleeve (500 copies)
Limited Black Tape (100 copies)

Merch is also available: T-shirt, Black Zip Hoodie, White Zip Hoodie

PRE-ORDER: https://thecirclemusic.gr/product-category/the-circle-releases/?filter_artist-name=gates-of-ishtar

Merch pre-order: https://thecirclemusic.gr/product-category/the-circle-releases/the-circle-releases-merchantise/

“Murder the Light” Tracklisting:
1. In Fires Forged
2. Ghosts
3. Murder the Light
4. Mother North
5. Let Go of My Burden
6. Dawn of Time
7. Nevermore
8. Still Life

Line up:
Andreas Johansson: Rhythm Guitars
Tomas Jutenfäldt: Rythm and lead guitars
Mikael Sandorf: Vocals
Markus Parkkilla: Bassguitar
Fredrik Andersson: Drums

Gates of Ishtar online
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatesofishtarofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatesofishtar/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/257fj7lr05pM5LMDL6TUp7

The Circle Music online
Website: https://thecirclemusic.gr/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thecirclemusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Circle-Music-109161897443413/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_circle_music/
Bandcamp: https://thecirclemusicfamily.bandcamp.com/

Dawn Of Demise reveals details for new album, ‘Feed My Absurdity’; launches video for title track

Staff — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 18:21:08 +0000

On October 9th, Danish death metal band Dawn Of Demise will release their sixth full-length, Feed My Absurdity, via Unique Leader Records. For a first preview of the record, the title track can be heard now here: https://orcd.co/FEEDMYABSURDITY – where the album can also be pre-ordered in various formats. Watch the video at: https://youtu.be/Q9tkSbVqqS0

On the new single, bassist Bjørn Jensen comments: “We wanted to give you guys something that really represents the album well. It has everything that we in Dawn of Demise stand for: slam, groove, heaviness, good old death metal tremolo riffs and thrash elements. All that and Scott’s (vocals) signature nastiness – we hope you dig it!”

Regarding the album, Jensen adds: “Having not released anything for almost 7 years, the band was more than ready to get the ball rolling again. Jakob Nyholm (guitar) has returned to the fold. He was in the band at the very beginning playing on the demo and on the first album. His return to Dawn Of Demise has truly revitalized the passion for creating some heavy death metal. With ‘Feed My Absurdity’, the band feels like they are back stronger than ever. If you are into the band’s older material, you probably won’t be too surprised when you give the album a spin – it’s still heavy, groovy and catchy US style death metal with elements of slam and so on, but there are a few surprises here and there. Production-wise the album is more ‘real’ this time round, more organic sounding, more energetic – kind of a step away from the more modern approach to producing metal albums. The album is first and foremost a collective band effort. Everyone pitched in and every song has a bit of all members.”

Feed My Absurdity track-listing

1. Feed My Absurdity

2. Ominous

3. The Essence Of Extirpation

4. Reviving Demise

5. The Immoral

6. Downcast

7. Dissociation

8. Onset Of Iniquities

9. Sense Of Superiority

10. Break The World

It all began back in 2003 in Silkeborg, Denmark. The goal was to play heavy and catchy death metal, no more – no less. More than 2 decades later, that goal hasn’t changed. When looking at the state of death metal today, Dawn Of Demise differs quite a bit from the latest “trends”: speed, technicality, sweeps, tapping, gravity blasts, etc. So far, the band has released five LPs of bone-crushing heaviness that all are in the vein of US death metal with added elements from the world of slam. Kevin Muller (ex-Suffocation, Pyrexia live vocalist) once summed up the band best: “(Dawn Of Demise) are New York death metal…from Denmark”.

Having recently welcomed back original member Jakob Nyholm, the quintet feel stronger than ever. Armed with upcoming album Feed My Absurdity, they’re ready to crush once again. Produced by Tue Madsen (Meshuggah, The Haunted, etc), fans can expect 10 tracks of Danish death metal done the Dawn Of Demise way: heavy and groovy, with good songwriting and catchy riffs that stick in your head.

Dawn Of Demise line-up:

Scott Jensen – vocals

Jakob Haagen Nyholm – guitar

Martin K. Sørensen – guitar

Bastian Thusgaard – drums

Bjørn Jensen – bass

Dawn Of Demise online:

https://www.facebook.com/officialdawnofdemise/

https://www.instagram.com/dawn_of_demise_official

Pathology Announces New Vocalist & Album Update

Staff — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:11:39 +0000

From the band’s Facebook page:

After months of hard work behind the scenes, we’re excited to finally share some big news with everyone.

We are proud to officially welcome Tripp Taylor as the new vocalist of Pathology. Tripp is an incredibly talented vocalist who brings a fresh energy and a powerful new element to the band’s sound. We’ve been working together on the new album, and we can’t wait for you all to hear what he has brought to these songs.

We also want to take a moment to thank Obie Flett for his dedication, hard work, and everything he contributed to Pathology. We truly appreciate the time we spent creating music together and wish him nothing but the best in the future.

The next chapter of Pathology is here — and we’re excited to announce that our new album is officially finished! The recording process is complete, and the album is now moving into the final stages of mixing and mastering.
We poured everything we had into this record, and we truly believe this is the strongest material

ever created. It carries the intensity and brutality that fans loved from The Time of Great Purification, while pushing the sound further with a more focused, heavier, and devastating attack.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the years. We can’t wait to finally unleash this new album and share what we’ve been working on.

More news coming soon. Stay tuned.

SIGH ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM GOH-KA – SET FOR RELEASE ON PEACEVILLE ON SEPT 4TH

Erik T — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 17:29:28 +0000

THE EPIC NEW STUDIO ALBUM FROM THE LONG-STANDING JAPANESE METAL PIONEERS, INCLUDING GUEST APPEARANCE FROM OPETH’S MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT

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.

SIGH – GOH-KA

Kuso-shi 1, 2, and 3 – 09:11

Jigoku-Zoshi 1: Unkamusho – 03:55

Anzenshokon – 06:24

Kuso-shi 4, 5, and 6 – 07:21

Shoso – 00:56

Unputenpu – 05:41

Jinmenjushin – 06:14

Jigoku-Zoshi 2: Tokatsujigoku – 03:06

Kushukankyo – 01:47

Kuso-shi 7 – 01:56

Kuso-shi 8 and 9 / Mettaijakujo – 11:23

GOH-KA WILL BE RELEASED ON 4th SEPTEMBER ON A NUMBER OF COLOURED VINYL VARIANTS, CD AND DIGITALLY. PRE-ORDER HERE.

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

Benediction Vocalist Dave Ingram Leaves Band Due to Health Issues

Erik T — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:43:58 +0000

Dave Ingram, the legendary Benediction frontman from the band’s early albums like The Grand Leveler, Transcend the Rubicon, The Dreams You Dread, and Grind Bastard, as well as the band’s recent reunion albums Scriptures and Ravage of Empires, has stepped down from the band.

Just weeks after revealing that Dave Ingram would miss several live appearances due to health issues, the band issued a statement concerning Dave’s permanent status with the band moving forward.

BENEDICTION STATEMENT.

Further to the recent post regarding the health situation of vocalist Dave Ingram, we have received this statement from the man himself;

“Some sad news ahead. Due to the current state of my arthritis now, I have to withdraw as vocalist for Benediction. The increase in pain, and the frustration it causes from its debilitation has led me to this disconsolate decision. I will be performing select shows with the band during 2026 as I would like a chance to say farewell and thank you to the fans who have supported us throughout the years, so hope that all attending them will have an awesome time with us. It saddens me greatly, and I hope that friends and fans alike will understand. Thank you, it has truly been a blast!”

Details of which shows Dave will attend will be announced as we get closer to gig day as obviously His health will dictate this.

As you would expect Benediction do not want to cancel ANY shows and have called on a few old friends to fill the inevitable void on centre stage for the gigs Dave will miss in the next few Months
Firstly the band had no hesitation in inviting Oscar Rilo to once again step up and fill the vocalist position for the gigs in Germany on 15 and 16 May.

Oscar has received rave reviews from the media and musicians ali’/Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona and the Boys in the band are thrilled He will again take up the hot seat.

Dave Hunt will return to his former position as frontman for Benediction at Iron fest and Mystic, his first appearances for the band since he was himself replaced by Dave Ingram in 2019.

We will hopefully to have some really exciting news for our fans in Latin/South America over the next few weeks so keep an eye open for that!

Benediction would like to wish Dave Ingram well and want to make his remaining shows with the band a real send off so we’ll need all of you guys for that! So Let’s Go!

The band would like to thank you, the fans for your understanding in this unfortunately difficult period.

Thanks for your undying loyalty and relentless support as always. You guys never let us down and we are eternally grateful.

So for now let’s all get behind Oscar Rilo and Dave Hunt for making the next few shows possible (Thanks Fellas!)and let’s make the shows the usual energetic metal chaos you are used to seeing.

More news as we get it, but ultimately…The Show Must Go On!!
Thanks, Benediction”

We here at Teethofthedivine wish Dave all the best.

LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR: Chicago Destroyers Return With First Album In Sixteen Years

Erik T — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 18:07:59 +0000

LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR: Chicago Destroyers Return With First Album In Sixteen Years, I HAIL I, Set For May 1st Release; Title Track Streaming + Maryland Deathfest Set And Release Show Booked

Chicago’s savage trio LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR will deliver their monstrous fifth album – their first in sixteen years – unveiling the merciless I HAIL I, confirmed for release through The Grind-House Records on May 1st.

Formed in 2003 and signed to Southern Lord Recordings just one month after their first show, the death-doom metal warriors LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR have released four LPs, three EPs, and an array of singles, all interconnected with concepts based on the bloodier tales of Greek mythology. The band has toured extensively across North America and Europe, crushing all in their path with their own brand of heavy fucking metal that has been likened to being beat to death with a spiked club. In the words of Maximum Metal, “If there is a [band] heavier than this, then I have simply never heard it.”

While the past several years saw the band emerging with several new singles, they’ve not released an album since 2010’s acclaimed Evil Power. That all changes this year with the incoming I HAIL I. LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR’s lineup on this merciless new record sees founding guitarist/vocalist Steven Rathbone (7000 Dying Rats) reunited with longtime drummer Chris Wozniak (Cöküs, Vanishment) and joined by new bassist Sanford Parker (Twilight, Minsk, Black Cross Hotel). I HAIL I dispatches ten tracks in barely thirty minutes, including a monstrous reenvisioning of Ethel Cain’s “Family Tree.” The album was recorded and mixed by longtime recording engineer, and now bassist, Sanford Parker (Yob, Eyehategod, Darkthrone) in Chicago at Jamdek Studios and Hypercube, and is completed with stark cover art by Dieofsuffering666.

I HAIL I marks the second album released independently on the band’s The Grind-House Records. The label’s first release was LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR’s Evil Power, the band’s best-selling album, and features their most popular and most streamed song, “Let’s Kill These Motherfuckers,” hailed by Henry Rollins as, “One of the greatest songs I have ever heard.”

The new album’s title track arrives as the lead single, with Rathbone stating, “The title track ‘I HAIL I’ is a rebellious declaration from Prometheus to defy the Gods and bring fire to humanity. This song is what LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR is all about: A loud and proud, punch in the guts. Meant to be played at maximum volume.”

Dispatch your enemies with LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR’s “I HAIL I” as the soundtrack, the song streaming at Bandcamp HERE, Spotify HERE, and Apple Music HERE.

LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR will independently release I HAIL I digitally on May 1st, with physical versions to follow. Watch for preorders, a new video, and more to post shortly

I HAIL I Track Listing:

1. Emperor Of Dis

2. I HAIL I

3. Enthroned In Violence

4. Fucked Inside Out

5. Deepest Hell

6. Saturnus Reign

7. Prowler Twin Sister

8. Family Tree (Ethel Cain Cover)

9. Vulture Worship

10. Tartarus Apocalypse

The band recently joined the roster at Waste Management Booking. Agency co-founder Stavros Giannopoulos (The Atlas Moth, Motherless) explains, “When starting Waste Management Booking, the idea was to work with bands who we not only loved but felt the world would love as well. LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR was always a band we had at the top of that list. We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of their new record and their legendary history, not only in Chicago but worldwide.”

LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR is making their second appearance at Maryland Deathfest, on Thursday, May 21st, performing at Nevermore Hall with Bongzilla, Rwake, Avernus, and Black Lung. The band has also just booked a hometown record release show on July 10th with Primal Code, Inoculation, and Motherless. Additional tour dates will be announced shortly.

LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR Live:

5/21/2026 Nevermore Hall – Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest w/ Bongzilla, Rwake, Avernus, Black Lung

7/10/2026 The Hideout – Chicago, IL * Record Release Show w/ Primal Code, Inoculation, Motherless

LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR:

Steven Rathbone – guitar, vocals, synth

Chris Wozniak – drums

Sanford Parker – bass

Review copies of I HAIL I will be issued in the days ahead. For interviews and all coverage of LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR worldwide, contact dave@earsplitcompound.com.

https://lairoftheminotaur.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/lair.of.the.minotaur

https://www.teepublic.com/user/grindhouseinc

NEVERMORE Announce Signing To Reigning Phoenix Music & Forthcoming Show With New Line-Up

Staff — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:06:40 +0000

Watch NEVERMORE’s Documentary HERE!

Legendary heavy metal powerhouse NEVERMORE have signed with Reigning Phoenix Music. The band also welcomes to the line-up Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan on bass, and new vocalist Berzan Önen. To showcase the new lineup, NEVERMORE’s first live appearance will take place on April 1st, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey.

On this new chapter, guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams share: “We are thrilled to announce that Nevermore has officially signed with Reigning Phoenix Music! It was obvious from the start that they were the perfect partner for the new era of Nevermore. Their passion for metal music combined with the extensive industry pedigree of their team made the choice easy. We can’t wait to get back on stage in front of our fans in Istanbul on April 1st, and we are just as excited to finish writing and putting together the new Nevermore album!”

Reigning Phoenix Music Co-Founder Gerado Martinez comments on NEVERMORE joining the RPM roster: “There are no words to describe how proud and excited RPM is at the prospect of being part of Nevermore’s next chapter. Having been a fan since 1995 when I saw them on tour with Death, I’ve followed them on their entire musical journey and cannot wait for what is yet to come.”

Directed and produced by Ola Englund, NEVERMORE have released a documentary film showcasing their rehearsals in January of this year at Swans Neck Soundworks in Väderstad, Sweden. Featuring powerful, raw performances of their tracks including “The River Dragon Has Come”, “Engines of Hate” and “The Heart Collector”, it offers an thrilling insight into the band’s new era.

The film also sees guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams discuss their decision to bring NEVERMORE back, introduce the new members, and reveal their thoughts throughout the audition process. Additionally, Loomis and Williams share news of forthcoming festival appearances across 2026, and future plans for NEVERMORE. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhW3rdcyip4

Purchase tickets for the show HERE: https://www.bubilet.com.tr/istanbul/etkinlik/nevermore

About NEVERMORE:

NEVERMORE enters 2026 with purpose, fire, and a clear sense of who they are. Forged in the aftermath of Sanctuary, the band carved out a sound defined by precision musicianship, fearless songwriting, and emotional intensity. From their self-titled debut in 1995 through landmark releases such as Dead Heart in a Dead World and This Godless Endeavor, NEVERMORE built a global following and a reputation as one of modern metal’s most distinctive voices.

Now that legacy moves forward under the leadership of guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams, joined by guitarist Jack Cattoi, bassist Semir Özerkan , and vocalist Berzan Önen. After years apart, the spark that first ignited the band has returned with renewed focus. For Van, the timing feels natural. “It’s been brewing for quite a while and has just started to manifest itself into the now. So what better time is there to kick things off than now?”

New music is already taking shape. Van smiles at the early results. “If the new music had to be described by one word, that would have to be delicious. Because it’s so good it’s gonna leave you hungry for more.” The writing process is unfolding alongside preparations for the stage, with the band focused equally on honoring the catalog and building what comes next.

The addition of Berzan signaled a powerful evolution. Jeff remembers the first time he saw Berzan’s audition video. “He really stood out strong in so many ways upon a first listen. I could really feel the emotion and passion when I heard him sing for the first time. He wasn’t just going through the motions.” The connection was immediate. “I could tell right away that he was a fan of Warrel’s singing just by the way he delivered and said certain words. I was really blown away at first watch.”

The history of NEVERMORE includes an extraordinary lineage of musicians who shaped its evolution. Guitarists Pat O’Brien, Tim Calvert, Steve Smyth, and Chris Broderick each left a distinct imprint on the band’s catalog and live presence. Bassist Jim Sheppard played a central role in shaping the band’s identity during its defining years.

Following the band’s disbandment, Jeff Loomis released the acclaimed solo albums Zero Order Phase and Plains of Oblivion, co founded CONQUERING DYSTOPIA, and spent nearly a decade as a member of ARCH ENEMY, contributing to releases including Will to Power and Deceivers. Van Williams remained active through projects such as ASHES OF ARES and GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS. Warrel Dane continued creating until his passing in 2017, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire musicians and fans worldwide.

As NEVERMORE steps into 2026, the mission is grounded in honesty and intensity. Jeff captures the heart of it. “Van and I are super passionate about the band. What we deliver and bring back to the audience is us wanting to hear those old tracks again just as much as the fans. We obviously want our old fans there every step of the way, but also look forward to meeting a new generation of fans as well.”

Older. Wiser. Still loud.

BATTLE BEAST – Band announce Noora Louhima’s departure and and welcome new vocalist

Erik T — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:11:03 +0000

Finnish Power Metal act, Battle Beast, announced yesterday that Noora Louhima will be leaving the band after 13 years and 6 albums. A new singer Marina La Torraca, was quickly announced:

“Battle Beast and Noora Louhimo Part Ways After 13 Years

After six albums and 13 incredible years together, we announce that Noora Louhimo is leaving Battle Beast to focus on her solo career. While we are saddened by her departure, we fully support her decision to pursue new creative paths—something she hasn’t been able to explore wholeheartedly with the demanding schedule of Battle Beast.

“For 13 years I got to grow, learn, develop and explore with Battle Beast who I am as a musician and as a person. And now my heart desires more adventures, and flying with my own wings towards my dreams that I can only pursue if I give them my full attention. Life is full of different eras and now it is time for a new one. I am forever grateful and love Battle Beast and our fans. This is not the end, this is a beginning of a new adventure for both of us. See you soon Little Beasts! ”

We are deeply thankful for the music, the tours, and the magic we created together. These memories will never be tarnished nor forgotten, and we wish Noora nothing but success and happiness on her path forward.

We know you—our fans—will miss Noora as much as we do. But rest assured: the flight of Battle Beast continues, and so does Noora’s, now simply on a different trajectory.

A new era begins. We will announce the new voice of Battle Beast tomorrow on December 16th.

With gratitude and love,

Noora, Janne, Eero, Juuso, Joona & Pyry”

The new singer was announced shortly after:

“BATTLE BEAST Welcomes New Vocalist Marina La Torraca.

One story ends, another begins. We’re excited to start this new chapter and introduce you to the new voice of Battle Beast: Marina La Torraca.

You may know Marina from her work with Phantom Elite, Exit Eden, or her feature vocals across various other projects. Now, she joins Battle Beast as we step into the next era of the band.

Marina comments:

“When I first saw an email with both Battle Beast and my name in the subject line, I honestly thought it had to be a mistake. But once I opened it, I couldn’t have been happier. I’m incredibly honored to be part of this new chapter and deeply grateful for the trust and support from the band.

Is it a little terrifying to follow in the wake of a vocal legend like Noora? You bet! Is it also very exciting? Absolutely. Battle Beast is one of the hardest-working and most genuinely talented bands out there, and I’m proud to be here to help them keep growing and spreading joy. Buckle up — this is going to be fun.”

We hope you, our fans, will give Marina a warm welcome to the Battle Beast family.

Our first adventures together will take us into truly exotic waters in more ways than one, as the Far East & Down Under Tour kicks off in March.

With love,

BATTLE BEAST

Marina, Eero, Joona, Pyry, Juuso & Janne”

At The Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg Dead at 52

Staff — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:43:25 +0000

Tomas Lindberg, the legendary vocalist of Swedish melodic death metal pioneers At The Gates, has passed from adenoid cystic carcinoma at the age of 52.

Our condolences to the Lindberg family.

A tribute will be posted soon.

Deathcore godfathers Despised Icon announce new album, “Shadow Works”, and artwork.

Erik T — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:23:10 +0000

From the band’s Facebook page:

“Established in 2002, Montreal deathcore pioneers Despised Icon return with their seventh full-length album, “Shadow Work”. The album marks a significant chapter for a band whose core lineup has remained largely unchanged since its inception, allowing them to stay grounded in the sound and spirit they helped define.

Lyrically, “Shadow Work” explores themes of resilience and inner healing, drawing inspiration from the psychological process of confronting and integrating one’s darker aspects. It’s a deeply introspective record that reflects both personal growth and the turbulence of the world around us.

Their first new music in six years, the album stands as Despised Icon’s most fine-tuned and dynamic effort to date, balancing relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, while remaining true to their signature blend of extreme death metal and hardcore grit.

Produced by the band’s own Alex Erian and Eric Jarrin, “Shadow Work” was mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, Shadow of Intent, Signs of the Swarm), with artwork by Eliran Kantor (Hatebreed, Thy Art Is Murder, Cavalera).

Featuring guest vocals by Matthew Honeycutt (Kublai Khan TX), Scott Ian Lewis (Carnifex), and Tom Barber (Chelsea Grin, Darko US), “Shadow Work” will be released on October 31, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records.

We’re currently putting the final touches on our first music video and can’t wait to share new music with you all. We will have more updates soon. For now, you can pre-save the album on Spotify and Apple Music. Thank you all for the continued support over the years.

-Alex, Steve, Eric, Ben, Seb, Grind

Track Listing:

01. Shadow Work

02. Over My Dead Body

03. Death Of An Artist

04. Corpse Pose

05. The Apparition

06. Reaper

07. In Memoriam

08. Omen Of Misfortune

09. Obsessive Compulsive Disaster

10. ContreCoeur

11. Fallen Ones

DOWN: Legendary Heavy Metal Supergroup Signs To Nuclear Blast Records; New Music To See Release Next Year!

Erik T — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:50:50 +0000

DOWN: Legendary Heavy Metal Supergroup Signs To Nuclear Blast Records; New Music To See Release Next Year!

Photo by Metal Dave Media

Legendary heavy metal supergroup DOWN – featuring vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower, and bassist Pat Bruders – is pleased to announce their official signing with Nuclear Blast Records! The band is currently in the final stages of recording their long-awaited new full-length, slated for release in 2026.

In a collective statement, Nuclear Blast comments, “Nuclear Blast is proud to be in the trenches with NOLA legends DOWN as their partner in their long overdue return to the metal world. In addition, we are excited to bring some of their key past catalog releases back into the spotlight, especially on the vinyl side. There are so many longtime DOWN fans at Nuclear Blast who are excited to be working with one of their all-time favorite bands. 2026 can’t come soon enough!”

Adds the band:

“It’s good to sign with Nuclear Blast Records. It’s a good label home and we’re ready to make some awesome recordings!” – Philip H. Anselmo

“Having already been a part of the Nuclear Blast family with Corrosion Of Conformity, it is an honor and a privilege to be here as well with my brothers in DOWN. The team at Nuclear Blast is a well-oiled machine and you can definitely tell they love what they do. We are in the right place.” – Pepper Keenan

“Nuclear Blast is a great label that put out some excellent records. It’s an honor to have them work our jams!” – Jimmy Bower

Updates on new DOWN music will be unveiled in the months to come. In the meantime, don’t miss DOWN when they headline night one of this year’s edition of Milwaukee Metal Fest. For more info, visit: therave.com/metalfest. The show follows the band’s recent Western US tour with Danzig.

DOWN Live:

5/16/2025 Milwaukee Metal Fest @ The Rave/Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI

You know it’s DOWN as soon as you hear them. There’s no mistaking those gargantuan riffs, swamp blues leads, crashing drums, and hypnotic howls for absolutely anybody else under the sun. The band upholds a certain tradition that countless fans celebrate, expanding their own musical mythos as they leave its pillars intact and untouched.

With a collective resume encompassing Pantera, Corrosion Of Conformity, Crowbar, and EyeHateGod, the quintet puffed out its first haze of sonic smoke from the belly of gritty old New Orleans on the 1995 platinum-selling classic, NOLA. At that moment, they naturally summoned something akin to a ritual, continually partaking in it with critically revered offerings — Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow in 2002, Down III: Over The Under in 2007, Down IV – Part One in 2012, and Down IV – Part Two in 2014. Their shows built a certain live lore with unforgettable runs alongside Metallica and Heaven & Hell, as well as coveted spots on iconic festivals like Download, Soundwave, Ozzfest, and so many others, forever delivering passionate, powerful, pure heavy music you can feel deep down in your soul.

For DOWN coverage inquiries contact liz@earsplitcompound.com.

https://www.down-nola.com

https://www.facebook.com/down

https://www.instagram.com/down_nola

BEAST IN BLACK and Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo® Join Forces to release new track ‘Enter The Behelit’ to mark Berserk Crossover

Erik T — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:40:49 +0000

BEAST IN BLACK and Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo® Join Forces to release new track ‘Enter The Behelit’ to mark Berserk Crossover

Today marks the epic convergence of three cultural titans: Diablo®, the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre; acclaimed manga, Berserk; and Finnish heavy metal band, BEAST IN BLACK, who have collaborated to launch an exclusive track ‘Enter The Behelit.’ Releasing on limited-edition vinyl and worldwide digital distribution, a music video debuts today as well to mark the unleashing of this unholy event.

The crossover event with Berserk – the beloved, classic manga written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura – will take place in Diablo® IV and its mobile instillation, Diablo Immortal, beginning May 6 and May 1 respectively. Both Diablo and Berserk explore themes of good versus evil against a backdrop of terrifying darkness, making this crossover a perfect match for fans.

The Maxi Single

The limited-edition maxi single will feature a brand-new song ‘Enter The Behelit’ from BEAST IN BLACK, inspired by Berserk and produced exclusively for the game, as well as remastered versions of fan favourite tracks ‘Die By The Blade’ from the album From Hell With Love, and ‘The Fifth Angel’ from the band’s debut album, Berserker. With many songs taking inspiration from Berserk story and characters, the Finnish heavy metal band’s music often reflects the undercurrents of struggle, fighting against overwhelming odds, and battling inner demons – themes that are prevalent in the games of the Diablo franchise.

Two hundred maxi singles have been lathe cut on black and red marbled vinyl and feature artwork from Diablo IV and Diablo Immortal, all created hand in hand the Diablo art team and the Berserk IP holders. The front of the vinyl heroes Diablo IV, while the back features key art from Diablo Immortal. The vinyl also includes a turntable zoetrope slipmat, band stickers, behind the scenes negative photos and concept art from the Diablo IV development team behind the Berserk partnership.

“The essence that swells in boundless volumes from the juxtaposition of light and darkness, angels and demons, good and evil, the carnal and the spiritual, is the key that seamlessly binds together the aesthetics and narratives of Diablo, Berserk and Beast In Black’’, said Anton Kabanen, guitarist and songwriter on BEAST IN BLACK.

“To somewhat poetically reflect on this extraordinary yet congruous collaboration I can say it feels almost as if this newborn and destined-to-be trinity has been designed by the God Hand itself. On behalf of Beast In Black’s team I express our sincerest gratitude to the dedicated teams at Blizzard, Berserk and Nuclear Blast. Thank you for making this happen. And finally, my individual acknowledgement and bottomless gratitude goes – as always – to Kentaro Miura’’.

The track will be digitally distributed by Beast in Black’s record label, Nuclear Blast, and will go live on streaming platforms on April 28^th, with a music video being launched on Nuclear Blast’s YouTube channel at 5PM CEST/4PM BST/8AM PST on the same day.

Photo credits: Jarmo Katila, Toni Kilpinen, Dennis Båvenmark

The Music Video

‘Enter The Behelit’ official music video: https://youtu.be/nxFW6ggUqu0

‘Enter The Behelit’ is accompanied by a bespoke video from award winning director, Katri Ilona Koppanen, who also directed the music videos for BEAST IN BLACK tracks: ‘Moonlight Rendezvous’, ‘Hardcore’, ‘Power Of The Beast’ and ‘One Night In Tokyo’. The exclusive video features an animated trailer, inspired by Diablo and Berserk and incorporates the band’s love of the manga and gothic art of Diablo, bringing the story of ‘Enter The Behelit’ to life.

Shot in Helsinki, Finland, the music video will also receive a behind the scenes making of video showcassing the collision of the dark worlds of Diablo x Berserk, with the support of Beast in Black.

Berserk Crossover in Diablo Games

Diablo IV Season 8: Belial’s Return, will launch on 29th April and heralds the return of Belial, one of Diablo’s Great Evils, and marks the continuation of Diablo’s dark storytelling in the form of challenging boss fights and even greater spoils.

For the month of May, Diablo players will have the chance to slaughter demons donning iconic Berserk-themed cosmetics. to date and incredible in-game content.

In Diablo IV, this includes the Berserker armour for the Barbarian, Skull Knight skin for the Necromancer, as well as the “Chimimoryo” as an in-game pet. Additional items can also be earned through gameplay or for purchase in the in-game shop.

In Diablo Immortal, players will be able to gear up in Guts’ Berserker armour or Griffith’s incarnated armour, play alongside a Golem as a familiar, and even face off against iconic characters from the Manga series. The crossover includes a boss fight with Nosferatu Zodd, one of the most formidable foes of the Berserk series, an eclipse inspired Survivor’s Bane mini-game and Griffith and Guts inspired cosmetics for every class of the game.

You can find out more details about Diablo IV: Belial’s Return and the Crossover between Diablo and Berserk here:

https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-berserk

Nechochwen return with new single + album announcement

Erik T — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 18:51:14 +0000

Press release 2025-03-21

Precipice of Stone

The time has come to offer a glimpse of “spelewithiipi”, Nechochwen’s upcoming album, set for release on May 9, 2025. The first single, “Precipice of Stone”, is now available for streaming.

Nechochwen commented:

“Precipice of Stone” is a tribute to medicine songs that have helped me through difficult times. When troubled or in mourning, I envision a rock outcrop on which one can sit and work out problems, be it by screaming out, silently meditating, or singing a song.

Listen now

spelewithiipi

For over a decade, Nechochwen has bridged the gap between history and mythology, folklore and personal journey. With “spelewithiipi”, the West Virginian duo returns to their earliest roots – trading the weight of distortion for the delicate power of dark folk.

“spelewithiipi” is the sound of rivers that remember, of trails worn by centuries of footsteps, of stories whispered through leaves and stone. Nechochwen weaves rich acoustic instrumentation with an immersive sense of place, crafting melodies steeped in the Eastern Woodlands’ indigenous past. Echoes of Nest, Tenhi, and October Falls resonate throughout, but the heart of the album belongs to the Ohio River Valley – the spelewithiipi, the Big Turkey River – its wild beauty flowing through every note.

This is an album of patience and reverence, composed slowly over eleven years, gathering shape and meaning. It is a tribute to forgotten pathways and the wisdom they carry. From the spectral visions of “othaškwa’alowethi behme” to the contemplative stillness of “Precipice of Stone”, each piece is a portal – to memory, to mystery, to the primordial pulse of the land itself.

Cover artwork by Poke, with additional elements by Mark Sevedstam.

Nechochwen commented:

“spelewithiipi” is an invitation for the listener to take a walk with us in the woods and experience the essence of our home region. We hope that you will feel the spirit of the land that inspired these songs and embrace the stories they tell.

Tracklist: (with translations)

1 – lenawe’owiin
2 – spelewithiipi
3 – tpwiiwe
4 – othaškwa’alowethi behme
5 – mthothwathiipi
6- Precipice of Stone
7 – Great Meadows Vista
8 – Nemacolin’s Path
9 – Primordial Passage
Release date: May 9

Format: CD / LP / Digital

Purchase link to publish alongside any news:

https://silentfuture.ffm.to/spelewithiipi

Scheduled single titles and release dates:
2025-03-21 Single #1: “Precipice of Stone”
2025-04-11 Single #2: “spelewithiipi”

Music for review:
https://silentfuture.haulix.com/MediaContact/SignIn

Download band photos, cover artwork and other graphic elements: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/99k1vnzvjkthv6hsvrtzr/ABMyOqSjb-febKT52ssoLUo?rlkey=wv2dczptcrj33v55pftdbbgrr&dl=0

Nechochwen:

Web: https://www.nordvis.com/nechochwen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nechochwen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nechochwenwv/
Bandcamp: https://nechochwen-nordvis.bandcamp.com/

Unmerciful Announce new album ‘Devouring Darkness’

Staff — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:38:19 +0000

Per the band’s Facebook:

“We are extremely proud to announce the upcoming release of the 4th UNMERCIFUL album. “DEVOURING DARKNESS” will be available on May 23rd through Willowtip Records!! The first single “Infernal Conquering” will be unleashed this Friday, March 21st on all platforms.

This album marks a new era of sonic violence and ferocious brutality! Ten tracks of scorching intensity and distorted vengeance! This album is filled with blistering blast beats, vicious vocals and lethal riffing. Everything that you have come to know, love and expect from an UNMERCIFUL album…and MORE!!

This album sees the official return of Jeremy Turner on guitar, and the addition of Josh Riley on vocals. Clinton Appelhanz engineered and produced the album at Waveworks Studio. The mastering was done by none other than Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, etc).

A special thank you goes out to Santiago Francisco Jaramillo for the artwork for this album!

This album is dedicated to a good friend of ours, Benjamin Axel Harvey. RIP, brother!

The track listing is:

1. Miracle In Fire

2. Unnatural Ferocity

3. Malice Unbound

4. Devouring Darkness

5. Relentless Malevolence

6. Vomit You Out (Origin cover)

7. Infernal Conquering

8. The Reaping

9. Voracious Lunacy

10. Vengeance Transcending

We are also officially in search of a bassist for live performances, and/or permanent position. Please contact us if interested. Serious inquiries only.”

BLOOD MONOLITH: New Band Formed By Nails, Ulthar, Undeath, Genocide Pact Members To Release The Calling Of Fire Debut LP On Profound Lore Records May 16th

Staff — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:27:30 +0000

BLOOD MONOLITH: New Band Formed By Nails, Ulthar, Undeath, Genocide Pact Members To Release The Calling Of Fire Debut LP On Profound Lore Records May 16th; “Prayer To Crom” Single And Preorders Posted

photos by Melissa Petisa

Stream BLOOD MONOLITH’s “Prayer To Crom” HERE.

Profound Lore Records unveils BLOOD MONOLITH, an emerging death metal juggernaut featuring members of Nails, Undeath, Ulthar, Genocide Pact, and other notable bands from across the extreme metal underground.

Formed by guitarist/vocalist Shelby Lermo (Nails, Ulthar) in 2023 after his exit from Vastum, the goal of BLOOD MONOLITH was to create something even uglier, weirder, and more aggressive operating out of his new home base in the Washington DC/Northern Virginia area. Guitarist Tommy Wall (Undeath) joined Lermo, and the music for the band’s debut LP was soon written. The addition of bassist Nolan (Genocide Pact, Shitstorm) and drummer Aidan Tydings-Lynch (Deliriant Nerve, Brain Tourniquet) rounded out the lineup.

BLOOD MONOLITH’s location ties deeply into their sound, as this epicenter of mass murder and corruption provides constant fuel for boiled-down anger, as well as a rich history of rebellion through music. The album’s title, The Calling Of Fire, invokes the internal and external summoning of rage to spit in the face of that seemingly unstoppable, towering evil, and the sonic excess within lands like a broad-daylight assassination.

Their unique and unconventional concept and aesthetic sets BLOOD MONOLITH apart from the plethora of interchangeable death metal bands currently inhabiting the scene, and their music is miles beyond them as well. There is a DIY mindset and ethic present, but despite the punk and grindcore pedigree of its members, BLOOD MONOLITH plays crazed death metal of the highest order, influenced as much by classics like Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse as modern innovators like Defeated Sanity and Dead Congregation.

Engineered by Shelby Lermo and Matt Michel (Goetia, Left Cross, Antichrist Siege Machine) who also mixed the tracks, mastered by Adam Tucker at Signaturetone Recordings (Ulthar, Maul, Obsequiae), and adorned with cover art by legendary Rudimentary Peni frontman Nick Blinko, The Calling Of Fire is a testament to all things musically frenzied and extreme, a brutally succinct statement of nihilism in a world beyond salvation.

With the first preview of this devastating project, Lermo states, “‘Prayer To Crom’ is the first song Tommy and I composed for this project, and I think it gave us a laser focus on where we should take the rest of the album. It is a mission statement, both musically and lyrically – a sword cleaving a path to annihilation.”

The lead preview of BLOOD MONOLITH’s dehumanizing The Calling Of Fire, “Prayer To Crom,” is now streaming on all platforms at THIS LOCATION.

The Calling Of Fire will be released on CD, LP, and digital formats on May 16th. Preorders and merch can be found HERE.

Be prepared for additional previews of the album and other news including live incursions to post shortly.

The Calling Of Fire Track Listing:

1. Trepanation Worm

2. The Owl In Daylight

3. Prayer To Crom

4. Viscera Vobiscum

5. Apparatus

6. Cleansing

7. Slaughter Garden

8. Pyroklesis

BLOOD MONOLITH:

Shelby Lermo – guitar, vocals

Tommy Wall – guitar

Nolan – bass

Aidan Tydings-Lynch – drums

Review copies of The Calling Of Fire will be dispatched in the bleak days ahead. For interviews and coverage of BLOOD MONOLITH contact dave@earsplitcompound.com.

https://profoundlorerecords.com

https://www.profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/profoundlorerecords

https://www.facebook.com/profoundlorerecords

https://x.com/profoundlore

DISEMBODIED TYRANT JOINS NUCLEAR BLAST

Erik T — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 18:37:50 +0000

DISEMBODIED TYRANT JOINS NUCLEAR BLAST

+

NEW SINGLE ‘8.6 BLACKOUT’ OUT NOW

+

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR KICKS OFF NEXT WEEK

Photo Credit: Chris Klumpp

Nuclear Blast Records is proud to welcome Missouri’s burgeoning extreme metal wrecking crew DISEMBODIED TYRANT to the label’s thriving roster. With one of the most distinct new sounds in heavy music, the volatile four-piece have already amassed a global cult following with their intense amalgam of blackened deathcore and progressive symphonic metal.

In the span of only a few short years, DISEMBODIED TYRANT has released a handful of singles and an EP that have garnered millions of streams, while performing a mind-blowing set at New England Metal & Hardcore Festival and North American tour with FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and SHADOW OF INTENT that have sparked a firestorm of anticipation for what’s next for the band.

Commenting on the signing to Nuclear Blast, founding songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Blake Mullens says:

“It’s an honor to be joining the Nuclear Blast roster, alongside some of my all time favorite bands/artists. Disembodied Tyrant has only ever been supported by myself internally, and to now have an entire team behind us is a dream come true, I’m very eager for what the future holds!”

Nuclear Blast America’s label manager and head of A&R, Tommy Jones adds:

“I’ve never signed an artist that never played a show live, until Disembodied Tyrant. I just felt so solid on their music and their team, that I rolled the dice. I saw the band’s 8th show ever at New England Metal and Hardcore Fest while they were supporting Fleshgod Apocalypse. After the performance, I hugged Blake and said in his ear ‘thank you for confirming my decision’.

The world is not ready for the insanity of Disembodied Tyrant, but you don’t have a choice. It’s about to get disgusting.”

Along with the signing announcement, comes the brand new single ‘8.6 BLACKOUT’; an unrelenting track of raging chaos.

Mullens says of the song:

“This song was one of those rarities where the vision stayed consistent throughout the entire process, it became exactly what I imaged it would from day one. This is a huge pivot thematically from the previous material, coupled with the video I think it’s quite the statement.”

Stream ‘8.6 BLACKOUT’: https://disembodied-tyrant.bfan.link/86blackout

‘8.6 BLACKOUT’ VISUALIZER:

https://youtu.be/sXFBFGFmMoQ

Fans can catch DISEMBODIED TYRANT on their North American tour with CHELSEA GRIN, SHADOW OF INTENT and SIGNS OF THE SWARM this spring.

DISMBODIED TYRANT Tour Dates:

Mar 21 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post

Mar 22 – San Diego, CA – SOMA

Mar 23 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory

Mar 24 – Las Vegas, NV – Area 15

Mar 26 – Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater

Mar 27 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater

Mar 28 – Lubbock, TX – The Garden

Mar 29 – Fort Worth, TX – The Rail Club

Mar 30 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live

Apr 1 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage

Apr 2 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground

Apr 3 – Virginia Beach, VA – Peabody’s

Apr 4 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club

Apr 5 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage

Apr 6 – Millvale, PA – Mr. Smalls

Apr 8 – Montreal, QC – Beanfield Theater

Apr 9 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall

Apr 10 – Syracuse, NY – The Song and Dance

Apr 11 – Worcester, MA – Palladium

Apr 12 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza

Apr 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl

Apr 15 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theater

Apr 16 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues

Apr 18 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater

Apr 19 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot

About DISEMBODIED TYRANT:

Disembodied Tyrant merges symphonic grandeur with crushing deathcore to create a cinematic, immersive experience. An unrelenting blend of brutality and orchestral depth, layered with apocalyptic imagery and themes of corruption, reckoning, and self-deification. With thunderous riffs, haunting melodies, and thought-provoking lyricism, Disembodied Tyrant is a force of pure, calculated chaos.

Disembodied Tyrant is:

Blake Mullens – Guitar / Vocals

Dominic Petrocelli – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Lucas Koughan – Bass

Kevin Alexander – Drums

Follow DISEMBODIED TYRANT:

Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music

Vildhjarta releases new single, “+ sargasso +” – taken from new album, ‘+ där skogen sjunger under evighetens granar

Erik T — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:29:15 +0000

Vildhjarta releases new single, “+ sargasso +” – taken from new album, ‘+ där skogen sjunger under evighetens granar +’

+ där skogen sjunger under evighetens granar + album artwork

Swedish progressive metal pioneers Vildhjarta have built a career defined by mystique and groundbreaking artistry, consistently defying expectations. The band has established an identity rooted in its darkly atmospheric and technically jarring sound. As they prepare to unveil their third album, + där skogen sjunger under evighetens granar +, Vildhjarta stands as a testament to innovation and artistic integrity. Their legacy is one of unyielding creativity.

Today marks the release of “+ sargasso +”; watch the visualizer here: https://youtu.be/2mZPrXuGF7Q

+ där skogen sjunger under evighetens granar + will released May 30th via Century Media Records. Pre-order the album now at: https://vildhjarta.lnk.to/DSSUEG-Album – where it is available in the following formats:

–Ltd. CD Digipak

–Gatefold black 2LP

–Ltd. Gatefold reddish ReVinyl 2LP (500) available from cmdistro.de, selected Indie retailers and Vildhjarta

Thall.

Photo credit: Glenn Lindberg

Vildhjarta online:

https://www.facebook.com/vildhjartaofficial

https://www.instagram.com/vildhjartaofficial/

Vildhjarta stores:

https://vildhjartastore.com/ (EU/worldwide)

https://www.indiemerch.com/vildhjarta (US/worldwide)

UK DEATH METAL TITANS CANCER RETURN WITH NEWS OF THEIR NEW ALBUM INVERTED WORLD

Erik T — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:50:03 +0000

LEAD SINGLE ‘AMPUTATE’ SET FOR RELEASE
ON MARCH 14^th WITH NEW VIDEO

Inverted World Album Artwork

For over 35 years UK death metal legends Cancer have been delivering some of the most brutal and uncompromising music in the genre. Now, they return with Inverted World, their highly anticipated follow-up to 2018’s Shadow Gripped. Set for release on April 25th via Peaceville Records, the album promises a return to their signature blend of serrated riffing, guttural vocals, and relentless aggression. Expect a dark and visceral journey into dystopia, corruption, and existential horror.

Speaking on the upcoming release, founding member and vocalist John Walker shared “I started writing the new material shortly after the Covid lockdowns. I nearly always usually start the writing process by basically fooling around on the guitar, then after a while riffs start to turn into musical ideas. The lyrics, I tend to spend some time thinking about a concept and then I pick the vocabulary appropriate to the idea. Inspiration comes from what’s happening and what has happened in the world and curious tales that interest me. This album is the bands seventh full length release and I feel very fortunate at my age to still be able to do it, mixed by V. Santura I’m super happy with how it’s turned out.”

INVERTED WORLD WILL BE RELEASED ON LIMITED PURPLE VINYL, BLACK VINYL, CD AND DIGITALLY. VINYL EDITIONS INCLUDE PRINTED INNER SLEEVE FEATURING FULL LYRICS, CD EDITION INCLUDES 12-PAGE BOOKLET WITH FULL LYRICS. PRE-ORDER HERE.

Death metal titans Cancer burst onto the UK extreme metal scene over thirty-five years ago and quickly established a strong global following over the early part of their careers, primarily due to the release of the legendary debut To the Gory End, swiftly followed by the equally revered Death Shall Rise album, which notably also featured death metal maestro James Murphy on lead guitars. The band’s trajectory increased further with follow-up opus The Sins of Mankind, leading to a stint with major label EastWest under Warner Music.

2018 saw the band return after a long period of inactivity for comeback release and Peaceville debut Shadow Gripped, which reunited the original core trio for the first time since 1995 for a stellar nod to the glory days of old; savage, thrash-tinged deathly odes to the macabre, gaining the approval of old fans and a new generation of death metal maniacs alike.

In a year which also marks the 35th anniversary of the genre-classic debut, To the Gory End, founding member and vocalist/guitarist/songwriter John Walker leads a now-revamped quartet for Cancer’s seventh full-length album in the form of Inverted World. A relentless attack of masterful song-writing and brutal hooks, Inverted World explores the dark and murky world of manipulation and barbarity both past and present, with themes relating to shadowy entities and cult mentalities, including the brainwashing of people into compliance and the weaponizing of religion. And as an extra treat for the band’s fanbase in particular, the track ‘Corrosive’ also resurrects the old and familiar tale of the acid bath murderer.

Inverted World was recorded at The Empty Hall Studio with Simón Da Silva, and mixed by V. Santura (Triptykon, Obscura, Pestilence, Dark Fortress etc) at Woodshed Studio.

‘Amputate’ Single Artwork

THE ALBUM’S FIRST SINGLE ‘AMPUTATE’ WILL BE RELEASED ON 14^TH MARCH WITH A BRAND-NEW VIDEO

Cancer’s new album Inverted World will be released on 25^th April 2025 on purple vinyl LP, black vinyl LP, CD and digitally. Pre-order here.

INGESTED: UK Death Metal Outfit Introduces Updated Lineup With New Video/Single, “Altar Of Flesh;”

Staff — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 20:53:36 +0000

INGESTED: UK Death Metal Outfit Introduces Updated Lineup With New Video/Single, “Altar Of Flesh;” North American Tour With Aborted Begins This Week!

Photo by Rosa Eleanor Saul

Watch INGESTED’s “Altar Of Flesh” video HERE.

UK death metal faction INGESTED is thrilled to introduce a reinvigorated lineup and a savage new standalone single, “Altar Of Flesh,” ahead of their North American tour later this week.

Forged in 2006, original members Lyn Jeffs and Sean Hynes have been the driving force behind every note, every decision, and the overall vision of INGESTED. Jeffs and Hynes elaborate on the band’s new cast, “To ensure the band reaches even greater heights, we’ve introduced a new team of incredible musicians who share our passion and commitment to making INGESTED the most dynamic and powerful force it can be. Introducing the new lineup of INGESTED:

“Josh Davies – vocals: Josh, known for his work with Monasteries and Malice, has been part of the INGESTED family for the past three years, handling merch on our tours, and working closely with us. He’s a truly ferocious young vocalist whose talent and dedication to his craft will propel the band into exciting new territories. Josh’s tireless work ethic, authentic charisma, and dynamic performances make him the perfect frontman for this new era of INGESTED.

“Andrew Virrueta – guitar, backing vocals: Having crushed it live with us for the past eighteen months, Andrew, also of The Faceless and Interloper, has proven to be the missing ingredient in our sound. His technical brilliance, creative input, and infectious energy have brought a new level of depth and versatility to the band. We can’t wait for you to hear what he’s bringing to the table.

“Thomas O’Malley – bass: Thomas has also been filling in for us on tours over the past eighteen months, and his exceptional musicianship has been a revelation. A powerful and precise player, he has elevated the rhythm section to new heights, making him a vital part of the INGESTED sound going forward.

“With this new lineup, we are stronger, more focused, and more determined than ever to push INGESTED to the next level. This is INGESTED 2.0 — a team united by a shared vision to create the most punishing, uncompromising music of our career.

“To mark this monumental moment, we’re also unleashing our new single, ‘Altar Of Flesh.’ This track is a welcome nod to our roots: violent, dynamic, primal, and unapologetically human. It captures the raw, organic energy that defined our early days while showcasing how far we’ve come. Every riff, every guttural, and every beat is a visceral reminder of what INGESTED is all about. Prepare yourselves. New lineup. New music. And this is just the beginning.”

Watch INGESTED’s “Altar Of Flesh” video HERE.

INGESTED will return to North American stages this week with Aborted. The month-long Terrifying North America tour begins February 13th in Roseville, California and runs through March 15th in Phoenix, Arizona. Additional support will be provided by Peeling Flesh and Stabbing. In May, the band will support Born Of Osiris on a month-long European run from May 8th in Brno, Czech Republic through June 9th in Aarau, Switzerland. Additional support will be provided by The Voynich Code and labelmates, Entheos.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now at: ingested.co.uk/tour. See all confirmed dates below.

INGESTED w/ Aborted, Peeling Flesh, Stabbing:

2/13/2025 Goldfield – Roseville, CA

2/14/2025 1720 – Los Angeles, CA

2/15/2025 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA

2/16/2025 Sinwave – Las Vegas, NV

2/18/2025 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX

2/19/2025 Vanguard – Tulsa, OK

2/20/2025 The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE

2/21/2025 Reggies – Chicago, IL

2/22/2025 King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH

2/23/2025 The Shelter – Detroit, MI

2/25/2025 Axis – Toronto, ON

2/26/2025 Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC

2/27/2025 Empire Underground – Albany, NY

2/28/2025 Monarch – Brooklyn, NY

3/01/2025 Palladium – Worcester, MA

3/02/2025 Preserving – Pittsburgh, PA

3/04/2025 Lovedraft’s – Mechanicsburg, PA

3/05/2025 Soundstage – Baltimore, MD

3/06/2025 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC

3/07/2025 Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA

3/08/2025 Orpheum – Tampa, FL

3/09/2025 The Abbey – Orlando, FL

3/11/2025 Scout Bar – Houston, TX

3/12/2025 The Rock Box – San Antonio, TX

3/13/2025 Southside Music – Dallas, TX

3/14/2025 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM

3/15/2025 Nile – Phoenix, AZ

w/ Born Of Osiris, Entheos, The Voynich Code:

5/08/2025 Melodka – Brno, CZ

5/09/2025 Hype Park – Krakow, PL

5/10/2025 Ucho – Gdynia, PL

5/11/2025 Vakaris – Vilnius, LT

5/12/2025 Paavli Kultuurivabrik – Tallinn, ET

5/13/2025 Olympia – Tampere, FI

5/14/2025 Ääniwalli – Helsinki, FI

5/16/2025 Angara Concert Hall – Riga, LV

5/17/2025 Hybrydy – Warsaw, PL

5/18/2025 Dürer Kert – Budapest, HU

5/19/2025 Form Space – Cluj-Napoca, RO

5/20/2025 Quantic Club – Bucharest, RO

5/22/2025 Gagarin 205- Athens, GR

5/23/2025 Mixtape 5 – Sofia, BG

5/24/2025 Zappa Baza – Belgrade, RS

5/25/2025 PPC – Graz, AT

5/26/2025 Legend Club – Milan, IT

5/27/2025 Traffic Club – Rome, IT

5/29/2025 La Rayonne – Lyon, FR

5/30/2025 Le Ferrailleur – Nantes, FR

5/31/2025 Stage Live – Bilbao, ES

6/01/2025 Hard Club – Porto, PT

6/03/2025 LAV – Lisbon, PT

6/04/2025 Copernico – Madrid, ES

6/05/2025 Razzmatazz 2 – Barcelona, ES

6/06/2025 Le Rex – Toulouse, FR

6/07/2025 Pont Rouge – Monthey, CH

6/08/2025 KiFF (Metalmayhem Festival) – Aarau, CH

INGESTED released their The Tide of Death And Fractured Dreams full-length last Spring via Metal Blade Records. Lauded Rock Hard Germany of the release, “The Tide Of Death And Fractured Dreams exhibits a considerable degree of musicality, which is expressed in sophisticated arrangements, sophisticated riffs, and strong clean vocals sprinkled in here and there…” Blabbermouth concurred, “Simultaneously riotous and controlled, this is modern death metal at its smartest.” Added MetalSucks, “INGESTED proves over and over again that they can still surprise us. When they started out in 2006, they surprised everyone with their ability to hang with more established US deathcore bands and even outdo them. Now they prove that they can take that sound and be more than heavy, loud, and shocking as they dig deep and get artistic.”

Preview/purchase The Tide Of Death And Fractured Dreams at metalblade.com/ingested.

INGESTED:

Josh Davies – vocals

Sean Hynes – guitars, backing vocals

Lyn Jeffs – drums

Andrew Virrueta – guitars, backing vocals

Thomas O’Malley – bass

For INGESTED coverage contact liz@earsplitcompound.com.

https://www.ingested.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/ingesteduk

https://www.instagram.com/ingested

https://www.youtube.com/ingestedtv

https://www.metalblade.com

https://www.instagram.com/metalbladerecords

https://www.facebook.com/metalbladerecords

https://x.com/MetalBlade

https://www.metalblade.com/museum

RIVERS OF NIHIL To Release Self-Titled Fifth Full-Length May 30th On Metal Blade Records

Staff — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 18:20:25 +0000

RIVERS OF NIHIL To Release Self-Titled Fifth Full-Length May 30th On Metal Blade Records; New Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available

Photo by Mike Truehart

Watch/stream RIVERS OF NIHIL’s “House Of Light” HERE.

Progressive death metal progenitors RIVERS OF NIHIL will release their eponymous fifth full-length on May 30th via Metal Blade Records.

Sixteen years and five albums into the Pennsylvania band’s career, RIVERS OF NIHIL is upping the ante with Rivers Of Nihil. Traditionally, a self-titled record can signal a return to basics and/or a fresh beginning, and in ten powerful songs, it’s clear that both those factors are in play. Founding bassist Adam Biggs became the band’s new lead vocalist/bassist in 2023; the same year marked the appearance of additional guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently on Rivers Of Nihil. Producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio captured the new dynamics across more than fifty minutes of music.

“I feel like these songs are the perfect blend of all our albums, with all the fat cut away,” says founding guitarist Brody Uttley. “There are more technical songs that call back to The Conscious Seed Of Light and Monarchy sound, but with a more mature understanding of how to pace a song. There’s a fair bit of the Where Owls Know My Name and The Work-type experimental stuff, but with a more refreshed perspective on those styles for the current era of the band.”

On June 15th, 2023, the band released a new single, “The Sub-Orbital Blues,” the first track with Biggs handling lead vocals following the 2022 departure of singer Jake Dieffenbach. It was also the first track to feature Thomas. A second single, “Hellbirds,” dropped on October 19th of that year. On April 29th, 2024, the band released the cut “Criminals” and an accompanying music video. Both “Criminals” and “The Sub-Orbital Blues” appear on Rivers Of Nihil.

The new album’s first single of 2025, “House Of Light,” is a track that “encapsulates the nature of what it is that we do perfectly while offering a different perspective on the sound with the new lineup,” explains Uttley, who also plays piano and does the programming in the band. “Everything that our fans have come to love about our sound is demonstrated in this song with the new addition of Andy singing and Biggs on main vocals. It has the riffs, it has the big chorus, it has the prog, it has the solos, it has the sax. Just a real classic example of what we do as a band in 2025.”

Watch RIVERS OF NIHIL’s “House Of Light” video, directed by My Good Eye Music Visuals, HERE.

Rivers Of Nihil also showcases additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone, Stephan Lopez on banjo, McFarland on cello, and a slate of other guest vocalists. Despite the fresh approach on Rivers Of Nihil however, the album fits neatly into the band’s discography. With Where Owls Know My Name (2018), RIVERS OF NIHIL transcended all labels applied to them, and with its 2021 follow-up, The Work, they forged further into new territory with Metal Injection calling the latter album “the group’s most cohesive, ambitious, meditative, and varied effort, with greater uses of philosophical significance and transcendental respites.”

Rivers Of Nihil will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:

Bleach + Ammonia (Light Blue Smoke – US)

Adenochrome (Tiger’s Eye – US)

Water + Time (Blue / Green Smoke – US)

Stomach Acid (Blue / Yellow Smoke – US)

House Of Light (Yellow / Green Marbled – US Tour Exclusive)

180g Black (EU)

Radiant Light (Neon Yellow Marbled – EU)

Dark Teal w/ Orange + Yellow Splatter (EU – Ltd. 500)

Gold w/ Black Dust (EU Impericon Exclusive – Ltd. 200)

Find preorders at metalblade.com/riversofnihil.

Rivers Of Nihil Track Listing:

1. The Sub-Orbital Blues

2. Dustman

3. Criminals

4. Despair Church

5. Water & Time

6. House Of Light

7. Evidence

8. American Death

9. The Logical End

10. Rivers Of Nihil

Later this month, RIVERS OF NIHIL will kick off their Aggressive Progressive EU/UK headlining tour with support from Cynic, Beyond Creation and labelmates, Dååth. In May, the band will return to North American stages for another month-long headliner with support provided by Holy Fawn, Inter Arma, and Glacial Tomb. Tickets and VIP packages are available now at https://ron.soundrink.com. See all confirmed dates below.

RIVERS OF NIHIL w/ Cynic, Beyond Creation, Dååth:

2/28/2025 Essigfabrik – Köln, DE

3/01/2025 Zappa – Antwerp, BE

3/02/2025 La Machine – Paris, FR

3/04/2025 Slay – Glasgow, GB

3/05/2025 Academy – Dublin, IE

3/06/2025 The Fleece- Bristol, GB

3/07/2025 Engine Rooms – Southampton, GB

3/08/2025 Club Academy – Manchester, GB

3/09/2025 Electric Ballroom – London, GB

3/10/2025 XOYO – Birmingham, GB

3/12/2025 Patronaat – Haarlem, NL

3/13/2025 Gruenspan – Hamburg, DE

3/14/2025 Fryshuset Klubben – Stockholm, SE

3/16/2025 Tavastia – Helsinki, FI

3/18/2025 John Dee – Oslo, NO

3/19/2025 Pumpehuset – Copenhagen, DK

3/21/2025 Proxima – Warsaw, PL

3/22/2025 Columbia Theater – Berlin, DE

3/23/2025 Z-Bau – Nürnberg, DE

3/24/2025 Flex – Wien, AT

3/25/2025 Dürer Kert – Budapest, HU

3/26/2025 Backstage – München, DE

3/27/2025 Slaughter Club – Milan, IT

3/28/2025 Kiff – Aarau, CH

3/29/2025 Substage – Karlsruhe, DE

w/ Holy Fawn, Inter Arma, Glacial Tomb:

5/22/2025 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA

5/23/2025 The Palladium (Upstairs) – Worcester, MA

5/24/2025 Rec Room – Buffalo, NY

5/25/2025 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH

5/27/2025 Pike Room @ Crofoot – Pontiac, MI

5/28/2025 Reggies – Chicago, IL

5/29/2025 The Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN

5/30/2025 Bourbon Theater – Lincoln, NE

5/31/2025 Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO

6/01/2025 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT

6/03/2025 Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC

6/04/2025 El Corazon – Seattle, WA

6/05/2025 Dante’s – Portland, OR

6/06/2025 Goldfield Trading Post – Roseville, CA

6/07/2025 Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA

6/08/2025 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA

6/10/2025 Nile – Mesa, AZ

6/11/2025 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM

6/12/2025 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX

6/13/2025 The Rail – Ft. Worth, TX

6/14/2025 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX

6/15/2025 Scout Bar – Houston, TX

6/17/2025 Basement East – Nashville, TN

6/18/2025 Eulogy – Asheville, NC

6/19/2025 The Canal Club – Richmond, VA

6/20/2025 The Meadows – Brooklyn, NY

6/21/2025 Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC

6/22/2025 Lees Palace – Toronto, ON

RIVERS OF NIHIL:

Adam Biggs – bass guitar, vocals

Andy Thomas – guitar, vocals

Brody Uttley – guitar, piano, keys, programming

Jared Klein – drums, vocals

For RIVERS OF NIHIL coverage contact liz@earsplitcompound.com.

https://www.facebook.com/riversofnihil

https://x.com/riversofnihil

https://www.instagram.com/riversofnihil

https://www.youtube.com/Riversofnihilpa

https://www.metalblade.com

https://www.facebook.com/metalbladerecords

https://www.instagram.com/metalbladerecords

https://x.com/MetalBlade

https://www.metalblade.com/museum

SCOUR: Extreme Metal Supergroup To Release Gold Full-Length February 21st, 2025 Via Housecore Records/Nuclear Blast

Erik T — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 02:35:41 +0000

SCOUR: Extreme Metal Supergroup To Release Gold Full-Length February 21st, 2025 Via Housecore Records/Nuclear Blast; New Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available

Photo by Malcolm Pugh

Watch SCOUR’s “Infusorium” video HERE.

SCOUR, the extreme metal collective featuring an impressive lineup of heavy music veterans, including Philip H. Anselmo (Pantera, Down), Derek Engemann (Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals), John Jarvis (Nest, Agoraphobic Nosebleed), Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index), and Adam Jarvis (Pig Destroyer, Misery Index, Lock Up), will release their long awaited full-length, Gold, on February 21st, 2025 via Housecore Records in North America and Nuclear Blast in Europe.

Deepening the experience set forth on SCOUR’s previously released EP trilogy, Gold pulls the listener through a blistering vortex of speed, aggression, and, above all, absolute horror. Drawing from a deep framework of literary horror masterworks, Gold guides the listener beyond the realm of death and through the metaphysical anomalies of a disheveled and decaying mind. In-so-which the pall of a savage universe is lifted, an inconceivable puppet master revealed, the remaining self of the listener excruciatingly dissolved, and left asking, “who is it that pulls the strings?”

Musically, SCOUR fuses the raw aggression of black metal with grindcore, punk, and thrash influences, manifesting a sound that honors extreme metal’s roots while pushing it into modern territory. Their minimalist approach is relentless and brutal, perfectly embodying this vision.

In advance of the release of Gold, today the band unveils first single, “Infusorium,” and its accompanying video, filmed and edited by Malcolm Pugh.

Comments Engemann, “SCOUR is storming back onto the scene with our new single, ‘Infusorium,’ a relentless blend of intricate guitar work and raw, unforgiving intensity. This track raises the bar, with more intricate guitar work, and featuring a searing solo by Mark Kloeppel, undoubtedly some of his finest work that cuts straight to the core.

“Inspired by Jon Padgett’s haunting short novel, Infusorium, the lyrics channel the story’s eerie depth and darkness, bringing a literary edge to the metal mayhem. As the lead single and first music video from our upcoming full-length album, Gold, ‘Infusorium’ proves the SCOUR is fiercer and more dynamic. The SCOUR boys are back, more ripping than ever!”

Watch SCOUR’s “Infusorium” video HERE. Stream/purchase the track HERE.

Gold, which features cover art by Cain Gillis, will be available on CD, LP, limited edition cassette (US only), and digital formats.

Find preorders at THIS LOCATION.

Gold Track Listing:

1. Cross

2. Blades

3. Infusorium

4. Ornaments

5. Coin

6. Evil

7. Devil

8. Contaminated

9. Hell

10. Invoke

11. Gold

12. Angels

13. Serve

Forged in 2015, SCOUR quickly made their mark with the blistering debut single “Dispatched.” Their first release, The Grey EP (2016), came via Anselmo’s own Housecore Records, followed by The Red EP in 2017. In 2020, SCOUR unleashed their most aggressive effort yet, The Black EP, released under Housecore and Nuclear Blast Records and featuring guest appearances from notable figures like Erik Rutan, Pat O’Brien, and actor Jason Momoa.

And now SCOUR elevates their intensity with the announcement of their first full-length album, Gold, which includes a guest solo by Gary Holt (Slayer, Exodus). Recording for Gold began in February 2023 at Nodferatu’s Lair — Philip Anselmo’s personal studio and rehearsal space — which saw the band highly engaged in a concentrated effort toward a truly diabolical composition, with Anselmo leading the charge at every turn. One would often find the entire band in the control room in ecstatic debate, meticulously mulling over every blast beat and divebomb. The album was intermittently refined, and lyrical concepts finalized, over the course of 2023 as touring schedules would allow.

Anselmo began vocal recordings in the Fall of 2023 at The Lair. Backup vocal recordings were then executed by the rest of the band in arena backstage rooms over the course of Pantera’s February 2024 tour, where the full band would also thoroughly review the instrumentation mixes. Once the tracks were finalized by SCOUR and mixing engineer Dennis Israel, they were then passed to Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden for mastering by Jens Bogren.

Despite their relatively short career, SCOUR has performed at some of the world’s most prominent festivals, including Roskilde, Hellfest, Tecate Metal Fest, and Maryland Deathfest. With such a powerful pedigree, SCOUR remains a dominant force in both live performances and studio recordings, and fans can expect even more from them in the future.

For SCOUR coverage contact liz@earsplitcompound.com.

https://www.facebook.com/scourband

https://www.instagram.com/scour_official

https://www.housecorerecords.com

https://www.facebook.com/housecorerecords

https://www.instagram.com/housecorerecords

https://www.nuclearblast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/nuclearblastrecords

https://www.facebook.com/nuclearblastrecords

IN THE WOODS… ink deal with PROPHECY PRODUCTIONS

Staff — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 15:34:26 +0000

IN THE WOODS…
ink deal with
PROPHECY PRODUCTIONS

There is no need to introduce the name IN THE WOODS… to any adherent of avant-garde and black metal. Their coordinates within the scene are also well known: The Norwegians were among the bands that have participated in the burgeoning evolution of black metal in the early 90s and have had a large part in the shaping of the sound of a strong subgenre.

IN THE WOODS… were founded in the southern Norwegian city of Kristiansand in 1991, which is considered as the bible belt of their country. At the time, the band emerged as an offshoot of the original line-up of GREEN CARNATION, which some of the members were also a part of. They quickly gained a strong reputation within the underground as an innovative entity that was pushing the boundaries of their genre. Their 1993 demo “Isle of Men” became widely circulated in the tape trading community. Many of its ideas and riffs flowed into the first full-length “Heart of the Ages” (1995), which made a lasting impact on black metal and is rightfully regarded as one of the genre’s early classics.

“Heart of the Ages” distinguished itself with a sound that was more open to influences outside the strict black metal canon, and its meandering songs had a strong cinematic quality that is often described as ‘atmospheric’. The band used themes from Norse myth and was one of the first to which the term ‘pagan metal’ was applied, which is not to be conflated with ‘folk metal’ and means such acts as ENSLAVED, THYRFING, PRIMORDIAL, and MOONSORROW that use ancient myth and at times also traditional elements in their BATHORY inspired music.

Refusing to rest on their laurels, IN THE WOODS… progressed further into different musical dimensions with “Omnio” (1997) and “Strange in Stereo” (1999) that were both rich in experimentation. In the year 2000, the Norwegians announced their split, marking the end of their first era..

After the tragic death of founding guitarist Oddvar A.M. aka Oddvar Moi on May 13, 2013, drummer Anders Kobro revived the band and got the Botteri twins from the original core line-up back on board. They were joined by new vocalist James Fogarty and guitarist Kåre André Sletteberg. This led to the second life cycle of the band that began with the official reunion in 2014. The acclaimed album “Pure” followed in 2016, but the same year the Botteri brothers decided to leave again. Despite a phase of line-up changes, IN THE WOODS… managed to release another strong album with “Cease the Day” in 2018. During the production of the next full-length “Diversum”, vocalist James Fogarty parted ways with the band in December 2021, which also marks the end of a somewhat tumultuous second cycle.

In the meantime, guitarist Bernt Horne Sørensen and local bass player Nils Olav Drivdal had joined the band. In 2022, vocalist Bernt Fjellestad completed IN THE WOODS… and “Diversum” was finalised to be released the same year. With a finally stable and strong line-up, the Norwegians have worked hard on all fronts. The celebrated performance at Prophecy Fest 2024 gave witness to a band having reached a new peak, ready to take on the world.

Currently, IN THE WOODS… are preparing for the launch of their forthcoming new album, which promises to reflect the strength and artistic maturity of the band’s third incarnation. This highly anticipated record will be released on the label in 2025, and will also be supported by an extended European tour the same year. Watch this space for further news coming soon.

Line-up
Anders Kobro – drums
Bernt Fjellestad – vocals
Kåre André Sletteberg – guitars, keyboards
Bernt Horne Sørensen – guitars
Nils Olav Drivdal – bass

SCALPTURE sign with Testimony Records

Erik T — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:59:30 +0000

When SCALPTURE came into being in the German city of Bielefeld in 2009, founding guitarist Felix Marbach already had a clear vision: The musical direction was to be death metal without any compromise regarding its roots and values, but at the same time the band aimed to evolve into a singular musical entity with a unique style very much their own right from the start.

With the release of their debut album “Panzerdoktrin” (‘Doctrine of Tanks’) in 2016 it became apparent that SCALPTURE had succeeded to reach a first milestone in their quest by adding different facets of heaviness to their death metal foundations that reflect the wide range of the band members’ musical influences. With each new album that followed, “Eisenzeit” (‘Iron Age’, 2020) and “Feldwärts” (“To the Fields”, 2022), SCALPTURE at the same expanded their stylistic horizon, while also defining and focusing a sound of their own.

It is hardly surprising that all of SCALPTURE‘s album titles refer to the topic of ‘war’ that the band has decided to adopt as their prime lyrical theme. Staying away from glorifying stereotypes, their texts are built on detailed historical research and portray the horrors that the abyss of war has caused in some of the darkest hours of humankind. Although the Germans have chosen war as their main subject, SCALPTURE embrace modern values such as tolerance, peace, and reason.

Currently, SCALPTURE prepare for their next album to be released in early 2025 as well as a massive tour next year. Stay tuned for more exiting death metal news!

Band: Scalpture
Style: Death Metal
Label: Testimony Records

Line-up

Thorsten Pieper – vocals
Tobias Aselmann – guitar
Felix Marbach – guitar
Niklas Neuwöhner – bass
Moritz Nixdorf – drums

Links
www.scalpture-official.com
www.facebook.com/scalpture
www.instagram.com/scalpture_official

HEAVEN SHALL BURN – Release “Keinen Schritt Zurück” feat. DONOTS

Erik T — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:08:23 +0000

Watch “Keinen Schritt Zurück” feat. DONOTS HERE

HEAVEN SHALL BURN have just released a special new single and video, “Keinen Schritt Zurück,” featuring their longtime friends from the renowned German alternative/punk rock band DONOTS. This marks their first new music since they released a cover of Trivium’s “Pillars Of Serpents” at the end of 2022, and the highly successful album Of Truth And Sacrifice, which topped the Official German Album Charts at #1, reached #4 in Austria, and #6 in Switzerland.

This new track is not just a musical collaboration, but also a powerful statement reflecting both bands’ commentary on the current political climate. The video, directed by longtime collaborator Philipp Hirsch alongside guitarist and audio producer Alexander Dietz, can be watched HERE.

Maik Weichert, guitarist of HEAVEN SHALL BURN, commented on the collaboration: “At a first glance HSB and DONOTS do not sound very compatible. However, we are on the same page when it comes to our underlying taste in music, attitude and political stance, so it is not surprising that the bands have been friends for a long time. We have been discussing doing a song together forever and it was finally time to get serious about it. It was very important to us that this wouldn’t be some kind of sterile guest musician appearance, but that both bands would really operate at eye level and shape the song. We think the result is really something special, as it differs considerably from the bands’ respective sounds without being completely wacky. It was an exciting and rewarding experiment for all of us, and we’re extremely excited to see how it goes down with the people out there. Aside from the music the lyrics are very important to us. We hope that many people can identify with them as much as we do!”

INGO DONOT (vocals) adds: “For me, Heaven Shall Burn are one of the most extraordinary bands of our time and totally deserve becoming one of the biggest metal acts in the country. Their commitment against right wing policies makes the band even more valuable, because in my opinion there is still far too little clarity in the metal scene on the positioning and differentiation against backwards thinking, arch-conservative structures, racism and fascism on a broad scale. Heaven Shall Burn have clear punk and hardcore roots which are beautifully evident everywhere and which make this collaboration so logical for me. In the 30 years of our band history, DONOTS have always stood up for a peaceful, shared future and have always supported NGOs like ‘Kein Bock Auf Nazis’. Both bands are not only a great match in terms of people, but also share a very similar subcultural background. Guido and I in particular are big metal fans and enjoy bands like Entombed, Carcass, Nails, Sodom, Kreator, Slayer and co, so it was a huge pleasure for us to get to work on vocals and guitars in that style. It felt pretty intuitive thanks to the great pre-production that we received from Saalfeld. I think the result is great, I’m happy that punk and metal really do go hand in hand as well as I’ve always suspected, and we, DONOTS, are very grateful to HSB for the idea and the invitation! In return, we are happy to accept the fact that we all professionally meeting our maker in a Schützenhalle at the end of the video for ‘Keinen Schritt zurück’…”

In addition to the digital release, HEAVEN SHALL BURN has even more exciting news to share: “Keinen Schritt Zurück” will also be available as a limited edition 7” vinyl via their brand-new web shop. The vinyl will come in the following variants:

Black: 100 copies
Splatter (crystal transparent/black/red): 500 copies
Splatter (transparent red/black/white): 500 copies
Splatter (transparent green/black/red): 200 copies
Red: 200 copies

The B-side of the 7” features a cover of SLIME’s “Schweineherbst,” recorded with the German noise rock duo DŸSE and featuring Elf from SLIME on guitars. Guitarist Maik Weichert shares: “’Schweineherbst’ is an evergreen. Sadly, it hasn’t lost any of its lyrical relevance and fits perfectly into the year 2024. Covering a legend like Slime together with our buddies from DŸSE has been on our to-do list for a long time!”

Click here to head to their official store: https://www.endzeit.shop/

HEAVEN SHALL BURN are:

Marcus Bischoff – vocals
Maik Weichert – guitar
Alexander Dietz – guitar
Eric Bischoff – bass
Christian Bass – drums

Heaven Shall Burn online:
https://www.heavenshallburn.com/
https://www.instagram.com/heavenshallburnofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/officialheavenshallburn

MASSACRE Details New Album “Necrolution” & Reveals First Single “The Colour Out Of Space” In Lyric Video

Erik T — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:55:11 +0000

Fresh off a summer festival run, American death metal legends MASSACRE, spearheaded by growl forefather Kam Lee, announce details of their long-awaited fifth studio album, “Necrolution”, set for release on November 8th via Agonia Records. The album’s first single, “The Colour Out Of Space”, is being premiered now in the form of a lyric video, at this address:

https://youtu.be/3SKX76h68EA

MASSACRE – The Colour Out Of Space (Official Lyric Video)

“Necrolution” is a retrospective, nostalgic album, that turns back time to the late 80s and early 90s era of death metal. Recapturing the essence and style of death metal that was the original formula. Recreating the aesthetic feeling of something from the original style and sound to represent to these modern times. It’s purposefully meant to sound dated as it represents an era of early death metal music. It purposefully does not mimic the band’s own original style but rather reflects the styles of many early era bands that influenced generations in death metal music.

Commented by Kam Lee: “With «Necrolution» the idea was to evolve the band’s sound by devolving it. Unlike many bands in death metal that attempt to modernize and update their style and sound to emulate many of the modern contemporary death metal bands, we wanted to go back to the origin. The original sound and style. We wanted to make an album that sounds like it could have come out of the late 80s. The entire concept was to create something that was a de-evolution of the death metal genre and go back to an early style reminiscent of the past. Going back 40 years into the past to immolate the style of death metal that was predominantly influenced by thrash and heavy metal bands of the era. Lyrically it’s still entrenched in the horror genre and influenced by HP Lovecraft stories. We even have three tracks directly dedicated and influenced by the director Stewart Gordon, the filmmaker who was directly responsible for bringing Lovecraft films to horror movies in the 80s. The overall idea was to bring a 1980s aesthetic to the music that’s influenced by 1980s music as well as horror movie genre at the time. My hope is that fans find a unique experience when listening to «Necrolution» that not only encapsulates the feeling of 80s nostalgia but makes them appreciate the way the era influenced the death metal genre at the time.”

“Necrolution” was recorded at DOA studios, Full S Studios & Gojiden Studio in Florida (USA) and mixed and mastered by Jonny Pettersson at Studio Unbound in Sweden. The cover artwork was painted by Timbul Cahyono of Bvllmetalart. Mark Riddick (Arch Enemy, Autopsy, Morbid Angel) created the merchandise designs. The recording personnel for the new album – much of whom have been with MASSACRE since the “Resurgence” era – comprises, aside from Kam Lee, original MASSACRE bassist Mike Borders, returning guitarists Rogga Johansson (Paganizer, Rib Spreader, Megascavanger) & Jonny Pettersson (Wombbath, Heads for The Dead), and new drummer, Jon Rudin (Just Before Dawn, Heads for The Dead, Dehumanaut). The band features a separate session line-up for live performances, which consists of Carlos Gonzalez (Grim Reality) on guitars, Elden Santos (Druid Lord) on drums and Tim Wilson on bass.

Formed in 1984, MASSACRE started out as a heavy/power metal band, but changed its style to death metal with the joining of Allen West and Kam Lee; the latter is often credited for inventing the “death growl” – first heard on the band’s 1986 demo “Aggressive Tyrant” – and is considered an influential pioneer as far as the death metal genre is concerned. The group went through several personnel shifts and disbandments over the years – with its early line-up toggling between MASSACRE, Mantas (early Death) and Death – to a triumphant return in 2021, with their last studio album “Resurgence”.

Tracklisting:
1. Fear Of The Unknown
2. Xenophobia (Prologue)
3. Ritual Of The Abyss
4. Ensnarers Within
5. Death May Die
6. Chasm (Prologue)
7. The Colour Out Of Space
8. In The Lair Of Legacy Leeches
9. The Things That Were And Shall Be Again
10. Xothic (Prologue)
11. Dead-Life: ReAnimator
12. Shriek Of The Castle Freak
13. Curse Of The Resonator
14. Horrors Of Hidden Truth
15. Shroud Of Shadows
16. Ad Infinitum: The Final Hour

Formats:
– Jewel case CD
– Slipcase CD
– Tape
– White LP
– Transparent green LP
– Purple LP
– Yellow w/red splatter LP

Clothing:
– Long sleeve
– T-shirt

Tour dates:
Massacre (w/ support: Pessimist)
11/26 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
11/27 – Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom
11/29 San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
11/30 – Los Angeles, CA @ 1720*
12/01 – Tijuana, MEX @ Foro Nebraska
*with Sadistic Intent

Photo left to right: Tim Wilson (bass), Elden Santos (drums), Kam Lee (vocals), Carlos Gonzalez (guitar).
Photo credit: Alayna B. Lee; bigger photo: click

Recording line-up:
Kam Lee – vocals
Mike Borders – bass
Jonny Pettersson – guitars
Rogga Johansson – guitars
Jon Rudin – drums

Pre-orders:
https://massacre.agoniarecords.com/Follow MASSACRE:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MassacreBandUSA/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/massacre_band_official
Bandcamp: https://massacre3.bandcamp.com
Spotify: click
Apple Music: click

Agonia Records:
Website: https://agoniarecords.com
Webshop: https://agoniarecords.com/store
Facebook: https://facebook.com/agoniarecords
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Bandcamp: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com
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YouTube: https://youtube.com/AgoniaRec