The ground quakes, the surface fractures, and a colossal force rises from the abyss: Gates To Hell have returned to deliver their undeniable truth - Death Comes To All. The Louisville natives charge onto the heavy music scene with their second full-length which will be released March 21 via Nuclear Blast Records. Blurring the lines between death metal, hardcore, and every brutal sound in between, Gates To Hell bring a monstrous energy to the studio and an unmatched ferocity to their live performances.
Today, the band unveil the brutal first track, "Next To Bleed". The song showcases the band’s growth as songwriters, demonstrating a refined maturity while retaining their signature aggression. The accompanying music video directed by Errick Easterday features a striking visual concept: the band encircling a tilting table, where a tortured figure lies bleeding out—a dark, visceral representation of the track’s themes. "Next To Bleed" is now available to order as a limited edition 7" red vinyl.
Gates To Hell comments, "We’ve been working real hard and we’re excited to share with you all the next chapter for Gates To Hell starting with our first single 'Next To Bleed'. This is our most diverse and well-rounded collection of songs we’ve made and we’re stoked to finally be able to release this record to the world soon.”
Nuclear Blast America's Label Manager & Head of A&R Tommy Jones comments, “The time has finally come and the Gates To Hell are opening wide. Line up and step through, for you are the ‘Next To Bleed’! I'm proud to be the gatekeeper to usher in the next era of brutality for the Louisville natives via the largest metal record label in the world, Nuclear Blast Records. Death Comes To All on March 21, 2025. You have been warned."
Stream "Next To Bleed" and purchase the limited edition 7" vinyl here. Check out the music video below.
Fueled by youthful ambition and a sharp creative focus, the band enlisted Randy LeBoeuf of Graphic Nature Audio. The partnership resulted in raw intensity with a sharpened sense of precision, elevating their sound to new heights. Their album artwork - crafted by WYRMWALK - offers a fitting representation of the blood-soaked dread and suffocating darkness that Death Comes To All unleashes.
Death Comes To All is available now for pre-order in a variety of formats including CD Jewel, LP Vinyl in purple swirl, light blue splatter (band exclusive), and purple and white swirl with black splatter (Life and Death Brigade Festival | New England Metal & Hardcore Festival exclusive) as well as a t-shirt. Head 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),has released a music video for its latest single, "Blades". The track is taken from SCOUR's long-awaited full-length album, "Gold", which will arrive on February 21, 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.
Of "Gold"'s first single, "Infusorium", released in November, Revolver gushed, "It's an absolutely face-melting blast packed with elements of black metal, grindcore, punk, and thrash, all topped by Anselmo's throat-shredding death roar." Metal Injection concurred, writing, "holy shit, Anselmo sounds nothing short of demonic on this thing."
The video for "Blades", which was shot by Malcolm Pugh, includes footage from Anselmo's annual Housecore Home Haunt 2024 as well as SCOUR's most recent live show at Southport Hall in New Orleans.
Engemann comments: "SCOUR comes in hot with our second offering from the 'Gold' LP, 'Blades' — a fierce, ripping, 'unholy grilling of spirits!'
"From the very beginning of the 'Gold' writing sessions, 'Blades' stood out with its unrelenting, grinding riffage — a natural choice for track 2, keeping the album's blistering energy alive.
"The accompanying music video amplifies the intensity, filmed at none other than Philip Anselmo's private home Haunt. Shot during the Halloween season, the grotesque and gothic atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for this 'tower of gore.' The video is topped off with spliced footage from our recent live show at the Southport Hall in New Orleans. Filmed and directed by the talented Malcolm Pugh, 'Blades' is a blood-soaked anthem that demands to be blasted at maximum volume."
"Gold", which features cover art by Cain Gillis, will be available on CD, LP, limited edition cassette (U.S. only),and digital formats.
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.
Five years since their latest studio offering, Strike Hard, London, UK-based iconic NWOBHM pioneers Airforce, featuring Doug Sampson (ex-Iron Maiden), will return with their new album, Acts Of Madness, on February 21 via ROAR. Pre-order the album here.
Following the previously-released, first video single "Among The Shadows", today, the four-piece is premiering a new video clip for the thunderous album track "Westworld". Listen now on all digital streaming providers here, and watch the new clip below:
Acts Of Madness showcases the band's ability to evolve their sound while staying true to the signature style that has defined them for decades. Created during challenging times, the album represents a bold step forward for the band, blending their hard rock and heavy metal influences into a powerful collection of tracks. With 11 songs and nearly an hour of material, the album delivers the epic, arena-worthy sound that fans have come to expect from Airforce. Despite the adversity they faced, including the global pandemic and the tragic loss of their producer and close friend Pete Franklin, the band forged ahead with unwavering determination. The project took a poignant turn after Franklin's passing, as the band lost many of the original recordings. Fortunately, longtime collaborator Jezz Coad stepped in to help bring the album to completion. Coad, who originally worked with Airforce in the 1980s, was instrumental in shaping the final product. This album stands as a tribute to Franklin, whose influence is felt throughout the tracks.
Recorded initially at his studio in 2020, the production was delayed due to the pandemic, resulting in the loss of much of the material. However, the band’s resilience ensured the album was finished, with demos salvaged from previous sessions. The result is an album that feels deeply personal to the ba
Italian masters of modern melodic metal, Temperance, have spellbound their symphonic magic into a thrilling live album, From Hermitage To Europe, out March 14 via Napalm Records. Captured during the band’s latest extended tour supporting their album Hermitage - Daruma's Eyes Pt. 2 (2023), the new live recording brings the magical village of Hermitage and fan favorites to life.
Now featured for the first time in live recording form, this story was first explored on the aforementioned full-length studio album, which has since also been released in its orchestral version, featuring many renowned guests such as Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie) and Laura Fella (Faun).
Known for their vocal harmonies, the first single, "Daruma", is a gift to symphonic lovers, where melodic guitar passages collide with a galloping drum beat. Temperance's Michele Guaitoli takes us into their magical world, while his vocal comrade-in-arms Kristin Starkey heats up the tension with her dark timbre. This live recording serves as the perfect prelude to their highly anticipated 2025 European tour, with melodic death metal giants Ignea and symphonic powerhouse Induction.
Marco Pastorino on “Daruma”: “It's been years since our only live release, and the time has come to publish material with our current lineup. For the first time, you’ll be able to listen to some of our most renowned tracks in their live versions - such as 'Of Jupiter And Moons', 'Diamanti', and 'The Last Hope In A World Of Hopes', while also including some of the most beloved songs from our latest album, Hermitage, after spending a year on the road supporting it. For this reason, we have chosen to release ‘Daruma’ as the first single, marking the first track released with our Kristin Starkey. We will celebrate the release of From Hermitage To Europe alongside our European headlining tour!”
Watch the live music video for “Daruma” below.
Rousing guitar riffs, epic orchestrations and powerful vocal duets are a welcome gift for symphonic metal lovers, now captured for the afterworld. While "The Last Hope In A World Of Hopes” combines gripping melodies and choral vocals, their stunning live performance can also be witnessed in “Darkness Is Just A Drawing” - fans will experience one of the band's most magical compositions, shining with masterful vocal harmonies. The palpable energy on fan-favorites like “Diamanti” and “Of Jupiter And Moons“ showcase the band’s extraordinary musical atmosphere.
Michele Guaitoli about the album: “The last years have been a rollercoaster of emotions. Temperance have grown on every level and have been traveling the world, having the honor of performing in Europe, the UK, the US and South America.
"Those who follow us are well aware that from Of Jupiter and Moons to Hermitage, we’ve faced a relevant lineup change. We felt it was fundamental to let our listeners understand who Temperance is nowadays, as the arrival of Kristin during the EU tour as special guests for Tarja had a strong impact on the sound of the band, thanks to her unique (and outstanding) voice.
"From Hermitage To Europe gives justice to what you are going to witness live in March during our headline run, and most importantly, sets in stone the essence of this new cycle of Temperance, which we want to be a cycle of rebirth.”
From Hermitage To Europe will be available in the following formats:
- 1CD Digisleeve - (Napalm Records Mailorder)
- Digital Album
Intro (live)
"Daruma" (live)
"The Last Hope In A World Of Hopes" (live)
"No Return" (live)
"A Hero Reborn" (live)
"Welcome To Hermitage" (live)
"Glorious" (live)
"Start Another Round" (live)
"Darkness Is Just A Drawing" (live)
"Into The Void" (live)
"Diamanti" (live)
"Of Jupiter And Moons" (live)
"Pure Life Unfolds" (live)
Swiss hard rock veterans GOTTHARD have kicked off the new year with the release of their second single, "Thunder & Lightning", from their upcoming 12-track studio album "Stereo Crush". As the world remains blanketed in snow, this new track spreads spring fever with its uplifting leads and emotionally charged storyline about love, quickly capturing the hearts of fans and heightening anticipation for the band's eagerly awaited new album.
Today, alongside the worldwide launch of pre-orders, GOTTHARD is also excited to reveal the cover artwork for "Stereo Crush", set to hit the shelves on March 21, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The artwork, designed by Thomas Ewerhard, who has previously collaborated with the band, perfectly encapsulates the album's themes of honesty, rawness, and a broad spectrum of emotions.
GOTTHARD singer Nic Maeder comments: "Freddy [Scherer; guitars] came to my house with the musical idea for this song. We started there and came up with the structure and the vocal melodies together and recorded the demo there. I then spent quite some time figuring out lyrics. The sound of the chorus riff somehow sounded electric to me, and I was thinking of words like 'lighting,' 'thunder' etc...and then I thought of the concept of how lighting never strikes twice but in this case it does, using this as a metaphor for love. Also in French, which I'm fluent in, you can say that 'love at first sight' is like getting hit by a bolt of lighting."
After releasing two singles, there's no really doubt that GOTTHARD are more than ready for the future with "Stereo Crush". Decorated with a powerful and contemporary production, the album delivers a series of big anthems but also a few surprises which help the Swiss icons to improve their DNA fresh and to spice up the essence of their trademark sound in an exciting way.
"Stereo Crush" track listing:
01. AI & I
02. Thunder & Lightning
03. Rusty Rose
04. Burning Bridges
05. Drive My Car
06. Boom Boom
07. Life
08. Liverpool
09. Shake Shake
10. Devil In The Moonlight
11. Dig A Little Deeper
12. These Are The Days
Produced and mixed by long-time partner Charlie Bauerfeind, who's known for his work with the likes of HELLOWEEN and BLIND GUARDIAN, alongside Leoni, at Yellowhouse Studio, and mastered by Sascha "Busy" Bühren (TrueBusyness),"Stereo Crush" promises to set new standards which will additionally come to shine on the band's forthcoming touring cycle: GOTTHARD will be touring in May, accompanied by special guests Y&T, rounded off by select festival and headline dates during the course of the year.
With 16 No. 1 albums, a Diamond Award for selling over one million units in Switzerland, and multiple platinum records, including their quadruple platinum album "Homerun", and several double and triple platinum albums, GOTTHARD has an unmatched legacy of successes, rounded off by over 3.5 million units sold worldwide and more than 2,000 live performances. Their tracks like "Heaven", a platinum single, and seven top 10 singles have cemented the band in the international music scene.
Maeder, who was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, lived in Melbourne, Australia and grew up between Switzerland and "Down Under", joined GOTTHARD in 2011.
GOTTHARD's previous vocalist, Steve Lee, was killed on October 5, 2010 in what has been described as a freak road accident in Nevada.
GOTTHARD is:
Nic Maeder - vocals
Leo Leoni - guitars
Freddy Scherer - guitars
Marc Lynn - bass
Flavio Mezzodi - drums
Brian Wheat, the founder and bassist of the multi-platinum selling band TESLA, recently announced an exciting new musical venture with Alex Gonzato, an emerging singer/songwriter from the U.K. The duo has joined forces to create a new band called VIOLET BREED, with their second single, "10 Years Sober", now available. The official music video for the song, which was premiered by New Noise Magazine, can be seen below.
VIOLET BREED said about the track: "'10 Years Sober' dives into themes of inner peace and self-healing, offering a unique perspective on the concept of sobriety."
Alex added: "With '10 Years Sober', we wanted to write something that explores another meaning to what it is to be sober. Kind of a new direction and meaning. The overall message and intention of the song is to bring forward a feeling of inner peace and self-healing within one's mind, allowing you to be the best representation of yourself for others."
VIOLET BREED represents a powerful collaboration between Wheat, a seasoned rock icon, and Gonzato, a fresh and dynamic voice in the music industry. The pair have spent the last five years meticulously crafting an album that draws from their own life experiences, creating music that resonates with listeners of all ages. With honest and emotive lyrics, VIOLET BREED's sound blends rich rock and pop influences, promising a unique and compelling listening experience.
The debut album, which features TESLA's own guitarist Dave Rude on guitars, will showcase the musical prowess of the duo. Fans of both TESLA and Gonzato will be eager to hear the new material, as VIOLET BREED looks to make a significant impact on the global music scene.
Lead single "Awake", which came out in September 2024, gave audiences a taste of what's to come from VIOLET BREED, delivering a track that's both musically engaging and lyrically profound.
Brian and Alex are able to tap into experiences from these diverse generations, which add to the depth of the music they produce. Their passion and inspiration for music is born from a shared love for records by THE BEATLES, Paul McCartney, QUEEN and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE. Influences from these bands is subtly interwoven into their music.
Over his successful forty years in the music industry, Brian has crafted an enviable music career. Performing live, author to autobiography "Son Of A Milkman" and managing the multi-platinum selling rock band TESLA, alongside side projects such as SOUL MOTOR and now VIOLET BREED, Brian has maintained an impressive consistency in the music industry over multiple decades resulting in an abundance of sellout tours across the U.S. and world.
Over the last ten years, Brian has acted as a close mentor and peer to Alex, notably being a huge influence in the studio, producing and co-writing songs. His oversight has helped refine the music Alex creates and brought priceless industry for Alex to further improve his craft. With his own individual success on active rock radio, numerous successful tours and festival appearances, and constantly performing to a demanding live schedule, Brian notices the potential of Alex's talents and commitment, and recognizes snippets of his younger self in the artist. Having displayed a unique range of vocal performances, heavily inspired by Freddie Mercury, plus a natural talent for songwriting, the opportunity to form a new band seemed inevitable.
Following their recent signing with ROAR, Australia’s Valhalore has released a first track taken off their new studio epos entitled Beyond The Stars, which will be out on April 11, along with the reissue of their self-released debut album Voyage To Eternity.
Since their formation in 2013, Valhalore conquer the world with their unique blend of melodic death, power, and symphonic metal, infused with epic folk influences. A first album appetizer, the single "Horizon", is available for streaming/download here. Watch a video below.
The band comments: “Inspired by a particularly beautiful sunset during the Covid-19 lockdowns, 'Horizon' is a song about hope for a brighter future. It explores the feelings of isolation we all felt during this time, and watching precious moments pass us by, yet somehow still wanting to create a life that is memorable beyond our time on earth.”
Starting January 17, the band will support the Swedish heavy metal templars of HammerFall as a special guest on tour:
January
17 - Melbourne, Australia – Northcote Theatre
18 - Sydney, Australia – Manning Bar
19 - Brisbane, Australia – The Triffid
Founded by guitarist Anthony Willis and vocalist Lachlan Neate, Valhalore swiftly became an unstoppable force in the Australian metal scene. Since their inaugural live performance in late 2015, the band’s unique sound has resonated with audiences both domestically and abroad.
The year 2017 marked a pivotal moment for Valhalore with the release of their debut album, Voyage Into Eternity. The band celebrated this opus with a s
Brazilian progressive metallers Maestrick have shared their new single and accompanying video “Lunar Vortex”, featuring Roy Khan, out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
After the symphonic synthwave of “Ethereal” and the prog-meets-Tim Burton vibes of “Upside Down”, Maestrick is embracing modern metal in their new single “Lunar Vortex”. Influenced by artists like Architects, Caligula's Horse and Skrillex, the track features downtuned riffs contrasting with electronic tones, clean and screamed vocals (a first for Maestrick), and brings a very special guest in Roy Khan (Conception, ex-Kamelot) in a beautiful duet with Fabio Caldeira. This is the first time Roy appears in a video that's not of his own band.
Vocalist Fábio Caldeira comments: “Roy was a big influence on how I wrote the melodies for this song, so when the opportunity to have him in the album became a reality, we knew it would work very well. He delivered an emotional and energetic performance, both vocally and in the video. We couldn't be happier with the result.”
“While I was in Brazil, last year, I hooked up with my friends from Maestrick to record “Lunar Vortex” with them. Wonderful people and awesome song. I hope everyone enjoys it!” adds Roy Khan.
Founded in São José do Rio Preto/SP by three friends, Maestrick have been active since 2006 and bring in their sound elements of rock and progressive heavy metal, Brazilian regional music, world music and classical music.
The band have released two albums in Brazil, Europe, United States and Japan, and are recognized for drinking from different artistic aspects - cinema, plastic arts, visual arts and literature – for their compositions, which results in a unique and, according to specialized critics, innovative style.
Not surprisingly, Maestrick captivates movie fans, notably those of Tim Burt
On August 10, 2024, Canadian melodic metal legends, Unleash The Archers, stormed the stage at the Bloodstock Open Air Festival, delivering a breathtaking performance that left the crowd roaring for more. Known for their unique fusion of power metal, melodic death metal, and progressive influences, this band continues to push boundaries and redefine the genre.
The performance reached new heights with their thunderous rendition of "Green & Glass". This standout track showcases the band’s signature mix of dynamic melodies, intricate rhythms, and Brittney Slayes' commanding vocals. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to their sound, this track is bound to leave a lasting impression.
Watch pro-shot video of the band's performance of "Green & Glass" below:
Unleash The Archers released their sixth studio album, Phantoma, last May via Napalm Records.
Mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, and with lead guitarist Andrew Kingsley at the helm as both principal songwriter and producer, Phantoma is an exciting advancement in Unleash The Archers’ songwriting and storytelling mastery, and a giant leap forward in their towering musical trajectory.
Phantoma tracklisting:
"Human Era"
"Ph4/NT0mA"
"Buried In Code"
"The Collective"
"Green & Glass"
"Gods In Decay"
Iggy Pop will release Live At Montreux Jazz Festival 2023 on January 24 via earMUSIC on Blu-ray+CD Digipak, 2LP (Black) Gatefold and Digital Download.
"Modern Day Ripoff" (Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2023) is the new single from the upcoming release. Watch the official video below, stream/download the single here, and pre-order the album here.
On July 6, 2023 Iggy Pop returned to the Montreux Jazz Festival backed by a seven-piece band and thrilled a capacity Stravinski Auditorium crowd with a career-spanning set including tracks from his time with The Stooges, his Idiot and Lust For Life albums, New Values leading up to his recent release Every Loser.
There has never been an artist on stage quite like Iggy Pop and here he has never been better. With a band as versatile and acrobatic as the artist himself, there is everything from the glorious primitivism of Stooges-era "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and "T.V. Eye", the swagger of "Lust For Life", the precise metronomic drone of 'Nightclubbing", and the full-on unleashed rock fury of the recent "Modern Day Ripoff" and "Frenzy".
“I give something extra every time I do Montreux Jazz. In ’23 it was deep cuts like 'Mass Production', 'Endless Sea', 'Five Foot One' and a hell of a lot of sweat." - Iggy Pop
This most comprehensive live collection catches up with Iggy as he continues to win over generations of new
January 31 will see Barcelona-based power metal act, Kilmara, release their new studio album, Journey To The Sun, via ROAR. Coming as CD jewel case, limited to 300 copies "Mediterranean Aura" marbled vinyl and digital streaming/download, the album pre-sale is available here.
On their forthcoming magnum opus, Kilmara sound more current, more powerful and heavier than ever, thanks to an excellent and careful production. With the aim set on finding the best and most fresh sound possible, Kilmara put the recording of their new album in the hands of Carles Salse in his Sureau Studio, and also teamed up with world-renowned and award-winning producer Seeb Levermann (Orden Ogan, Angus MCSIX, Rhapsody Of Fire, Riot V). Conceptually, Journey To Tthe Sun is set in the Arcade halls of the late 80's, where first loves, unbreakable friendships, rivalries, defeats and victory celebrations took place.
Today, the five-piece band has shared a new music video for their latest, epic single, "Wildfire". Listen on all digital streaming platforms here, and watch the clip below.
"This song is fast-paced, unleashed as its name indicates and incorporates galloping rhythms, riffs close to hard rock and one of the best choruses on the album without a doubt," Carles Salse (guitars & synths) comments. "A true anthem of melodic power metal that we hope will delight fans."
Guitarist John Portillo reveals: "We were rehearsing when we jammed playing some pure old school power metal, Eric has a fast and consistent double bass drum so we thought it would be great to have a great fast song. I immediately thought of some epic Halloween style openings, doubling or tripling instrumental harmonies... but I wanted to give it a more personal touch, something more unusual, so we played around with American hard rock a bit. The result is a wonderful punch in the face."
"Lyric-wise, this is an homage to the party classics of the 80's and early 90's that we all grew up listening to," singer Dani Ponce adds. "It's a song about living life to the fullest and not wanting to slow down. An explosive cocktail of youth, enregy, love and danger..."
After the additions of Eric Killer, a real steamroller on the drums, and guitarist, producer and composer Carles Salse, the band is renewed in every way and presents their new work Journey To The Sun, an adventure of epic proportions that transcends the limits explored up to this point by the band from Barcelona. Kilmara furthermore pick up the baton as heirs of the heroes of power metal and bring back the singer of the legendary and sorely missed swedish band Lost Horizon, Daniel Heiman, one of the best voices that the genre has given and who will undoubtedly overwhelm you with his performance as a special guest in “Take Me Back”.
Tracklisting:
"Point Of No Return"
"Journey To The Sun"
"Alliance Of The Free"
"Chances"
"Liberticide"
"W
Leper Colony have released the opening track “Facing The Faceless” as the first video single taken from their new full-length Those Of The Morbid. The sophomore album of the international death metal conspiracy has been scheduled for release on April 11, 2025.
"This is the opener of the album and a personal favourite of mine as well that sets the tone for the whole album and its sound", guitarist Rogga Johansson states on “Facing The Faceless”. "If you like mid-paced, full on riff-based, old and dirty death metal with awesome vocals, this is just what you crave for. With a simple yet super effective chorus, this song finishes you off in a filthy way."
"Rogga, what is best in death metal?" "Cool riffs and awesome vocals to crush all enemies. Pounding drums to see them driven before you. And lyrics about your favourite horror stuff to hear the lamentation of the whimps!" This should have been the answer, if the movie "Conan the Barbarian" had be
New Zealand modern groove metal trio ALIEN WEAPONRY will release a new album, "Te Rā", on March 28, 2025 via Napalm Records.
Since releasing its acclaimed debut "Tū" (2018),ALIEN WEAPONRY has been lauded for its kinetic presence and sound, as well as its vital blend of culturally profound lyricism in both English and te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. With their third full-length album, ALIEN WEAPONRY expands on its hallmark messages of cultural, societal and environmental resilience while delivering their most massive-sounding, focused musical output ever. In the hands of veteran producer/mixer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD, GOJIRA, MEGADETH) and featuring a guest vocal appearance from longtime ALIEN WEAPONRY champion Randy Blythe of LAMB OF GOD, "Te Rā"'s gnashing blend of groove, nu, math and thrash metal shines with anthemic choruses and refreshed technical skill.
With today's album announcement, the band have unleashed a brand new, grooving single, "Mau Moko". Featuring te reo Māori lyrics, the track honors traditional Māori face tattooing while delving into the costs of maintaining customs that are at-odds with dominant cultural norms. Check out the track and the accompanying music video below.
"Mau Moko" lyricist/bassist Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds says: "Māori have a rich history of marking traditions that were nearly lost during colonization. These traditions are currently in the process of a much-needed cultural revival, and I was inspired by that. I wanted the lyrics to remind people that moko is, and always will be, a part of who we are. With the song's video, we wanted to show the darker side of the history of moko and how the head trade played a part in the near extinction of the tradition. We fought through it and continue to fight for its revival still today!"
On "Te Rā", listeners can hear ALIEN WEAPONRY doubling down on the aggression in the verses before applying temperance, especially in the case of "Taniwha", a death metal-leaning banger featuring the particularly raw aforementioned guest vocal from Blythe. Lyrically, there's a noticeable tilt towards despondency, hopelessness, and frustration on "Te Rā". While bassist Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds's lyrics in Māori on songs like "Tama-nui-te-rā" and "Ponaturi" draw from the themes of history, battle lore and mysticism that made the first two albums so rich, frontman/guitarist Lewis Raharuhi de Jong's English-language lyrics illustrate the impact when culture collides with disenfranchisement day to day. "Crown" and "Hanging By A Thread" take us into the headspace where struggle pushes people to the brink of desperation, while on "Blackened Sky" and "1000 Friends", Lewis addresses universal woes like the looming threat of World War III and the damaging effects of social media. On album closer "Te Kore", Tūranga dives into primordial nothingness at the root of the Māori origin story, while on "Mau Moko", he finds the middle ground between these perspectives. Taken as a whole, "Te Rā" grapples with what it's like to be caught in the pull of divergent cultures — not just for the descendants of colonized people, but for all of us.
ALIEN WEAPONRY have solidified themselves as one of the greatest young metal bands of their generation with renewed musical tenacity and crucial messaging. "Te Rā" is a bold, unwavering cry for a future in which we can all take part in the legacy of peoples like the Māori and others all around us – people who, if they aren't seen, most certainly need to be heard.
ALIEN WEAPONRY frontman/guitarist Lewis Raharuhi de Jong adds: "We really stepped it up this time, as we understood that this album had to go further. We went through a lot of songs and scrapped entire sections of songs. We kept working them and working them until we got them right. Then, with the way we were pushing ourselves musically, I knew it was important to challenge myself lyrically as well. This time I delved into difficult emotional places and mental states. There's a lot of existential dread running through the album, and I tried to find the right words to describe the indescribable."
"Te Rā" track listing:
01. Crown
02. Mau Moko
03. 1000 Friends
04. Hanging By A Thread
05. Tama-nui-te-rā
06. Myself To Blame
07. Taniwha (feat. Randy Blythe)
08. Blackened Sky
09. Te Riri O Tāwhirimātea
10. Ponaturi
11. Te Kore
ALIEN WEAPONRY recently announced a massive North American tour with metal icon Kerry King, kicking off today. After the Kerry King tour, ALIEN WEAPONRY will embark on a headlining tour of New Zealand.
ALIEN WEAPONRY is:
Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong - Drums, Backing vocals
Lewis Raharuhi de Jong - Guitars, Lead vocals
Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds - Bass, Backing vocals
With their unique blend of epic power metal and dark, atmospheric sounds, South Germany's Black & Damned is gearing up for their third studio album, Resurrection, to be released on March 14 via ROAR. The album pre-sale is available here.
Resurrection sees the band captivate with thunderous guitar riffs, intense rhythms and gripping vocals that whisk you away into a world full of myths and inner conflicts. Their music is a storm of power and emotion, perfect for anyone who wants to experience the ultimate metal rush.
But give ear, today, Black & Damned are premiering a music video for a second album single, the stomping heavy metal anthem "Bound By The Moon".
Frontman Roland "Bobbes" Seidel says: “Bad dreams don't let me sleep. Hunted by demons until the morning. My life is stuck in chaos. Even when I wake up, the fear of life remains. Bound to the moon by day and by night.”
"Bound By The Moon" is now streaming on all digital services here. Watch the new clip below:
In the four years since their debut, Black & Damned have made a first-class name for themselves, sharing the stage with Vicious Rumors, Rage and Tankard, among others, and earning great reviews in the press.
It is now clear that the band from the Stuttgart area can be described as a real enrichment of the heavy metal world and so they took no prisoners, used the energy of past live shows and composed ten new neckbreakers, which
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