Knosis Share New Song "Dokumuma"

Japanese metal powerhouse KNOSIS, the visionary project led by renowned multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ryo Kinoshita, is proud to release their new single "DOKUNUMA," taken from their debut full-length album GENKNOSIS, due out August 1 via SharpTone Records.

KNOSIS blends searing metal, visceral hardcore, and introspective soundscapes,capturing the raw emotion and spiritual tension of life's heaviest moments. Following the powerful debut single "FUHAI" (Featuring Yukina of Hanabie),
and previous single "SHINMON," the release of "DOKUNUMA" continues to set the tone for what promises to be one of the year’s most compelling heavy records.

Stream "DOKUNUMA" here.

PRE-ORDER "GENKNOSIS" HERE

Hiroe Unveil Video for "Collider" From Album "Wield" Out 6/10

Hiroe, the new darlings of the American post-rock underground, have revealed their latest single "Collider," taken from their forthcoming debut album, Wield, out June 20 via Pelagic Records.

Watch the "Collider" video below.

Pre-order Wield here.

"Collider" is a 10-minute epic, presenting listeners with a sonic journey into the heart of modern existence, reflecting life's often opposing and overwhelming demands. Its elaborate structure provides the band with an opportunity to showcase diverse instrumentation, from the resonant standing bass and the delicate chime of a glockenspiel to captivating guitar tapping sections that crescendo into a powerful three-part harmony. Embodying a musical representation of the contradictory elements in balancing life's competing priorities, it evokes the moment when all facets of life come to a head, resulting in a profound convergence, just as its title, "Collider," implies.

Hiroe guitarist Eric Kusanagi comments, "'Collider' is a song that when we play live seems to be a crowd favorite. It's the longest song in our catalogue, at about 10 minutes long, and we wanted to take the listener on a journey that goes through a lot of peaks and valleys."

The single is another glimpse of the forthcoming album Wield, showcasing the Philadelphia-based quintet mastering their craft, of creating compelling melodies that sound larger than life.

2022 saw Hiroe burst onto the scene with an explosive debut EP full of soaring anthems and sublime soundscapes. Combining the sonic expansiveness of Deftones with the dynamic heaviness of bands like Isis and Caspian, Hiroe immediately already figured out how to make the most majestic sounding post-rock early in their career. 

"Our first release, Wrought, was a statement of creation," explains principal songwriter and guitarist Kusanagi.
 
For the recording of Wield, Jill Paslier moved from bass to guitars, with Brian Kong (guitars), Jon Seiler (bass), and Dan Sagherian (drums) joining to complete the lineup. Produced once more by Mario Quintero (Spotlights), Wield capitalizes on everything the band learned in the creation of its predecessor, adding to it a new focus on textural intricacies and compositional detail.
 
"We wanted to show a larger range of musical themes on this record," continues Kusanagi. "You'll hear us dive into some synth work, some piano work, some really interesting effects that Mario helped us dial up." 

As a result, Wield packs in a huge range of details, which reveal themselves over repeated listens. 
 
Nevertheless, Wield is still an affair of instant gratification for fans of guitar driven post-rock. From the soaring leads of "Tides" to the epic finale of "I've Been Waiting For You All My Life," Hiroe show they've upped their game in every department, but especially that which tugs at your heartstrings.

Wield presents the brave new future we all need in these confusing times. A new American frontier on which we can build our wildest dreams and our most daring ambitions.

HIROE ON TOUR:
6/6 — Baltimore, MD — Monument City Brewing
6/7 — Washington, DC —The Pocket
6/13 — Brooklyn, NY — Gold Sounds
6/14 — Boston, MA — Deep Cuts
6/20 — Harrisburg, PA — JB Lovedraft’s
6/21 — Lancaster, PA  — The Upside
6/27 — Philadelphia, PA — Kung Fu Necktie
6/28 — Pittsburgh, PA — Ormsby's
7/23 — Indianapolis, IN — Black Circle (Post-Fest Pre-Show)

HIROE ARE:
Eric Kusanagi — Guitar
Jill Paslier — Guitar
Brian Kong — Guitar
Jon Seiler — Bass
Dan Sagherian — Drums

Ministry Releases First-Ever Music Video For “I’ll Do Anything For You,” The Latest Single From “The Squirrely Years Revisited,

Al Jourgensen wearing heart-shaped sunglasses, pigtails, and a shirt that says “I’m Adorable”? Yes, that’s what you’ll see in the brand-new, first-time-ever video for Ministry’s oldie but goodie hit, “I’ll Do Anything For You.”

See the video helmed by Vicente Cordero and Ben Garcia Below:

It’s all part of the continuing “when hell freezes over” moments that have been the hallmarks of Ministry’s latest work, The Squirrely Years Revisited (out now via Cleopatra Records) that sees Jourgensen making peace with the past by reexamining his long-dormant synth pop hits and giving them a fresh polish 40 years later.

And the band is having a helluva fun time doing so. On the ongoing The Squirrely Years Tour, wrapping up June 5, Jourgensen, alongside John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Pepe Clarke Magaña (drums), Paul D’Amour (bass) and two backup Squirrelette singers have been getting rave reviews for the blast from-the-past shows:

“Ministry sauntered onto the stage like a sparkly-swirled, aromatic bulldozer to take Brooklyn back to a bastardized time in music when synth-pop bounced over the air like a dazzling gleam of exploding stars” —Metal Insider

“In diving back into their sleaziest, funkiest, most absurd incarnation, Ministry gave Chicago a homecoming worth dancing—and twitching—to.” —Metal Planet Music

“For once, it feels like Jourgensen is not taking himself too seriously. He’s just having fun with the songs and the crowd. The costumes are silly, the visuals are funny, and the backup dancers are over the top, but it only adds to the celebration. The show was nothing but a good time. … It may just be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You never know if Uncle Al and Ministry will perform these songs again.” —Illinois Entertainer

“Ministry’s performance was more than a set — it was a sonic reckoning. From the crushing instrumentation to the blistering visuals, the show felt like a full-frontal confrontation with the chaos of the modern world. The crowd didn’t just watch — they absorbed it, reacted to it, and walked away a little rattled in the best way possible.” —Concert Crap

Tickets are still available for the remaining The Squirrely Years Tour dates at MinistryBand.com.

Featuring 9 tracks (3 additional bonus tracks on CD), The Squirrely Years Revisited offers reworked versions of not only “I’ll Do Anything For You,” but also “Work For Love,” “I’m Not An Effigy” and “Everyday Is Halloween” alongside that song’s first-ever music video.

Order Digital copies of the album HERE

Order CD/Vinyl copies of the album HERE

MINISTRY THE SQUIRRELY YEARS TOUR

With My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Die Krupps

May 2025

28  Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo+

29  Spokane, WA @ Spokane Live Casino+

31  Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom+

June 2025

1   Salt Lake City, UT @ Union+

3   San Francisco, CA @ Warfield+

4   Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium+

5   Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues+

For tickets and more information, visit www.ministryband.com/tour

ABOUT MINISTRY

Born in 1981 in Chicago, Ministry has been the lifetime passion project of founder Al Jourgensen, considered to be the pioneer of industrial music. In its early days, Ministry was identifiable by its heavy synth-pop material in line with the new sounds and technology that were being developed in the ‘80s. Ministry’s output began with four 12” singles on Wax Trax! Records in 1981 before the first LP With Sympathy in 1983 via Arista Records. As time progressed however, so did Ministry, quickly developing a harsher, and more stylized sound that the band soon became infamous for on seminal albums Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), Ministry hit an all-time high in the mainstream musical realm and received its first Grammy nomination. In total, Ministry has been nominated for a Grammy award six times. Eight more albums would follow before an indefinite break in 2013, only to be unearthed again in 2018 with AmeriKKKant, continuing to reflect Jourgensen’s views on the frightening state of society and politics. The 2021 album Moral Hygiene marked a new creative era of Jourgensen and the band. Ministry’s 16th studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, was released March 1, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Find Ministry Online

Website: www.ministryband.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WeAreMinistry

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/WeAreMinistry

OUT FRIDAY FROM LA SUSPENDIDA

La Suspendida Live is set to arrive on May 30th, 2025. The recorded performance of the jazz metal opera at Le Forum (Vauréal, France) on November 16th, 2023, will be available in video form. This is in conjunction with the live tracks releasing on streaming platforms and physical formats via Excursus Production / Silent Pendulum Records. This production is not just a performance; it’s a collision of worlds—a blend of the raw power of metal, the precision of classical opera, and the adventurous spirit of experimental jazz.

Directed by David Unger, who described the shoot as, “The most mind-blowing shoot I’ve directed in recent years: the first Metal opera in history! (Filmed with 8 cameras, including a crane and a Ronin—let me tell you, it was a blast!)” La Suspendida Live captures a story and soundscape like no other.

The vision was brought to life by Laurent David, bassist and producer, who led his experimental jazz trio KILTER to collaborate with an incredible array of artists. On stage, you’ll witness operatic soprano Andromeda Anarchia, the Montreal-based GROWLERS CHOIR (whose guttural metal vocals hit like the roar of an ancient beast), and the string quartet SEVEN)SUNS. Visual artistry and storytelling intertwine, thanks to stage direction by Jacques David, illustrations by Julie Castro-Grohowki, and a libretto penned by Metropolitan Opera’s William Berger. The entire production pulses with a light show designed by Mathieu Derothe-Renaud that feels like a living heartbeat for the story.

The live release of La Suspendida is more than a performance—it’s an exploration of boundaries, both artistic and existential. Capturing this moment was about bringing the energy of metal, the depth of opera, and the power of storytelling to life in a way that resonates deeply with audiences. It’s a celebration of what happens when genres collide and transform together on stage.

Credits:
Libretto by WILLIAM BERGER
Music by KILTER: Ed Rosenberg III, Laurent David, Kenny Grohowski
Produced by Laurent David
Maria Elena: ANDROMEDA ANARCHIA
The Choir Of The Dead: GROWLERS CHOIR
String Quartet: SEVEN)SUNS
Recorded and mixed by Antoine Delecroix
Mastering by Fred Kevorkian (Brooklyn, NY, USA)

Light Show: Mathieu Derothe-Renaud
Artwork: Julie Castro-Grohowski
Logos: Peurduloup
Libretto translation: Anne-Pierre Hocquet

Release Details:
Album run time 83 minutes

Links:
Website: https://www.lasuspendida.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092385337326 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasuspendidaopera/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lasuspendidaopera

Danish Musical Virtuoso NICKLAS SONNE Unveils New Single "Helldivers Anthem" + Lyric Video

Danish musical virtuoso NICKLAS SONNE shares his new single “Helldivers Anthem,” taken from the upcoming studio album 'Electric Dreams,' set for release on June 27th via Frontiers Music Srl. The new single is accompanied by a lyric video, available to view below.

Talking about the new single, NICKLAS SONNE commented:

“From one gamer to another - this is my tribute to the Helldivers. Loud riffs, big explosions, and just the right amount of sarcasm. Freedom never sleeps - and neither do we”.

Describing the album, SONNE added:

“This record is a deeply personal journey back to where it all began for me - to the raw energy and spirit of my earliest musical inspirations. It blends the soul of old school hard rock with the punch and clarity of a modern production, creating a soundscape that feels both nostalgic and new."

Watch the Lyric Video for “Helldivers Anthem"

NICKLAS SONNE is a Danish musician, vocalist, guitarist, and producer known for his powerful presence in progressive and heavy metal. He began his musical journey as a drummer before moving on to guitar and ultimately becoming a singer-songwriter in a variety of metal and hard rock projects—starting with Defecto, one of Denmark’s leading metal bands, formed in 2010.

In addition to Defecto, NICKLAS is part of Aries Descendant alongside Jonah Weingarten(Pyramaze, Catalyst Crime). The dynamic duo released their debut album via Frontiers Music Srl on October 18th, 2024. It’s a groundbreaking project that seamlessly fuses the evocative allure of film music with the raw power of heavy metal, creating an auditory experience that is nothing short of extraordinary.

A multi-instrumentalist from an early age, NICKLAS honed his skills by playing along to Metallica and Dream Theater, later diving into songwriting and production. His talent quickly gained industry attention, leading to collaborations with renowned producers Jan Langhoff(Aqua) and Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica). This pivotal period helped shape his signature sound—progressive metal infused with orchestral and choral elements.

Other bands SONNE has been involved with include Evil Masquerade, Theory, Hank Shermann, One Machine, Waving Memories, Section A, Metallica Jam, Wasted, and Omvendt Korstog. His long career has included international tours in countries such as Japan and support slots for metal heavyweights like Metallica and Rammstein.

With a relentless work ethic and a passion for musical innovation, NICKLAS SONNE continues to push the boundaries of modern metal, cementing his reputation as one of the most dynamic artists in the genre today. His solo album is a collection of songs that showcases the immense talent of this artist—who also handled production duties himself.

Pre-Order 'Electric Dreams' HERE

Charlie Nieland Unleashes 'Redshift': A Prog-Infused Dreamrock Odyssey previewing new EP

NYC producer indie music veteran Charlie Nieland presents 'Redshift', a welcome dream-pop track that delves into the profound experience of creating your own chosen family, viewed through the lens of cosmic expansion and astrophysical wonder. This is the second taste of his forthcoming 'The Ocean Understands' EP (out June 20).

Nieland’s musical backstory is extensive, having played dream pop with Her Vanished Grace for over 20 years before establishing himself as a solo artist with a mix of nuanced songwriting and sonic exploration, initially releasing 'Ice Age' (2014) and 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016). He is currently half of the literature-inspired songwriting and performing duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang and produces and participates in the podcast 'An Embarrassment of Prog'. 

Along the way, Charlie wrote and produced material with such notable artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Dead Leaf Echo, Blondie and Scissor Sisters. He scored the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (starring Glenn Close), the pilot episode of 'The L Word' on Showtime and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'. Charlie was awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie's 'Greatest Hits Sight & Sound' and achieved a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Position with Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced.

"Redshift is a slice of dream pop about growing up - as viewed from space. The book STRAY, by Tanya Marquardt, got me thinking about how we choose new families when we're alienated from our birth ones. This coincided with another thing I was reading about Steven Hawking and astrophysics. The song became a little field guide on how to put your own story into a cosmic context," says Charlie Nieland.

"There's an eerie freedom to embracing life when the universe is pulling apart. While in lockdown, I’d made up a modal exercise for the guitar and it was a perfect shimmering fit for this, with Billy Loose’s symphonic drums bringing it all down to earth. More gorgeous art and video clips by Hypnodoll™. 

It's been four years since Nieland released his acclaimed ‘Divisions’ album with its sweeping melodies and restless rhythms. Tastefully blending post punk, dream pop and prog rock, he has been writing, playing and producing music for decades, focused on the atmospheric and the imaginative.

Earlier, Charlie Nieland released the stunning reverb-laced lead track, 'Drown', the video for which was directed by multi-faceted artist Hypnodoll. Inspired by a dystopian vision, this mythical, psychedelic siren song celebrates destruction, exploring a dark, authoritarian past through the jumbled stories of the future. Sifting through present wreckage, 'Drown' searches for grace amidst violent, oceanic forces.

Charlie Nieland says, "With its mind-melting imagery, the video for 'Drown', created by NYC multimedia artist Hypnodoll, is beautiful and deranged. She conjures storytelling just out or rational reach, playing tag with the ancient and futuristic in a way that perfectly compliments the song. Collaborating with her is such a thrill".

As of May 27, 'RedShift' is available from fine digital music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. 'The Ocean Understands' EP, now available for pre-order directly from the artist, will be released on June 20.

CREDITS 
Music & Lyrics written by Charlie Nieland
Recorded at Saturation Point Studios (Brooklyn, NY)
from January 2023 to April 2025

'Elegy' recorded live at KGB Bar, NYC, October 3rd, 2021
Charlie Nieland - vocals, guitars, basses, piano, keyboards, percussion, G-Force M-TRON Pro IV
Billy Loose - drums

Dan McAssey - guitar on 'Shame'
Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
Cover Art by Hypnodoll
© 2025 Athame Music
'Drown' video directed By Hypnodoll™
Photography by Alice Teeple
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with Charlie Nieland
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | BlueSky | Threads | Soundcloud | LinkedIn | Email

GWAR & Mischief Toys Unleash Limited-Edition “Minion Gastley” Toy

Mischief Toys and GWAR have formed an unholy alliance that blends heavy metal mayhem with cult collectible culture. At the center of this twisted partnership is Mischief Toys’ beloved hellion, Gastley—now transformed by the Scumdogs into Minion Gastley, a mutated servant oozing with grotesque charm and unmistakable hints of Balsac the Jaws of Deathhimself.

This limited-edition crossover celebrates the fusion of music and mischief, offering fans multiple colorways of Minion Gastley along with matching merch. Whether you’re a designer toy collector, a GWAR maniac, or both, this drop delivers the chaos you crave.

In addition, a special blue-spattered variant—exclusive to GWAR.net—will be limited to just 150 pieces for the most diehard Scumdogs.

In true GWAR fashion, Minion Gastley’s suffering doesn’t end there. The poor beast has been condemned to clean toilets, mop blood, and tend to the wreckage as the band lays waste to the galaxy on tour.

Available Now at MischiefToys.com:

With each purchase, fans will receive one, randomly selected variant:

=> Minion Gastley – Classic "Unscathed" Version (320 pieces) – $55

=> Blacklight-Reactive Green Spatter Gastley (100 pieces) – $55

=> Red Spatter Gastley (50 pieces) – $55

Available for direct purchase:

=> Signed Classic Unscathed Gastley (30 pieces) – $85

(Signed by Blothar, Jizmak Da Gusha, Grodius Maximus, Balsac the Jaws of Death,

Bonesnapper, Sawborg Destructo, and Beefcake the Mighty)

=> Matching Merch: enamel pins, 11x17 blacklight poster, t-shirt, snapback hat, dad hat

Christopher Gast, founder of Mischief Toys comments:

“This collaboration brings together two of the things we love most: GWAR—the most gloriously chaotic band in the universe—and Gastley, our beloved little hellion from the Netherworld. We’re thrilled for fans of both to revel in the madness together.”

About Mischief Toys

Mischief Toys is a leading designer and creator of collectible figures that blend humor, horror, and pop culture. Founded in 2021, the company is best known for its flagship character “Gastley” and a growing lineup of limited-edition releases that spark imagination and fan obsession. For more, visit www.mischieftoys.com.

GWAR's 40th Anniversary Celebration continues this summer with 'The Return of Gor Gor,' the new multimedia release due out on July 25th!

'The Return of Gor Gor' includes three brand-new studio tracks—mixed by Kurt Ballou (Converge)—plus four blistering live recordings from 2024, mixed by Chris Ronan Murphy. The release comes bundled with a 32-page full-color comic, resurrecting the legendary monster Gor Gor in an over-the-top visual bloodbath.

Blothar comments on 'The Return of Gor Gor':

"The last time I saw Gor Gor he was just a wee fart dragon. He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato. I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he’s a 20-foot tall trans-species prostitute working a pickle park. Apparently, he’s all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles as a young Dino-American trying to make his way in a cruel world."

Pre-Order 'The Return of Gor Gor' HERE

The Scumdogs of the Universe are currently rampaging

across North America on their 40th Anniversary tour.

Prepare for carnage, chaos, and a jaw-dropping spectacle of sound and fury.

Buy your tickets HERE.

GWAR Live:

*w/ Toxic Holocaust; AEther Realm; Tracheotomy 

May 20: Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall*

May 21: Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Live*

May 22: Austin, TX - RADIO/EAST*

GWAR w/Static-X, Dope & A Killers Confession

May 24: Albuquerque NM - Revel Entertainment Center

May 26: Wichita KS - The Cotilion Ballroom

May 27: Des Moines IA - Val Air Ballroom

May 29: St Louis MO - The Pageant

May 30: Minneapolis MN - The Fillmore Minneapolis

May 31: Davenport IA - Capitol Theatre

Jun 1: Grand Rapids MI - GLC Live at 20 Monroe

Jun 3: Indianapolis IN - Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre

Jun 4: Ft Wayne IN - Clyde Theatre

Jun 5: Wheeling WV - Capitol Theater

Jun 7: Wallingford CT - The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theater

Jun 8: Buffalo NY - Buffalo Riverworks

Jun 9: Toronto ON - History

Jun 10: Montreal QC - Mtelus

Jun 11: Hampton NH - Hampton Beach Casino

Jun 12: Allentown, PA - Archer Music Hall

Jun 14: Myrtle Beach SC - House Of Blues

Jun 15: Raleigh NC - The Ritz

Jun 17: Kansas City MO - Grinders

Jun 18: Oklahoma City OK - The Criterion

w/ Eyehategod; AEther Realm; Tracheotomy

Jun 20: Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall

Jun 21: Pelham, TN - The Caverns

Jul 24: Richmond, VA - Allianz Amphitheater

w/Lamb of God, Hatebreed

Oct 5: Sacramento, CA - Aftershock @ Discovery Park

Psycho-Frame's Debut Album Is Coming + Watch "BLUEPRINTS FOR IDOL GENOCIDE" Video

Six-member wrecking crew PSYCHO-FRAME are thrilled to announce their debut album SALVATION LAUGHS IN THE FACE OF A GRIEVING MOTHER. The album arrives July 25 via SharpTone Records and is available for pre-order here. 

Drawing influence from classic American death metal while channeling a chaotic, present-day urgency, the band's sound is as deliberate and technical as it is aggressive. 

To mark the occasion the band has shared the video for "BLUEPRINTS FOR IDOL GENOCIDE." Watch it below.

The track will grab you by the nape of your neck and throttle you from start to finish with its djent-y, deathcore rhythms and crawled-outta-hell-and-went-back-for-a-visit vocals. 

"It's a song about bad actors in the community," says vocalist Michael Sugars. "I see people moving in weird ways. So, I'll keep my distance and let God sort 'em out while I do my thing."

The album is also a bit of a commentary on society and how one should navigate their place within it.

Guitarist/vocalist Hunter Young comments, "So many people are looking for someone to save them. No one is coming to save you at the end of the day though. That's where SALVATION LAUGHS IN THE FACE OF A GRIEVING MOTHERcomes in. You're on your own."

No truer words!

ABOUT PSYCHO FRAME:
Viscerally technical, and crushingly heavy, PSYCHO-FRAME are comprised of several veterans of metal's various sub-genres with a purpose of creating aggressive and immolating music. What began as a casual collaboration between Hunter Young, of MOODRING, and Michael Sugars, formerly of Vatican, quickly grew into something more serious. Both were getting off tours with their respective bands and playing games together. "The more that happened the more we said, 'Let's make something that we actually want to hear.'" The result was a series of early releases that gained fast traction.

Debut single "24 Hours Left" arrived in April 2023, followed two highly acclaimed EPs — Remote God Seeker in May 2023 and Automatic Death Protocol in December 2023. The "FEED" double single dropped in early 2025, while the band also landed on Revolver's list of "Top 5 Deathcore Bands Right Now." 

PSYCHO-FRAME recorded the new album throughout 2024, with a focus on clarity, heaviness, and a refusal to overcomplicate the message.

The vision is clear: make a record that hits hard and says exactly what it means.

PSYCHO-FRAME ARE:
Michael Sugars — Vocals
Hunter Young — Guitar + Vocals
Aiden 'Dave' Bessent — Guitar 
Jordan Crain — Guitar
Colter Cuthbertson — Vocals
Leo McClain — Drums

MALEVOLENCE - Release Video For New Single 'Salt The Wound'

Steel City Kings MALEVOLENCE have released a new single from their massively anticipated new album, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken, which is set to be released on the 20th June via MLVLTD in partnership with Nuclear Blast Records.

Compared to the punishing previous singles, 'Trenches' and 'If It's All The Same To You' the brand new release 'Salt The Wound' shows a more emotional side of MALEVOLENCE, but that only makes its incredibly heavy chorus stand out even more.

Alex Taylor (vocals) commented:
“'Salt The Wound' is the product of us making a conscious decision to bridge the two faces of Malevolence. On one hand we have the heavy aggressive side, and on the other we have the slower melodic songs, so we wanted a song that could combine the two.
 
The video was entirely shot in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. From the industrial depths of Sheffield, a 900-year-old ruined Abbey, to a perfect sunrise over some of the incredible hills of Derbyshire, there is some incredible scenery in the north of the UK which we sometimes take for granted, so this song felt like the perfect opportunity to show case some of that.
 
From the moment I heard the guitar solo Josh had written for this song, I pictured him on a mountain top doing the solo, so we made it happen, Malev style!”

Pre-order and pre-save Where Only The Truth Is Spoken now at: 
https://malevolence.bfan.link/where-only-the-truth-is-spoken

Stream 'Salt The Wound' at: 
https://malevolence.bfan.link/salt-the-wound

Watch the video for 'Salt The Wound' Below:

SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR 2025
w/ HATEBREED, BLEEDING THROUGH ...

08.07. - US - St Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live
09.07. - US - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern
11.07. - US - San Antonio, TX - Vibes Event Center
12.07. - US - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
13.07. - US - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory
15.07. - US - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
16.07. - US - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
17.07. - US - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
19.07. - US - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
20.07. - US - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall
22.07. - US - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall
23.07. - US - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore Charlotte
25.07. - US - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall
26.07. - US - Detroit, MI - Harpos
27.07. - US - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
28.07. - US - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection

ABOUT MALEVOLENCE

MALEVOLENCE have never waited for permission. From the underground to festival main stages, they’ve built their reputation on sheer force of will, crushing live shows, and an unshakable foundation of heavy riffs and harder work. Now, with their fourth studio album Where Only The Truth Is Spoken, Sheffield’s finest step into a new league.

Recorded in California at Dave Grohl’s legendary Studio 606, the album was tracked through the iconic Neve 8078 console, the same desk that captured game-changing records like Nirvana’s Nevermind, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, and Tom Petty’s Wildflowers. For a band that’s always pushed forward without compromise, it was the perfect setting to carve out a record that represents everything MALEVOLENCE stands for. The album marks a new level of songwriting precision without sacrificing the band’s trademark weight. Working alongside Grammy Award-winning producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium), the result is MALEVOLENCE at their most punishing, urgent, and anthemic.

Lyrically, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken reflects the principles that MALEVOLENCE have lived by since day one—honesty, loyalty, and integrity. These are not just themes woven into the album but values the band holds in their personal and professional lives. This record doesn’t deal in facades or empty gestures; it’s an unfiltered expression of the struggles, victories, and unshakable brotherhood that have carried them this far.

Malevolence are:
Alex Taylor | Vocals
Konan Hall | Guitar / Vocals
Josh Baines | Guitar
Wilkie Robinson | Bass
Charlie Thorpe | Drums

PLAIINS Announce Debut Album "Happy Faces" Out 8/15 + Share "Row She Said"

Fiery indie punk band PLAIINS have today announced their upcoming debut album Happy Faces, set for release on August 15 via Long Branch Records. 

PLAIINS have been on a musical rollercoaster since their inception in late 2020. Already having played with the likes of ITCHY, Cold Years, LEAP, Press Club, and many more, the band signed with Long Branch Records of SPV in 2024. The hard-working group has already released over 20 songs to date, regularly hitting the top playlists on Spotify since the beginning, as well as garnering features on BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, KERRANG! chart, and RBB fritz. There's no stopping their momentum as PLAIINS bring a unique blend of British punk, indie, and alt rock, pulling inspiration from the likes of IDLES, Hives, Soft Play, Bad Nerves, The Streets, and Viagra Boys.

"I wanted us to make an album that would stand the test of time, is coherent and characterful, unique and of our own, and would be a great contribution to the wonderful catalog of rock music. I have so much love, reverence, and adoration for the greats and I wanted us to at least be on that level," says singer Chris Reardon.

Along with the album news, the band has also released the new single "Row She Said." 

Stream "Row She Said" here.

"'Row She Said' is a song against right wing nationalism," comments Reardon. "We talked about writing a song like this for a while. I wanted to do it with class and not [write] something lyrically one-dimensional, It had to be done poetically with layers and also [be] open for different interpretations unless you read the lyrics and also knew the context where we were coming from. They're my favorite kind of songs, especially when discussing a topic such as this."

He continues, "There are too many punk songs that tackle this subject too plainly, in my opinion, although that also has its place. But I think we really did it right on this one. 'She' in this context is the country where the protagonist is from and how they feel their country calls them and pushes them to protect their idea of sovereignty. I was writing more from the UK point of view, since it's where I'm from, especially in the wake of Brexit. But we also wrote it from the perspective where the [other] guys are from — Germany — but can apply to any country really."

When it came down to the album, Reardon explains, "We all talked about what we wanted to achieve on the album musically speaking and how we wanted to go into the process. We all reflected on what we felt we do best as a band and how we can really hone those elements in and push them to the limit. We all also wanted to add more indie elements into the music, something we've touched on but we wanted to make that more significant in the album. As well as the Britishness to the sound.

"As the singer, it was quite funny because the guys asked me why don't I sing in my normal English accent? I had never thought about it before. I always had a bit more of an American twang when I sang but that was something we opened up and of course felt very natural! In songs like 'Wooha!' and 'Snvkes.,' we had pushed this more rhythmic 'rap' like vocal style too and that was something we wanted to incorporate more. We really worked the songs and never settled for 'that will do.'

"We wanted the album to be fun and bombastic. To have lyrics that would make you laugh but once you sat down and read them would have much more lyrical depth. This is where the idea of paper bags came around. On the surface, there's a face painted on a paper bag which makes you laugh or takes you back for a moment. But when you take off the mask, there's a person underneath that takes time to know and understand and is more complex. There's an element of characterture, almost cartoonish and over blown in some of the lyrics and vocal delivery. We wanted something visual that represented that too.

"Our producer was Manuel Renner as well as mixing and mastering engineer of Ueberlaerm Studios for the album. We have worked with him since the beginning of the band and he has always been such an incredible collaborator and producer. He really helped us take the songs to the next level. We recorded the drums at Sound Pauli in Hamburg where we are based and Manuel and Tobi Schmidt did a great job. We recorded the guitars, bass, and vocals mostly at Ueberlaerm Studios and bits and pieces at my studio in Hamburg."

PLAIINS ARE:
Chris Reardon — Vocals + Guitars
Timon Lanzinger — Bass
David Suhlrie — Drums
Florian Kaninck — Guitars

Dinosaur Pile-Up Take A Swipe At Freebie Celebrity Culture On New Single "Big Dogs"

Dinosaur Pile-Up have just dropped their latest banger, the gnarly "Big Dogs," taken from their first new album in six years, I've Felt Better, which will be released on August 22 via Mascot Records. 

Listen to the track below. 

Matt Bigland relishes the "power in positivity" of the larger-than-life "Big Dogs" – a gleeful takedown of ass-backwards, celebrity freebie culture where the richest and most successful always "'eat for free' while needy nobodies scrabble for scraps."

"'Big Dogs' is a big dumb song about the fact that when you're rich and famous people give you everything for free — but when you're hustling down at the bottom, nobody gives your broke ass anything. And that doesn't make any sense!!" Bigland says. "It should surely be the other way around!! I love this song because it feels like The Viagra Boys and Pantera fucked, and then Slayer turned up for the solo. It's cool!"

The song features extra vocals from Karen Dió, Larry Hibbitt (Hundred Reasons), and Jaws The Shark. The band has revealed a skit video to accompany it: Matt vs. a big dog —check it out over the DP-U Instagram page here. 

"I got to hang out with a giant Doberman for the day, which was so cool!" he says. "I love big dogs like that. Giving it a stroke was like stroking an actual horse. Then, I got to writhe on the ground for a couple hours with a leaf blower on full power pointed at my head. Which was, y'know… weird."

"Big Dogs" is the third single to be taken from the reinvigorated alt-rock heroes. In April, they dropped the raucous and defiant "My Way" and before that "'Bout to Lose It," which was their first new music since 2019's Celebrity Mansions and it announced their return in a big way. The track is five years of pent-up emotion — hope, despair, resignation, and colossal bravery—let loose into a blistering 3:40 minutes of Dinosaur Pile-Up at their absolute best.

There were six people in the ward the second time that Matt Bigland admitted himself to hospital. Three of them didn't make it out alive. It's easy to recognize why they are tightly coiled and ready to go because overcoming life-threatening illness and finding a fresh perspective on life will do that to you. As so much time has passed since their last studio album.

"People need clarity about what happened," Bigland explained. "It's been so cathartic to lay it out." He began documenting his story on the band's Instagram account in December 2024. You can see it in his own words here: Part 1 | Part 2 |Part 3 | Part 4.

I've Felt Better will be released on August 22 via Mascot Records and will be available in CD, LP and digital formats. Pre-order info here.

GRUESOME Shares New Single "Condemned Identity" + Music Video

GRUESOME returns with 'Silent Echoes,' a ferocious Death Metal onslaught, fueled by progressive, razor sharp musicianship, out June 6, 2025 via Relapse Records! 'Silent Echoes' marks the band’s first new full-length recording in 7 years!

Today, GRUESOME shares the third single from the upcoming album titled "Condemned Identity." The new single is accompanied by a music video, available to view below.

GRUESOME comments on “Condemned Identity”:

“'Condemned Identity' was a no-brainer as the leadoff track for the record, as it comes out of the gate at full-strength, putting all of our cards on the table. I mean, yeah, it’s more articulate and musical than what we’ve done before, but it’s still very much death metal, which I’m very happy about. Even though we’re incorporating more sophisticated stuff, we can still rip your face off.”

Additionally, GRUESOME has begun releasing a new mini-documentary chronicling the making of their forthcoming full-length, 'Silent Echoes.' The band recently sat down with producers Scott Burns and Jarrett Pritchard for in-depth interviews conducted by David Gehlke at New Constellation Studios in Orlando, FL, where GRUESOME bunkered down to record the album. Watch the first part HERE.

Celebrating over a decade as the finest purveyors of old-school Death Metal inspired by the legendary Chuck Schuldiner and the many iterations of Death, the new album sees GRUESOME transition away from the no-frills riff-fests heard on their 'Savage Land' and 'Twisted Prayers' LPs, and shift towards a more musically advanced, nuanced form of extremity. 'Silent Echoes' is the quartet's true “put up or shut-up” moment for one simple reason: It was written and recorded in the spirit of Death’s 1991 progressive death metal masterpiece, 'Human.' 

Watch the Music Video for "Condemned Identity"

The prolonged gestation period between GRUESOME albums was the combination of several factors, yet none more significant than the untimely and unexpected passing of Cynic and Human-era Death drummer Sean Reinert in 2020. Reinert, the best friend and mentor of GRUESOME drummer Gus Rios, was originally slated to produce the album. Instead, Rios, alongside vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey, lead guitarist Daniel Gonzalez, and bassist Robin Mazen, turned 'Silent Echoes' into a tribute to Reinert, whose influence and presence on 'Silent Echoes' is everywhere.

'Silent Echoes' is GRUESOME’s transmutation into the complex, jazz-influenced fields plouwed on 'Human.' As Harvey states, “there’s less winking at the audience on this one,” which is true: The overtly intentional homages found on the band’s previous two albums have been replaced with fluid, agile drum work from Rios, as well as spiraling, multi-faceted guitar riffing from Harvey and Gonzalez, the latter responsible for the album’s prog-infused leads.

Jarrett Pritchard once again handled the production of 'Silent Echoes.' A veteran of two previous GRUESOME studio albums (and dozens of other respected extreme metal acts), Pritchard’s engineering and technical expertise played a crucial role in enabling 'Silent Echoes' to recapture the feel of early 1990s death metal recorded at Tampa’s famed Morrisound Recording. Not only did Pritchard lean on the advice of Death producer Scott Burns, but Rios also used the same snare drum that Reinert did on Cynic’s 'Focus.' 

At a time when the thirst for all things Chuck Schuldiner remains unquenchable, leave it to four accomplished, true, well-intentioned death metal veterans to help continue the man’s legacy.

Pre-Order 'Silent Echoes' HERE

GRUESOME are:

Daniel Gonzalez- Guitar

Matt Harvey - Guitar/Vocals

Robin Mazen - Bass

Gus Rios - Drums

Jamie's Elsewhere Announce New EP + Share "Traveler" Video

JAMIE'S ELSEWHERE, featuring Of Mice & Men vocalist/bassist Aaron Pauley, along with Matt Scarpelli [guitar], Chance Medeiros [bass], and Mike Spearman [keys] — are thrilled to announce the release of Alchemical, their new, five-song EP arriving June 20 via SharpTone Records. It follows the July 2023-released Paradise EP, which marked the band's first new music in almost a decade. Pre-order Alchemical here.

The band has shared the video for the new single "Traveler."

Watch the frenetic clip (and listen to the equally frenetic song) below 

"We're excited to be sharing Traveler with the world," says Pauley. "From the inception of this project, we set out to make an EP that takes the listener through a familiar and nostalgic JE sound, that introduces new soundscapes and ideas that we've never explored, and that ventures everywhere in between. We want to thank our fans for the many years of support, and we hope you enjoy this EP." 
  
About "Traveler" and the accompanying video, the band says,  "Working with Mike Matsui on the 'Traveler' music video was an incredible experience. His vision, along with his team's professionalism and creativity, truly brought the project to life in a way that exceeded all expectations."

Pauley, however, sums the new material up concisely and with confidence, saying, "Shit's rad, just listen to it."

You'd be wise to heed his command!

Jamie's Elsewhere enter an even more ambitious chapter with Alchemical. The California quartet continues to evolve its signature sound by blending emotionally charged heavy music with cinematic electronics, huge melodies, and signature intensity. This time, they craft a layered concept exploring transformation, identity, and inner alchemy — where personal growth feels as volatile and mystic as ancient science.
 
Since their original emergence in 2005, Jamie's Elsewhere has carved a lasting legacy with fan-favorite releases like Guidebook for Sinners Turned Saints and They Said a Storm Was Coming, touring alongside genre heavyweights such as Motionless In White, Ice Nine Kills, and Memphis May Fire. After a period of dormancy, the band reignited its creative flame during the pandemic, returning in 2023 with Paradise, a conceptual comeback that reintroduced their vision with new fire. Now, Alchemical raises the bar yet again.

WITCHES RIDE Drop New Album "Collector" on 6/19, Unveil Music Video for Single “Among the Crowd” ​

Prepare for the ritual. Dark groove band Witches Ride are set to unleash their long-awaited new album Collector on June 19th, 2025. Alongside the album announcement, the band has dropped a gripping new music video for the single, “Among the Crowd.”

Described by the band as “a bit of a dark rock opera about a preacher who loses his following and sells his soul to the devil in hopes of getting it back,” Collector plunges listeners into a shadowy world of damnation and redemption.

Collector will be available on all major platforms June 19, 2025.

Welcome to Witches Ride.

Pre-Order Collector

https://loadedbomb.com/collector-pre-order

WATCH the Official Music Video for "Among the Crowd" Below:

Witches Ride is a dark groove machine—part Southern-fried chaos, part industrial ritual. Fusing the bone-crushing swagger of Clutch with the sinister theatrics of Marilyn Manson, this band rides the line between dirty rock ‘n’ roll and occult-fueled spectacle. Think smoke, sweat, and distortion—wrapped in velvet and barbed wire.

Driven by thunderous riffs, hypnotic rhythms, and snarling vocals, Witches Ridebrings a unique alchemy to the stage. With the keys casting eerie atmospheres and haunted textures, the sound is as cinematic as it is feral—blues-born, hell-bound, and soaked in gasoline.

Every show is a ceremony. Every song is a spell. And once you’re under, there’s no turning back.

Welcome to Witches Ride. 

Witches Ride Members-

Sara Brady- Lead Singer 

Evo Mikey- Lead Guitar 

Delmy Ventura - Bass 

Bromden - Drums 

Toby Walker- Keys 

Upcoming Tour Dates:

May 24th @ Punk Rock Bowling, Las Vegas 

June 19th @ Whiskey a go-go

August 16th @ Nosferatu Fest, The Grey Witch Las Vegas 

Sept. 19th @ Redwood Bar and Grill, LA

Sept. 20th @ World Famous Stockade, Crestline, Ca. 

For More Information Please Visit:

Instagram

YouTube

KALAMITY KILLS Announces Album Kalamity Kills (Expanded Edition), Arriving September 9th

KALAMITY KILLS continues their relentless ascent with the announcement of their self-titled debut album, Kalamity Kills (Expanded Edition), set for release September 9, 2025 on CD via their own label, PERO RECORDINGS. The announcement arrives with the release of a powerful visualizer available for hit single "Afraid" available HERE. The Expanded Edition of Kalamity Kills will feature not only new tracks, but alt. mixes as well!

Hot on the heels of their Billboard Mainstream Rock and Mediabase Active Rock success with “Starry Skies (988)”—which spent 9 weeks in the Billboard Top 40 and 12 weeks on the Mediabase charts—KALAMITY KILLS channels their uncompromising energy into a fierce anthem that demands attention.

Produced and mixed by Jamey Perrenot, “Afraid” is a bold declaration of resilience and empowerment, driven by razor-sharp guitar riffs, searing vocals, and lyrics that defy submission. Written by Perrenot and Jamie Rowe, the track introduces Julia Lauren Bullock, KALAMITY KILLS’ dynamic new bassist, whose harmonies and background vocals bring a fresh intensity to the band’s sonic identity. While Rob Bodley brings the power on drums in the live lineup, the studio version features a thunderous performance by Ray Luzier of KORN, further elevating the track’s urgency and fire.

The expanded CD edition of Kalamity Kills, which includes “Afraid” and additional exclusive material, will be available in limited quantities starting September 9. A candy apple red vinyl edition is scheduled to follow in April 2026.

About KALAMITY KILLS

KALAMITY KILLS is a hard rock band forged in the heart of East Nashville, Tennessee. Formed in 2022 by vocalist Jamie Rowe and guitarist/producer Jamey Perrenot, the band emerged from the ashes of a solo project into a fully realized sonic assault—fueled by raw emotion, modern aggression, and a deep respect for rock’s roots. With a sound that fuses the swagger of classic hard rock with the intensity and polish of modern metal, KALAMITY KILLS strikes a rare balance between power and vulnerability.

Best known for their debut self-titled album Kalamity Kills, the band quickly turned heads thanks to high-profile collaborations with members of KORN, 3 DOORS DOWN, LA GUNS, CONQUER DIVIDE, and UNDEROATH. Their music has earned national airplay on SIRIUSXM’s Octane, landed on the Billboard Active Rock charts, and crossed over into viral success without ever chasing trends.

More than just a studio project, KALAMITY KILLS is a growing force with a full live lineup, including bassist/vocalist Julia Lauren Bullock and drummer Rob Bodley. Their songs—ranging from explosive anthems to brutally honest ballads—tackle themes of faith, failure, hypocrisy, redemption, and the messy beauty of being human.

KALAMITY KILLS is for the outsiders, the misfits, the ones who’ve been burned and are still standing. Loud. Unapologetic. Unforgettable.
KALAMITY KILLS is:

• Jamie Rowe – Lead Vocals

• Jamey Perrenot – Guitar / Producer

• Julia Lauren Bullock – Bass / Vocals (Live)

• Rob Bodley – Drums (Live)
   

Connect with KALAMITY KILLS:

• Website: https://kalamitykills.com

• Facebook: https://facebook.com/kalamitykills

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kalamitykills

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/kalamitykills

• Jamie Rowe on X: https://x.com/jamierowe

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/kalamitykills

• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/kalamitykills

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Q7zrZUeUnTrX0OC2FvTqU?si=qZPINKoURFONBasOc9iB3g

• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kalamity-kills/1636401395

MÈLANCOLIA - ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM 'RANDOM.ACCESS.MISERY' + SHARE DARK NEW SINGLE 'ALL_IS_RUST'

Melbourne blackened nu-metal outfit MÉLANCOLIA announce their sophomore album random.access.misery will be available Friday August 29 via Nuclear Blast and Greyscale Records. The band share scathing new single 'ALL_IS_RUST' as a vicious taste of what's to come.

'ALL_IS_RUST' serves as both a declaration of evolution and a warning: MÉLANCOLIA are not here to follow trends—they’re here to dismantle them. The new single is the introduction to MÉLANCOLIA’s forthcoming album, blending metalcore, deathcore, industrial noise, blast beats and DJ scratching into a hellish sonic cocktail. The song welcomes listeners to their new sound and a genre the band have coined as “Blackened Nu Metal”.

'ALL_IS_RUST' marries the sound, aesthetic and visuals from their debut album,'HissThroughRottenTeeth', into one cohesive package; "While there has been a departure from straight up deathcore, we feel this song sounds even more representative of MÉLANCOLIA," says vocalist Alex Hill. "And after testing the waters debuting this song in Europe earlier this year we can confirm this one is already a crowd favourite."
 
Watch the video for 'ALL_IS_RUST' below:

Stream 'ALL_IS_RUST': 
https://geni.us/all-is-rust

Pre-order/pre-save 'random.access.misery' :
https://geni.us/random-access-misery

Picked as one of four "brilliant new metal bands you need to hear" by Metal Hammer in April, the band are primed and ready and unleash their defining new album this August; "We are bringing a fresh sound to an otherwise stale scene, you will not hear what we are doing from anyone else. We are setting the trend as we set the bar for modern heavy music. Love us or hate us, you will fucking remember us."

Momentum is at an all time high for the band, having toured Australia three times over off the back of HissThroughRottenTeeth' and breaking into Europe and the UK twice on tours with SUFFOCATION (US) and INGESTED (UK). The band will join THY ART IS MURDER on a regional lap of Australia this June and July and will debut some of their new music for the very first time.

After establishing themselves in 2022 with their debut single 'Horror_Ethereal', the band announced the following February their signing to both Greyscale Records for Australia/New Zealand and Nuclear Blast for the rest of the world. They released their debut album HissThroughRottenTeeth April 2023, crafting a unique sound that has already catapulted them to new heights. Their very first show was in 2023 supporting THY ART IS MURDER on their Decade Of Hate Australian Tour alongside STARVE and JUSTICE FOR THE DAMNED. Since this they’ve toured with TO THE GRAVE, FALLUJAH (US), CATTLE DECAPITATION (US), INGESTED (UK), VULVODYNIA (SA), SUFFOCATION (US) and many more.

MÉLANCOLIA is
Alex Hill | Vocals
Joshua Taafe | Guitars
Billy Morris | Guitars
Mason Page | Drums
 Toby Thomas | Bass

Follow MÉLANCOLIA:
 Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | Youtube

BLACKBRAID Unleashes New Song + Music Video, "Wardrums at Dawn on the Day of my Death"

Solo black metal project BLACKBRAID is now pleased to reveal the highly-anticipated first single from his third studio album, 'Blackbraid III.' "Wardrums at Dawn on the Day of my Death" is now streaming along with a music video! The video was created by Moshmallows and captures the haunting and primal nature of Blackbraid's live shows. Watch the clip below.

'Blackbraid III' will be released on August 8, 2025 independently! Pre-sale info is to be revealed while the album details can be found below.

BLACKBRAID will also be embarking on a North American headliner later this year with support from Lamp of Murmuur and Dödsrit, with Gudsforladt replacing LoM as support for two Canadian dates. The trek will kick off on September 19 in San Diego, CA and will make its way around the U.S. + Canada until the final stop on October 11 in Los Angeles, CA. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are available HERE.

In addition, BLACKBRAID has partnered with Fire in the Mountains Festival to curate a special pre-release event where festival attendees will get to hear 'Blackbraid III' ahead of its August 8 release date! During the event, there will also be a special live Q&A that will take place during the listening session with Metal Injection's Frank Godla.

Fire in the Mountains will take place in Montana from July 25-27, 2025 at the Red Eagle Campground on the Blackfeet Nation Reserve. BLACKBRAID joins an esteemed lineup of artists including Wardruna, Old Man's Child, Chelsea Wolfe, Converge, Blood Incantation, and more! Tickets are available HERE while the full lineup and all pertinent festival information can be found HERE.

Blackbraid is a solo indigenous black metal project from from the depths of the Adirondack wilderness creating music as raw and powerful as the mountains from whence it came… 

The captivating album artwork for 'Blackbraid III,' was created in collaboration with Adam Burke, who handled the painting, and mainstay Blackbraid album artist Adrian Baxter, who did the illustration. The artwork can be found below along with the tracklist!

TICKETS

BLACKBRAID North American Tour w/ Lamp of Murmuur + Dödsrit,:

09/18: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

09/19: Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live

09/20: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

09/22: Dallas, TX @ Trees

09/24: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Purgatory)

09/25: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819

09/26: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery

09/27: Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows

09/28: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

09/30: Boston, MA @ Middle East (Downstairs)

10/01: Montreal, QC @ Café Campus *

10/02: Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground *

10/03: Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge

10/04: Chicago, IL @ Reggies

10/05: St. Paul, MN @ The Turf Club

10/07: Denver, CO @ HQ

10/08: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

10/10: Oakland, CA @ Thee Stork Club

10/11: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

*w/ Gudsforladt, no LoM

BLACKBRAID Upcoming Festivals:

07/27: Red Eagle Campground, MT @ Fire in the Mountains Fest

08/23: Eisfeld (DE) @ Wolfszeit Festival

12/19: Leipzig (DE) @ Black Hole Fest Germania III - Frost Edition

04/05/26: Munich (DE) @ Dark Easter Metal Meeting

Photo by Wolf Mountain Productions

Creator of Blackbraid: Sgah’gahsowáh

'Blackbraid III' Album Credits:

Composed & performed by Sgah'gahsowáh

Drums, recording, mixing & mastering by Neil Schneider 

Guitar solo in “God of Black Blood" performed by Randy Moore

“Fleshbound" originally composed by Lord Belial

Painting by Adam Burke

Illustration by Adrian Baxter

Visual development & graphic design by Wolf Mountain Productions 

Follow // Listen:

Bandcamp

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Instagram

Shop/Pre-order:

Official Merch Store (USA)

Official Merch Store (EU) 

Blackbraid is an independent artist and is not contracted to or owned by any music label. 

MORS PRINCIPIUM EST To Release 9th Studio Album, 'Darkness Invisible,' Through PERCEPTION

Finnish melodic death stalwarts MORS PRINCIPIUM EST announce their long-awaited ninth studio album, Darkness Invisible. Officially signed to PERCEPTION, the latest imprint of Reigning Phoenix Music, the band will once again embrace listeners with razor-sharp riffing, sweeping orchestration, melancholic harmonies, and relentless rhythmic precision - topped by Ville Viljanen’s unmistakable vocals.
 
Viljanen comments: “Joining PERCEPTION marks a powerful new chapter for us. We’re proud to be part of a label family that houses so many legendary titans. With their support, we’re ready to unleash our most furious, blistering and ambitious work yet. The future burns bright, shrouded in “Darkness Invisible.””
 
“Throughout their career, MORS PRINCIPIUM EST have kept impressing me and the rest of the metal world with solid melodic death of the faster kind. Although they’ve never been the most active live band, they succeed in growing their following with each of their releases what underlines the masterfulness of their craft additionally...and in this case, ‘[Of] Death’ is really just the beginning. Welcome to PERCEPTION!” states label strategist Nils Wasko.
 
MPE are also not stingy with details above all: Darkness Invisible will finally be unleashed upon the world on September 26, 2025, and was once again self-recorded at Ansa Studio (Ulvila, Finland); Jens Bogren mixed and Tony Lindgren mastered the ten new tracks (plus CD / digital bonus song) at Örebro, Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, SEPULTURA, KREATOR etc.). Alvaro Valverde Fernandez was hired to create artwork and layout.
 
Pre-order your copy: https://mpe.rpm.link/darknessinvisiblePR
 
Despite delivering MPE’s much-loved trademark elements, Darkness Invisible is not content to simply revisit old formulas, but it expands upon them: the arrangements are more cinematic than ever, layered with subtle electronic textures, ambient passages, and dynamic shifts that mirror the emotional weight carried within the lyrics - and the result is a work that feels both cathartic and devastating.
 
First single "Of Death," also the opening track of their new record, a bone-shattering yet enormously melodic piece with a darkly majestic chorus, can be heard below:

About MORS PRINCIPIUM EST
 
Over the course of seven original studio albums, MORS PRICIPIUM EST refined their modern approach to melodic death metal again and again. Members came and gone, but their music remained untouched: razor-sharp riffing, sweeping orchestration, melancholic harmonies, and relentless rhythmic precision - topped by Ville Viljanen’s unmistakable vocals.
 
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST were founded in Pori in 1999 and are one of the longest serving Finnish melodic death metal bands. With frontman Viljanen being the most stable members, the present quintet survived several line-up changes before original members and guitarists Jori Haukio and Jarkko Kokko returned to MPE and already took part in recording their latest offering Liberate The Unborn Inhumanity [2022]. Also contributing to these refreshing re-recordings from their early years were former bassist Teemu Heinola and drummer Marko Tommila. A statement to honour the group’s history and to celebrate the freshly motivated line-up, which is now set to blast out their ninth album titled Darkness Invisible on September 26, 2025 through new label home PERCEPTION.
 
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST are:
Ville Viljanen | vocals
Jori Haukio | guitars, programming
Jarkko Kokko | guitars
Teemu Heinola | bass
Marko Tommila | drums
 
More on MPE:
morsprincipiumest.com | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

History of Guns' Max Rael serves up edgy electronica on 'Slightly Less Than Human'

British electronic artist Max Rael takes a dark turn with a new single 'Slightly Less Than Human', the second single foreshadowing his debut album 'The Enemy Is Us', out June 20 via London imprint Liquid Len Recording Company.

Musician, writer, actor, engineer and producer, Max Rael has remixed such artists as Fish (Marillion), Last July, Kommand + Kontrol, Freudstein and Bienheldenschafgegenstand. He is also behind electro-goth trailblazers History Of Guns, formed in Hertfordshire in 1996. Frontrunners of the Wasp Factory / FuturePunk scene of the early 2000s, 'Your Obedient Servant' was championed by The Quietus and Mick Mercer among the “thirty best goth singles of all time”.

A dark, nervy electronic track with a great hooky synth melody and spoken word vocals, 'Slightly Less Than Human' was partly inspired by Japanese author Osamu Dazai. Lyrically, the narrator relays his feeling of being somehow different from the rest of the human race and his attempts to try to understand and copy other people's ways and behaviours in order to try pass as a regular person.

The exclusive non-album B-side 'When the Only Winning Move Is Not to Play' is a reference to 1983 film "War Games" and the book 'The Games People Play' by Eric Berne.

'It's about the futility of arguing with people who have already made their minds up," says Max Rael. "It seems we're living in times of fixed dogmatic polarisation where the right to take in new information and shift your thinking can be seen as somehow lacking integrity. I'm also a big fan of that Timothy Leary quote, "You are only as young as the last time you changed your mind."'  

In April, Max Rael released his spoken-word electronic pop song 'Brighter Future', where he questions avoidant strategies of coping with life in a seemingly increasingly chaotic and unsafe world and queries how can we reverse course from an anticipated dystopian future.

The non-album B-side 'The People We Love Have Won (Persistence Is All)' is a darker beast, named after Coil's 2000 London performance at The Royal Festival Hall, which also happens to be tattooed on the inside of Rael's left wrist.

Spoken word, electronic music and loud drums can all be expected on the impending 12-track album, produced and mixed by Max Rael with additional mixing by Caden Clarkson and mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Nick Cave, Depeche Mode, Pixies. Nine Inch Nails). Fusing a range of electronic music styles with other genres, Max Rael is a master journeyman of existential exploration into humanity, self, society, reality, psychology, philosophy and the future.

"This is a song about not feeling like a proper person, feeling slightly less than human. I was always one of those kids who felt very different and alien from everyone else, patiently waiting for the spaceship to finally arrive and take me home to my people. The lyrics have taken on a deeper significance for me personally since being diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder after they were written which has given me a new context for some of the struggles I've had with life," says Max Rael.

"In keeping with the first video, I've decided not to use AI, CGI, filters etc. and filmed all the lighting effects live in the room. It's not that I'm particularly anti-AI. I've used it in the past. More that it just felt a good time to put it down for a while and do a project without it. The b-side, When the Only Winning Move Is Not to Play, was originally slated for the album, but didn't really fit with the flow of the rest of the tracks, so it became orphaned, and has now found a home here."

As of May 21, 'Slightly Less Than Human' is available from fine digital platforms, including Amazon, and also directly from the artist via Bandcamp, where 'Brighter Future' can also be found. 'The Enemy Is Us' album will be released on June 20 via Liquid Len Recording Company.

CREDITS
Written by Max Rael
Produced, performed and mixed by Max Rael
Additional mixing by Caden Clarkson
Mastered by Pete Maher
Released by Liquid Len Recording Company
'Brighter Future' video by Abigail Clarkson
'Slightly Less Than Human' video by Max Rael
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Cover artwork & photographs by Filiz Photography
Copyright @filizphotographyuk - must not be altered or sold without photographer's permission

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