Pinkshift Share "Vacant" Video

Maryland trio PINKSHIFT recently announced their new album EARTHKEEPER, which arrives August 29 via Hopeless Records. Pre-order it here

Today, the band has shared the video for the uptempo, punk rock anthem "Vacant." Watch the late-night dance party, inspired by a surprising source, below.

"For 'Vacant,' we drew upon our ever-present punk influences to create a sound that feels familiar while also introducing concepts new to us," the band states. "Though we're no strangers to breakdowns, the one in this song was inspired by grunge jam sections rather than hardcore/metalcore, and ended up becoming of the grooviest parts we've ever written."

The band finishes, "'Vacant' is cheeky, urgent, and energetic, and we wanted to reflect that visually with a lighthearted, un-serious music video. Inspired by Beyonce's '7/11' video, it showcases the three of us and our two touring members, Michael and Kirby, just hanging out. A simple concept, but it captures our genuine selves connecting and reconnecting with the song and each other as we have a late-night dance party."

Pinkshift have also announced their upcoming tour and in-store activities around album release on the east coast and in their native Baltimore. All upcoming appearances and dates are below.

IN-STORE APPEARANCES:
8/27 — Rough Trade — New York, NY (6pm)
8/28 — Repo Records — Philadelphia, PA (7pm)
8/30 — Sound Garden— Baltimore, MD (4pm)

PINKSHIFT ON TOUR:
9/27 — Brooklyn, NY — Under the K Bridge Park
10/4 — Baltimore, MD — The Amphitheatre at the Inner Harbor
10/10 — Asbury Park, NJ — Asbury Lanes
10/11 — Richmond, VA — Richmond Music Hall
10/12 — Carrboro, NC — Cat's Cradle Backroom
10/14 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
10/15 — Orlando, FL — Conduit
10/17 — Houston, TX — White Oak Music Hall
10/18 — Austin, TX — The Ballroom
10/19 — Dallas, TX — Club Dada
10/21 — Phoenix, AZ — Rebel Lounge
10/22 — San Diego, CA — The Voodoo Room
10/23 — Santa Ana, CA — Constellation Room
10/24 — Los Angeles, CA — The Echo
10/25 — San Francisco, CA — Bottom of the Hill
10/27 — Portland, OR — Polaris Hall
10/28 — Seattle, WA — Neumos
10/30 — Salt Lake City, UT — Kilby Court
11/01 — Denver, CO — Marquis Theater
11/02 — Lawrence, KS — Bottleneck
11/04 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th Street Entry
11/05 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
11/07 — Detroit, MI — The Sanctuary
11/08 — Cleveland, OH — Mahall's
11/09 — Pittsburgh, PA — Thunderbird Music Hall & Café
11/11 — Toronto, ON — Hard Luck Bar
11/13 — Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
11/14 — Hamden, CT — Space Ballroom
11/15 — Philadelphia, PA — First Unitarian Church
11/16 — Washington, DC — Atlantis

Impureza Release Fiery Salute on "Reconquistar Al-Ándalus"

Impureza first lit the torch for flamenco death metal more than a decade ago. But the latest single from the Hispanic metal band’s upcoming third album Alcázares fans all the way back to the fall of Granada and the bloodstained ascension of the cross over the Islamic Iberia.  

Watch the lyric video for “Reconquistar Al-Ándalus” Below;

Alcázares comes out July 11 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/impurezaalcazares


”Reconquistar Al-Ándalus” is a hymn of fire and faith, where the cross is used as a weapon of reckoning. Driven by relentless double-kick drums and tremolo-picked fury, the latest single from Alcázares evokes the spiritual violence of the Reconquista’s final hour. Flamenco-inflected passages and orchestral accents frame a scene of brutal redemption, as crusading forces advance on the last bastion of Al-Andalus. Guided by Impureza vocalist Esteban Martín, the listener is cast into the role of a Christian zealot who welcomes death and sets ablaze the very memory of the Caliphate—commanding submission, invoking annihilation and swearing dominion beneath the symbol of the cross.

IMPUREZA is a Hispanic metal band formed in 2004 by guitarist Lionel Cano Muñoz from Orléans. Their music is distinguished by a unique fusion of extreme metal and Spanish sounds inspired by Andalusian culture and flamenco, creating an atypical style known as Hispanic Metal. IMPUREZA remains an innovative project in the international metal scene, making it a pioneer of the genre.

The entire concept of the band revolves around the voluptuousness of Latin atmospheres, the ferocity of metal, and Spanish culture and history, explored through a fictional and esoteric aspect. Their compositions feature both clean and guttural vocals sung in the language of Cervantes, flamenco guitar, acoustic fretless bass, extreme metal, and orchestral arrangements that evoke the colors of Spain. The very essence of their music lies in the duality between two seemingly opposed musical genres, which, through clever composition, give birth to a new and avant-garde style. Their fiery music is literally the union of traditional Hispanic folklore and extreme metal. These metal warriors brandish their Iberian sounds as weapons with pride. This ingenious alliance is matched only by the singular and unprecedented creative originality of its founder Lionel Cano Muñoz and his compañero Esteban Martín, both of Spanish nationality. IMPUREZA’s conquistadors draw inspiration from their strong identity, which defines the band's very essence. IMPUREZA's members are also influenced by many Spanish artists such as flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía and gypsy singer Camarón de la Isla, as well as bands like Behemoth, Morbid Angel, Krisiun, and Fleshgod Apocalypse, among others.

Let the conquistadors of IMPUREZA lead you into their realm and immerse you in Spanish culture with a groundbreaking musical concept — the one and only fierce guardians of Hispanic Metal!

SOMOS IMPUREZA!

Line-up:
Esteban Martín – All Vocals
Lionel Cano Muñoz – Rhythm, Lead & Spanish Guitars
Florian Saillard – Fretless Bass
Guilhem Auge – Drums
 
Production Credits:
Recorded & mixed by Sébastien Camhi at Studio Artmusic, Les Arc-sur-Argens, France.
Mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Ribe, Denmark.

Guest Musicians:
Xavier Hamon – Percussion
Louis Viallet – Orchestration
 

Cover Art:
Johann Bodin & Xavier Ribeiro

Photography:
© Michel Canavaggia / Mr Cana Photography

Follow Impureza:
Website: http://www.impureza.eu/
Bandcamp: https://impureza.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Impurezaconquista
Instagram: https://instagram.com/impurezaofficial
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/ImpurezaBand
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLkOMYXI-_teRnaDCs1ho8A
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/1195314
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YA9Uqs38ZD6Lg2q66PVw9
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/impureza/422671948

Mawiza Release New Single featuring Gojira's Joe Duplantier

Integrating tribal rhythms and ancient instruments with modern groove metal has earned Mawiza recognition from the Chilean Grammys and respected elders like Mercyful Fate, Slipknot and Mastodon. But on their upcoming third album, these modern day Mapuche warriors are fighting to restore our balance with nature.

Today, Mawiza are releasing "Ti Inan Paw-Pawkan" as the third and final advanced single off ÜL. Though drawn from a place of deep sorrow, this  earthshaking lament echoes the resilience of the band's ancestral land by taking up the fight alongside Mapuche tribespeople and Joe Duplantier from Olympian performers and Grammy winners Gojira.

"This song is a lament for indigenous people who are living in the city, far away from the land", Mawiza says. "But it's also a wake up call. Underneath the city, even when crushed by concrete, nature is always fighting to come out".

Watch the video for "Ti Inan Paw-Pawkan" below.

ÜL comes out July 18 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/mawizaul

Hear Mawiza perform "Ti Inan Paw-Pawkan" and other defiant anthems from ÜL when they tour Europe this summer alongside fellow Chilean metalheads Ater. 

Can't wait to chant along to ÜL? Hear the whole album a week before it comes out by RSVPing for this week's Bandcamp Listening Party.

ÜL Bandcamp Listening Party
Thursday, July 10 @ 1 pm Eastern Time


RSVP
https://mawizakvlt.bandcamp.com/live/l-listening-party

ÜL pays tribute to nature and Mawiza’s ancestors. "Ngulutu" recalls ancient battles between the Mapuche and the Spanish in Santiago, Chile. "Mamüll Reke", "Wenu Weychan", "Lhan Antü", and "Kalli Lhayay" are filled with rhythms and sounds reminiscent of the most hermetic rituals of the Mapuche people. They were used by shamans to induce trance and heal the sick, to communicate with and greet the spirits of the mountains.

 

Closing song "Ti Inan Paw-pawkan" features chants from members of Mawiza’s indigenous community, as well as Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier. It is here, during the album’s finale, that the band stake their claim as both indigenous and urban. The song acknowledges the mission entrusted to Mawiza by Mapuche authorities and by the land itself: to raise awareness about balance on Earth in an empowered way and to call for greater attentiveness to Mapuche territory. Otherwise, the consequences will be dire.  


Lineup
Awka - Lead vocals & rhythm guitar
Karü - Lead guitar & backing vocals
Zewü - Bass & backing vocals
Txalkan - Drums & percussion

Guest musicians
Fabiola Hidalgo (Liquen) contributes vocals to "Wingkawnoam", "Pinhza Ñi pewma", "Ngulutu" and "Mamüll reke"

Joe Duplantier (Gojira) contributes vocals to "Ti Inan Paw-Pawkan"

Recording Studio
Estudio del Sur in Chile

Producer
Pancho Arenas

Sound & Mixing Engineer
Pancho Arenas

Mastering Studio
West West Side Music

Mastering Engineer
Alan Douches

Cover Art
Kata Ulloa
 

Booking information
 Europe: juan@thatmusicagency.com
 Rest of the World: unai@cowboymusic.agency

Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/mawizaul
 
Follow Mawiza

Bandcamp: https://mawizakvlt.bandcamp.com
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mawizakvlt
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mawizakvlt
TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mawizakvlt
Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oJP24bXA2fbdVmNGNmCtt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mawizakvlt
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mawiza/1653435953

Follow Season Of Mist:
Online: http://www.season-of-mist.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/seasonofmistofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasonofmistofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeasonofMist

Dirkschneider And The Old Gang announce Babylon

Comprised of a dynamic collective of vocalists and musicians, DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) embark on a thrilling voyage across rock and metal realms in Babylon. The new album is set to make waves on October 3, 2025, released via Reigning Phoenix Music.

The high energy and catchy chorus hook of "It Takes Two To Tango" kicks off the album with a rock 'n' roll party atmosphere. Babylon's title track is a dramatic journey through entwining guitar leads, powerful vocals with a seductive undertone. Heavy distortion announces the arrival of "Hellbreaker". Brutal, dark and rhythmic, DATOG well and truly put the pedal to the metal. Picking up the pace with "Time To Listen", the increased intensity of the guitar driven sound is certain to be a fan favourite. 

"Strangers In Paradise" is the first of Babylon's haunting rock ballads. Manuela’s soulful voice and delicate piano melodies lead the track, joined by Peter and Udo, before returning to rock realms. "Strangers In Paradise" attains further dimensions with the inclusion of a flamenco-style guitar performance. "Dead Man's Head" makes a swift return to traditional metal realms with 70s-esque organ harking back to metal's early era. Explosive riffs and thunderous chugging mark "The Law Of A Madman". It's a compelling song with an anthemic chorus hook and lashings of Mathias’ guitar solo goodness. "Metal Sons" remains in the heavier side of DATOG's creativity unveiling a bombastic display of heavy fury. 

The theatrical powerhouse performance that is "Propaganda" sees an onslaught of soaring vocals, driving instrumentation and riffs galore. Manuela’s ethereal vocals are accompanied by captivating acoustic guitar melodies in the album's second ballad, "Blindfold". The song ebbs and flows between light and shade ultimately combining to the two styles into a dreamy offering. DATOG unleash the beast with "Batter The Power", through a ferocious groove-laden display. Babylon reaches its end with the impressive "Beyond The End Of Time". Just under 8 minutes in length, this track travels through an alluring array of stylistic influences, and allows each member's distinctive character to shine through. 

Anything but strangers to the rock and metal world, Udo Dirkschneider, Peter Baltes, Stefan Kaufmann, Mathias Dieth, Sven Dirkschneider and Manuela Bibert deliver a tight, dynamic, and passionately crafted performance throughout the album Babylon, that was superbly captured within the walls of the legendary Dierks Studios. 

About DATOG
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.
 
DATOG are:
Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals
Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals
Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, keys
Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals
Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals
Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals

Set for release on October 3, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music, Babylon is now available for pre-order in a variety of stunning formats:

  • Limited Red, Gold & Black Marbled Gatefold Double Vinyl 

  • Limited Red Opaque & Black Marbled Gatefold Double Vinyl 

  • Gold Opaque Double Vinyl 

  • Deluxe Earbook Edition with CD and enhanced 36-page booklet 

  • Digipak CD featuring a 24-page booklet 

  • Jewelcase CD featuring a 24-page booklet 

Pre-orders are available now - secure your copy of this powerful statement from one of metal’s most iconic voices and this extraordinary band: https://datog.rpm.link/babylonPR

Swedish Supergroup CROWNE Shares New Single “Timing Is Right” + Video

Swedish supergroup CROWNE is excited to share “Timing Is Right," the second single taken from their upcoming studio album 'Wonderland,' set for release on August 22, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

About the new single, Jona Tee stated:

"'Timing Is Right' is about keeping moving forward and rolling with the punches life throws at you."

Vocalist Alexander Strandell commented on the new record by saying:

“It feels incredible to share this third chapter with all of you. Working alongside the amazing team at Frontiers and my brothers Jona, Kicken, John, and Love has been an absolute honour. If you’re a fan of Art Nation, The Poodles, H.E.A.T., Dynazty, or Europe - this one’s for you."

Watch the Music Video for "Timing Is Right" Below

Swedish-based supergroup CROWNE are back with their highly anticipated third studio album, ‘Wonderland.’ Continuing their musical evolution, the band builds on their signature blend of melodic rock infused with powerful, metal-tinged soundscapes.

 

‘Wonderland’ delivers an unforgettable listening experience filled with epic atmospheres, anthemic choruses, and technical brilliance that showcase the band’s top-tier musicianship.

 

At the helm is Alexander Strandell, renowned for his soaring vocals with Art Nation, Lionville, and Nitrate. His impassioned delivery adds intensity and depth throughout the album. Guitarist Love Magnusson (Dynazty) provides electrifying riffs and solos, while Jona Tee (H.E.A.T) crafts lush keyboard textures that elevate the album’s cinematic feel. Legendary bassist John Leven (Europe) offers a thunderous low end, and drummer Christian Lundqvist (ex-The Poodles) drives each track with precision and force.

 

One of the standout moments on the record is “Warlords Of The North,” a powerful anthem featuring a songwriting contribution from Biff Byford, the iconic frontman of Saxon. This collaboration adds majesty and weight to an already monumental track.

 

With ‘Wonderland,’ CROWNE continues to push the boundaries of melodic heavy rock, delivering a collection of songs that are as emotionally compelling as they are technically impressive. It’s an essential release for fans of melodic metal and arena-ready anthems.

Pre-Order 'Wonderland' HERE

CROWNE are:

Alexander Strandell – Vocals

Love Magnusson – Guitars

Jona Tee – Keyboards

John Leven – Bass

Christian Lundqvist – Drums

GRAILKNIGHTS Reach Transcendental Fitness Level At "Grail Gym" Music Video For New Single Premieres On YouTube

While defeating Cthulhu in "Necronomicon," GRAILKNIGHTS have collected all armoury to unleash their empowering new opus titled Forever, their first full-length release through PERCEPTION - A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music. Crafted at Sascha Paeth’s Pathway Studios, their sidekick Sebastian Khayat delivered maximally heroic cover artwork for the album, which fans can finally hold their hands on at the beginning of the quintet’s forthcoming “Battle Of Metal” co-headline tour with ALL FOR METAL.
 
After kicking off the mentioned adventure in Hanover aka Grailham City, the complete Battlechoir shall storm their local stores of confidence from Friday, October 17, 2025 in order to save all Forever copies before Dr. Skull claims the victory and commissions their ultimate destruction. The twelve new hymns featured in the seventh chapter of GRAILKNIGHTS’ glorious history (incl. "Necronomicon" and a bold "Super Trouper" cover version) will of course also appear at the digital listening camps of your choice. Put it on endless loop once released that the world can be sure that the group’s smelly arch enemy goes straight to the afterlife on his own. Are you ready for GRAILKNIGHTS’ seventh adventure? -  “Yes Sire!”
 
Secure your copy (excl. ticket & merch bundles etc.) & pre-save Forever: https://grailknights.rpm.link/foreverPR

To make sure that their cape-wearing followers will be able to manage the needed sprints to the record shops of the universe, GRAILKNIGHTS lead them down into their legendary catacombs where their "Grail Gym" is located. It’s the strengthening site where the enormously musical superhero five-piece backs down regularly to recharge their batteries for new challenges. Who wouldn’t easily turn up the heat at a place like that? Here you have the choice of drill: intergalactic spinning, tough battle ropes and power chains or the supreme discipline - bench press! Additional motivation for Sir Optimus Prime, Sovereign Storm, Count Cranium, Duncan MacLoud and Lord Drumcules is provided by four not minorly energising ladies (Anni Quinn, Fuxi, Lady Kikki and Sarah Sparklz) who compete with the GRAILKNIGHTS especially on their bikes. What a sight! But as usual, a well-known guest is just about to make an unpleasant appearance...
 
“Every inch of skin is aching, iron muscles in the making: our new single is here to turn your sweat into steel. Heavy riffs. Hard reps. Heroic gains. Stream it now and enter the ‘Grail Gym’,” state the power metal heroes.
 
Enter GRAILKNIGHTS’ muscle factory @ 8PM CEST:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GswDrdmt5IQ
Join the official warm-up session and experience the video premiere with the band from 7.30PM CEST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_CcBB438eg
 
Stream "Grail Gym": https://grailknights.rpm.link/grailgymPR

About GRAILKNIGHTS
 
If it’s on their 2004 debut album Across The Galaxy, its follow-ups Return To Castle Grailskull and Alliance or their tales of the past 15 years ( Calling The Choir,  Knightfall & Muscle Bound For Glory), GRAILKNIGHTS’ goal has remained the same - the Holy Grail must be returned to Grailham City! Their mission also led their flight path to stages around the globe, which they boldly dominated as headlining act and shared with acts such as SABATON, FEUERSCHWANZ, BROTHERS OF METAL and TWILIGHT FORCE among others, always supported by their brave fan base aka the Battlechoir.
 
During the years, some of these equally brave musicians have also lent their additional vocal support to the Hanover, Germany based squad: Tracks like "Turbo Boost [feat. FEUERSCHWANZ]" but especially "Pumping Iron Power," which was graced by SABATON’s Joakim Brodén, crafted additional intergalactic bondings between the band and metalheads worldwide, and saw GRAILKNIGHTS’ success numbers go through the roof with ‘Pumping Iron Power’ recently hitting 15 million Spotify streams only.
 
Highly experienced in both studio and live battles, the superheroic metal group have faced and overcome several evil powers over time, and now they are set to oppose Dr. Skull in full length once again with their 7th adventure, followed by yet another journey across Europe. Joining forces with label family members ALL FOR METAL in autumn 2025, the Battle Of Metal can actually only end in another victory against all evil.
 
GRAILKNIGHTS are:
Sir Optimus Prime | vocals
Sovereign Storm | guitars, vocals
Count Cranium | guitars, vocals
Duncan MacLoud | bass, vocals
Lord Drumcules | drums
 
More on GRAILKNIGHTS:
grailknights.de | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

Bloodletter- Leave The Light Behind

Chicago thrashers BLOODLETTER have shredded stages across the USA for over twelve years. Their new album Leave the Light Behind is a vicious culmination of over a decade’s worth of sweaty moshpits, broken bones, and riffs sharp as guillotine blades.

 After releasing A Different Kind of Hell in 2023, BLOODLETTER headlined the third volume of Wise Blood’s black thrash split series Faster Than the Devil last year. Those three new songs revealed an even more sinister version of Bloodletter’s sound. Their melodies are still polished atop relentless battering ram rhythms while invoking classic thrash and modern melodeath. But Leave the Light Behind creates an atmosphere of otherworldly dread, introducing a world of darker shadows and lurking horror. 

“This time around we wanted to take the melodic riffing from our Funeral Hymns record and the brute force and speed of 'A Different Kind of Hell' and really blend the two more,” explains vocalist/guitarist Pete Carparelli. “We wanted to shoot for more grandiose and dramatic arrangements, while still keeping the elements of the core BLOODLETTER sound; speed, harmonized riffs and themes that can get stuck in your head. We pushed ourselves performance-wise, tried new vocal techniques and really tried our hardest to go further than we have before musically.” 

The song lyrics are rife with supernatural threats, cosmic beasts, and the specters of depression and mental illness. It is an ominous, dynamic thrash record that strikes with lethal power and leaves the listener with whiplash and a skull full of evil spirits. Leave the Light Behind will be available on Vinyl, CD, Cassette, and Digital from Wise Blood Records and Morbid & Miserable Records on June 25, 2025.

BLOODLETTER  is: 
Pete Carparelli - Vocals/Guitar 
Tanner Hudson - Bass 
Pat Armamentos - Guitar 
Zach Sutton - Drums Recorded & Mixed by 
Pete Carparelli at Haunted Hill Recordings 
Mastered by Matt Engstrom at Reel Sounds Studios
 Produced by Pete Carparelli & Matt Engstrom Artwork by 
Jon Self Layout by David Jaggar Band 
Photography by Cosmo Sutton 
Guest Solo on “Night Terrors” by Nate Madden of Immortal Bird

Wucan Share "Holz auf Holz," An East German x Krautrock Blend Backed By Potent Social Commentary

WUCAN recently announced their new album Axioms, releasing on August 29 via Long Branch Records. The new longplayer showcases the band's  artistic ingenuity while continuing the transformation first hinted at on the previous album Heretic Tongues and ultimately pushing that shift even further.

Today, the band releases "Holz auf Holz," the third single from Axioms

"I wrote 'Holz auf Holz' on a cold March evening in 2024, during one of my little candle rituals at home," shares singer Francis Tobolsky. "Suddenly, my incense caught fire without even touching the flame — and right in that moment, the melody came to me out of nowhere. It was immediately clear that this had to become a song. We call it 'Holz' for short, and it came together quite quickly, since the guys immediately understood what kind of track it was meant to be. To me, this song strongly reflects our East German rock and krautrock influences. And in true Wucan fashion, this German-language song serves as a commentary on the current political and social situation in Germany."

Stream the single and pre-order the new album here.

As is well known, true art is characterized above all by its constant renewal — a combination of the tried and tested with the innovative.

Like nearly all influential acts in music history who have followed this golden rule, Wucan demonstrate their capacity for artistic evolution with Axioms. On Axioms, the four-piece heavy rock outfit led by frontwoman Francis Tobolsky blends the distinctive elements of their previous studio records — Sow The Wind (2015), Reap The Storm (2017), and Heretic Tongues (2022) — with fresh ideas, resulting in a broader stylistic range and a more clearly defined conceptual approach. In other words: While the band continues to reference hard rock, krautrock, East German rock, and metal, the eight new tracks are also infused with touches of progressive rock, isolated electronic elements, and a playful jazz attitude.

Or Tobolsky aptly puts it, "The foundation of our music is international '70s hard rock enriched by contemporary influences — this time with even more bombast, brutality, and complexity."

PRE-ORDER "AXIOMS" HERE

More info about Wucan's European shows is here.

WUCAN ARE:
Francis Tobolsky — Vocals, Guitar, Flute, Theremin
Tim George — Guitar, Keyboards
Philip Knöfel — Drums
Alexander Karlisch — Bass

Scorpions to Celebrate 60th Anniversary with Hometown Show 7/5 To Be Recorded + Released As Live Album "Coming Home Live"🦂

Throughout their phenomenal career, the Scorpions have played in countless stadiums around the world. 

To mark their 60th anniversary, the band will, for the first time, perform at the stadium in their hometown of Hanover, where it all began. The show is set for July 5, 2025, at the Hanover Stadium Arena/Heinz von Heiden Arena. It's no surprise that the arena sold out 45,000 tickets in mere moments.

"Coming Home" will be the motto of this concert, and Coming Home Live will be the title of the accompanying live album, which will give fans worldwide the opportunity to experience this moment in Hanover. 

Spinefarm/Vertigo/Universal will release this extraordinary concert, featuring all of the band's biggest hits and many musical surprises, as a live album on vinyl and CD on November 14.

Pre-orders are now available here.

Photo Credit: Frank C. Duennhaupt

"Back then, we just wanted to be part of the global rock family — that was our dream," says Rudolf Schenker, the man who founded the band six decades ago. "Since then, we've shared the stage with Aerosmith and KISS, with Metallica, AC/DC, and I don't even remember who else we're fascinated by — to the Berlin Philharmonic."

The band has always felt at home when performing at the world's major arenas. But even more so, over the years, the Scorpions have also influenced generations of rock fans, undoubtedly shaping the style and music of younger artists and fellow legends.

"They are the best thing that could have happened to hard rock or heavy metal," says Jon Bon Jovi about the Scorpions, while Metallica's Kirk Hammettconfesses, "I still remember being so smitten by the cover of Tokyo Tapes. From then on, I was the biggest Scorpions fan and searched everywhere for all possible information about this band."

Members of Smashing Pumpkins, Mötley Crüe, and Green Day, to Guns N' Roses and KISS have all said that the Scorpions' songs had a huge influence on their music. 

The resources of their career years have now become an overflowing treasure trove, bridging the gap from yesterday to tomorrow, from 1965 to the iconic concert in the Hanover Stadium Arena on July 5. The fuel that spurs the Scorpions is the adrenaline that comes with performing live.

 "It's the most important element," says lead singer Klaus Meine. "And the strongest: The Scorpions are a band that, from the very beginning, has seen its place on stage and on some of the biggest stages in the world, in the biggest stadiums and arenas. It was always a challenge to win over fans and play a great show live."

But Scorpions constantly rose to the occasion and surpassed that challenge every time.

Lead guitarist Matthias Jabs says, "I don't like to think about the past. I prefer to think about what we're doing now or will do. And that's why, for me, the stadium concert in Hanover is the most important thing right now."

BLACKBRAID Unveils Music Video for New Single, "The Dying Breath of a Sacred Stag

Solo black metal project BLACKBRAID is now unveiling a new single, "The Dying Breath of a Sacred Stag," along with a music video via Black Metal Promotions! The clip was created by Wolf Mountain Productions (The Anti-label) and can be found at THIS LOCATION.

The song is taken from 'Blackbraid III,'  will be released on August 8, 2025 independently! Vinyl and cassette formats, as well as new merch designs, can now be pre-ordered via Blackbraid.US & Blackbraid.EU while the album can be pre-saved across all streaming services HERE.

ICYMI: Blackbraid's new single "Wardrums at Dawn on the Day of my Death" is now streaming along with a music video at Black Metal Promotions! The video was created by Moshmallows and captures the haunting and primal nature of Blackbraid's live shows. Watch the clip 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.

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 [SOLD OUT]

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

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. 

AURI - Releases Vibrant New Single & Video For 'Museum of Childhood'

Music has the power to open inner worlds—crafted from voices, sounds, and emotions that resonate deep within the soul. Today, AURI invites listeners into their ethereal soundscape with the release of 'Museum Of Childhood,' the second single from their highly anticipated upcoming album, III – Candles & Beginnings, out August 15, 2025.

'Museum Of Childhood' is a vibrantly beautiful composition, stirring emotion and sending shivers down the spine. It is a shining example of AURI’s ability to transport listeners away from the noise of reality into a dreamlike realm of serenity and wonder.

Accompanying the single is a stunning music video that immerses viewers in AURI’s enchanted world—where light and shadow dance with emotion and imagination.

Open your heart and ears. Let AURI be the beacon of light that guides you through the dreamscape.

Johanna Kurkela comments: “ As we venture deeper into the enchanting realm of our new album 'Candles & Beginnings', we take flight on the wings of imagination, across the safe havens of our hearts, into the ‘Museum of Childhood’. "

Watch the video for 'Museum Of Childhood' below.
Listen to 'Museum Of Childhood' here: https://auri.bfan.link/museum-of-childhood
Pre-order the album here: https://auri.bfan.link/iii-candles-beginnings

Line-up:

Johanna Kurkela | voices, violin, viola, keys
Tuomas Holopainen | keys & backing voices
Troy Donockley | guitars, bouzouki, mandola, uilleann pipes, low whistles, aerophone, bodhran, keys, voices

AURI online:
https://linktr.ee/auri.band
https://www.backstagerockshop.com/collections/auri

British Melodic Rock Legends FM Announce New Album 'Brotherhood' Out September 5, 2025 via Frontiers Music Srl

Today, British melodic rock legends FM are proud to announce the release of their 15th studio album, 'Brotherhood,' due out September 5, 2025 via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the announce, FM has released the lead single "Living On The Run" alongside a music video, available to view below.

Once again delivering their signature blend of hook-laden AOR and blues-tinged hard rock on'Brotherhood,' FM reaffirms their status as masters of the genre.

Vocalist/Guitarist Steve Overland shares on the new single:

“First single, 'Living On The Run,' is a great hard-hitting melodic fast-moving track. The song is about what the title suggests, a real Bonnie and Clyde storyline. A very instant big chorus, which makes for a good first single choice.”

Overland comments on the new album:

“I am proud of the new album. It is one of our strongest song albums to date. It is another milestone, as it’s FM’s 15th album. It’s very well paced and has great variation in song styles throughout. The album’s big ballad, 'Just Walk Away,' is one of our best. I hope our fans feel the same way as we do about 'Brotherhood.'

Watch the Lyric Video for "Living On The Run"

‘Brotherhood’ showcases a band still at the top of their game, with highlights including the infectious anthem "Living on the Run," the unforgettable anthemic rocker “Don’t Call It Love,” the punchy and powerful "Coming For You," and the emotionally charged "Time Waits For No One" – all tracks that echo the spirit and melodic strength of FM’s early classics yet are unmistakably fresh and vibrant.

 

The opening track, "Do You Mean It," brings a bluesy, soulful vibe that echoes the Doobie Brothers’ classic “Takin’ It To The Streets” sound, setting the tone for the album. 'Brotherhood' also features one of FM’s most powerful ballads to date, "Just Walk Away" – a beautifully emotional song that highlights the band's mastery of melodic rock. Wrapping up the album is "The Enemy Within," a track that introduces exciting new sonic ideas while retaining the powerful and melodic qualities FM fans love.

 

Supporting vocals from a female guest choir add warmth and dynamic depth to "Do You Mean It" and "Just Walk Away," perfectly complementing Steve Overland’s consistently exceptional lead vocals.

Pre-Order 'Brotherhood' HERE

Formed in the 80's by the Overland brothers, FM are one of the UK's seminal and respected rock bands. The new album was recorded by FM’s long-standing and beloved line-up including founding members Steve Overland, Merv Goldsworthy, and Pete Jupp, alongside keyboard player Jem Davis and guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick.

 

To promote 'Brotherhood,' FM will embark on a major UK headline tour in September 2025 with 14 confirmed shows, followed by European dates in early 2026. Visit FM’s official websitefor tickets.

FM are:

Steve Overland – Vocals, guitar

Merv Goldsworthy – Bass

Pete Jupp – Drums

Jem Davis – Keyboards

Jim Kirkpatrick – Guitars

False Gods - Lost in Darkness and Distance

FALSE GODS are not here to comfort you. Since forming on Long Island, NY in 2015, the band has carved a sonic identity rooted in disillusionment, despair, and the bitter truths of existence. On their new album, Lost in Darkness and Distance, the band reaches into deeper shadows, sonically, emotionally, and philosophically, than ever before. It's not just their heaviest record, it's their most human.

Emerging from the ashes of SKELETONDEALER, longtime collaborators Mike Stack (vocals) and Greg March (guitar) formed FALSE GODS with a vision of creating music that defied genre confines. Early releases like Wasteland (2016) and Reports From Oblivion (2017) hinted at what was to come, a collision of NYHC energy, NOLA sludge, and post-punk anxiety. But it was 2020’s No Symmetry…Only Disillusion and 2022’s Neurotopia, both released on Seeing Red Records, that solidified their reputation as a band unafraid to confront musical and existential extremes. Neurotopia earned critical acclaim from Decibel and Metal Hammer UK, each praising its suffocating atmosphere and refusal to adhere to genre conventions.

While on tour supporting Neurotopia, one word kept surfacing in press and fan conversations: "hardcore." It’s not a word Mike Stack rejects, but it is one he resists being boxed in by. “While we all met in our local hardcore scene, that's not where we wanted to stay,” Stack explains. “A song like 'Imposter' shows that we’re not afraid to write with actual melody. There are still brutally heavy moments here, like 'Worldless,' but there’s also psychedelic, YOB-inspired haze in 'Death Is Listening' and industrial or noise textures across 'Straw Dog' and 'Voice of Treason.' We wanted to push ourselves and see how far FALSE GODS could stretch while still sounding like us.”

Lost in Darkness and Distance is the result of that creative reach and of personal tragedy. The record was written and recorded during a time marked by death, addiction, and emotional collapse in the lives of several members. That rawness bleeds into every second of the album. There are no metaphors to hide behind here. Stack’s vocals are not just screams, they are confessions. Each track feels like a page torn from a journal written under duress.

"Enemy That Never Was" explores the emotional wreckage left by the unresolved death of a close family member. "Imposter" spirals through identity confusion, self-hatred, and alienation, with Stack describing it as “almost like I’m playing a character of a human.” In "Straw Dog," he screams into the void of a meaningless existence, confronting failure with brutal honesty. "Worldless" exposes the empty promises of substance abuse, while "Suffering in a Strange Land" captures the haunting sense of being entirely alone, even among others. The final track, "Death Is Listening," reflects on mortality with crushing vulnerability: “I still can't decide if I'm anxiously awaiting death or deathly afraid of it. It depends on the second.”

It’s this emotional clarity that makes Lost in Darkness and Distance so powerful. It’s a record that stares unblinking into the abyss, but never feels forced or performative. The lyrics feel lived-in, exhausted, and scarred. The title, taken from the final line of Frankenstein, reflects the central theme, the sense of being exiled not from society, but from reality itself.

Musically, the band continues to refine its unique voice. Their influences range from CROWBAR, YOB, and GODFLESH to KILLING JOKE, SWANS, BLACK FLAG, and CARNIVORE. But these are not pastiches. FALSE GODS wield these sounds like weapons, twisting sludge riffs into industrial grind and blending bleak psychedelia with punishing hardcore rhythms. The result is an album that sounds like no one else.

With a revamped lineup featuring Mike Stack – Vocals, Greg March – Guitar, Devin Stracuzza – Bass, and Josh Harrison – Drums, the band has never sounded tighter or more dangerous. Their live résumé includes sets with CROWBAR, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, WILL HAVEN, GHOST BATH, FISTULA, 16, BONGZILLA, ILSA, CONAN, FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES, and more. They've crushed stages at Maryland Doomfest (2019, 2023), Grim Reefer Fest (2023), and Ohio Doomed & Stoned Fest (2023). In July 2025, they’ll join EYEHATEGOD on tour, a fitting pairing of two bands that find beauty in the broken.

FALSE GODS are not here to sell you hope. They are here to make something real. Lost in Darkness and Distance will be released July 25th, 2025.

About FALSE GODS:

Formed in 2015 on Long Island, New York, FALSE GODS are a genre-defying force in modern heavy music. Blending sludge metal’s crushing weight with post-metal atmosphere, NYHC aggression, and the bleak intensity of industrial and post-punk, the band carves out a sound that is both emotionally raw and sonically brutal. Their music shifts seamlessly between towering heaviness, haunting melody, and punishing noise, always grounded in lyrical themes of isolation, grief, and existential dread.

With a lineup featuring Mike Stack – Vocals, Greg March – Guitar, Devin Stracuzza – Bass, and Josh Harrison – Drums, FALSE GODS have built a reputation for cathartic live performances and uncompromising songwriting. They’ve shared the stage with heavyweights like CROWBAR, EYEHATEGOD, CONAN, and FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES, and have appeared at festivals including Maryland Doomfest, Grim Reefer Fest, and Ohio Doomed & Stoned.

Their upcoming album, Lost in Darkness and Distance, marks their most dynamic and personal work to date, pushing beyond genre lines into something darker, deeper, and more vulnerable.

FALSE GODS do not offer escapism. They reflect reality—unfiltered and unrelenting.

FALSE GODS is:

Mike Stack – Vocals
Greg March – Guitar
Devin Stracuzza – Bass
Josh Harrison – Drums

Connect with FALSE GODS:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/falsegods
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/falsegods1
Twitter/X: https://x.com/FalseGods2
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5GghNJPvhdvhYQlgCkylR1
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/false-gods/1101513664
Bandcamp: https://falsegods1.bandcamp.com/album/false-gods-abiuro-split
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/album/156301589

Vicious Rumors Release "Crack The Sky In Half" Video

Today, U.S. metal legends VICIOUS RUMORS unveiled the latest single from their upcoming new album The Devil's Asylum. Titled "Crack The Sky In Half," the track arrives alongside an official music video.

 

Band founder Geoff Thorpe says, "'Crack The Sky...' is a veritable anthem about never giving up and enjoying life to the fullest."

Watch the video below.

The Devil's Asylum will be released on August 29 worldwide (except Japan) through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipak, LP version, download, and stream here

VICIOUS RUMORS LIVE 2025:

EUROPE:

7/4 — Hamburg, DE — Logo

7/5 — Eindhoven, NL — Effenaar (With Overkill)

7/10 — Balingen, DE — RV Bang Festival (Warm up headliner show)

7/11— Balingen, DE — RV Bang Festival

7/12 — Cham, DE — L.A.

 

U.S:

8/20 — San Francisco, CA — DNA Lounge

8/21 — Los Angeles, CA —Whisky a Go Go
8/22 — Salt Lake City, UT — Aces High Saloon
8/23 — Colorado Springs, CO — Thrashers
8/24 — Denver, CO — HQ
8/26 — Sioux City, IA — The Ickey Nickel
8/27 — Des Moines, IA — Lefty's Live

8/28 — Madison, WI — Blades of Steel Fest
8/29 — Chicago, IL — Reggies

8/30 — Detroit, MI — Sanctuary
8/31 — Braidwood, IL — Top Fuel Saloon
9/2 — Wichita, KS — Barleycorn's Wichita

9/3 —Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street

9/4 — Dallas, TX — Haltom Theater

9/5 — Austin, TX — Kickbutt Coffee

9/6 — San Antonio, TX — Fitzgerald’s

9/7 — Houston, TX — 1810 Ojeman
9/9 — Atlanta, GA — 529
9/10 — Raleigh, NC — Chapel Of Bones
9/11 — Lynchburg, VA — Super Rad Arcade
9/12 — Chesapeake, VA — Riffhouse Pub
9/13 — Richmond, VA — Another Round Bar
9/14 — Albany, NY — Empire Underground

9/16 — Providence, RI — Alchemy
9/18 — Catonsville, MD — Morsburgers

9/19 — Bristol, CT — Bleachers
9/20 — Harrisburg, PA — HMAC
9/21 — Newark, DE — Halftime

DUSTIN LYNCH BRINGS THE PARTY WITH CLUB SET REMIXES EP – OUT JULY 4

Country superstar Dustin Lynch cranks the volume this Fourth of July with the release of his high-octane Club Set Remixes EP, a five-track fusion of country charm and dance-floor fire. This adrenaline-pumping project reinvents some of Lynch’s biggest hits through the lens of late-night club sets and sun-drenched pool parties that have become “must see” experiences in Vegas, Nashville and beyond. Pre-save or pre-add the Club Set Remixes HERE.


A bold crossover moment, Club Set Remixes EP features pulse-pounding reworks of chart-toppers including “Small Town Boy,” “Seein’ Red,” “Thinking ’Bout You,” “Stars Like Confetti,” and his latest single “Easy To Love.” Remixers include high-profile DJs MOONLGHT, MC4D, and more—artists who’ve helped transform Lynch’s music into genre-defying anthems lighting up nightlife scenes.


“Putting together the Club Set Remixes EP was a fun ride. This year, I’ve been spinning these tracks in my club sets, and the energy they bring is next level. It’s a new way to experience some of my biggest songs—plus ‘Easy To Love’—in a way that hits different after dark. These remixes are built for the party, and I can’t wait for y’all to turn them up,” says Dustin. 


No stranger to pushing boundaries, Lynch has been building a second lane as a nightlife headliner. From his WYNN NIGHTLIFE LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY to surprise club and Pool Situation sets in cities across the country, he’s become a magnet for fans craving something fresh, performing live vocals over real-time DJ mixes alongside longtime collaborator Grant Fisher to keep the crowd on its feet.


TheClub Set RemixesEP captures that same dance floor fueled magic: reworking country faves into crowd-ready anthems.

This release arrives in the heat of a red-hot summer for Lynch, who recently dropped his laid-back single “Easy To Love,” the most added song at country radio the week of release, and kicks off his TWO FOR THE ROAD TOUR with Scotty McCreery this fall. He’s also currently in the middle of his historic Vegas residency, marking Wynn Nightlife’s first-ever country headliner, where his club sets blur genre lines and draw dance fans and country diehards alike.

KEEP UP WITH DUSTIN LYNCH
WEBSITE
 | FACEBOOK | X | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK

Dizzy F'n Reed (Guns N' Roses) Releases New Single “Falling Down 2gether” via 50q records ​    

Legendary rock pianist/keyboardist and longtime Guns N’ Roses member Dizzy F’n Reed has just dropped his brand-new single, “Falling Down 2gether,” out today via 50q records. The track is the second single off his upcoming full length solo album Rock ‘N’ Roll Chose Me, which will see its physical vinyl release on August 22, 2025, with the digital full-length album release following on September 5, 2025.

 

STREAM “Falling Down 2gether” 

Spotify

Apple Music

 

Subscribe Here To Stay Up To Date

 

Pre-order the physical vinyl at http://50qrecords.com/store/

Dizzy Reed and Pittsburgh based 50q records are proud to present his second solo album Rock ‘N’ Roll Chose Me, a personal and socially reflective 10-song album exploring themes of letting go, mental health struggles, the American Dream, and the unifying power of music, all viewed through a lens of perseverance, connection, and the human cost of chasing meaning in a divided society.

 

Written and produced by Dizzy Reed, the album is a gritty, emotionally charged journey. It was co-produced by Jason Achilles Mezilis, with lyrics co-written by Nadja, Del James, and Reed himself. The album was mixed by Evan Rodaniche and mastered by Gentry Studer.

 

Currently on tour with Guns N’ Roses, Dizzy Reed continues to balance his legacy as a rock icon with his ever-evolving role as a songwriter, storyteller, and solo artist.

 

For fans of hard rock with heart and authenticity, Rock 'N' Roll Chose Me is the next chapter in Dizzy Reed’s musical journey.

For More Information Please Visit:

 

Official Website

Instagram

Facebook

https://50qrecords.com/

Deep Purple Release Remixed Single "Clearly Quite Absurd" Featuring Previously Unheard Instrumental Take of "MTV"

As part of the upcoming Rapture of the Deep — 20th Anniversary Remix,Deep Purple release a new single: a newly mixed and remastered version of "Clearly Quite Absurd," backed with a previously unreleased instrumental studio rehearsal take of "MTV."

Listen to the remixed "Clearly Quite Absurd" here

Roger Glover today recalls, "'Clearly Quite Absurd' is a very unusual Deep Purple song, which I like. We've always liked being unusual. We don
t follow traditions, really. We are just who we are at a specific time."

The single's B-side, "MTV (2005 Studio Jam)," is a previously unheard instrumental take from an early rehearsal session — with Don Airey, Steve Morse, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice running through a track that later appeared as a bonus on select editions of Rapture of the Deep.

The single is a preview of the Rapture of the Deep — 20th Anniversary Remix, out worldwide on August 29, which includes a brand new mix of the full album, revised artwork, and a bonus disc filled with rare studio rehearsals and instrumental jams.

The album will be available as 2CD Digipak, 3LP Vinyl (black, 180g), and the strictly limited 3LP Transparent Sky-Blue Vinyl.

With Deep Purple riding high on the success of their latest No. 1 record =1, the time is right to (re)discover the album that set the path for Deep Purple in the 21st century.

Access the album here

Thrash Metal Supergroup NEFARIOUS - Releases Title Track from Upcoming Album + Live Music Video

Today, the new thrash metal supergroup NEFARIOUS — featuring Katon De Pena, Rick Hunolt, Doug Piercy, Tom Gears, and Will "Beastman" Carroll — is excited to unleash the title track from their upcoming debut album, 'Addicted To Power,' out on July 18th. The title track comes accompanied by a live music video, available to view below.

A ferocious anthem for the disillusioned and the defiant, "Addicted to Power" delivers razor-sharp riffs, breakneck rhythms, and politically charged lyrics that cut straight to the bone. With legendary thrash titans Rick Hunolt (ex-Exodus) and Doug Piercy (ex-Heathen) unleashing guitar fury, Katon De Pena on vocals, secret weapon Tom Gears on bass, and Will “Beastman” Carroll on the skin, NEFARIOUS blends classic old school thrash intensity with a sophisticated edge.

The accompanying music video is a raw performance piece filmed at Soundwave Studio in Oakland, CA. The video captures the pure essence of NEFARIOUS: unapologetic, unrelenting, and razor-focused on truth through sound.

The title track, "Addicted to Power," is about the insatiable hunger for control and the devastation it leaves in its wake, a true reflection of the times we are all experiencing right now. "Addicted to Power" marks the third single from NEFARIOUS's forthcoming album of the same name, following the critically praised tracks "Master Plan" and “One Nation Enslaved” released earlier this spring.

Watch the Live Music Video for "Addicted To Power"

NEFARIOUS recently announced the release of their debut album 'Addicted To Power' due out July 18th via Relentless "Metal" Records with a Collector Vinyl available through Hectic/Bleeding Priest Records.

Doug Piercy exclaims:

"Let’s get ready to rage! 

"We are really stoked to finally be able to release this stuff and discuss it. It’s been under wraps for a while. More insane videos and shows are coming soon! We hope everybody enjoys this release as much as we had fun creating it, for you all!

"Cheers!"

Pre-Order 'Addicted To Power' HERE

Together, NEFARIOUS crafts a sound that is both fierce and refined — a perfect balance of aggression and musicianship that speaks to the true spirit of heavy metal.

With their explosive live performances and immersive new material on the horizon, metal fans worldwide should prepare for an unstoppable force.

This is unpretentious thrash metal. 

This is NEFARIOUS!

NEFARIOUS will be playing a hometown album release show on

July 19th at DNA Lounge in San Francisco!

Dreams Of Gray - A Beginning

Emerging from the shadows of grief, reflection, and the raw beauty of metal, DREAMS OF GRAY returns with their new EP, A Beginning, set for release on September 5th, 2025. Based in Chicago, IL, this one-man project helmed by Luis Rivera first turned heads with the 2023 debut The World After—an independent release that earned praise from the global metal press. Critics from highlighted the debut's sharp songwriting, emotional weight, and its fusion of melodic death, doom, and thrash metal. Now, A Beginning builds upon that foundation and pushes the project’s boundaries even further.

Though DREAMS OF GRAY began as a solo endeavor, Rivera has always surrounded himself with top-tier collaborators to bring his compositions to life. On A Beginning, he is joined by Maria Kosma on bass, Nicole Trinchero on drums for the title track, and Scott Elliot, who handled drum programming on "Beyond the Sky" and "Across the Endless Sea" while also contributing engineering, mixing, and mastering to both. Meanwhile, Josh Middleton took on engineering and mixing duties for "A Beginning", as well as mastering the track. The result is an EP that feels cohesive but unpredictable, aggressive yet melodic, and deeply personal without ever losing sight of metal’s cathartic power.

The EP opens with "A Beginning", a track that embodies the thematic and sonic range of the release. It flows from haunting melodies into crushing intensity, shifting gears between clean vocals and growls, mid-tempo movements and furious headbanging riffs. Its lyrical content wrestles with existential grief—how the living cope with loss, and what unresolved questions remain after someone we love is gone. Rivera's performance here is dynamic, moving between softness and fury, crafting a song that challenges convention but never forgets to move the listener.

"Beyond the Sky" follows as the EP’s most direct track—a high-energy explosion rooted in death metal and thrash. It’s an anthem for the live stage, but beneath its furious pace is a meditation on the soul’s journey through eternity. The song blends brutal riffs with melody in a way that fans of IN FLAMES, AMORPHIS, or DARK TRANQUILITY will appreciate. Here, Rivera asks the big questions: What lies beyond this life? What does peace look like for a restless soul?

Closing the EP is "Across the Endless Sea", perhaps the most dynamic composition in the DREAMS OF GRAY discography so far. While it offers some of the EP’s fastest passages, it never sacrifices melody. In fact, the chorus showcases new approaches to Rivera’s clean vocals—experimental, memorable, and emotionally resonant. There’s even a trace of black metal’s influence in the guitar textures, cleverly reworked to serve the EP’s broader melodic vision. Lyrically, the song explores the interconnectedness of life—how we are all part of a web that links the living with the departed, and how each of us carries others forward across our own seas.

What sets DREAMS OF GRAY apart is not just the fusion of genres—from melodic death and doom to thrash and heavy metal—but Rivera’s refusal to create throwaway music. Every riff, every lyric, and every vocal line is deliberate. There is elegance within the aggression, clarity within the chaos. His music invites you to headbang, yes—but also to reflect, to feel, to connect. Lyrics are intelligible by design, encouraging listeners to engage deeply rather than just react sonically. A Beginning isn’t just a collection of songs. It’s a statement of intent: that melody, melancholy, and metal can coexist with integrity.

This EP arrives after a journey as unpredictable as the music itself. Outside of metal, Luis Rivera is a Family Medicine Physician—an artist with a scientific mind, balancing a high-pressure career with a relentless drive to create. Formerly an electrician and a member of ABOLISHER (a band with acclaim in Metal Maniacs and Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles back in 2002), Rivera took a long pause from music to pursue medicine. Now, with that chapter stabilized, he returns fully committed to his artistic vision.

For those who long for a new voice in melodic extreme metal—one that remembers the spirit of PARADISE LOST, the introspection of OPETH, and the energy of SLAYER—DREAMS OF GRAY offers something vital, something that sounds familiar yet undeniably new. With A Beginning, this project redefines what it means to start again.

Connect With DREAMS OF GRAY:

Bandcamp: https://dreamsofgray.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Dreams-of-Gray-100090219272895/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamsofgray/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dreamsofgray
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/10SZBmhCP8bJHMX5lyCshB
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dreams-of-gray/1662301376

Rising rock and metal label Reigning Phoenix Music has teamed up with legendary toy maker Hasbro to bring to life COLD SLITHER,

Rising rock and metal label Reigning Phoenix Music has teamed up with legendary toy maker Hasbro to bring to life COLD SLITHER, the fictional band from the iconic G.I. JOE Universe. The collaboration brings together members of GRUESOME, EXHUMED and KMFDM to create a fun and nostalgic homage to one of the most beloved toy brands of all time. The album is set to be released on July 25th, 2025, just in time for a one-night-only exclusive appearance to coincide with this year's San Diego Comic Con.

"Bringing COLD SLITHER to life through our partnership with RPM has been an absolute dream come true! As a child watching this fictional band on my TV screen, I never imagined I'd one day help transform them from animated rockstars into a tangible, sonic reality. From the meticulously crafted figures you can hold in your hand to the face-melting album we've created, G.I. JOE fans worldwide are about to experience something truly revolutionary this summer. This project bridges nostalgia with innovation in ways that will leave the community speechless—prepare for a musical assault that would make Cobra Commander proud!" shares Ben"BMac" MacCrae — Associate Brand Manager, Global Brand Development & Marketing at Hasbro. 

Reigning Phoenix Music General Manager and Co-founder Gerardo Martinezcomments: "It is a dream come true to be able to work on this amazing collaboration with my favorite, and one that happens to be one of the most iconic brands in the world: G.I.JOE!  It is also a pleasure to work on this amazing project alongside some of my friends from Hasbro and be able to bring Cold Slither into reality in the most Heavy Metal way! Many of us have waited 40 years for this to happen but the wait is finally over. And a special thanks to Michael Charles Hill for writing the original COLD SLITHER episode back in 1985."

"It's programs like these that make Hasbro's goal of creating Magic Moments truly come to life! What started out as a cult-classic episode from the 1985 series G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero has culminated into a fan program for the ages - inclusive of toys, comics, and of course, music. It could not have been made possible without amazing licensees like Reigning Phoenix Music who put their passion, expertise, and fandom into everything they create. We're extremely excited for everyone to rock out to this single and we plan to reveal even more as we move closer to San Diego Comic Con. So, as the single echos, we hope... "you'll be joining us soon!"" says Alyse D’Antuono — Hasbro’s VP of Global Franchise Strategy & Management for Action Brands.

Preorders are now live for Cold Slither — the band’s full-length debut album — including a limited “Dreadnok Attack Orange” marble vinyl variant available via Reigning Phoenix Music and select retailers like Amazon, Amoeba and indie record stores.
 
Featuring 10 original tracks and a remastered version of their cult-classic single “Cold Slither,” the album plunges into dystopian metal with themes of swamp-born menace and Cobra-fueled power.
 
The Cold Slither album arrives July 25 across digital and vinyl formats, including San Diego Comic Con-exclusive “Zartan Chameleon Blue” and “Blood Moon Red” vinyl variants available only at the Hasbro and RPM booths, respectively.

COLD SLITHER Is:

Zartan - Gus Rios, vocals/guitars (GRUESOME, UNION BLACK, LEFT TO DIE)

Ripper - Matt Harvey, guitars (EXHUMED, GRUESOME, LEFT TO DIE)

Torch - Ross Sewage, bass (EXHUMED, IMPALED)

Buzzer - Andy Selway, drums (KMFDM)