Dizzy F'n Reed (Guns N' Roses) Releases Lyric Video for Single “Earn It 2 Burn It” via 50q records ​  

Legendary rock pianist/keyboardist and longtime Guns N’ Roses member Dizzy F’n Reedhas just dropped his brand-new single, “Earn It 2 Burn It,” via 50q records. The track is the third 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.

 

In celebration of the release, Reed has also unveiled the official lyric video for “Earn It 2 Burn It,” which can be seen below.

 

Dizzy shares, "The song is about working our asses off and never actually seeing any money at all. And starting off our lives with incomprehensible debt from the cost of our education to do something else altogether while being pummeled with information about what we should like, want and need. The music was born from my love of metal and my hero John Lord. Thank you Johnny Kelly, Mike Duda and Jason for making it like it needed to be."

 

STREAM “Earn It 2 Burn It” 

Spotify

Apple Music

Deezer

Amazon

WATCH "Earn It 2 Burn It" Lyric Video Below.

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 produced by Jason Achilles Mezilis, mixed by Evan Rodaniche and mastered by Gentry Studer.

 

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.

Dizzy Reed is a US-born musician and composer who is best known as the keyboardist and backing vocalist for the rock band Guns N’ Roses. A touring musician since the age of 12, Dizzy joined Guns N’ Roses in 1990, helping transform the band's sound with his blues, funk and classic rock stylings on the keyboards, most notably on the Use Your Illusion I & II albums. He was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame in 2012 as a member of G N’ R, and fronts side project Hookers and Blow on lead vocals and keys.

 

About 50q records:

Founded in Pittsburgh, 50q records is built on a deep appreciation for the iconic sounds of the past, reimagined and amplified for today's sonic landscape. 50q records partners with bands and musicians who carry that timeless sound in their DNA, helping shape music that nods to the past while pushing forward with purpose.

For More Information Please Visit:

 

Official Website

Instagram

Facebook

https://50qrecords.com/

PROFANE ELEGY Unleashes “The Accuser”

Independent black metal force PROFANE ELEGY has released their latest single, “The Accuser,” the final and most searing track from their forthcoming sophomore album Herezjarcha, out January 30, 2026.

Originally conceived as a two-man recording project, PROFANE ELEGY quickly evolved into a full four-piece band, igniting the live circuit in late 2023. With members spread across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the band’s creative process thrives in the digital realm with file sharing and relentless group chat collaborations forging every note of Herezjarcha.

“The Accuser” stands as a blistering indictment of false witnesses and a bold rejection of god. Drawing on the biblical portrayal of Satan as “the accuser of the brethren," the eternal prosecutor, the song assumes the role of the accuser itself. Blood is laid upon the hands of the hypocrites, and damnation is embraced without remorse.

Herezjarcha marks a natural yet fearless evolution from the band’s debut When All Is Nothing. While the essence of their original sound remains, it has been sharpened and expanded: more dynamic, more melodic, yet heavier and more unrelenting than ever. From mournful dirges to unhinged fury, each track is bound by a unified musical and lyrical vision. The album title, meaning “arch-heretic,” encapsulates its spirit: an oath, a testament, and a declaration of new heresy.

With “The Accuser” closing the eight-part descent into darkness, PROFANE ELEGY cements their place as a band unafraid to confront the sacred, embrace the profane, and speak with unflinching conviction.

About PROFANE ELEGY

PROFANE ELEGY is a black metal band from Bangor, Pennsylvania, formed in late 2021 by guitarist J Gulick and vocalist Mikael L. Originally conceived as a two-man studio project, the band quickly evolved into a full lineup with the addition of bassist David G and drummer Sean M in 2023. What sets PROFANE ELEGY apart is their refusal to remain confined within genre boundaries—while rooted firmly in black metal, their sound incorporates elements of death, doom, and progressive metal, often enhanced by orchestral arrangements and clean vocals.

The band’s debut album When All Is Nothing (2023) was released independently and drew attention for its blend of atmospheric aggression and emotional vulnerability. The release earned praise for its ability to move fluidly between blistering speed and melancholic melody, with Doom Heart calling it “a massive Doom delight.” Following the album’s release, PROFANE ELEGY made their live debut and began performing across the northeastern United States, including a notable support slot for Dark Funeral in late 2024.

Lyrically, the band explores themes of nihilism, mortality, philosophy, and religious symbolism—often invoking figures like Satan not as dogmatic statements, but as metaphors in a broader spiritual and existential dialogue. Their work is poetic, introspective, and often challenges the listener to confront uncomfortable truths about life, death, and belief.

Their upcoming full-length album Herezjarcha, set for release in January 2026, represents the band’s most ambitious and expansive work to date. With a more dynamic sound, deeper orchestration, and a clear conceptual throughline, the record pushes their sonic and thematic boundaries further than ever before. The album title—a made-up word meaning “arch-heretic”—encapsulates the spirit of the band: rebellious, introspective, and unafraid to question the sacred.

PROFANE ELEGY continues to forge a unique path within the underground metal scene. Blending bleak intensity with philosophical weight, they aim not just to be heard—but to be felt.

PROFANE ELEGY is:
 

  • Mikael L – Vocals, Orchestration

  • J Gulick – Guitars, Orchestration

  • David G – Bass, Orchestration

  • Sean M – Drums

CONJURER | Announce New Album "Unself"

British metal heavyweights CONJURER return with news of their mighty third album, Unself, which will be released 24th October via Nuclear Blast Records. 

Pre-order: 
https://conjurer.bfan.link/unself

To commemorate the moment, the band have also unveiled the first single from the release, 'Hang Them In Your Head'.

Watch the video below.

And stream 'Hang Them In Your Head' here: 
https://conjurer.bfan.link/htiyh

CONJURER comment: "Unself is a record that we have put everything of ourselves into, in a way that we didn’t think possible for this band. Hang Them… is only the beginning. Thank you all for your patience, we are happy to report that it will be worth the wait."

CONJURER will be touring Unself across the UK and Europe in November. UK dates will be supported by Pijn and Death Goals and EU dates will be joined by Frail Body.

CONJURER have evolved radically since the release of their debut album (Mire, 2018), and their second release (Páthos, 2022) saw them lauded among the most exciting British metal bands. Whilst award nominations and accolades accumulated, the four-piece band retained their very simple mission: to make heavy music and have fun whilst doing so. Preferring to use their spotlight to showcase technicality and musicality rather than centring politics or opinions, CONJURER lived in the moment and embraced everything that came their way.
  
Within the tumult of forging a renewed identity as a band, on Unself there is a more intense, more personal voyage of discovery unfurling for vocalist/guitarist Dani Nightingale. Diagnosed with autism at age 31, their long-held view of self, and perception of their place in the world began to unravel. Unself documents much of the piecing back together around the diagnosis, alongside the realisation they were non-binary. 
  
These vignettes of processing and self-actualisation take place against the backdrop of a society careening towards glassy-eyed capitalist dystopia; finding firm footing eludes many of us - and CONJURER delve headfirst into exploring these suffocating new societal parameters.
 
Within Unself's nine tracks, CONJURER deliver the writhing post-metal sound they’ve become known for, but have loosened their grip on the desire to fill every moment with sonic obliteration. Instead, they have leaned into utilising space, gifting listeners a little breathing room which serves to make the heavy elements feel all the more intense. 
  
A more direct, organic approach to songwriting was facilitated by the ever-strengthening bonds within the band, and the supportive environment created by producer Joe Clayton. Allowing themselves more time than with any previous recording experience, they committed to preproduction sessions, followed by an elongated recording period in order to do justice to the material they had crafted. Stripping back the excesses of previous outings to reveal their solid songwriting chops allowed for more clarity and more dynamics to shine through. To their ears, the mood, the core of the lyrical content and the music are more aligned than ever before. 
  
This record is the sound of four individuals living with more purpose and as a consequence creating with more purpose. Unself sees them reaching out to offer community, catharsis and connection. CONJURER remain true to their original mission - they’re still having fun, playing interesting heavy music - but now that music is imbued with the power that comes from opening themselves up to others, at first within the band, and now beyond.

Conjurer are:
Brady Deeprose | guitars, vocals
Dani Nightingale | guitars, vocals
Conor Marshall | bass
Noah See | drums

Conjurer online:
https://www.facebook.com/conjureruk
https://x.com/ConjurerUK
https://www.instagram.com/conjureruk
https://www.conjureruk.com

RAVEN BLACK Unleashes Dual Darkness with Releases of CRY OF THE RAVEN & DEAD

Step into the twisted carnival not once more but twice more. Raven Black, the darkly theatrical metal phenomenon, is about to shatter reality with two devastating new releases: Cry of the Raven and Dead. Known for blending metal’s ferocity with a Tim Burton-esque world of eerie fantasy, Raven Blackis ready to deliver their most intense, emotionally charged, and sonically powerful work to date.

Following years of captivating fans with their unique “dark carnival metal” sound, Raven Black returns sharper, heavier, and more fearless than ever. Cry of the Raven promises a soaring, sinister journey through rage, resilience, and redemption—driven by bone-crushing riffs, haunting melodies, and Raven’s unmistakable voice cutting through the storm. Dead sinks even deeper, exploring mortality, loss, and the shadows of the soul with a theatrical ferocity that only this band can conjure.

CRY OF THE RAVEN

Song is about Raven’s hidden struggle with the demands and pressure while undergoing her own personal and private depression and illness. The stuff people don’t see or know the truth about. 

We all have some kind of suffering in silence. 

We are never alone in it but we sometimes choose to

keep it hidden. 

Meet RAVEN BLACK, a theatrical metal act originally from Los Angeles. Their unique brand of metal, influenced by gothic, classical, and heavy metal music, serves as the soundtrack to vocalist Raven's duality as she shares her story of being a hybrid of both dark and light.

Drawing from a myriad of musical inspirations, RAVEN BLACK expertly blends elements from their favorite art forms, including movies, ethnic backgrounds, and personal life experiences. Each song is crafted to take fans on an adventure, offering new perspectives and understandings. Their sound ranges from melodic to dark, fun to raging and psychotic—yet every track tells a story.

At the heart of their narrative lies a comic book character: a girl whose innocence was taken at a young age. Overcoming her demons and cursed by her predators, she discovers she is half human, half doll. The doll within her is dark, and as she embraces her inner darkness, she travels with her demons who protect her from those seeking to steal her inner power.

She is the key.

Boys Like Girls Announce "THE HOMECOMING (LIVE FROM THE MGM MUSIC HALL AT FENWAY PARK)" + Watch "BLOOD AND SUGAR" VIDEO

In 2023, alt-pop powerhouse BOYS LIKE GIRLS made a long-awaited return with Sunday At Foxwoods, their first album in over a decade. The record is a beautiful meeting of their melody-driven pop anthems delivered with the maturity of a band that had many years of growth in between. A bold reintroduction that resonated with a new generation of listeners while igniting the hearts of longtime fans.
 
After writing and producing for artists like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Jason Derulo, frontman and songwriter Martin Johnson, brought a sharpened pen and a deeper sense of purpose back to the mic. With renewed energy, the whole band returned to a sold-out show on their hometown stage at Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park with something to prove.
 
The Homecoming captures that night as unfiltered, electric, and unforgettable.

Today, they announce the September 8 release of THE HOMECOMING (LIVE FROM THE MGM MUSIC HALL AT FENWAY PARK). Pre-save it here.

The band recorded their 100-minute set in Boston on October 26, 2023 for this live album, which captures BLG in their most natural state — on the stage.

BLG have also shared the video for "BLOOD AND SUGAR (LIVE)." Watch it below.

About the live album, Johnson shares:

"Fenway Park. The shrine. The cathedral of Boston. Where curses broke, where beers were spilled, where you can feel the city's heartbeat under green tin and red clay. You don’t just visit Fenway — you belong to it. I was baptized in peanut shells and piss-warm Bud Light. I sat in seats older than my grandfather's bad decisions and prayed to the church of Big Papi. It was ours. And then… they dug under it. Right into the bones of Lansdowne Street — into the bedrock of garage bands, bar fights, and rat nests the size of golden retrievers. They carved out the MGM Music Hall like a secret lair, a rebel bunker under the battlefield.
 
"I came up with a generation raised on Dunkin' Donuts and driven half-mad by traffic on Storrow Drive. We were kids with guitars slung over our backs like bayonets, howling through rusted-out PA systems in the backrooms of American Legions, screaming songs into the linoleum void of church basements while the Sox blew another lead in the 7th. We grew up in the shadow of the Big Dig — a $22 billion pothole we all paid for with our sanity — swallowing granite and history, trying to make room for a future nobody asked for. But under all that concrete? Something was rumbling.

BLG will embark on a slew of upcoming tour dates that run through October. The band has also announced several festival appearances and will be serving as support to The Jonas Brothers through October, as well. So it's a busy few months of touring ahead  Get tickets here.

BOYS LIKE GIRLS ON TOUR:
8/22 — New Haven, CT — Toad's Place
8/27 — Louisville, KY — Mercury Ballroom
9/3 — Tucson, AZ — The Rialto Theatre
9/11 — Spokane, WA — Spokane County Interstate Fair*
10/3 — North Kansas City, MO —  VooDoo Lounge at Harrah's Kansas City
10/18 — Las Vegas, NV — When We Were Young*
10/19 — Las Vegas, NV — When We Were Young*
11/16 — Orlando, FL — Warped Tour*
*FESTIVAL DATES
 
WITH THE JONAS BROTHERS:
8/18 — Bethel, NY — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
8/19 — Syracuse, NY — Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
8/21 — Toronto, ON — Rogers Centre
8/23 — Boston, MA — Fenway Park
8/24 — Saratoga Springs, NY — Broadview Stage at SPAC
8/26 — Tinley Park, IL — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
8/28 — Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena
8/30 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP
8/31 — Dallas, TX — Dos Equis Pavilion
9/4 — Chula Vista, CA — North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
9/6  — Los Angeles, CA — Intuit Dome
9/13 — Salt Lake City, UT — Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
9/18 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena
9/20 — Portland, OR — Moda Center
9/22 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena
9/25 — San Francisco, CA — Chase Center
9/26 — Sacramento, CA — Golden 1 Center
9/27 — Anaheim, CA — Honda Center
9/28 — Phoenix, AZ — PHX Arena
9/30 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater
10/2 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
10/5 — Des Moines, IA — Wells Fargo Arena
10/6 — Omaha, NE — CHI Health Center

Scotland's FINI TRIBE announces "The Sheer Action of FINI TRIBE" anthology & shares 'I Want More' single

Scotland's iconic 1980s music mavericks Fini Tribe will be releasing "The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe: 1982-1987", a colossal retrospective anthology focused on the years 1982 to 1987 on October 10. These works include the legendary John Peel session from 1985, the original 12” singles (including "Detestimony") and the WaxTrax! singles, as well as unreleased live tracks. All tracks have been lovingly remastered and produced by the band's members.

Fini Tribe was born into the cash-poor but culturally-wealthy environs of post-punk Edinburgh in the very early 80s – 1980 to be precise. A tiny three-piece with no drummer would soon swell into a muscular six-piece with inherited or cheaply-purchased instruments. Band members Chris Connelly, Simon McGlynn, Andy McGregor, Davie Miller, Philip Pinsky, and John Vick haunted the cold, damp warrens of the Niddry Street and Blair Street rehearsal rooms, just off the high street in Old Town Edinburgh.

Drawing on the influences of everything from Throbbing Gristle, Wire, Can, Captain Beefheart, and numerous angular funk bands that were spewing out of the John Peel Show at the time, they also drew from the seemingly bottomless well of modern film, writing, and art that was abundant in the festival city.

"The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe" is their first retrospective, curated and designed by the band. It includes a wealth of archival photographs, an essay by original member Andy McGregor, who also designed the sleeve, and essays by longtime friend Shirley Manson (Garbage, Goodbye Mr. MacKenzie) and author Alastair McKay, an early champion of the band. The release features the first legendary John Peel Session, produced by Dale Griffin and originally broadcast in May 1985.

"This compilation was a long time in the making, a labour of love for the band, showcasing our most productive years as a six-piece. The compilation of tracks – from professional BBC recordings to live performance and rehearsal room demos – gives as broad a spectrum of the breadth of the band's creativity during those five important years from 1982 to 1987," says Chris Connelly.

"The first single “I Want More” was originally released by WaxTrax! Records in October 1987. This is a cover of a song by Can, a firm favourite of the band since even before its inception! We had a great time re-arranging the song and working on its percussion-driven framework. When we approached WaxTrax!, Jim Nash told us that this single by Can was in heavy rotation always at the WaxTrax! store in CHICAGO, so we knew we had come to the right place".

Rehearsing and writing tirelessly between high school and part-time jobs, Fini Tribe played whenever they got the chance: CND benefits, support band for local mentors Visitors and Explode Your Heart, and endless rehearsals turning them into a well-oiled, if frantic, machine. Gigs farther afield were found in London, Glasgow and Aberdeen, and the sound grew as the band became more unique and distanced from their peers and ploughed their own furrow.
 
A debut self-released EP on their own FINIFLEX label led to a John Peel Session in 1985. Not to let the grass grow under their feet, the band quickly morphed into a formidable experimental dance unit. The arrival of sampling would cement this and 1986’s “Let The Tribe Grow” EP, with the anthemic, church-bell driven “Detestimony”, would become a lasting and iconic statement of intent unbeknownst to the band at that time. Fini Tribe heralded a new sound and new hypervisual approach, more akin to performance art than any straight rock ‘n roll, with a one-off performance at Edinburgh’s prestigious Assembly Rooms: sculpture, film, ritual, new music, and suspended bin bags full of lurid poster paint sprayed a shocked audience. The gauntlet was thrown, covered in paint, and slapped like a wet fish.

CREDITS
All tracks composed and performed by Chris Connelly, Andy McGregor, David Miller, Simon McGlynn, Philip Pinsky & John Vick, except "I Want More” (written by Karoli/Czukay/Schmidt/Leibezeit/Gilmour)
Published by Copyright Control / P.R.S. Concord Music / B.M.I. Momentum / Universal
Design & art direction: Andy McGregor, remixing 1980’s Fini art
Cover artwork: high school printed t-shirt by Simon McGlynn
Produced by Fini Tribe, John McVay, Dale Griffin, John Vick
Mixed by Fini Tribe, Paul Barker, John Vick
Engineered by Peter Haigh, Chic Medley, John Vick, Trigger, Mike Engles, Wilf Smarties, Rock Hardware
Recorded at Wilf’s Planet, Edinburgh
Pier House, Edinburgh
Demo & rehearsal recordings made at Niddry Street Rehearsal Rooms, Edinburgh with overdubs at various band members’ flats around Edinburgh
Live recordings made at Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh, 15 December 1983
Live recordings made at Calton Studios, Edinburgh, 27 May 1987
Location recordings made at Monimail, Fife, Scotland
Southern Studios, London
BBC Studios, Maida Vale, London, 12 May 1985
Mastered by James Scott, Populist Recording & Mastering
Shipwrecked Industries CD catalogue no. SHIP004CD
Shipwrecked Industries LP catalogue No. SHIP004LP
Distribution via Virtual Label
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with Fini Tribe
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

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

INAUGURAL PRESIDENT U.S. RALLIES SLATED FOR DECEMBER

PRESIDENT arrive on American soil for the first time.

Two inaugural headline rallies have been scheduled this December:

12/3 — New York, NY — Gramercy Theatre
12/8 — Los Angeles, CA — The Roxy Theatre

These are the only U.S. PRESIDENT appearances of 2025.

A call to both coasts. A moment of unity.

Volume is inevitable.

Tickets will be available to mailing list subscribers from Wednesday, August 13 at 10am local time.

General on-sale begins Friday, August 15 at 12pm ET.

Attendance is not mandatory — but it is expected.

PRE-SAVE "KING OF TERRORS" EP

Swedish Supergroup CROWNE Shares New Single “Heaven Tonight” + Visualizer

Swedish supergroup CROWNE is pleased to share a new single, "Heaven Tonight,"taken from their upcoming studio album 'Wonderland,' set for release on August 22, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl. The new track comes accompanied by a visualizer, available to view below.

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 Visualizer for "Heaven Tonight"

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

Blackened Thrasher HELLRIPPER Sign to Century Media Records, Shares New Music Teaser

The brainchild of guitarist/vocalist/solitary force, James McBain, HELLRIPPER has been running like a denim-vested, backpatch-encrusted William Wallace, brave-hearting his way through metal's bloodiest battlefields since first coagulating his personal darkness in 2014. Taking armaments from 'Kill 'Em All' era Hetfield and 'Welcome to Hell' era Mantas, McBain has immersed his fascination with darkness and speed with Scottish history and come with bloody masterpieces like 2023's' Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags' that Metal Injection stated, 'Bursts with growth and a mature exploration of darkness and eeriness while maintaining that original high-octane burning."

"I'm very pleased to announce that HELLRIPPER is now working with Century Media Records!" comments McBain. "It's a label that I've followed for a long time now and am honoured to become a part of such a great legacy. We share a common vision for the future of the band, and together, we vow to spread the word of the Goat Kvlt! I'm excited to embark on this new chapter of the band's journey and I can't wait to share it with you all! All Hail the Goat!"

McBain is presently sharpening his blades and casting new spells that will transmogrify into HELLRIPPER's Century Media debut, due around the vernal equinox of 2026. In the meantime, McBain and his trusted roundtable of sonic knights have taken to battle on European soil, leaving the likes of Norway's Beyond the Gates, Czech's Brutal Assault, and Germany's Summer Breezebloodied and staggering in their wake. In March 2025, HELLRIPPER played their first U.S. show at Houston's Hell's Heroes festival to a similarly stunned crowd of fans who were left beaten, bruised and beer-soaked by a crowd-swimming McBain by the set's epic conclusion.

"HELLRIPPER is the high-bar for thrash", states Century Media, Vice President of A&R, Mike Gitter. "Like an angry billy goat, with his beard washed in blood, James McBain is a feral force that brings together the best elements of metal, black metal, crusty, d-beat punk and speed metal. James' sonic evil knows no boundaries and isn't afraid to push the extremes of earslaughtering noise or unexpected guitar melodies. Century Media is proud to be a refuge for the Goat Horde!"

Enter the GOAT KVLT and check out a glimpse of what's to come Below.

Photo by MM Photography

MAXIMO PARK maestro DUNCAN LLOYD takes us 'One Step Closer To The Dam' - dive in!

Maximo Park maestro Duncan Lloyd presents 'One Step Closer To The Dam', an uber-fun rock banger about embracing spontaneity and imperfection, with a music video that mirrors the tune's twitchy, energetic vibe through a collage of fast-paced and seemingly random visuals.

This is the latest single showcasing Lloyd's recently-released sixth album 'Unwound'. Previously with Warp Records, this is his first album of new material via Scotland's Reveal Records, who previously reissues of Lloyd’s early solo albums, including the colossal 31-track selected works collection 'Green Grows Devotion' (2022) and 'Fun City' (a trilogy of EPs recorded in 2024).

A critically acclaimed solo artist, Lloyd is the primary musician behind internationally renowned art-rockers Maximo Park and also half of Nano Kino (with Sarah Suri). He is a Mercury Music Prize nominee, has won an NME award, had A-listed singles at BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music (including lyric of the year), and has seen success with worldwide platinum and gold selling records. His songs have featured on eight hit albums with Maximo Park, consistently charting in the Top 10 U.K.

“Similarly to the song the video isn’t perfectly edited or produced. We treated it solely as a visual extension of the music, almost like an anti-video. Mirroring the twitchy energy of the song, it evolves with a spontaneity of sped up clips, cropped lyrics, bumper cars on a loop, animated cans etc, images rotate with playfully hidden messages & meanings," says Duncan Lloyd.

Written during a difficult personal period, 'Unwound' is a 12-track collection that came into being as a form of sonic therapy - a means of coping and catharsis, forging a sound with greater depth and ambition than past releases. Lloyd earlier shared the singles 'Laugh So Loud' and 'Rituals', blending a modern sound with a deeply personal message about habits and healing, voiced through a circular, radio-like musical journey.

With cover artwork derived from Lloyd’s own paintings, this record weaves a unique musical maze of free and varied personal expression, deep and transient, spare, intense and urgent with a balance of grit, beauty and melody. Things got moving when Lloyd set to work with Julie McLarnon (The Vaselines, Lankum, King Creosote, Brigid Mae Power) at Analogue Catalogue Studios in Ireland. Gaining impetus from his trip across the Irish sea, Lloyd returned to Newcastle to complete the rest of the album, each song carefully crafted with more anarchical arrangements than previous outings.

“I needed a break from all things online. Stepping away from it and being closer to nature reignites the imagination, it’s kind of obvious but easy to forget how important it is.  It’s an album about experience, throughout you get the sense that dynamics, speed and space were all careful considerations. I am sort of looking under the soil trying to shape the sounds I imagine and if possible create something relatable that has a heart. I didn’t want it to be one produced sound, I wanted it to feel like different rooms, many spaces," says Duncan Lloyd.

"I partly had the book "The Poetics of Space" by Gaston Bachelard in mind, every song is its own room with its own signature. This is probably my heaviest album, in sound and mood. There are songs that lean towards post-punk and with hypnotic rhythms that are darker in tone. I wanted it to feel like the listener can climb inside the sound rather than be on the outside looking in. I don’t want them to be in the cinema. I want them to be in the film or in the room, so it’s almost spooky."

The album features a host of Lloyd’s musician friends, including Maximo Park keyboardist Jemma Freese and drummer Tom English, Andrew Mills (Purploid Zing) and Joe Boyer (Cloud Nothings, Autopolitan, Nicole Yun).

'Unwound' is imbued with a darker mood than Lloyd’s previous works, but with a continuing sense of melancholy at its core. Restrained yet intimate lyrics are housed in inventively evolving structures. The album draws to a close with 'A World Away Now', a song of lost opportunity. Sometimes simply making a connection is enough.

Writing and recording under his own name for the last decade, Lloyd has enjoyed many collaborations, including with Paul Epworth (Bloc Party, Glass Animals, Rihanna), Gil Norton (The Pixies, Echo & The Bunnymen), Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Ben Allen (Gnarls Barclay, Deerhunter), Rudimental, Dave Okumu, Batidaand legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen.

'Unwound' is out now, available digitally via Bandcamp and digital music platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify, as well as on CD. The first 200 ordered coming with a bonus live four-track recording in 'The Polestar Sessions' EP. 

CREDITS
Music & lyrics written by Duncan Lloyd (Reveal Publishing)
Duncan Lloyd - vocals, guitars, bass, piano, synth & drum machine
Tom English - drums, percussion (all tracks except 8, 11 & 12)
Andrew Mills - bass & synth (tracks 4 & 5)
Jemma Freese - backing vocals (track 2)
Joe Boyer - guitar & noise (tracks 2 & 7)
Recorded & Mixed by Duncan Lloyd (except 4 & 5) at The Dagda Rooms
Tracks 4 & 5 recorded & mixed by Julie McLarnon at Analogue Catalogue
Guitars on tracks 2 & 7 recorded by Joe Boyer in Cleveland, Ohio
Produced by Duncan Lloyd
Mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering, Chicago
Released by Reveal Records
Digital catalogue no. REVEAL204 / CD catalogue no. Reveal196CD
Cover art & layout by Duncan Lloyd
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with Duncan Lloyd
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Reveal Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | Press contact

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Bangalore Choir Release Lyric Video for "Bullet Train" the First Track from New Album RAPID FIRE SUCCESSION: On Target Part II

Bangalore Choir have released the the lyric video for the first single "Bullet Train" off the upcoming new BANGALORE CHOIR album to be released on BraveWords Records in late 2025. The new album is titled RAPID FIRE SUCCESSION: On Target Part II.

Listen to "Bullet Train" below:

David Reece: Vocals

Diego Pires: Lead and Rhythm Guitars

Eric Juris: Lead and Rhythm Guitars

Andy Susemihl: Lead, Rhythm Guitars & Backing Vocals

Mario Percudani: Lead, Rhythm Guitars & Backing Vocals

Riccardo Demarosi: Bass and Backing Vocals

Nello Savinelli: Drums

 

Guest appearances:

Jimmy Waldo: Keyboards

Ferdy Doernberg: Keyboards

 

Engineered by Riccardo Demorossi

Mixed and Mastered by Thomas Mergler @Tom's Soundranch

 

Fans can join the BANGALORE CHOIR email list where they will be kept informed about the new album. Join: https://m.bnds.us/hGGRHB

 

David Reece will be hitting the road later this year supporting Girlschool and his BraveWords Records label mates Alcatrazz. David Reece's Bangalore Choir will deliver a blistering set of hits from both Accept and Bangalore Choir, showcasing one of the most distinctive voices in heavy metal.

This tour is also the debut of his relaunched version of Bangalore Choir

 

Tickets: https://bit.ly/4j42NUm

Omnium Gatherum Release "My Pain" Video From New Album "May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way"

After releasing "The Last Hero," the first song and video from their upcoming album May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way that arrives November 7, Omnium Gatherum are presenting "My Pain." The video was done by their longtime partner Jari Heino for Coldstore Productions.

Watch it below.  

Vocalist Jukka Pelkonen says, "'My Pain' is a story about the toughness one faces when adversary appears. It is about the rising emotions of anger, fear, and apprehension, basically the time fight or flight mode shows its face. It is common among street gangs and soldiers but also between friends, lovers, and amongst family ties. It is a story of conquering these feelings and becoming your own master."

The dedicated road dogs have recently announced more extensive, worldwide touring that starts with a North American tour in November and December that is followed by a European tour in February and March of next year.

OMNIUM GATHERUM ON TOUR:
WITH AETHER REALM + HINAYANA :
11/16 — Boston, MA — Sonia
11/17 — Quebec City, QC — Source de La Martiniere
11/18 — Montreal, QC — Foufounes Electriques
11/19 — Toronto, ON — Lee's Palace
11/20 — Detroit, MI — The Sanctuary
11/21 — Indianapolis, IN — Black Circle
11/22  — Chicago, IL — Reggie's
11/23 — Minneapolis, MN — Skyway Theater (Studio B)
11/24 — Kansas City, MO — Warehouse on Broadway
11/25 — Denver, CO — Marquis Theater
11/26 — Salt Lake City, UT — Metro Music Hall
11/28 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
11/29 — Vancouver, BC — Rickshaw Theatre
11/30 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theater
12/1 — Sacramento, CA — Goldfield Midtown
12/2 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
12/3– San Diego, CA — Brick by Brick
12/4 — Mesa, AZ — The Rosetta Room
12/5 — El Paso, TX — Rockhouse Bar & Grill
12/6 — San Antonio, TX — Paper Tiger
12/7 — Dallas, TX — Trees
12/8 — Houston, TX — White Oak Music Hall
12/10 — Orlando, FL — Conduit
12/11 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
12/12 — Greensboro, NC — Hangar 1819
12/13 — Harrisburg, PA — Capitol City Music Hall
12/14 — New York, NY — Gramercy Theatre

OMNIUM GATHERUM ARE:
Jukka Pelkonen — Vocals
Markus Vanhala — Guitars + Clean Vocals
Aapo Koivisto — Keyboards
Mikko Kivistö — Bass + Clean Vocals
Atte Pesonen — Drums

Wind Walkers Announce New EP 'I Don't Belong Here' Out October 3 via Fearless Records + Drop "Silk & Static" Official Music Video

It's a great day to be a Wind Walkers fan! The band announced their forthcoming EP 'I Don't Belong Here' out on Friday, October 3 via Fearless Records. In celebration of the news, the quintet has dropped their new track "Silk & Static"and the official music video. Amidst glitchy electronics blended with crushing riffs and seamless melodies, the song's central theme is especially relatable to those who have a neurodivergent condition. When asked about the inspiration behind the track, Wind Walkersvocalist Trevor Borg shared:

"Writing "Silk & Static" was like staring into a mirror and unpacking every frustrating thing about myself. It came from a place of not understanding why my mind felt so chaotic all the time and why I kept getting in my own way. After recently being diagnosed with ADHD, the pieces started falling into place, and it shed a different light on the song. It was very eye-opening in the fact that I wasn't alone, and that this kind of internal noise or “static” is something others live with too. At its core, I wrote this song to offer comfort to people who can relate to feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood, while trying to make sense of themselves."

Pre-save 'I Don't Belong Here' at the link here, stream "Silk & Static" here, and watch the official music video below.

Wind Walkers are kicking off their North American run with Our Last Night and Grayscale this evening on The Final Tour, starting in St. Louis, Missouri and wrapping in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 26. Be sure to get your tickets at the link here before they're all gone.

The Final Tour Dates with Our Last Night + Grayscale:

Aug 8 - St. Louis, MO @ The Factory

Aug 9 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre

Aug10 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore

Aug 12 - Omaha, NE @ The Admiral

Aug 14 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium

Aug 15 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Rockwell at The Complex

Aug 16 - Garden City, ID @ Revolution Concert Hall

Aug 18 - Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theater

Aug 19 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo

Aug 20 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

Aug 22 - Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24

Aug 23 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues

Aug 24 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren

Aug 25 - Albuquerque, NM @ Revel

Aug 27 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theatre

Aug 28 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues

Aug 29 - Austin, TX @ Emo's

Aug 30 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues

Sep 5 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live

Sep 6 - Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live

Sep 7 - Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern

Sep 9 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore

Sep 10 - Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore

Sep 11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall

Sep 12 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont

Sep 13 - Boston, MA @ Roadrunner

Sep 15 - Quebec City, QC @ Theatre Capitole

Sep 16 - Montreal, QC @ MTELUS

Sep 17 - Toronto, ON @ HISTORY

Sep 19 - Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom

Sep 20 - Cleveland, OH @ The Agora

Sep 21 - Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Hall

Sep 23 - Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center

Sep 24 - Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room @ ONC

Sep 25 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's

Sep 26 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium

Trevor Borg - Vocals

Timothy Comeau - Guitar

Neil Comeau - Guitar

Craig Martin - Bass

Ethan Cheesman - Drums

Pagan Folk Band FAUN Unveils New Single "Nimue (Featuring Chelsea Wolfe)" + Music Video

The Pagan Folk band FAUN are excited to unveil their new single, "Nimue (Featuring Chelsea Wolfe)," taken from their upcoming album, 'Hex,' due out on September 5th. The new single arrives alongside a music video, available below.

With “Nimue,” FAUN delve deep into the legendary world of King Arthur, telling the tragic tale of Nimue’s love for the sorcerer Merlin. Joined by exceptional American artist Chelsea Wolfe, whose soaring vocals infuse the track with mysticism and ethereal beauty, the band crafts a hymn to magic, marked by striking musical dynamics. “Nimue” leads us down an enchanted path, moving from intimate, narrative verses to explosive passages driven by pounding beats, electric guitars, and cascading hurdy-gurdy flourishes. 

Watch the Music Video for "Nimue (Featuring Chelsea Wolfe)"

After being signed to Universal Music from 2012 to 2019, where they achieved gold and platinum success, FAUN released their first album on their own label, Pagan Folk Records, in April 2022. Titled 'PAGAN,' the album was met with enthusiastic praise from both press and fans, debuting at number three on the German album charts through a partnership with distributor Believe/Soulfood. Looking ahead, the band has announced plans to return to their musical roots with mystical, archaic folk and enchanted ballads on their forthcoming album, 'Hex,' set for release on September 5, 2025.

FAUN’s twelfth studio album 'HEX' explores themes of female magic, pagan myths, and ancient rituals across a variety of cultures. The title draws from the German word "Hexe" (witch) and the Old High German “Hagazussa,” meaning “one who walks between worlds.” The album focuses on pre-Christian legends from the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Norse, and Turkish traditions, featuring stories such as Merlin and Nimue, Viking sacrificial rites (“Blot”), and ancient spells like “Ylfa Spere.”

Blending medieval instruments (hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, lute, harp) with modern beats, synthesizers, and diverse global influences, 'HEX' showcases FAUN’s signature fusion of ancient and contemporary music. Collaborations include Turkish singer Fatma Turgut, Swedish musicians Daniel Pettersson and Daniel Fredriksson, and a darkly atmospheric feature with Chelsea Wolfe.

Pre-Order 'HEX' HERE

FAUN previously announced their World HEX Tour 2025, a journey that will take them across the globe, including stops in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, and the UK. The band will also appear at some of the most prestigious festivals of 2025.

Tickets (and VIP-tickets) are available HERE. 

About FAUN:

FAUN are one of the world's leading bands for the fusion of medieval instruments with modern music and have released eleven studio albums since 2002. Their releases reached top positions in the German album charts (e.g.: ‘Pagan’ & ‘Midgard’ #3). They have also been nominated three times for the Echo, the biggest German music award, and have reached platinum status with their albums ‘Von den Elben’ and gold status with ‘Luna.’ FAUN have played more than 1000 concerts worldwide and excite the audience in cultural and seated venues as well as at music events, including folk and heavy metal festivals. With a variety of virtuously played medieval instruments, polyphonic vocals and archaic beats, FAUN are a live act that inspire thousands of listeners all over the world.

FAUN are:

Oliver Satyr: Vocals, Moraharpa

Laura Fella: Vocals

Adaya: Vocals, Bagpipe

Stephan Groth: Vocals, Hurdy-Gurdy

Niel Mitra: Synthesizer, Sampler, Keyboard, Beats

Alexander Schulz: Drums, Percussion

Mirjam Skal: Orchestration

Power metal titans PRIMAL FEAR are proud to unveil their new studio album, Domination,

Power metal titans PRIMAL FEAR are proud to unveil their new studio album, Domination, set for release on September 5th via Reigning Phoenix Music. This thunderous 13-track opus is a masterclass in sonic warfare: an unrelenting barrage of soaring vocals, earth-shattering riffs, and battle-hardened anthems forged in fire and steel.

The journey begins with "The Hunter", where the blade is drawn and the chase begins. Charged with mythic energy and sky-rending vocals, the track follows a lone warrior through scorched lands and cursed shadows. It’s a thunderous call to arms: epic, relentless, and triumphant, setting the tone for the odyssey ahead.

Hot on its heels is "Destroyer", a track that surges forward like a war machine. Fueled by breakneck double kicks, slashing guitars, and a chorus that cleaves the sky, it channels the chaos of battle into an unstoppable force. Theatrical and unflinching, it embodies the essence of melodic warfare.

But Domination isn’t just steel and fury. It also carries the heart of the hero. "Far Away" shifts the focus inward, a soaring anthem of longing and return. With emotionally charged vocals and blazing riffs, it tells the story of a soul exiled from love, journeying through fire for the promise of reunion.

The emotional heat gives way to raw power with "I Am the Primal Fear", a blazing self-declaration of strength and dominance. Galloping rhythms, serrated guitars, and a chorus like a hammer strike declare this track as the embodiment of the band’s core: untamed, unbreakable, and forged in metal’s purest form.

Emotion and might intertwine in "Tears of Fire", where grief gives rise to vengeance. From symphonic swells to searing guitar leads, the song paints heartbreak not as defeat but as transformation—fuel for divine retribution and mythic rebirth.

That same mythic fire burns through "Heroes and Gods", an anthem of mortal defiance against divine forces. With galloping riffs and soaring choruses, it honors the spirit of those who rise beyond fate and forge glory in the flames of battle. It's a tribute to courage, legacy, and the will to ascend.

At the album’s center lies "Hallucinations", a dynamic instrumental that twists reality into a fever dream. Shredding solos and intricate melodies guide listeners through surreal soundscapes. It’s a sonic descent into madness that bridges the album’s thematic halves with atmospheric might.

Emerging from this dreamlike haze is "Eden", a spiritual odyssey into a shadowed paradise. It evokes the ache of exile and the yearning for rebirth, guiding the listener through darkness and into the light. Heroic and introspective, it’s a call to face the unknown hand in hand with hope.

That hope explodes into raw emotion in "Scream", a defiant outcry set against a backdrop of fire and destruction. “It’s raining fire. Scream. We are going to extremes” becomes both mantra and warcry. This track doesn’t whisper strength; it howls it from the edge of chaos.

"The Dead Don’t Die" carries that fury into the realm of the eternal. Whether marching undead or undying resolve, the song channels an unyielding force that refuses to be silenced. With thunderous riffs and grim grandeur, it’s a hymn to those who rise again and again.

Thrown straight into the heat of conflict, "Crossfire" captures the tension of being caught between clashing powers. Its pounding rhythms and unrelenting pace make it a portrait of struggle, resilience, and survival in the storm of battle.

That storm shapes the journey of "March Boy March", a tale of a young warrior forged by duty and fire. With steady pacing and anthemic force, it tells a coming-of-age story written in steel and sacrifice. It’s a reminder that courage is born with every step forward.

The saga closes on a tender but powerful note with "A Tune I Won’t Forget". A heartfelt ballad steeped in memory and meaning, it celebrates the power of music to leave an everlasting mark on the soul. As the final notes fade, the spirit of Domination lingers: heroic, eternal, and unforgettable.

About PRIMAL FEAR:

Spanning more than 25 years of pure heavy and power metal, PRIMAL FEAR have face numerous challenges since their formation in 1997. Despite these obstacles, the band have repeatedly risen from their lowest points, like a phoenix from the ashes. After a recent line-up change, which saw Thalìa Bellezecca join on guitar and André Hilgers on drums, the group are now in the final stages of completing their upcoming 15th studio album, Domination, which is currently being recorded. "We've entered the studio and we can choose from a pool of about 25 songs! We're absolutely happy!" smiles founding member Mat Sinner (bass, vocals).

Produced by Sinner and co-produced by Ralf Scheepers & Magnus Karlsson, the new offering will be mixed and mastered by the group's confident partner Jacob Hansen at his Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark by the end of this year.

Long-time guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who has recently returned to the PRIMAL FEAR live touring crew, is once again a vital part of the creative process as well. He adds: "I can't wait to hit the stage with PRIMAL FEAR again! It's going to be an incredible ride! We're going to create something truly special together, both live and in the studio, and I'm so grateful to share this journey with all you metalheads! Metal is forever!"

The metal titans are determined to outdo themselves once again and to surpass the success of their recent album Code Red, which achieved the highest chart notations in the band's history. Their efforts are progressing exceptionally well. Vocalist Ralf Scheepers states about the current process: "I haven't felt as great in a long time as I did singing some of the new songs!"

But that's not all: behind the scenes, preparations are in full swing, and PRIMAL FEAR fans should mark September 5, 2025 on their calendars. This date not only marks the release of Domination but also the launch of a European tour, starting in Hamburg, Germany, and spanning eight countries to celebrate the album's debut. The tour will be preceded by several festival appearances (more details to be announced soon, so stay tuned!), with their first performance featuring the highly energized new line-up set for Rock in Rautheim next May.

PRIMAL FEAR are:

Ralf Scheepers | vocals
Mat Sinner | bass, vocals
Magnus Karlsson | guitars
Thalìa Bellazecca | guitars
André Hilgers | drums

DIE SPITZ RELEASE "POP PUNK ANTHEM (SORRY FOR THE DELAY)"

Texas four-piece Die Spitz have released "Pop Punk Anthem (Sorry for the Delay", the second single off upcoming debut album, Something to Consume, due Sept 12 via Third Man Records. 

 

The record arrives on standard black vinyl, indie 'opaque green' vinyl, CD, and Cassette. 

DESPISED ICON REVEAL NEW ALBUM SHADOW WORK + RELEASE MUSIC VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE 'OVER MY DEAD BODY'

Canadian deathcore pioneers DESPISED ICON return with their seventh full-length album, Shadow Work which will be released on October 31, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. Their first new music in six years, the album stands as the band's most fine-tuned and dynamic effort to date, balancing relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, while remaining true to their signature blend of extreme death metal and hardcore grit. 

Today, DESPISED ICON release their ferocious new anthem entitled, 'Over My Dead Body' featuring Matt Honeycutt of KUBLAI KHAN TX. The single features eerie atmospherics and a crushing breakdown that confronts fear and doubt with iron resolve—a battle cry of self-belief, pain, and purpose. Watch the music video directed by Didier Charette, below.

DESPISED ICON's Alex Erian comments, "Even though our first jam dates back to the fall of 2000, it wasn’t until 2002 that we started playing shows and putting out music. From day one, Despised Icon has always stuck to a 'if it’s not ready, it’s not ready' mindset with everything we create. Fast forward almost six years since our last album Purgatory, and not much has changed. We’ve taken our time once again, and now we’re finally ready to turn the page and release what we feel is our most fine-tuned and dynamic record to date—staying grounded in the sound and spirit we helped define. We can’t wait to share new music with you all very soon."

Nuclear Blast American Label Manager & A&R Tommy Jones comments, “The wait was well worth it! This is a fantastic album and I cannot wait for the world to hear it in it’s entirety. Great things come out of the shadows.”

Pre-order/pre-save Shadow Work: 
https://despisedicon.bfan.link/shadow-work

Stream 'Over My Dead Body' featuring Matt Honeycutt of KUBLAI KHAN TX:
https://despisedicon.bfan.link/over-my-dead-body

Shadow Work is now available for pre-order in the following formats:

  • CD Jewelcase

  • Gold & Black Corona Vinyl

Shadow Work was produced by the band’s own Alex Erian and Eric Jarrin, while Christian Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, SHADOW OF INTENT, SIGNS OF THE SWARM) handled mixing and mastering. The album marks a significant chapter for a band whose core lineup has remained largely unchanged since its inception. It’s a deeply introspective record that reflects both personal growth and the turbulence of the world around us. The artwork for the album was created by Eliran Kantor (HATEBREED, THY ART IS MURDER, CAVALERA).

Earlier this week, DESPISED ICON announced they would join headliner's SANGUISUGABOGG on their U.S. tour. Joining the package as support are DEFEATED SANITY, and CORPSE PILE. Prior to the 22-date trek, the band will make appearances at Festival de Musique Emergente and the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival. The run will conclude with 2 headliner hometown shows on December 6th (sold out) and 7th at Club Soda.
 

08.31  Rouyn-Noranda, QC @ Festival de Musique Emergente ^
09.20  Worcester, MA @ New England Metal and Hardcore Festival ^
11.04  Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
11.05  Chicago, IL @ Metro
11.06  Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe (Old National Centre)
11.07  Lawrence, KS @ The Granada
11.08  Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
11.09  Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey
11.11  Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile Theater
11.12  Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
11.13  Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre
11.14  Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent
11.15  Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont Country Club
11.17  Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge & Music Hall
11.18  Austin, TX @ Mohawk
11.19  Houston, TX @ White Oak (Downstairs)
11.21  Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
11.22  Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
11.23  Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
11.25  Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre
11.26  Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
11.28  New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
11.29  Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11.30  Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
12.06  Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *sold out* ^
12.07  Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *Second show added* ^

^ - DESPISED ICON only

DESPISED ICON's line-up is:
Alex Erian | Vocals
Steve Marois | Vocals
Eric Jarrin | Guitars
Ben Landreville | Guitars
Sébastien Piché | Bass
Alex "Grind" Pelletier | Drums

VÖLUR & CARES Release Breathless Spirit With Video for “Windbourne Sorcery II”

Toronto-based trio VÖLUR, the band that has spent the past decade proving heavy music doesn’t need guitars, join forces with producer and sound artist CARES (James Beardmore) to release their fourth full-length album Breathless Spirit today via Black Throne Productions. The record arrives alongside the premiere of a haunting video for “Windbourne Sorcery II,” an otherworldly piece of doom-folk storytelling featuring guest vocals from Amy Bowles (PONY DA LOOK).

Breathless Spirit is VÖLUR & CARES’ most immersive and uncompromising work to date, a six-track journey through dread, exile, and psychic unraveling inspired by The Saga of Grettir the Strong, a 13th-century Icelandic tale of a cursed outlaw. Blending doom, folk, black metal, free improvisation, and world music traditions, the album reimagines myth as sound: cinematic, spectral, and unbound by genre.

CARES’ role goes far beyond production, contributing piano, synthesizers, theremin, custom-built electronics, and radical sound processing to expand VÖLUR’s acoustic core of violin, bass, and drums into liminal territory. Through fractured textures, spectral layering, and immersive re-amping, the collaboration transforms Breathless Spirit into something part metal ritual, part sound art installation.

“Windbourne Sorcery II,” the record’s third track, shifts from crushing doom riffs to an introspective folk lament. Told from the perspective of a witch cursing Grettir, the song is filled with paradoxes, air that freezes, snow that burns, and builds toward a hallucinatory vision of an encroaching iceberg, a solid wall of metallic ice on an unalterable course. The new video channels the song’s stark intensity, pairing its dynamic shifts with imagery steeped in isolation, magic, and the inevitability of fate.

Breathless Spirit is available today on black vinyl in standard and limited “diehard” editions, the latter including a 7-inch bonus record (Flutterby Number and Glamr) and a 20g packet of custom-blended Breathless Spirit tea. Digital formats also include the bonus track Glamr, unavailable on streaming platforms.

About VÖLUR & CARES

VÖLUR is a Toronto-based experimental doom metal trio composed of Laura C. Bates (violin, vocals), Lucas Gadke (bass, vocals), and Justin Ruppel (drums). Known for their unorthodox instrumentation and boundary-pushing compositions, VÖLUR draws from a wide range of influences including doom metal, European folk, free improvisation, classical music, and Persian/Kurdish traditions. Their sound, often described as haunting and cinematic, blends thunderous low-end weight with fragile melodic tension. Since forming in 2014, they have released multiple albums and EPs, performed at festivals such as ProphecyFest and Sled Island, and collaborated with artists from around the world as part of their Die Sprachen der Vögel series.

CARES is the project of James Beardmore, a UK-born, Ontario-based musician and producer. Known for his experimental production methods and emotional sonic textures, Beardmore integrates analog synthesizers, hacked hardware, custom Max/MSP instruments, and field recordings into compositions that are as tactile as they are atmospheric. His work with VÖLUR on Breathless Spirit is a seamless collaboration that expands the band’s sonic universe, elevating their music into a richly layered fusion of organic and electronic sound.

Together, VÖLUR & CARES create immersive, mythically charged music that resists categorization, rooted in story and sound, breath and ritual.

VÖLUR is:
 

  • Laura C. Bates – violin, electric violin, viola, cymbals, vocals

  • Lucas Gadke – electric bass, double bass, harmonium, keyboards, tanbur, clarinet, bass clarinet, vocals

  • Justin Ruppel – drums, percussion


Connect with VÖLUR:

Website: www.volurdoom.com
Bandcamp: https://volur.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolurDoom/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/volurdoom/​
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/volurdoom
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/volurdoom
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@volurdoom
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Y2XCmgrMhdMpoNdGibU01 

Swedish Metal Powerhouse THERMALITY Shares New Single "Brainstorm" + Lyric Video

Swedish metal powerhouse THERMALITY proudly unleash their crushing new single, "Brainstorm," out now via Sound Pollution / Black Lodge Records. The track is accompanied by an official lyric video, available below.

Packed with relentless riffs, thunderous grooves, and raw intensity, "Brainstorm" delivers a full-on sonic assault that captures the unrelenting power and precision THERMALITY is known for. This is real metal. This is THERMALITY.

Watch the Lyric Video for "Brainstorm" Below.

Hailing from the heart of Sweden, THERMALITY brings a fresh and innovative approach to the genre, blending nostalgic elements with a contemporary edge.



Since their inception in 2020, THERMALITY has ascended swiftly, garnering plenty of acclaim for their debut album, 'Before I Get to Rest,' released in February 2023. Building upon this success, in June of 2023 the band unveiled their first EP, 'Tales from the North,' which received widespread praise from fans and critics alike.

With their 2024 album 'The Final Hours,' THERMALITY embarks on a journey of old-school aggression and modern innovation. Recorded at the esteemed Studio Fredman and expertly mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström, the album represents a pinnacle of the band's creative prowess.

THERMALITY are:

Hampus Sätterlund - Drums

Ludvig Sommar - Vocals

Noel Hoflund Jonsson - Guitar

Ture Skärfstad Stål - Bass

Walter Hamilton - Guitar

📸: Walter Hamilton