CRYSTAL LAKE Unleashes “Crossing Nails” + Announces New Album for January 2026

Japanese metalcore force CRYSTAL LAKE has returned with their newest single “Crossing Nails," which marks the band's first release this year and the second single since signing globally to Century Media Records last year in May.

Currently tearing through Europe on a string of festival appearances and exclusive headliner shows, “Crossing Nails” delivers a blistering nu-metal anthem. The single comes not just with a striking visualizer, but also along with the band’s album announcement for January 2026. The yet-unnamed record will be CRYSTAL LAKE’s first album release since 'Helix,' released back in 2019. Fans and new audiences alike can expect more announcements regarding the album to follow in the upcoming months, alongside new music by the quintet.

Stream "Crossing Nails" HERE

Vocalist John shares about “Crossing Nails”:

"I have a very love//hate relationship with God and the church. Growing up in a super religious household + going to 2 Catholic schools – I saw first-hand how they use God as a weapon of control. I needed people to be there for me. To save me from myself. To love me, and they were never there. They made me fear & hate something I should have loved. Fear is not love. Hate is not power. Control is not faith. Believe in YOURSELF. Love YOURSELF. Control YOURSELF. Faith is not a weapon - it's peace. Crossing Nails”

Guitarist YD adds:

"With this track, we’ve kept the heaviness that’s always been core to our sound, but brought the straight, speedy riff work to the forefront and wrapped the whole song in a more catchy structure. We also experimented with rhythmic and groove elements that haven’t really appeared in CRYSTAL LAKE’s music before, allowing us to explore a new kind of expression. By blending parts of my personal musical background into the song in a playful way, I think we managed to mix that classic hardcore and metal vibe in a fresh and exciting form.

"'Crossing Nails' is a new kind of hybrid song that combines explosive live energy with a strong sense of unity everyone can enjoy. Hope you feel that when you hear it!"

Watch the Visualizer for "Crossing Nails"

CRYSTAL LAKE has been touring extensively throughout the year, with their latest stops happening in Europe as part of their summer headline shows for this year. The band will continue their European run in August with a total of 6 headliner shows in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The band will be joined by Angelmaker. 

CRYSTAL LAKE has won over fans worldwide with an unequalled live show and an infectious brand of metalcore that weaves together tight riffs, gleaming production, and screaming melodies along with guttural and impassioned vocals that both roar and soar. Releasing records internationally since 2014 on labels including Sharptone and Artery, CRYSTAL LAKEhas become a fixture on the worldwide stage – and it feels like they are now only getting started. The band released their striking single “BlüdGod” (feat. Taylor Barber) in May 2024 to commence the global signing to label Century Media Records, an important step for the band as shared by founder, songwriter, and guitarist Yudai “YD” Miyamoto: “We grew up on many Century Media bands. We love its history and are happy to be part of that and make new history.”

CRYSTAL LAKE is currently working on its Century Media full-length debut, due for release in early 2026. The record will mark the album debut of vocalist John Robert Centorrino, formerly of New Jersey deathcore band Last Ten Seconds of Life. Centorrino made his debut with CRYSTAL LAKE in 2023, his first appearance with the band being Knotfest Japan in March 2023, followed by an extensive US tour supporting August Burns Red the same year. Now, the Japanese force is poised to take their next step with their new album expected for January 2026.

CRYSTAL LAKE are:

John Robert Centorrino – Lead Vocals

YD – Guitar

TJ – Guitar

Gaku - Drums

Mitsuru - Bass

Wucan Share Video for "Pipe Dreams"

After diving headlong into the three-year creative process, heavy rockers Wucan will release their new album Axioms on August 29 via Long Branch Records. The new longplayer showcases the band's characteristic artistic ingenuity while continuing the transformation first hinted at on the its previous album Heretic Tongues and pushing those ideas even further.

Today sees the release of "Pipe Dreams," the fourth single from Axioms. 

"'Pipe Dreams' started as a jam session in the rehearsal room — based on a drum groove that [drummer] Phil just threw on the table, instantly pulling all of us in," says singer Francis Tobolsky. "It was the second song we wrote for the album, and it feels like a snapshot of where we were at that time. A driving beat, heavy guitars, and floating vocal harmonies explore the tension between disillusionment and hope. To me, this song also carries a warning: shared dreams require the support of the whole community." 

Watch the "Pipe Dreams" music video below. 

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 their new album Axioms. On Axioms, the four-piece, 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 as 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."

Axioms Album Cover by Callum Rooney

*Fan Edition Bundle / LBR exclusive
(including splattered vinyl, 7" single and LP insert, music cassette in green-glitter, CD Digipak, tote-bag and signed photo card) — Order here
*Collector's LP Edition / LBR exclusive - Limited to 400 copies
(including splattered vinyl, 7" single and LP insert) — Order here
*Collector's LP Edition / JPC exclusive - Limited to 200 copies
(including translucent verde coloured vinyl, 7" single and LP insert.)
*Collector's LP Edition
(including viola coloured vinyl, 7" single and LP insert)
*Standard LP Edition 
(including black vinyl and LP insert)
*MC Edition / LBR exclusive - Limited to 200 copies
(including green-glitter coloured music cassette) — Order here
*CD Edition
(In a Digipak)
*Digital Edition
(Stream & Download)
 

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

'Koe Wetzel & Friends: Stronger Together' Raises Over $774k (and Counting) for Kerr County Flood Relief

Fans, artists and community members came together in force last night, Aug. 4, for Koe Wetzel & Friends: Stronger Together, a powerful night of music and giving held at Toyota Music Factory. The benefit concert spearheaded by the Texas native raised $774,870-and-counting in support of the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund via his own foundation, Koe’s Kids, with a raffle for a Can-Am Defender Max Lone Star Cab provided by Progressive Powersports in Granbury, Texas still open HERE through Labor Day weekend and fans still able to donate HERE.
 
The event featured unforgettable performances from Koe Wetzel and a stellar lineup of friends, including Kolby Cooper, Casey Donahew, Ray Wylie and Lucas Hubbard, Pecos Hurley of Pecos & The Rooftops, Mike Ryan, Shane Smith of Shane Smith & The Saints and Dylan Wheeler. 
 
“To see how packed the fans had the Pavilion on a Monday night – that love and support for this cause meant everything,” reflects Wetzel. “I can’t say thank you enough to my buddies who came out and donated their time, too. Seeing them all get up there and play with the band I’m blessed to stand on stage with every night is something I won’t forget for a long time!”
 
From the opening chords of Wetzel’s cult-classic “February 28, 2016” getting the night started with a bang, to Wheeler’s cover of Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine,” Ray Wylie Hubbard sharing the stage with his son, Lucas, Hurley delivering a rousing take on Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red White & Blue” and more, the night was a nonstop party enroute to raising significant funds for the cause. As the Dallas Observer noted, “The acts came and went, the crowd was electric, the building was rocking and the atmosphere was a country music dream. Then Wetzel came back out, and it was like the show started all over again. Wetzel played the hits, like ‘High Road’ and ‘Sweet Dreams,’ but most importantly, hammered down the theme of the night. Texans help Texans.”
 
“If this isn’t a testament to what we are, who we are as a state, I don’t know what god damn Texas means,” the multi-Platinum singer-songwriter proclaimed from the stage. “I’m so f*ckin’ proud to be a Texan.”
 
For fans who missed the show or want to relive the energy, the full livestream is available to re-watch Below.
 
Stronger Together was made possible through support from generous partners including Todd Graves and Raising Cane’s, PBR, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Rock & Roll Denim, Hall Wines, Hurtado BBQ, Hooray Grills, Outlaw Beer, Double Eagle, New Country 96.3 (KSCS-FM), and 99.5 The Wolf (KPLX-FM).

About Koe Wetzel
Koe Wetzel never met a genre wall he couldn’t tear down. The Texan singer-songwriter has earned a rabid audience for his songs that mix country, rock, hip-hop, and even Nineties grunge. With his defining fifth studio album, 9 Lives, released in 2024 via Columbia Records, Wetzel earned recognition on several major year-end best-of lists, including Rolling Stone, Billboard, the Tennessean and more, with the Los Angeles Times naming lead single “High Road” (feat. Jessie Murph) as the No. 8 best song of 2024 across all genres. The single not only marked Wetzel’s debut at Country radio, it also held the No. 1 spot for five weeks and became his fastest song to reach the RIAA Platinum milestone to date. Previously, his 2016 album Noise Complaint endeared him to fans with its no-holds-barred lyrics about drunken nights, broken hearts and stints in jail, and included the Gold-certified hits “Love” (feat. Parker McCollum), “Something to Talk About” plus the infamous “February 28, 2016.” Wetzel’s 2020 major label debut, Sellout, only furthered his legend with the Platinum-certified “Drunk Driving” and “Good Die Young” plus the Gold-certified “Kuntry & Wistern.” The 2022 follow-up, Hell Paso, hit No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Albums and spawned hits on both the country and rock charts, including the Gold-certified “Creeps” and “Cabo.” To date, Wetzel has amassed 3.7 billion total streams and has created a genuine experience with his live concerts, which he describes as “total chaos.” Wetzel performed for well over 200,000 fans across the U.S. in Europe in 2024, with over 96% of all headline tickets sold, in addition to playing prominent festival sets and opening for Morgan Wallen on the superstar’s One Night at a Time Stadium Tour, while 2025 sees him again embark on a year of heavy touring both as a headliner and alongside Wallen and HARDY.

SECOND WIND: ALEXANDRA KAY’S FEARLESS NEW ERA POWERS SOPHOMORE ALBUM COMING OCTOBER 24

Billboard-charting rising superstar Alexandra Kay’s hotly awaited sophomore album, Second Wind, will release on October 24. Featuring previously released, bold, fan-favorite standouts “Feminine Energy,” “The Last” and “Cupid’s A Cowgirl,” the heart-stirring collection has already ignited a fury of demand amongst her 8.6M social following. Weaving heartbreak, hope and healing into one journey, Second Wind embodies what Pandora’s “2025 Artist to Watch: Country” calls her “lover-girl era.” 

PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE/PRE-ADD HERE

Coming up - on September 13, the compelling entertainer will take the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) stage with Dallas Smith to perform their hit single “How Do You Miss Me” that’s currently top 10 at Canadian country radio. Following the CCMAs, she immediately heads out on her third headlining tour of the year. Hitting cities like Nashville, New Orleans, Anaheim, Las Vegas and more, Second Wind: The Tour spans 30-nationwide dates and kicks off on September 26 in Atlanta. Public on-sale starts this Friday, August 8 at 10 am local time. Get tickets HERE.

“I’m so ready to share these songs with the people who have been with me every step of the way,” shares the rising starlet. “Over the past two years, I’ve done a lot of growing — and over the last year, I’ve had the chance to write about the version of myself that’s emerged from that growth. This album reflects a new side of me, and I can’t wait for my fans to experience it live — especially the happier songs that I’m hoping they’ll be screaming right back at me from the crowd.” 

With her independent debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, hitting #1 on iTunes (All Genre & Country) and Top 10 on multiple Billboard charts (Country Album, Emerging Artist and HeatSeeker), the heart-first songstress - now signed to BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville - is serving up the same tear-streaked ballads, raw, poetic storytelling and diary-deep honesty that her fans crave on her upcoming project. 

Born from the wreckage of a divorce, her debut was survival in real time, and although heartbreak still lingers, it no longer leads. Breathing new life into her story, Second Wind is a revival, hitting like a spark in the dark - magnetic and glowing with possibility. Produced by Andrew DeRoberts, with Alexandra co-writing all but two tracks, this album finds her heart not only healed but shining brighter than ever. 

“One of my favorite things about my fans is that somehow, even before the music is officially released, they already know every word,” she continues. “That kind of connection is rare, and this tour is going to be such a special way to close out what’s already been an unforgettable year.”

Currently out with Brad Paisley, following a worldwide headlining tour with over 80k tickets sold, the multi-threat powerhouse is firing on all cylinders with the fierce anthem “Straight For The Heart," available Friday (8/8). Striking like a lightning bolt of emotion, the charged-up song demands that even if this love isn’t going to last, one should take the shot and not miss. With soaring vocals and an epic, thunderous chorus, the showstopping track sets the tone for what promises to be a soul-baring and career-defining project.

Most recently, Alexandra added entrepreneur to her growing list of accolades with the launch of her first coffee shop, The Coffee Girl, in her hometown of Waterloo, Illinois. Already known by that nickname thanks to her viral “Coffee Covers” series on social media, she turned her casual morning routine into a must-watch moment, earning millions of views and national attention. Her cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” alone soared past 60M views and caught the eye of country legends like Randy Travis and Tim McGraw, who later invited her out on tour. What began as a front-porch-worthy phenomenon, her cozy kitchen corner quickly evolved into a springboard for her career. Now, with her first business venture, she’s turned  that viral magic into something even more lasting.

Second Wind: The Tour Dates:

Sept. 26 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse

Sept. 27 - Louisville, KY - Old Forester’s Paristown Hall

Sept. 28 - Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl

Sept. 30 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre

Oct. 1 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE

Oct. 3  - Allentown, PA - Archer Music Hall

Oct. 4 - Boston, MA - Big Night Live

Oct. 5 - Portland, ME - State Theatre

Oct. 7 - New Haven, CT - Toad’s Place

Oct. 8 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom

Oct. 10 - Baltimore, MD - Nevermore Hall

Oct. 11 - Greensboro, NC - Piedmont Hall

Oct. 12 - Knoxville, TN - The Mill & Mine

Oct. 25 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen Music Hall

Oct. 26 - Huntsville, AL - Mars Music Hall

Oct. 28 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues

Oct. 29 - Little Rock, AR - The Hall

Oct. 30 - Columbia, MO - Rose Park

Nov. 1 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom

Nov. 2 - San Antonio, TX - Vibes Event Center

Nov. 4 - Tucson, AZ - Encore

Nov. 5 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues

Nov. 6 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl

Nov. 8 - Reno, NV - Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort

Nov. 9 - Boise, ID - Shrine Social Club

Nov. 11 - Colorado Springs, CO - Phil Long Music Hall

Nov. 13 - Wichita, KS - Cotillion Ballroom

Nov. 14 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theatre

Nov. 15 - Clive, IA - Horizon Events Center

Nov. 16 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave

KEEP UP WITH ALEXANDRA KAY

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | X | FACEBOOK

American Television Announce "You Are Not Alone" EP + Release Title Track via Smartpunk Records

American Television is delivering a punchy dose of melodic punk rock to the Smartpunk Records roster with the announcement of their upcoming EP "You Are Not Alone" coming out on September 19. The skate-punk inspired anthems are driven by resilience and resistence that emphasize the transformative power of music.

Pre-order the album here.

Watch the "You Are Not Alone" music video below.

Speaking about the new single, American Television shares, "You Are Not Alone joins a long tradition of songs like Rancid - Radio, Frank Turner - I Still Believe, and Bouncing Souls - Private Radio that talk about the power of music and its ability to connect you with others or take you back to a specific moment in your life."

AMERICAN TELEVISION ON TOUR

Sept 24 - Poetry Lounge - Pittsburgh, PA
Sept 25 - No Class - Cleveland, OH
Sept 26 - Corktown Tavern - Detroit, MI
Sept 27 - Burlington Bar - Chicago, IL
Oct 18 - Jammin Java - Vienna, VA
Oct 24-26 - FEST - Gainesville, FL

ABOUT AMERICAN TELEVISION
American Television is a melodic punk rock band hailing from the Washington D.C. area. They merge a classic skate-punk sound with infectious melody to deliver anthems of resistance and resilience.

The band follows up their previous Smartpunk Records release SCARS with a high-powered, six-song EP featuring songs written to create a sense of community in these dark times, to empower those who feel unseen, and to serve as a reminder for us to work to live, not live to work.

With their new release, American Television wants you to know, You Are Not Alone.

Fermentor - New Album Agreement

FERMENTOR’s latest sonic experiment, Agreement, drops August 15th, 2025. This 17-track instrumental album concludes a trilogy of improvised releases, following Mind Meldand Release Me. Agreement pushes their boundary-defying blend of blistering death metal and sprawling, freeform post-rock to new extremes, delivering cinematic brutality and storytelling without words through instinct-driven chemistry.

The album opens with "Wintry Earth," a bleak, droning descent marked by jagged time signatures, eerie guitar textures, and a brutal death metal finale that sets a tense, violent tone. "Whisper Flesh" follows, a raw improvisation where dissonant loops and jagged grooves shift between blast-heavy death metal and crushing, groove-laden choruses, spiraling into ritualistic heaviness.

"Dead Farm" and "Ceratops" offer contrasting explorations of heaviness. "Dead Farm" channels the primal force of SEPULTURA, seismic pulse of GOJIRA, and progressive sludge of MASTODON with groove-driven intensity. Meanwhile, "Ceratops" unfolds slowly from meditative calm into a cathartic, tectonic climax, showcasing the band’s dynamic range from muscular aggression to patient build.

"More Than Eight" dives into FERMENTOR’s signature improvised chaos, layering guitar loops instinctively over shifting rhythms. "Ghost Girl" ventures further into experimental territory, blurring meditative post-rock and thunderous groove metal with spiraling solos and ethereal textures.

"Roach God" captures raw vulnerability through imperfect, high-wire improvisation where mistakes become defining characteristics - an authentic snapshot of risk and discovery. "Rotted" is a relentless, riff-driven brutal death metal descent, free of loops and culminating in a monstrous breakdown forged in pure instinct.

"Deactivated" builds angular chaos with dissonant grooves, shifting time signatures, and a searing solo, exploding into a triumphant finale. The title track "Agreement" is a study in tension and release, layering palm-muted guitars over hypnotic loops, culminating in a crushing halftime outro, a seismic exhale of raw improvisation and controlled chaos.

"There With That" blends cinematic instincts and epic metal grandeur, balancing atmosphere and intensity with emotional clarity. "Human Caterpillar" immortalizes a glitching guitar pedal feedback during an improvisation, turning technical failure into a chaotic, avant-garde Easter egg and a tongue-in-cheek highlight released on April Fools’ Day.

"Transgression" blasts with thrash-rooted energy, tight cymbal chokes and groove-drenched riffs channeling the band’s early chemistry and old-school aggression. "Hides Behind Hands" offers a rare breath of melancholic reflection, trading brutality for beauty through shimmering loops and restrained percussion, inviting pause and introspection.

"Protohuman" is a kaleidoscopic hybrid of swirling loops, jagged rhythms, and pulverizing eruptions that merge FERMENTOR’s death-thrash roots with fearless experimentation. "Skybeam" unleashes a deafening blast of explosive energy, a chaotic tempest signaling the album’s climax.

Finally, "All Ashes" winds down with reflective melodies and subtle textures, a sonic exhale that gathers Agreement’s sprawling journey into a poignant, meditative farewell.

Agreement stands as a bold testament to FERMENTOR’s fearless embrace of improvisation, raw emotion, and genre-defying exploration. Through blistering death metal, expansive post-rock, and moments of beautiful imperfection, the album captures a journey of friendship, risk, and creative discovery. It invites listeners into a world where chaos and control coexist, forging a powerful, unspoken narrative that lingers long after the final note fades. This is more than an album. It is an immersive experience that challenges expectations and redefines the boundaries of instrumental music.

FERMENTOR is:

• Dylan Marks - Drummer

• Adam "Wally" Wollach - Guitarist

ABOUT FERMENTOR:
FERMENTOR is a San Diego-based two-piece instrumental metal band formed in 2008 by drummer Dylan Marks (ATHEIST, BEEKEEPER) and guitarist Adam “Wally” Wollach (BEEKEEPER, TRASHAXIS). Stripping away the comforts of a traditional band infrastructure, FERMENTOR relies solely on communicating through only two elements; drums and guitar. The two instruments acting more like contrapuntal voices, rather than just rhythm and melody.

Their musical chemistry was discovered in the summer of 2008 when the two cousins took advantage of an opening at Wollach’s recording studio. Having never collaborated before and with only four weeks to write and record, they created their first EP entitled Matanzaa.

After a brief period of living on opposite coasts, the duo regrouped and began to push their writing to a new level. With a newfound control of their unique synchronicity, they released two EPs; 2011’s self-titled album Fermentor and its follow up, Rate of Cognitionin 2015.

They quickly garnered a reputation for their explosive and unrelenting high-energy performances atypical of a duo, earning them the opportunities to share the stage with other experimental powerhouses such as BEHOLD!...THE ARCTOPUS, ATOMIC APE, and CAPTURE BY ROBOTS.

In 2020, they released their first full-length album Continuance. A highly creative and progressive album. Continuance plays with the listener’s ear by subverting expectations of tonality and song structure. This critically hailed record is bursting with intricate timings, propulsive arrangements, and unconventional riffing. It also marked the release of FERMENTOR’s first music videos, most notably the incredible video for "Seventh Circle", premiered by Decibel, which saw the duo in a high-energy pursuit of a mysterious orb.

2023 saw the band continuing to push their abilities as well as the conventions of instrumental metal with the release of their next full-length album, Mind Meld. Engineered at Singing Serpent Studios by Ben Moore (TERA MELOS, RETOX) and recorded, mixed, and mastered again by Wollach, Mind Meld showcases the growth and maturity of the duo as well as boasting the highest quality recordings of FERMENTOR’s catalog so far. Additionally, the band employed a unique approach by self-recording everything live, without click tracks or additional layers. Mind Meldreceived major critical acclaim, beloved by existing FERMENTOR fans as well as reaching many new fans through emphasis on more music videos and footage from the studio.

In 2024, FERMENTOR embarked on the FermenTOUR, traveling along the West Coast introducing new audiences to their unique brand of instrumental music.

In January 2025, FERMENTOR continued to challenge themselves and their fans with their latest album, Release Me. 17 tracks of brand new songs completely improvised in the studio, Release Me spans numerous genres, employs live looping and layering in single takes, resulting in the most diverse and innovative music of FERMENTOR’s career. To share the record with the world, FERMENTOR released a song from the album every week for 17 weeks until the date of the album release with accompanying music videos and footage from the studio, massively increasing their reach and acclaim.

Of course, FERMENTOR does not stop there! Relentless in their output, FERMENTOR is announcing yet ANOTHER 17-track, all-improvised album, entitled Agreement. The first track dropped just two weeks after Release Me.

Agreement continues FERMENTOR’s pursuit of unique and highly creative instrumental music, further cementing their use of looping and defiance of genre. Again the group will be releasing a song per week from the record along with music videos and documentation of the recording process.

FERMENTOR will hit the road again in 2025, as they remain ever dedicated to spreading their music and artistic vision to the world!

BATTLE BEAST - anounce new album 'Steelbound' for October 17

Finnish heavy metal powerhouse BATTLE BEAST continues their unstoppable rise with the release of their brand-new single and music video 'Here We Are', out today on all platforms. With this new single, the band officially announces their highly anticipated seventh studio album Steelbound, set to be released on October 17, 2025 via Nuclear Blast. 

'Here We Are' marks the third single taken from Steelbound, and it’s a bold, unapologetic anthem of resilience and unity. Armed with thunderous riffs, powerful vocals, and infectious hooks, the song captures the spirit of overcoming adversity and standing strong together.

Songwriter Joona Björkroth comments:"'Here We Are' captures that moment after the storm has passed — you've faced challenges, been tested, and somehow come through the other side a little stronger, a bit wiser, and perhaps a bit more grounded. Things might not have gone perfectly, but you’ve endured.
The song is a tribute to perseverance and resilience — to standing tall just the way you are, nothing more, nothing less.”

Noora Louhimo adds: "We’ve all been down in the depths - each of us and all of us together. Still we’ve always gotten back up, even if bruised and bloodied. And here we are still, stronger than ever. 
No matter how tough the journey, we’re always stronger when we face it together” 
 

The track is paired with a stunning music video that brings its message to life in true BATTLE BEAST fashion: dramatic, powerful, and visually striking.

Check out the video below.
Listen to the song on all platforms: https://battlebeast.bfan.link/hereweare
Pre-order the album: https://battlebeast.bfan.link/steelbound-album

With Steelbound, BATTLE BEAST embarks on an exciting new chapter, blending classic heavy metal with '80s-tinged hard rock, cinematic synths, and flashes of pop energy. From the defiant title track 'Steelbound' to the emotional punch of 'Last Goodbye,' the album delivers 38 minutes of pure escapism, grit, and joy. It’s a battle cry for the misfits, a celebration for the strong-hearted, and a reminder to throw your worries aside and sing, dance, or headbang — however you choose to rise.

To celebrate the album’s release, BATTLE BEAST will hit the road for a major European tour, kicking off October 17 at Hamburg’s Inselpark Arena — their biggest German headline show to date. The tour will run through mid-December, featuring DOMINUM as special guests and Swedish power metal force MAJESTICA as openers.

HERE WE ARE — together, resilient, and unbroken.

BATTLE BEAST is:
Noora Louhimo | vocals
Eero Sipilä | bass
Joona Björkroth | guitars
Juuso Soinio | guitars
Janne Björkroth | keyboards
Pyry Vikki | drums

Electromancy - Visions of Utopia

ELECTROMANCY is thrilled to announce their new album, Visions of Utopia, arriving September 10th, 2025. Blending the frostbitten chaos of black metal, the crushing weight of doom, and the visceral ferocity of death metal, this seven-track journey dives into the emotional landscape of composer and multi-instrumentalist Steph Tranovich’s experience with chronic illness and disability. From searing despair and cathartic rage to fragile hope, Visions of Utopia is both a sonic onslaught and a testament to perseverance—turning pain into power and offering light to those navigating their own darkness.

Steph shares, “Visions of Utopia doesn’t lose sight of my struggles, but it sees a future that’s bright and hopeful and right over the horizon. These past few years I’ve seen a lot of progress in my health—and also some intense relapse. But I’ve grown again and have been finding ways to really thrive given my disability. This album takes you through that journey: hope, relapse, recovery, and a renewed appreciation for life.”

The album opens with “Intro,” a stark spoken-word track that lays the foundation for ELECTROMANCY’s story. Against a backdrop of haunting ambience and mechanical drone, it unflinchingly recounts the band's origin, their use of robotic instruments as assistive tech, and Steph’s personal evolution through illness. It sets the emotional tone for the record’s fusion of blackened intensity, doomy heft, and experimental death metal edge—grounding listeners in the human experience behind the cybernetic sound.

“Utopic Visions,” the second track, is a defiant incantation for a better world. It acknowledges the crushing weight of personal and collective suffering, but refuses to stop there—choosing instead to conjure something brighter. Downtuned guitars bring weight; piercing highs give shape; glitching synths and swirling textures enhance the hypnotic pull, while Shaun Gallagher’s commanding vocals slice through with clarity and conviction. It’s a dream of Utopia cast in distortion and dissonance, built for those ready to imagine—and fight for—something more.

Track three, “Brief Moments of Total Collapse,” captures the brutal volatility of chronic illness: one moment you’re rising, the next you’re falling harder than before. Its short runtime mirrors the rapid descent into relapse, while sharp dynamic shifts and death metal ferocity channel the whiplash of losing control. It’s a violent flash of vulnerability—a sonic snapshot of how quickly the ground can disappear beneath you.

At the emotional core of the album lies “Nonlinear Healing,” a sweeping ten-minute epic that embraces the messy, spiral-shaped nature of recovery. Weaving between grief and hope, open harmonies and bitter dissonance, it acknowledges that healing isn’t linear—it’s a process full of backslides, slow climbs, and moments of quiet resilience. Blackened textures, mournful doom, and layered melodies mirror this ebb and flow, settling not in triumph, but in steady perseverance. Sometimes, as Steph says, “the only thing we can do is keep moving forward.”

“Repair,” track five, offers a tonal shift—a flash of sunlight after the storm. This short, lively track bursts with playful energy, featuring call-and-response vocals that lift the refrain “up and up.” It’s a reminder that rebuilding can be joyful, even fun; that healing includes laughter, motion, and moments of celebration.

Next comes “Thriving Cyborg,” a groove-laden ode to adaptation and gratitude. Drawing from Steph’s lived experience of thriving with assistive technology, the track celebrates the communities, tools, and creativity that make life possible and fulfilling. Its funk-infused rhythm, bursts of synth, and hands-on manipulation of robotic instruments reflect the seamless blend of organic and inorganic at the heart of ELECTROMANCY’s identity. A brief moment of heaviness nods to continued struggle, but it’s the triumphant, polyrhythmic crescendo that defines this nine-minute track’s spirit—resilient, euphoric, and alive.

Closing the album is “Static Ecstatic,” a meditation on finding joy in the overlooked moments of daily life. Fusing blackened atmosphere, doomy depth, and experimental textures, the song explores the quiet fulfillment that emerges not from grand victories, but from stillness, presence, and the strange wonder of simply existing. It’s a gentle but powerful resolution—a final breath that grounds the listener after a journey of storms. In true ELECTROMANCY form, the record ends not with spectacle, but with hard-won peace.

About ELECTROMANCY:

Forged at the intersection of grief, resilience, and radical creativity, ELECTROMANCY is a boundary-defying black/doom/death metal duo from the Bay Area blending blistering sonic chaos with DIY robotics and raw human emotion. Formed in June 2019 by composer and multi-instrumentalist Steph Tranovich (they/them), alongside co-vocalist Shaun Gallagher (he/him), ELECTROMANCY uses custom-built robotic instruments as a form of assistive technology—enabling Steph to continue making music despite their chronic illness. Their discography, spanning from the brutal Technopagan to the emotionally complex Visions of Utopia, chronicles Steph’s journey through disability and healing, channeling pain, perseverance, and moments of cathartic joy. With influences like THOU, MESHUGGAH, and LITURGY, the band fuses intricate polyrhythms with avant-garde metal, while exploring themes of queer identity, grief, and radical strength. Their live shows are visceral, theatrical experiences—robot guitars and LED-lit mannequins sharing the stage with two unapologetically human voices. ELECTROMANCY isn’t just for metal fans—it’s for anyone searching for something different, something real, and something powerful.

ELECTROMANCY is:

• Steph Tranovich (they/them) - composition, robotics, vocals

• Shaun Gallagher (he/him) - vocals

BLACKBRAID Streams New Album 'Blackbraid III' Ahead of Friday's Release

Indigenous solo black metal project BLACKBRAID is anointing fans with an advanced stream of his new opus, 'Blackbraid III.' The album is now streaming in its entirety ahead of its release this Friday, August 8! Listen below.

Vinyl and cassette formats of 'Blackbraid III,' 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 recently unveiled the latest 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.

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 is the cover story for Decibel Magazine's September 2025 issue! Fans can order a copy at THIS LOCATION.

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 [LOW TICKET WARNING]

09/28: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

09/30: Boston, MA @ Middle East (Downstairs) [LOW TICKET WARNING]

10/01: Montreal, QC @ Café Campus *

10/02: Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground * [LOW TICKET WARNING]

10/03: Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge

10/04: Chicago, IL @ Reggies [SOLD OUT]

10/05: St. Paul, MN @ The Turf Club [LOW TICKET WARNING]

10/07: Denver, CO @ HQ

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

10/10: Oakland, CA @ Thee Stork Club [LOW TICKET WARNING]

10/11: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

*w/ Gudsforladt, no LoM

BLACKBRAID Upcoming Festivals:

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. 

BELPHEGOR Unleash Ferocious New Single “Sanctus Diaboli Confidimus," Band Signs with Reigning Phoenix Music

The unrelenting force of diabolical Black Death Metal, BELPHEGOR, returns with a blazing new single: “Sanctus Diaboli Confidimus.” Forged in chaos and crowned in blasphemy, the track marks a savage invocation of what is yet to come.

This release marks BELPHEGOR’s first under their freshly inked deal with Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), setting the stage for a powerful alliance between one of extreme metal’s most revered entities and one of the scene’s most ambitious new labels.

Helmuth, the band’s co-founder and guiding force, shares: “It’s great to be working with Gerardo Martinez once again. He believed in Belphegor early on and was the one who brought us to North America in 2006. I look forward to a powerful new chapter with RPM.”

Gerardo Martinez, co-founder of RPM, echoes the sentiment: “Helmuth, Belphegor and I go back to 2006 and I'm extremely thrilled to be able to continue working with one of the best proponents of Black Death Metal art. Welcome to RPM! Here's to many more years of great music!”

On “Sanctus Diaboli Confidimus,” Helmuth describes: “A symbiosis of diabolical Black Death Metal. A glorification of the Devil. A hypnotic anthem of passion, fire and iron discipline. It stands for the absolute freedom to walk your own path, to reign within your own realm.”

About BELPHEGOR:

Since their formation in 1993 in Austria, BELPHEGOR have stood as one of the most brutal and transgressive forces in black death metal. Founded by vocalist and guitarist Helmuth Lehner, the band has spent over three decades refining a sound forged in fire and sacrilege, merging the violent precision of death metal with the ritualistic darkness of black metal.

Their musick is an invocation of infernal power, a soundwall of relentless blasphemy.

From the raw intensity of early releases like The Last Supper (1995), Blutsabbath(1997), and Necrodaemon Terrorsathan (2000), to the increasingly sophisticated compositions found on albums such as Lucifer Incestus, Bondage Goat Zombie, Pestapokalypse VI, and Totenritual, BELPHEGOR have continually pushed the boundaries of extreme musick. Each release marks a further descent into forbidden territory.

The band’s thematic focus with ritual magick, religious inversion, and arcane symbolism is matched by their technical mastery, multilingual lyrics, and sonic experimentation.

With their twelfth studio album The Devils (2022), BELPHEGOR delivered one of their most punishing and ambitious records to date.

Recorded at Fascination Street Studios with producer Jens Bogren, the album features nine meticulously crafted compositions that shift seamlessly between feral aggression and solemn majesty.

Tracks such as Glorifizierung des Teufels and Virtus Asinaria - Prayer incorporate choral passages and ritualistic structure, while Damnation - Höllensturz unfolds with a dynamic complexity that further amplifies the band’s compositional vision.

Lyrically, the album weaves together German, Latin, and English to cast incantations of death, desecration, and rebellion against sacred order. Accompanied by visionary artwork from Seth Siro Anton, The Devils stands as a high point in Belphegor’s canon and underscores their continued relevance in the global extreme metal landscape.

Following the success of The Devils, BELPHEGOR were honored with the 2023 Amadeus Austrian Music Award in the Hard and Heavy category, a rare moment of formal recognition in Austria for a band that has long walked a path far removed from mainstream acceptance. This accolade acknowledges their artistic legacy and highlights the contrast between their recognition and the transgressive nature of their craft.

Renowned for their intense live rituals, BELPHEGOR have toured relentlessly across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and beyond. They have appeared at Wacken Open Air, Knotfest, Bloodstock, Hellfest, Tons Of Rock, Sweden Rock, and numerous other prestigious metal festivals. Their stage presence is more than a performance, it is a ceremony of magick and infernal theatre, where sound, smoke, blood, and fire converge in a communion with darkness.

Now, as the band approaches its thirteenth studio album, a deeper and more arcane force begins to stir. The number thirteen bears ancient meaning: endings, thresholds, and the passage into the unknown. Rooted in primordial doctrine, the thirteenth seal is said to bind the final veil between worlds, the last barrier between order and chaos.

With this upcoming release, BELPHEGOR prepares to break that seal, not to follow, but to lead. To summon what lies beyond even their own previous creations: something more primal, more ritualistic, more devastating.

Early glimpses of new material point to a continuation of the dark artistic path begun with The Devils, now delving even deeper. The upcoming album takes shape as a focused ritual: precise, uncompromising, and rooted in the band’s unmistakable vision, the glorification of the Devil.

Prepare. The next chapter is imminent. 

More from BELPHEGOR:

www.belphegor.at | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube

British Melodic Rock Legends FM Release Anthemic Rock Single “Don’t Call It Love” + Music Video

Today, British melodic rock legends FM are pleased to release their new single “Don’t Call It Love,” the second single taken from their highly anticipated 15th studio album 'Brotherhood,' due out on September 5th via Frontiers Music Srl.

"Don't Call It Love" is a compelling rock anthem tailor-made for rock radio and arrives alongside an official music video, available below.

FM’s founding member and bassist Merv Goldsworthy comments on the new track:

“’Don't Call It Love’ is an up-tempo old-school AOR track with a very 80s feel. It was one of the last songs written and recorded for the 'Brotherhood' album. It’s a definite candidate for the live set and rock radio.”

Check Out the Music Video for "Don't Call It Love"

It’s no surprise that FM’s upcoming album 'Brotherhood' continues to showcase their signature blend of hook-laden AOR and blues-tinged hard rock that solidifies their status as masters of the genre.

'Brotherhood' showcases a band at the top of their game with highlights including an infectious anthem "Living on the Run," 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, while being unmistakably fresh and vibrant.

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.

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.'"

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

Creeper to Release "Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death" on 10/31 + Band Shares "Blood Magick (It's A Ritual)" Video

The Sanguivore album took Creeper's already larger-than-life ambition to new heights, leading to the most intense critical acclaim of their career and culminating in their first arena headline show at London's OVO Wembley Arena. Historically, the end of one Creeper era sees the band slam the coffin shut as they once again reinvent themselves. But this time, Creeper defy expectations by expanding the previous record's creative universe, returning with Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death on October 31 through Spinefarm.

Creeper further preview the album with the new single "Blood Magick (It's A Ritual)." Built on a classic serrated '80s metal riff, it could well be their most theatrical moment yet. Its killer calling card is its vocal interplay: William Von Ghould's commanding, Germanic intonation enshrouded by the bewitching allure of Hannah Greenwood's backing vocals.

Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death is a thematic sequel rather than a direct continuation of the original story. Like a classic horror anthology it spins a new tale from the same bloodline as the original, this time using its bloodied vampiric heart as the common thread to introduce a brand new narrative. The tale takes us back to the moral hysteria that was the Satanic Panic and its impact upon the world of '80s hard rock and heavy metal. It was a time in which the late Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, and Judas Priest were dogged by court cases. Iron Maiden played deep into America's heartland, while W.A.S.P. and Mötley Crüe inflamed conservative minds with outrageous theatricality and decadence.

William Von Ghould introduces the story, saying,"Beneath the flashing neon of a distant dream, a rock and roll nightmare is coming true. A vampire band rampages across 1980s America, leaving only corpses behind. But on the horizon, a shadow stirs. Part-slasher, part-Satanic Panic nightmare, a new force rises through the mist, ready to hunt the hunter. The Mistress Of Death is a vampire huntress on a path to end this vampire bloodline for good. But can she stake their hearts before the final curtain falls?"

Creeper play the role of the fictional band on a record which is razor sharp with demonic power and devilish black humor. It's a sequel in which the band summon the spirits of rock history, darting between harmonic and dueling guitars from co-founder Ian Miles and new recruit Lawrie Pattison that recall the majesty of Priest and Maiden. They soar through towering hooks that channel the biggest hits of the stadium rock era with their maximalist sound encompassing darkwave synths, art-rock sax, and multi-layered vocal harmonies.

After the frenetic punk thrills of "Headstones" and the video which first introduced Creeper as the fictional band on stage in full theatrical chaos, the new "Blood Magick (It's A Ritual)" visual shifts the focus to the hedonism and evil happening behind the scenes while they're on tour. Directed by Harry Steel, it blends original footage with curated stock to capture the grimy surrealism of Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses and the fever dream energy of Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers.

The result, says William, is "a blood-soaked, sexed up, psychedelic vampire rock fantasy and easily one of the wildest videos we've ever made."

As with the original, Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death was produced by Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein, Royal Blood).

Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death is available to pre-order HERE.

Physical formats are led by three vinyl products: A Creeper purple vinyl, a mistress purple marble vinyl available through select indie stores, and a blood red marble vinyl in gatefold packaging, which is exclusive to the band's official store.

The Creeper store also offers an exclusive two-tape rave case packaging both Sanguivore and Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death, while a mintpak CD is available through all retailers.

Creeper are set to hit the main stage at Bloodstock on August 9, before they tour the UK as special guest to Ice Nine Kills in December.

Pinkshift Share "Reflection" + "Don't Fight" Double Single"

Maryland trio PINKSHIFT will drop their new album EARTHKEEPER on August 29 via Hopeless Records. Pre-order it here. 

Today, the band has shared the double single "Reflection" + "Don't Fight." Listen here.

Watch the "Don't Fight" video below.

The songs showcase the dual nature of the album and, ultimately, the band.

"'Don't Fight' and 'Reflection' are opposite ends of Earthkeeper," singer Ashrita Kumar says. "They kind of balance each other out. 'Don't Fight' is grief ignited by anger, and' Reflection' is softness in power."

Kumar continues, "'Don't Fight' came from an idea [guitarist] Paul [Vallejo] brought to the band, and that's him singing the choruses. They inspired me in a time of grieving, and I felt drawn to something less melodic. My verses are more like shouted poems, feeling a sense of discord and anguish. 'Reflection' is, on the other hand, written from a place of feeling softness and lightness. That reflection is the presence of the Earthkeeper, my friends beyond the veil, and my ancestors. I feel the grief of their loss, but maybe our relationship is more magical now in ways that I can't understand all the time. Their time on Earth, in my life, shaped who I am today. That version of me can choose how I'd like to see the world."

A true balance, indeed.

Pinkshift will soon embark on a headline 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

AGENBITE MISERY - Remorse of Conscience

AGENBITE MISERY is a New Hampshire-based trio whose debut album Remorse of Conscience is one of the most ambitious concept records to emerge from the modern extreme metal underground. Formed in late 2022 by guitarist Sam Graff, bassist Cam Netland, and drummer Adam Richards, the band began with a deceptively simple idea: to adapt James Joyce’s Ulysses into an experimental metal album. What emerged from that idea is a 55-minute odyssey of layered sonic aggression and literary depth, an album that blends blackened sludge, dissonant death metal, post-punk, ambient drone, and more into a singular, genre-defying statement of purpose.

The name AGENBITE MISERY is itself a reflection of the band’s literary roots, pulled from a line in Ulysses that references the 14th-century English devotional text Agenbite of Inwit. The phrase, literally “again-bite of inner wit,” or modernized as “remorse of conscience," became the perfect thematic and philosophical framework for an album steeped in grief, alienation, and the search for meaning in modern life. The band’s name was chosen because it reflects the deep, biting sorrow that pervades the novel and their music. Though the original pronunciation might have been “ah-jehn-bite,” the band opts for a harder, contemporary “ae-ghen-bite” as a nod to their mission of dragging ancient texts into the present.

Remorse of Conscience was written over the course of 2023 and recorded in 2024, entirely self-produced by the band, with mixing by Eric Sauter and mastering by Brad Boatright. The recording sessions were a direct extension of the trio’s collaborative ethos: a commitment to honesty, maximalism, and transformation. Each of the album’s eight songs adapts a chapter from Ulysses, using lyrics pulled directly from Joyce’s prose and reshaping them into brutal, beautiful sonic forms. The band sees each track not merely as a song but as a new translation, an attempt to convert stream-of-consciousness literature into aural energy.

About AGENBITE MISERY:

AGENBITE MISERY is a New Hampshire-based trio that fuses literary ambition with the visceral force of experimental metal. Formed in 2022 by guitarist Sam Graff, bassist Cam Netland, and drummer Adam Richards, the band emerged from a shared academic background in literature and a mutual devotion to the most extreme and boundary-pushing corners of heavy music.

At its core, AGENBITE MISERY is a project rooted in transformation. Their work doesn’t merely incorporate influences, it dismantles them, reshapes them, and recontextualizes them within a vision that is as cerebral as it is punishing. Their sound weaves together elements of black metal, sludge, death metal, post-punk, ambient, and noise rock, unified not by style but by intent: to confront, to immerse, and to challenge.

Individually, the members bring a history of musical experimentation: Sam Graff and Adam Richards were longtime collaborators in the avant-garde project UNDER GREEN SUNS and the Boston metalcore outfit VICARIUM, while Cam Netland previously fronted the Connecticut stoner/black metal band COAGULATE. Together, they’ve forged something entirely distinct, a collective voice that draws from their diverse histories but refuses to be defined by any one genre or scene.

AGENBITE MISERY exists at the edge of metal and the margins of modern art, translating abstract ideas into concrete sound with unrelenting force. Whether performing live or recording in isolation, their ethos remains constant: dig deeper, aim higher, and never repeat what has already been done.

AGENBITE MISERY is:

Sam Graff – Guitars / Vocals / Synth
Cam Netland – Bass / Vocals
Adam Richards – Drums / Vocals

Connect with AGENBITE MISERY:

• Bandcamp: https://agenbitemisery.bandcamp.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574211514876#

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agenbitemisery/?hl=en

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwjOZilhkqTRkZHpJJwlbhw

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6dYQgCtNvpvNWwfQ06LQQZ

• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/agenbite-misery/1716987132

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@agenbite.misery

Hooded Menace Announce 'Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration'

Over the past 20 odd years, Hooded Menace have stood not as a bridge but a pillar between two different realms of underground metal. The cultishly beloved band's upcoming seventh album is still bound by a morbid obsession with classic horrors. But on Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration, Finland's stewards of death-doom remain far from stuck in their ways. Lead single "Portrait Without a Face" cranks up the neon-soaked nightmares while digging out a grave new surprise from under their long-sleeve.        

Watch the classic horror video for "Portrait Without a Face" below.

Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration comes out October 3, 2025 on Season of Mist. 

Pre-order& Pre-save
https://orcd.co/hoodedmenacelachrymosemonumentsofobscuration

Hooded Menace continue to pave a harrowing path for undying metal legions who crave creepier, crushing tempos. The band's new single opens with drummer Pekka Koskelo pounding like death's door. Their flesh-eating muse still looms over Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration. Cover artist Wes Benscoter recreates director Amando de Ossorio's the Blind Dead in all of the film's ghoulish glory. But the album hammers home the influence of '80s heavy metal that was rung in by previous LP The Tritonus Bell. With its conspiratorial web of leads, "Portrait Without a Face" bears a glowing resemblance to King Diamond. 

The lasting influence of Candlemass and Paradise Lost hasn't vanished without a trace, but Hooded Menace continue to break the mold that they've set for death-doom. While the bone-crushing riffs of founding member Lasse Pyykkö cement the rock-solid foundation beneath Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration, even he was surprised when sculpting the album's lead single. Like an echo from beyond the grave, what should appear within "Portrait Without a Face" but the haunted moan of a cello.

"Sucked into the realm of sweet damnation". Vocalist Harri Kuokkanen growls deep into the dead of night, as if lured down a darkened hallway by former live bassist Antii Poutanen's sorrowful string saws.

The video for "Portrait Without a Face" was directed by Tekla Valy with additional footage filmed by Mikko Saastamoinen.

On Lachyrmose Monuments of Obscuration, Hooded Menace cast death-doom in a ghostly new light. 

Line-up
Harri Kuokkanen — Vocals
Lasse Pyykkö — Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Pekka Koskelo — Drums

Guest Musicians
Antti Poutanen — Cello
John McNulty — Spoken Word

Production Credits
Recorded by Heikki Marttila at Guru Studio, Joensuu, Finland.
Mixed by Heikki Marttila.
Mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios, Portugal.

Cover Art
Wes Benscoter (https://www.wesbenscoter.com)

Photography
Pasi Nevalaita

Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/hoodedmenacelachrymosemonumentsofobscuration

Available formats
Digital download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl (Black)
12" Colored Vinyl (Red)
12" Colored Vinyl (Purple)
12" Colored Vinyl (Crystal clear with red and blue marble)
12" Liquid-filled Vinyl (Slime yellow)

Follow Hooded Menace
Bandcamp: https://hoodedmenace.bandcamp.com/music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoodedmenaceofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoodedmenaceofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/10mjw8SFRZjS0d8tecdEW8
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/hooded-menace/364200709
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/3748981
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/4754969

Iceland's Sátan Metal Festival Announces Third Wave of Bands; Voivod, Wistaria + Tailgunner Now Added

GET PASSES HERE

WATCH 2025 COVERAGE HERE

Sátan, an emerging metal festival in Iceland, is now pleased to reveal the next wave of bands for 2026 and is now welcoming Canadian heavy-hitters VOIVOD, UK heavy metal outfit TAILGUNNER, and Icelandic's own WISTARIA! The third edition of the festival will take place in Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula from June 4-6, 2026!

Passes for next year are now available at THIS LOCATION.

The current lineup is as follows, with more TBA!

Dimma

Sign

Hamferð

Voivod

Misþyrming

Tailgunner

Skitsystem

Necrowretch

Wistaria

Devine Defilement

Carpe Noctem

Barnaveiki

The recent 2025 edition was a massive success, integrating an array of alternative genres from hardcore to extreme while showcasing some of the best that Iceland has to offer alongside international legacy acts. Wyatt's Metal revered the three-day spectacle as "Iceland's BEST Metal Festival," for which his detailed review can be seen HERE.

Sátan is a three day metal festival happening in Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The festival focuses on offering a variety of Iceland’s best metalbands as well as a carefully curated selection of international bands.

The organization behind Sátan consists of metalheads and musicians that have been active in the Icelandic scene for up to 30 years and have extensive experience of organizing music festivals and concerts as well as general band related activities.

Everyone is welcome at Sátan regardless of origin, skincolor, religion, gender or sexual orientation and there is only one goal: that everyone, staff, bands and guests, go home smiling after a great festival!

Sátan is committed to zero tolerance against violence and violence of any kind invalidates your ticket!

Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Official Website

AVERSIONS CROWN | NEW EP A VOICE FROM THE OUTER DARK OUT NOW + WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE SINGLE, 'CASTIGATION CHOIR'

Emerging from Brisbane’s seething metal underground, AVERSIONS CROWN returns from the void with A Voice From The Outer Dark. out now via Nuclear Blast Records. The three-track statement of renewed intent, brutal evolution, and total annihilation marks the band’s first new material in several years, the EP represents a bold new chapter in both sound and vision.

Today, AVERSIONS CROWN release the music video for the blistering new track, 'Castigation Choir'. Fast, intense, and unrelenting, it summons visions of divine wrath, scorched earth, and the final collapse of humanity—an end-time anthem delivered through fire, thunder, and deathcore precision. Watch the music video directed by Colin Jeffs, below.

AVERSIONS CROWN Chris Cougan comments, "‘Castigation Choir’ is Aversions Crown at our most savage. Rhythmically punishing and thematically apocalyptic. It sets the tone for A Voice From The Outer Dark, we’ve pushed ourselves deeper into the bleak and the brutal, and this EP is just the beginning."

Order A Voice From The Outer Dark EP, here:
https://aversionscrown.bfan.link/avftodep

A Voice From The Outer Dark captures AVERSIONS CROWN in a new phase of creative intensity. The EP distills everything the band is — and everything it’s becoming — into three tracks of sheer ferocity. Conceptually, the band continues to explore existential and cosmic horror themes, blurring the lines between science fiction and spiritual annihilation, channeling the sound of a world tearing itself apart from the inside out. The arrival of new vocalist Alex Teyen(formerly of BLACK TONGUE) signals a seismic shift.

A Voice From The Outer Dark was recorded in October 2024. It was produced by Lance Prenc and Edward Sklavos. Prenc was also responsible for the mixing and mastering while Sklavos handled the engineering. The cover artwork for the EP was created by Róbert A Borbás(aka Grindesign).

A Voice From The Outer Dark is the sound of a band reborn through fire, silence, and darkness — ready to reestablish their legacy and redefine deathcore in the process.

AVERSIONS CROWN is:
Alex Teyen | Vocals
Chris Cougan | Guitar
Mick Jeffery | Guitar
Jayden Mason | Drums

More information:
Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

LA dreamwave duo LUCKYANDLOVE releases 'I Am Human'

LA-based electronic duo LUCKYANDLOVE returns with their banging anti-tech angst anthem ‘I Am Human’, delicately fused together with pulsating molten kicks, abrasive fuzz-laden analog synths and confident sensual vocals. Calling out to make our own choices and take back our lives, this song underlines the need to reconnect with being Human before its too late.

Evoking a brand new art school originality, LUCKYANDLOVE is the raw sonic experiment of Loren Luck and April Love, whose live analog synth beats, Moog instrumentation and beautiful, harmonic vocals trigger an immediate download of fuzzy sunset synthgaze, blue-black neon darkwave, and tigerprint electro punk.

'I Am Human' previews the duo's third album 'Humaura' (hu • mau • ra), which the duo define as  the atmosphere that emanates from the feelings of the human spirit void of technological control. This album was recorded, mixed and mastered for digital release by Grammy award-winning engineer Be Hussey (Modern English, Swervedriver, The Church, Alcest, Twin Tribes, Boy Harsher, Luna, Kim Deal) at Balboa Studio and Catwater for the digital music, and mastered for vinyl and lathe cut by Grammy-nominated engineer Nicholas Townsend (Cheap Trick, Weezer, Garbage, Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Grimes, Iron Maiden) at Townsend Mastering.

"To me, 'I Am Human' is a sci-fi track. It’s call to arms for screen zombies to disconnect. I read Martin Heidegger’s 'The Question Concerning Technology' in grad school and I like when he says that we shall have questions concerning technology and, in so doing, we should like to prepare a free relationship with it," says April.

Loren adds, "I think there are a lot of people that actually hate technology, but would never have the guts to say it. Personally with this song, we are breaking the chains, going back to a simpler time of human creativity and free thinking,".    

Transcending genres in a league of their own, LUCKYANDLOVE’s visceral, urgently-present dark electro-pop appeal continues to stretch through time and space. Their 'Lucky + Love' and 'Transitions' albums earned them a global fan following and led to US and UK tours, while their tracks 'It's a Mistake', 'Animal' and 'Summertime Frolic' featured in the indie hit 'Tiger Within', featuring Ed Asner's final film performance.

This salty-sweet duo blend raw analog synth sounds with driving punctuated percussion and punchy analog bass, complemented by enchanting lyrics that emit a range of emotions from melancholy and sorrowful glom to a state of blissful trance.

LUCKYANDLOVE's influences absorb the resonant specters of last century’s darkwave gods —Siouxsie and The Banshees, Cocteau Twins, and Bauhaus, looming large from where industrial galaxies formed as the needle hit the vinyl groove urging all Doc Martens to march to basement dance floors.

As of August 5, 'I Am Human' is available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full 'Humaura' album, slated for release on October 3 via SRD - Southern Record Distributors, can be pre-ordered from either Bandcamp or the LUCKYANDLOVE Store. On October 11, LUCKYANDLOVE will hold their record release party at The Slipper Clutch in Downtown Los Angeles via Deathrecordzz Presents with appearances by Warsaw Pact, Amore De Paris, No Exits, and a DJ set by Echolust. 

CREDITS
Written and arranged by Loren Luck & April Love
Produced and performed by LUCKYANDLOVE
April Love - vocals, synths (Moog, Juno, HX Stomp)
Loren Luck - drums, synths (Elektron Rytm, Elektron A4, HX Stomp)
Original songs written & performed raw on analog electronic synthesizers & analog drum machines
Recorded (live with live effects) on TASCAM DP-32SD 32-track Portastudio
Vocals recorded by Be Hussey at Catwater and Balboa Studios in Los Angeles
Recorded in LA at Downtown Rehearsal Studios & Echo Park Studios
Mixing & digital mastering by Be Hussey at Catwater (Los Angeles, CA)
Mastered for vinyl by Nick Townsend at Townsend Mastering
Album artwork painting, layout & design by the human hands of LUCKYANDLOVE
Front cover artwork, titled “Smash the Screen”, by Loren Luck
Video directed By Loren of LUCKYANDLOVE
Cinematography & videography by Romeal Hogan and Kevin Mapp
Video filmed in LUCKYANDLOVE's Studio
©℗ 2025 All rights reserved LUCKYANDLOVE 2025
Published by Oilxice Publishing (ASCAP) and Lynx Technique Publishing (ASCAP)
Vinyl and digital Download Distributed worldwide by SRD/IDOL
Catalogue no. LNL003A
ISRC code QZ2MZ2530001 / ISWC no. T3304460020
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


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The Neal Agency Promotes Four

Entertainment and talent agency, The Neal Agency (TNA), announces today the promotion of three agents. Simultaneously, Kelly Littlefield has been elevated to President of Operations for both TNA and Sticks Management. 
 
Clark Wilson has been elevated from Agent Assistant to Agent, Fairs & Festivals; Simone Chretien has been elevated from Booking Coordinator to Agent, Southeast Territory; and Juliette Edwards has been elevated from Booking Coordinator to Agent, West Coast Territory.
 
"From the start, one of my top goals in building The Neal Agency was to create a culture where we could grow and promote talent from within,” reflects Austin Neal, Co-Head and Founder of TNA. “I’m incredibly proud to see that vision come to life with the promotions of Juliette, Simone, and Clark to agents.”
 
Additionally, Littlefield, who has been with TNA since 2022, has been elevated from Director of HR and Operations to the President of Operations for both TNA and Sticks Management. 
 
“Kelly has been an integral part of developing the culture of the company since the very beginning,” Neal adds. “I’m very excited to be able to elevate her to a leadership position at both TNA and Sticks. 
 
Clark Wilson was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and graduated from Belmont University in 2019. Prior to joining TNA three years ago, he held positions at Warner Music Nashville and Red Light Management. Wilson began his career at TNA as an Agent Assistant to Adi Sharma and Spencer Foote, where he gained experience assisting with client contracts and booking shows throughout the Southeast for the entire TNA roster. He also assisted in booking fairs and festivals for the agency while simultaneously refining the festival department’s database. Wilson will now be moving into the role of Agent in the fairs and festivals department, continuing his previous work to build and expand the division.
 
Simone Chretien hails from Silver Spring, Maryland. Chretien received her bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) with a Minor in Marketing in 2019. Following graduation, Chretien started working at Average Joes Entertainment (AJE) as a Digital Marketing Coordinator. After a few months, she began working simultaneously with AJE’s in-house management company, Arcade Management, as an Artist Management Assistant and Digital Marketing Coordinator for Sister Hazel. In October 2022, she started at TNA as an Agent Assistant, working under Evan Kantor and Haley Teske in the Northeast and West territories of the United States in the hard ticket space. A few months later, she started in the Fairs and Festivals department under Spencer Foote, where she was promoted to Coordinator at the end of 2023. In October of 2024, she started working under co-head Austin Neal, honing in on Responsible Agent responsibilities. Now, Chretien is the Southeast Territorial Agent for The Neal Agency, representing Cody Lohden and Rhys Rutherford, alongside co-head Adi Sharma.
 
Juliette Edwards, a Santa Clarita, California native, graduated from The University of Alabama in 2019 with a degree in Telecommunication and Film. Before relocating to Nashville, she built a foundation in advertising and television production, ultimately landing at The Kelly Clarkson Show. In 2022, Edwards joined TNA as Executive Assistant and Coordinator to Neal. She later transitioned into the role of Booking Coordinator for Evan Kantor, managing the Northeast territory. Now, Edwards steps into her new position as West Coast Territorial Agent, along with proudly representing Ole 60, Rob Langdon and Scott Wolverton.
 
Kelly (Sherin) Littlefield is a versatile music business leader whose journey started with a degree in Business and Arts Management from the College of Charleston. She furthered her education with an MBA in Music Business from Belmont University, solidifying her expertise in the industry's intricate dynamics. Littlefield’s career trajectory began in 2017 when she joined WME, contributing her expertise to the HR department. In 2022, Littlefield made a significant move to ONErpm, where she established and led the HR department as the Global HR Manager. Later the same year, Littlefield embraced a new challenge at TNA, assuming the position of Director of HR & Operations. In 2024, Kelly assumed the role of Director of HR & Operations for Sticks Management as well. In this role, she brings her wealth of experience to the forefront, spearheading initiatives that drive organizational excellence while nurturing the talent that fuels the agency's success. She was also selected to join the prestigious 2024 CMA Women's Leadership Academy Cohort, showcasing her dedication to leadership and professional growth within the music industry.
 
Congratulate Wilson HERE, Chretien HERE, Edwards HERE and Littlefield HERE.

Photo IDs clockwise from top left: Clark Wilson, Simone Chretien, Kelly Littlefield & Juliette Edwards | Photos courtesy of TNA

Alternative Metal Band ODC Announces Debut Album ‘Twisted Love’ Due Out October 31, 2025 via BLKIIBLK

The alternative metal band ODC are thrilled to announce the release of their debut album ‘Twisted Love,’ due out on October 31, 2025 via BLKIIBLK. To celebrate, ODC also share their new single "My Name Is Gold" alongside an official music video, available to view below.

The French rockers have already captivated audiences with their singles "Love, I Tore It Apart" and "My Only Fan (feat. SUN)," and now with "My Name Is Gold," they showcase a bold fusion of 2000s nu metal roots, metalcore breakdowns, infectious pop hooks, and raw rap attitude that brings ODC’s vision of nu metal into sharp focus.

Commenting on the new single, ODC states:

“This song is a provocative satire of greed and fame obsession. We wanted to expose a world where human value only shines when it's coated in gold. It’s heavy, ironic, and in-your-face - and that’s exactly how we like it. It’s for anyone craving heavy music with bold aesthetics and something to say.”

Watch the Music Video for "My Name Is Gold"

With its polished production and fearless genre-blending, 'Twisted Love' brings ODC’s bold vision of modern alternative metal to life. The band’s motto, “Forget rules, forget boxes,”perfectly sums up this hybrid and liberated debut.

ODC comments on the album:

“With 'Twisted Love,' we wanted to show that metal can be both powerful and elegant - emotional, modern, and unafraid to break the rules. This album is about pushing boundaries by blending genres and influences while staying true to who we are: delivering heavy music that moves both body and soul."

They continue, "Lyrically, 'Twisted Love' explores the breaking points of human connection but also carries a message of hope: accepting our shadows to heal and rebuild. It’s for anyone drawn to heavy music that refuses to fit into categories.”

ODC is the soundtrack of a hybrid generation. A sonic uppercut, balancing raw power and elegance.

Pre-Order 'Twisted Love' HERE

Born in Paris in 2017, ODC is the result of two worlds coming together: the world of Celia Do, a vocalist with a striking identity, and that of a composer driven by the same fire - the desire to create an alternative metal project that breaks free from conventions: bold, modern, and uncompromising. From this spark, a true sonic and visual odyssey emerged.

ODC, named after Celia’s stage name acronym, became a totally creative space, where heavy riffs, catchy melodies, and contemporary electronic textures collide in a unique blend of raw energy and polished aesthetic. ODC is a bold blend of metal, modern rock and immersive electronic atmospheres.

Inspired by artists such as Devin Townsend, Breaking Benjamin, Linkin Park and BMTH, ODC doesn’t fit in any box. The band asserts its own voice — powerful, hybrid, sharp and emotional.

Their songs are modern mantras, telling stories of freedom, downfall, and resilience. Music that hits hard and hits deep. A constant dialogue between introspection and explosion.

The band is built around four distinct artistic personalities: Celia Do (lead singer, founder and producer, the rock frontwoman of the band), Sonny, a.k.a. MX MNK (a bassist with roots in hardcore and black metal, and a rapper with visceral energy). Then, Raphaël (an 8-string guitarist blending classic rock, hard rock, and atmospheric textures), and Hector (a drummer forged in the death metal scene, delivering explosive rhythmic power).

After a well-received debut EP in 2019 ('Ending The Boredom'), ODC carved their path through a series of powerful singles between 2020 and 2023, asserting their hybrid identity and ability to break genre boundaries. In 2024, the project took a major leap forward: writing their first full-length album, produced in Nashville by Kellen McGregor (Memphis May Fire).

ODC are:

Celia Do - Vocals

MX MNK – Bass

Raphaël – Guitars

Hector - Drums