Third Man Records is excited to announce “Karly Hartzman and MJ Lenderman – Live at Third Man Records”, a previously unreleased collection recorded direct-to-acetate during the duo’s 2024 performance at the Blue Room In Nashville, TN.
Limited to just 2,000 copies worldwide, the 12-song LP will be available on standard opaque blue vinyl at Third Man Records storefronts, select indie record stores, and the TMR online store on November 28 Black Friday 2025.
Melodic death metal force of nature CARRION VAEL returns with a vengeance on their fifth album, Slay Utterly, to be released through Unique Leader Records on January 16 2026. Slay Utterly opens with its lead single, "19(fucking)78", which instantly sets the tone for the album's intensity and nuance. Featuring layers of technical guitar parts, slam riffs, and clean vocals, the band leaves no skill in their toolbox unused. Lyrically, the song is set in 1970s California; a particularly violent time in history, given the presence of the Hillside Stranglers. The lyrics contemplate issues of nature versus nurture, as well as an obsession with control by any means possible.
CARRION VAEL's technical prowess may take the spotlight on this album, but they are storytellers at their core. Each song on Slay Utterly explores the story of a different serial killer. The perspective jumps between the killer themselves, and the experiences of the victims. On the whole, the album presents a collection of stories delving into the psyches of famous axe murderers, slashers, and other uniquely violent killers throughout history.
Though raw and ferocious at their core, the band weaves intricate technical nuances throughout the album. Punchy riffs and rhythms drive the intensity home, while memorable lead guitar lines and powerful vocal performances leave a lasting impact. Lyrically, Slay Utterly goes above and beyond to immerse the listener in CARRION VAEL's fascination for history and true crime.
Watch the video for "19(fucking)78" below:
About CARRION VALE:
In 2017, brutal melodic death metal storytellers CARRION VAEL set out on a mission to understand disturbing events that may baffle the sane. Each album and each song explores an aspect of true crime history, often focusing on the stories of individual serial killers and their victims. Though this conceptual focus underpins CARRION VAEL's songwriting, they seek to fully utilize all of their skills and talents to ensure that each song develops the sound it needs to tell its story. The band released their first album, Resurrection of the Doomed, independently in 2017, then signed with HPGD Records and released their 2020 follow-up, God Killer. Subsequently, the band signed with Unique Leader Records and released Abhorrent Obsessions (2022) and Cannibals Anonymous (2024).
With their fifth album, Slay Utterly, on the horizon, CARRION VAEL are set to continue this journey into the monstrous side of the human psyche. Vicious, but surprisingly poignant in just the right dose, Slay Utterly presents an anthology of serial killer stories from significant points in history. The album is certain to enthrall fans of horror, history, and true crime with its vivid portrayals of the minds of both murderers and victims.
CARRION VALE is:
Travis Lawson Purcell - Vocals
Alex Arford - Bass
Trenton Limburg - Guitar
Ryan Kurder - Guitar
Matt Behner - Drums
Laptop, the cult NYC project led by Jesse Hartman (formerly with Island Records), continues their cinematic synth pop revival with “Indie Hero”, a wry and wistful love song to the myth of late 20th century cool, but also a hate song about hero worship gone hideously wrong. Anchored by Laptop’s signature mix of cinematic synths, dry wit, and bittersweet reflection, this track opens a new chapter for Hartman, now joined by his son Charlie as co-frontman in this multi-generational pop experiment, with equal parts satire and sincerity. The single previews their forthcoming album "On This Planet", slated for release in Spring 2026 via Hurricane Cove Records.
The details? Hartman isn’t at liberty to say. Well, maybe just a little: As a teenage guitarist, Hartman once toured overseas with one of his idols, watching the myth of cool dissolve in real time. "Indie Hero" captures the moment (during a fateful night in a Tokyo restaurant), when youthful ambition collided with middle-aged madness. The Hartmans sing: “I’ll dive across a table for you, my indie hero, I’m feeling so unstable for you, my indie hero” - half romantic, half tragic, all reckless. Together they go on a dangerous, adolescent journey, both literally and symbolically, repeating in the outro: “I want to go to Japan again.” “Indie Hero” ultimately reflects on fame, failure, and the pursuit of artistic immortality.
Hartman shares, “This is a love letter to the ghosts of the ’90s and their obsession with the ghosts of the late ’70s. All the beautiful people who never quite went the distance. Including me. It’s about idol worship, but also about outgrowing it."
The video, directed by Jesse Hartman, reimagines that journey as a Japanese comic-book fever dream: a young musician chasing his dreams and heroes across neon cities and sake bars, only to discover that the real revelation isn’t fame—it’s self-discovery (and maybe a little heartbreak).
“When I was starting out in the ’90s, I met a lot of my punk and new wave heroes in New York’s East Village. They weren’t always as cool as I thought they’d be. It taught me that sometimes it’s best not to meet your heroes, and better to just become your own," Hartman recalls. “I think the video sketches that coming of age picture in comic-al way”.
Written years ago by Hartman and longtime musical collaborator Luke Wood (from Hartman’s first band Sammy), and recorded this past year between New York, Nevis and Valencia, “Indie Hero” layers drums and machines, horns and synths, shimmering guitars and the Hartmans’ sly vocals into something both nostalgic and immediate, like hearing your favorite 2001 record on a futuristic radio.
Laptop emerged in the early 2000s with three cult classic albums on Island Records, earning praise from NME and The Guardian, who dubbed Hartman the master of “insincere sincerity.” Having got his start as a teenage Voidoid with Richard Hell, Hartman then co-founded the indie rock band Sammy (with Luke Wood, later President of Beats by Dre), releasing albums via Fire Records and Geffen Records.
Since reviving the band, Laptop has released the surreal trilogy "Additional Animals", "I Don't Know", and “Weirder”, mixed by Grammy award-winning producer Mario McNulty (David Bowie, Prince, Nine Inch Nails, Julian Lennon), collectively drawing millions of views and reintroducing Laptop’s postmodern humor to a new generation.
Laptop has recently staged an epic return to live performance with a 14-piece band at New York's Sony Hall (their first hometown show in two decades) opening for UK legends Cast, and a headliner show at London's Waiting Room. These Stop Making Sense–like spectacles underscore the scale and ambition of Laptop’s reboot.
As of November 19, “Indie Hero” is available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full album "On This Planet" will be released in Spring 2026.
CREDITS
Written by Jesse Hartman and Luke Wood (BMI)
Published by Exurbia Music, Inc.
Released by Hurricane Cove Records
Jesse Hartman – vocals, guitars, keyboards, synths, piano, bass, percussion
Charlie Hartman – vocals
Lulu Hartman – vocals
Anna Heddad – vocals
Geddys “Ch4se” Ferguson – vocals
Arthur Lewis – keys, piano, vocals
Mike Desmarais – drums
Lluisen Capafons – drums, congas, additional percussion
Dima Faustov – Saxophone
Lev Borovskiy – trumpet and trombone
Santo Fazio – Harmonica
Oliver Freiberg – drum programming
Produced by Jesse Hartman
Recorded by Iñaki Ariste Aznar (Valencia), Edward Douglas (NYC), Jesse Hartman (NYC/Nevis)
Mixed by Jesse Hartman, Ray Aldaco, Edward Douglas (final mix by Jesse Hartman & Edward Douglas)
Mastered by Dave Trumfio
Recorded in Valencia, Spain. Additional sessions in Nevis. Final overdubs & edits in NYC
Video concept, direction, cinematography & editing by Jesse Hartman
Featuring Charlie Hartman, Jesse Hartman & the Laptop band: Santo Fazio, Flynn Mulcahy, Fergus Segrove, Aviv Tal, Odetta Hartman, Camellia Hartman, Denise Gordon, Alex Friedman, Richard Baskin, Brandon Volel & Sam Rowley
Shot at Tall Tree Court and Sony Hall (at a live Laptop show September 3, 2025)
Cover artwork by Jesse Hartman & Scott Ratner
Artist photos by Thomas Krause
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
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Last year, Ponte Del Diavolo made their mark by bridging the gap between several darkened corners of the underground on their fiery debut album. Fire Blades from the Tomb welds doom, black metal and post-punk into a towering, twisted, new wave of dark art that's as cruel and mesmerizing as their native Italy's infamous Devil's Bridge.
"...a bold, engrossing, fully formed debut from a talented new band", wrote Last Rites.
Today, the Italians are fanning the flames by announcing their new album. De Venom Natura pushes the band’s potent fusion even further behind their distinct, dueling bass guitars. Forged in the fires unearthed by their ritualistic performances, the album offers an intoxicating meditation on nature’s poisonous undercurrent. Charmed by Erba del Diavolo’s bewitching vocals, the lyrics slither and snake around the idea that every life form carries its own toxin that brings both rebirth and decay.
“For this record, we wanted to push the boundaries of our music and further develop certain sounds that were only sketched in our previous works,” Ponte Del Diavolo says. “After two years of live shows, we set out to capture the atmosphere of our performances and put it on record. The core of bass, guitar, and drums was recorded live to recreate that feeling of being at one of our shows.”
De Venom Natura comes out February 13, 2026 on Season of Mist. More details will be announced soon.
PONTE DEL DIAVOLO craft a focused blend of doom, black metal, post‐punk, and wave—an aesthetic they call “blackened post‐punk.” Wave‐tinged female vocals anchor the project’s flaming core, supported by an uncommon dual‐bass setup that grounds the rhythmic guitars and a raw, dynamic drum pulse.
The result is an immersive, tension‐driven sound. Following the initial release of three EPs, the band signed to Season of Mist and unveiled their first full-length album, Fire Blades from the Tomb.
After two years on the road - appearing at leading European festivals such as Roadburn and Inferno in support of their debut - Ponte del Diavolo return with “De Venom Natura,” a record that extends and refines their musical boundaries.
Line-up:
Erba del Diavolo — Vocals
Khrura Abro — Bass
Kratom — Bass
Nerium — Guitar
Segale Cornuta — Drums
Production Credits:
Recorded at The Deepest Sea, Turin, Italy.
Produced & Engineered by Danilo Battocchio.
Mixed by Danilo Battocchio at The Deepest Sea.
Mastered by Magnus Lindberg at Redmount Studios, Stockholm, Sweden.
Guest Musicians:
Francesco Bucci
Sergio Bertani
Vittorio Sabelli
Gionata Potenti
Cover Art:
Francesco Dossena (https://www.instagram.com/facciobruttefacce/)
Follow Ponte Del Diavolo:
Bandcamp: https://pontedeldiavolo666.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PontedelDiavolo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pontedeldiavoloband/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pontedeldiavolo3847
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mAfr0B2wgIFbVBUAv9btD/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/ponte-del-diavolo/1639072320
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/179497657
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/33773763
Miami-born and Los Angeles-based metal band ACIDOSIS drops "They Live", the first single from their upcoming full-length album Arrival, arriving March 27, 2026.
Originally written by Ben Katzman in high school and now re-recorded with the full force of the band’s current lineup, "They Live" blends punk urgency with crossover thrash precision. Lyrically inspired by the 1988 John Carpenter cult classic, the track takes aim at unchecked corporate power, media manipulation, and the illusion of free will. It’s loud, fast, and defiant.
Arrival is a full-length album nearly 20 years in the making. Originally drafted during Katzman’s teenage years, the songs have been brought back to life by a re-formed ACIDOSIS lineup featuring Katzman on bass and vocals, Diego Edsel, Deo Budnevich, and Jonathan Rusten on guitars, and Harry Schwarz on drums. The album was produced by Katzman and Ryan Haft, mixed by Haft, and mastered by Howie Weinberg. Art is by Juan Montoya (TORCHE) and layout by Perry Shall (GREEN DAY, BLACK KEYS).
With a driving intro, a rollercoaster verse, and a chorus built to shout, "They Live" serves as a powerful reintroduction to a band that never truly left. It’s protest music disguised as a pit starter.
About ACIDOSIS
ACIDOSIS is a heavy metal band originally formed in Miami by Ben Katzman and Diego Edsel during high school. Rooted in thrash, punk, and traditional metal, the band channels the spirit of teenage rebellion through sharpened musicianship and a love of riffs that hit hard and stay stuck in your head. Now based in Los Angeles, ACIDOSIS has evolved into a multigenerational lineup that includes Katzman’s former guitar student Deo Budnevich, who began touring with the band at 14 and now shreds alongside his mentor.
Known for chaotic live shows, politically-charged lyrics, and hook-driven songwriting, ACIDOSIS has shared the stage with acts like D.R.I., NEGATIVE APPROACH, and the JERRY ONLY MISFITS. After years of hiatus and other musical ventures, Katzman resurrected the band with renewed fire, recording the long-overdue debut Arrival, a collection of songs originally written in high school and reimagined with full force.
ACIDOSIS blends the power of early METALLICA and ANTHRAX with the urgency of MUNICIPAL WASTE and the melodic sensibilities of classic IRON MAIDEN. With art by JUAN MONTOYA (TORCHE) and design by PERRY SHALL (GREEN DAY, BLACK KEYS), the project is a full-circle realization of the band's past, present, and future.
This is riff worship without irony. Punk speed without slop. Metal hooks without ego. ACIDOSIS is built to shred, sweat, and scream until the tape runs out.
Symphonic melodeath storytellers ATAVISTIA are set to return with The Winter Way (Reforged), a magnificent re-recording of their 2020 album, on December 12 via Blood Blast Distribution. Lead single “The Atavistic Forest (Reforged)” roars straight into the first verse, no intro needed. Charging riffs and ferocious vocals briefly give way to gorgeously atmospheric soundscapes, then ramp up the intensity as the sonic labyrinth whirls onward. Intended to be a powerful introduction to ATAVISTIA's new songwriting, performance, and production capabilities, "The Atavistic Forest (Reforged)" has been reworked more than any other song on the album. The band also revised the song's lyrics for clarity and thematic consistency, demonstrating an exacting attention to detail that showcases the care they put into each release.
Sippola comments, "For the first time in my life, I’m happy with this album. It took quite the toll on my mental health releasing it when we did but there’s no reason to dwell anymore. It is the way it should’ve been!"
ATAVISTIA lineup:
Mattias Sippola - Guitar, Vocals, Composition, Production
Max Sepulveda - Drums, Engineering
Elia Baghbaniyan - Guitar
Spencer Budworth - Bass, Vocals
About ATAVISTIA:
Formed in 2017 in Vancouver, Canada, ATAVISTIA takes their fans on a spellbinding journey though vast sonic landscapes of snow covered forests, desolate tundras, and permafrost-laden landscapes. Fans of WINTERSUN, ENSIFERUM, DIMMU BORGIR, and XANTHOCHROID will be enthralled by the elements of melodic death metal, black metal, and Scandinavian folk that is intricately woven together throughout their diverse soundscape.
Taking inspiration from the majestic natural landscapes of their homeland, earthly seasons, and ancient Norse culture, ATAVISTIA’s grandiose sound matches these lyrical themes in an impressive symphony of destruction. Their debut EP, One With The Sun (2017) introduced their unique blend of beauty and ferocity, which they followed up with a stormy full-length in 2020 through The Winter Way. The next two releases, the full-length Cosmic Warfare (2023) and the EP Inane Duncam (2024), saw the band spreading their wings and exploring a wider variety of influences. Through it all, ATAVISTIA balances graceful melodies with a brutal rhythmic cacophony, swirling elegance and fury together like a ferocious northern blizzard.
On stage, ATAVISTIA is a force of nature, like waves crashing against a rocky shore. Their music washes over audiences worldwide, leaving them gasping for more long after the last note has faded. They have toured Europe twice alongside notable acts such as SKÁLMÖLD, METSATÖLL, and SEVEN SPIRES, and have opened locally for MOONSPELL, ELEINE, and OCEANS OF SLUMBER. ATAVISTIA has firmly established its presence in a niche among a wide swath of metal genres.
Are you ready to lose yourself in the juxtaposition of lush and arid, the dichotomy of hope and despair, and welcome the inevitable and beautiful end?
Traversing a forlorn sense of powerlessness juxtaposed with a ferocious intensity, "A Red Dawn" offers a commentary on human behavior throughout history as well as a search one's sense of self. The Australian progressive metal quartet BLACK SEA OF TREES are beginning their journey to unleash the second album Cult of the Sun. Listen to the first single, "A Red Dawn" HERE.
The band comments on "A Red Dawn":
"The lyrics illustrate the protagonist’s stagnant situation before being confronted by the sun god’s providence. The protagonist makes a covenant with the sun god, offering themselves in return for power to destroy their enemies and the creation of a new kingdom. The song ends with the protagonist destroying the temples of the old gods and the slaughter of those that upheld that religion."
Listen Below.
About BLACK SEA OF TREES:
Based out of Melbourne and Victoria in Australia, the progressive metal ensemble composes their music around the narrative of their releases. BLACK SEA OF TREES formed in 2018. The debut album, The Spiritual Beast, materialized in the spring of 2023. The band's forthcoming sophomore full-length is an exploration of spirituality, folklore and philosophy, with death metal, folk and ambient elements incorporated into the soundscapes. "A Red Dawn" marks the beginning of this next chapter for BLACK SEA OF TREES, introducing this next album's concept: the protagonist is chosen by god to overthrow an old kingdom in a spiritual revolution. It's a narrative that is heavily influenced by the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, Akhenaten and his life’s journey.
BLACK SEA OF TREES bring to life their themes and concepts through dark atmospheric tones, strong full voiced melodies, falsetto and deep growls. With songs ranging from intense 8-minute long walls of sound to 3-minute atmospheric/acoustic passages, BLACK SEA OF TREES draw inspiration from the likes of OPETH, KATATONIA, CULT OF LUNA, RUSSIAN CIRCLES, and KARNIVOOL. A wide array of styles is entwined into the outfit's distinctive and compelling sound.
BLACK SEA OF TREES is:
Samuel Exton - Vocals/Guitar
Jan Schotting - Drums
Francesco Adami - Bass
Chris Schwinghamer - Lead Guitar
Connect with BLACK SEA OF TREES:
Bandcamp: https://blackseaoftreesofficial.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackseaoftrees
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24GQ_gVO_PPBR5TJqmdZpQ
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3zogtBHiOCIaGsOfy7y6oS
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/au/artist/black-sea-of-trees/946433249
Chicago’s horror-obsessed death metal crew NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS have returned with their first single, “No More Room In Hell,” taken from the forthcoming EP Zombie Blood Nightmare. The track arrives September 25th accompanied by a lyric video and delivers everything fans have come to expect from the band’s unique blend of 90s death metal stomp, 80s shred fireworks, and tongue-in-cheek B-movie gore.
“No More Room In Hell” is a suffocating, thrash-laden assault inspired by George A. Romero’s classic Dawn of the Dead. Clocking in at over five minutes, the track is an onslaught of feral riffs, frantic soloing, and guttural howls that summon visions of malls overrun by zombies and humanity fighting for survival. Equal parts homage and parody, it is NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS at their most brutal and unhinged.
The single offers a first glimpse at Zombie Blood Nightmare, which arrives February 20th, 2026. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Charlie Waymire at Ultimate Studios and mastered by Ernesto Homeyer, the EP features six tracks of shred-heavy, horror-drenched chaos, with guest solos from Jeff Young (MEGADETH), Matthew Mills, and James Norton.
The countdown to chaos has begun. ARSENIC KITCHEN have officially announced the release of
their highly anticipated NEW EP,
'Handbook for the Recently Deceased,'
set to drop on October 25th at none other than the
Desert Grey Festival in Mesa, Arizona. This event will double as a celebration of their release and they will be performing mainstage. The tickets can be purchased HERE
The first single for this EP, titled 'Devil's Advocate'releases September 26th and features a cinematic music video that was shot in Globe Arizona.
The EP will feature a short film that will be released alongside it.
ARSENIC KITCHEN is a fusion of early 2000s Alternative and modern Post Hardcore that evokes feelings of nostalgia and heartbreak, anger and excitement, weaved into a theatrical stadium level performance no matter the setting.
From the deserts of Phoenix, Arizona the band stand out as uniquely high energy and meaningful musicians onstage & off. Through the musicality and lyrics of every song, ARSENIC KITCHEN is able to reach and connect with the deepest feelings and emotions of listeners.
ALL HELL returns from the shadows with their fifth full-length album, Sunsetter, arriving October 10, 2025 on Terminus Hate City. From their origins in Asheville, North Carolina in 2013, the band has carved a singular path through the underground, blending elements of first wave black metal, deathrock, punk, and film score atmospheres into something entirely their own. Sunsetter is the culmination of years of evolution and hardship, a concept record that stretches from ancient myth to modern apocalypse, driven by fire, blood, and vision.
The band (Jacob Curwen on guitar and vocals, Erik Ballantyne on bass, and Elanti on drums) began work on Sunsetter after the release of 2019’s The Witch’s Grail. Progress was slow and plagued by constant disruption. The pandemic struck, personal tragedies followed, and devastating floods hit their home region. In the midst of all this, the band found themselves burned out and disillusioned with metal entirely. But after stepping back and rediscovering their creative hunger, they emerged with a record that is not only their most metal release to date, but also their most fully realized.
Sunsetter tells a sprawling, violent tale of exile, rebirth, and cosmic vengeance. The story begins in ancient times with the curse of Cain, the first murderer, cast into the land of Nod where he joins with Lilith, the exiled first wife of Adam. From their union comes a cursed bloodline. The album’s opening track, “Exiled into Nod,” skips any slow buildup and immediately drops the listener into the chaos of this mythic prayer. It is followed by “Dominus Sanguis, Domina Nox,” a dark hymn to the Lord of Blood and the Lady of Night, and then “The Violent Brood,” a classic ALL HELL track that portrays the frenzy of being hunted by Cain's spawn.
“The Bleeding” flips the perspective and explores the mind of a predator, with a guest solo from Nate Garnette of SKELETONWITCH adding another layer of menace. The title track, “Sunsetter,” takes a more triumphant tone, capturing the defiance and pride of the children of Cain as they reject the sun and claim dominion over the night. Its straightforward power made it the obvious choice for the album’s name.
Side two of the album begins with “The Flood and the Death,” a cinematic, spoken-word interlude that sets the stage for a shift in time. The next chapter takes place centuries later, where the bloodline of Cain has survived the flood and reemerges in the present. “Behold the Night” brings this rebirth to life with driving energy and shifting dynamics. “Path of Cain” offers a darkly anthemic reflection on lineage, sin, and survival.
The final act of the album accelerates toward doom. “Sacrifice to Shadow” portrays a cult's plea for the return of their ancient masters, while “The Ancients Rise” delivers on that prophecy with grinding riffs and ominous brass that call back to the album’s ancient beginnings. The closing track, “The Outer Night,” brings it all to an end. It begins with militaristic urgency, climbs to apocalyptic grandeur, and fades into the cold silence of a world overrun. Cain and Lilith return, and the sun sets for the last time.
The album was recorded, mixed, and engineered by Chris Adams at Hidden Audio, with mastering by Jacob Curwen. The visual aesthetic, including the album art, was also created by Curwen, preserving the band’s independent and uncompromising approach.
The sun fades. The night takes hold. The world belongs to ALL HELL.
About ALL HELL:
ALL HELL is a blackened metal trio from Asheville, North Carolina, known for their relentless fusion of first wave black metal, deathrock, punk, and horror-driven storytelling. Since forming in 2013, the band has carved out a distinct identity rooted in occult themes, razor-sharp riffs, and a fierce DIY ethos. Their sound is aggressive, stripped-down, and deeply atmospheric — a raw, unfiltered descent into myth, violence, and the supernatural.
With five full-length albums and an EP to their name, including 2025’s apocalyptic concept record Sunsetter, ALL HELL has evolved from a local cult favorite into a powerful underground force. Their live presence has taken them across the U.S., sharing stages with acts like RINGWORM, BLACK TUSK, PROFANATICA, and TURN COLD, and performing at festivals such as Decibel Metal and Beer Fest, Dark Lord Day, and RPM Fest.
The current lineup, Jacob Curwen (guitar and vocals), Erik Ballantyne (bass), and Elanti (drums), continues to push the band’s sound forward while staying true to its core. With each release, ALL HELL digs deeper into a unique mythos that spans history, horror, and apocalypse, embracing the dark, the ugly, and the eternal night.
ALL HELL is:
Jacob Curwen – Guitar and Vocals
Erik Ballantyne – Bass
Elanti – Drums
Connect with ALL HELL:
Bandcamp: https://allhell.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/allhellband
Instagram: https://instagram.com/allhellband
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5FVXnF7zGfuo8WF5qq4XHK
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/be/artist/all-hell/925520478
In the industrial belly of Detroit, where machine noise and rebellion pulse in equal measure, a new sound has emerged. It is raw and searing, but it carries something older than anger and louder than distortion. That sound is SUPREME MYSTIC, and their debut album Kala Rupa is a declaration of identity, purpose, and transformation.
The band is led by Chino Noir, the reborn moniker of Mike Couls, a name well-known to the hardcore underground. From playing clubs at thirteen to signing with a major label in his early twenties, Couls carved a path through chaos with a bass in his hands and the kind of presence that stages remember. He was part of some of the most notorious and revered bands in heavy music. He toured the world with COLD AS LIFE, SWORN ENEMY, MERAUDER, TERROR and the CRO-MAGS, sharing bills with legends and surviving battles on and off stage. But none of those bands carried his voice the way SUPREME MYSTIC does now.
Kala Rupa, meaning “the form of time” in Sanskrit, is more than a record. It is a mirror. It looks directly into life, death, karma, illusion, and the struggle for inner evolution. Each song is a piece of a larger journey, built on decades of lived experience. This is not a genre experiment or a side project. It is the first time Couls has stepped fully into the front, not just as a musician but as a messenger.
The album pulls from stoner rock, post-hardcore, sludge, grunge, and doom, but it defies categorization. It is heavy, often brutally so, but not just for the sake of power. Beneath the layers of distortion, the music is rooted in spiritual philosophy and ancient Vedic wisdom. These are songs of confrontation and transcendence, guided by hard-earned insight and a desire to rise above the trappings of material and emotional decay.
From the opening of “Stealing Beauty,” the record cuts with honesty and defiance. It speaks to betrayal and envy in a world that feeds on appearances and weakness. “Halo of Vultures” takes aim at those who circle with bad intentions, while “Colorblind” addresses the weaponization of ignorance and the spiritual sickness of a divided world. “Transmigration of the Soul” and the title track “Kala Rupa” lift the listener into the metaphysical, exploring the unseen journey of the self and the truth that time is not an enemy, but a teacher.
Couls is joined by a powerhouse of Detroit veterans and new energy. Drummer Jeff Shankin brings decades of heavy groove and thunder, having played in cornerstone Detroit acts like Universal Stomp and Earthmover. Alfredo Riojas, a Berklee-trained guitarist known across Detroit for his technical brilliance and soulful attack, adds a precise and expressive voice. Luis Ulloa, a young keyboardist from Honduras with a deep love for black metal and spiritual music, brings harmonic color and atmosphere. Together, they build a wall of sound that can level a room or lift an audience into something otherworldly.
What sets SUPREME MYSTC apart is intention. This band is not chasing nostalgia. It is not paying tribute to a scene. It is rooted in Krishna Consciousness, influenced by the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and carries lyrics that often include Sanskrit mantras and direct references to sacred texts. This is not metal as fashion or outrage. This is music as inner weapon. The goal is not destruction, but liberation.
Still, nothing here is soft or sanitized. SUPREME MYSTIC comes from the grit of Detroit and carries the weight of its history. That includes the tragedies, the fights, and the resilience that shaped Couls’ path. The murder of his father in the infamous Rouge Rampage, the death of COLD AS LIFE’s original frontman, the wounds from the CRO-MAGS incident, and the long road of pain that led to healing are not erased in this new project. They are integrated. The past has not been forgotten. It has been transformed into fuel.
Even in its heaviest moments, Kala Rupa offers a sense of hope. It invites listeners not just to rage but to awaken. This is music for those who have seen the edge, survived, and returned changed. It is not about escaping pain. It is about turning toward it with clear eyes and an open heart This is music built on scars, faith, rhythm, and resolve.
About SUPREME MYSTIC:
SUPREME MYSTIC is a spiritually charged heavy rock band from Detroit, Michigan, fusing the grit of hardcore and metal with the depth of Vedic philosophy. Founded in 2023 by frontman and bassist Chino Noir (the evolved moniker of Mike Couls, known for his work with COLD AS LIFE, SWORN ENEMY, MERAUDER, and CRO-MAGS), the band draws from a lifetime of musical warfare and personal transformation. Their sound, described as Mo-Metal and DefRoc, merges elements of post-hardcore, stoner rock, grunge, doom, and groove metal with a message rooted in spiritual evolution, esoteric themes, and inner revolution.
Joined by drummer Jeff Shankin (UNIVERSAL STOMP, EARTHMOVER), guitarist Alfredo Riojas (a BERKLEE-trained shredder), and keyboardist Luis Ulloa (a young devotee of heavy music and mysticism), SUPREME MYSTIC creates music that is as punishing as it is purposeful. Their songs explore karma, mortality, illusion, and rebirth, often weaving in Sanskrit mantras and Eastern iconography with street-level truth and raw energy.
Equal parts intensity and intention, SUPREME MYSTIC is not just another heavy band. It is a movement of sound and spirit. Their debut full-length album Kala Rupa is set for release in Fall 2025.
SUPREME MYSTIC is:
Chino Noir – Vocals / Bass
Alfredo Riojas – Lead Guitar / Backup Vocals
Jeff Shankin – Drums
Luis Ulloa – Keyboards
Connect with SUPREME MYSTIC:
Canadian alt-metal/rock band The Veer Union are back with a vengeance, unleashing their brand new track "Caught in the Crossfire" via Arising Empire. The hard-hitting single blends crushing riffs, soaring hooks, and the emotional intensity that has defined the band's career since breaking through with their 2008 hit "Seasons."
With over 290,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, more than 200 million global streams, and a track record of 12 Billboard Rock Radio Top 40 hits, The Veer Union continue to prove why they are an enduring presence in the rock world.
"Caught in the Crossfire" marks the latest chapter from the band's upcoming full-length album Reinvention, set for release on February 20, 2026.
With "Caught in the Crossfire" out now and Reinvention on the horizon, The Veer Union are showing no signs of slowing down — and this new anthem is proof they're ready for their next era.
Watch the "Caught in the Crossfire" video below and stream the single here.
Denver, Colorado's stadium crust act VICTIM OF FIRE deliver an engulfing sonic experience with a significant focus on twin guitar harmonies. Seeking to set the stage ablaze with their new album and forthcoming tour dates around North America and Canada this September, The Old Lie that is set for release on August 1, 2025 via Human Future Records/Return Trip Records.
The Old Lie is a continuation of the bands sound from where they left off with Disembrace in 2022. This album also sees a shift in the band's creative process, being the first to include contributions from every live member. The title track kicks off the release with a somewhat divergent sound. Steering into the melo-death territory, VICTIM OF FIRE showcase the genre fusion aspect of their sound while still retaining their roots as a d-beat crust band. "The Old Lie"’s lyrics come from a poem by the English Poet Wilfred Owens, lifting the curtain behind the bleak realities experienced by soldiers in World War One.
Rife with harmonies, "Apocalyptic Inclination" exposes the 'warfare mindset' reinforced by politicians, especially in the US. "Wayward Light" continues the trajectory of the fast and melodic in a ferocious fury of riffs and harmonies. "Nightmares of Ceasefire" sees the fast and the furious endure, thematically exploring the perspectives of those who profit from war and death. "Soldiers Dream" is also influenced by Wilfred Owen's poem from which the song's title is taken. An enthralling combination of emotions, textures and tones, it's also the fastest track on the album.
A staple of the band's live shows "Discordance" was written from a more personal perspective about the process of adjusting to 'reality' following a period of touring. "Barren Path" sees VICTIM OF FIRE present an open and honest sharing of struggles with imposter syndrome. Shifting gears, "Front Towards enemy" embarks on a wild ride stylistically, deviating from the rest of the track list. Followed by "Disharmonist", the band's self proclaimed "magnum opus", the track original appeared as a single in 2021. For The Old Lie, it's been revamped with further harmonies and an increase in speed. VICTIM OF FIRE end with their own distinctive take on IRON MAIDEN's "Aces High".
About VICTIM OF FIRE:
Initially formed in 2016, the Denver hailing blackened crust ensemble began as a side project filling in a creative gap and available studio time. Now, almost a decade later, the quartet are preparing to unearth their third studio album, The Old Lie, and bring their explosive sound to the masses around the US and Canada.
Inspired by the likes of TRAGEDY, DISFEAR, IN FLAMES, DISMEMBER and IRON MAIDEN, Austin reveals his creative influences, "harmonized guitars have always been my favorite part of music ever since I discovered IRON MAIDEN at the age of 16, and I’ve just been trying to recreate it in my bands wherever I can. Also not being afraid to take a risk with a song of musical style to see if it connects. We aren’t trying to be the crustiest crust band, we want to blend a bunch of styles together to make something fun and energetic to play live."
VICTIM OF FIRE is:
Austin (Guitar/Vocals)
Dustin (Bass)
Emily (Guitar)
Marc (Drums)
Album Credits:
Producer: Austin Minney
Recording Studio: All Aces Studios, Evergroove
Engineer: Austin Minney
Mastering: Brad Boatright (Audiosiege)
Mixing: Austin Minney
Album Cover Artist: Dan Bones
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
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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
Since forming in 2009, Der Weg Einer Freiheit have carved out a singular place in modern black metal. While rooted in the genre’s foundations, the German band are constantly evolving. On their upcoming sixth album, they look inward with devastating clarity. Having mined the liminal space between wakefulness and dreams on their last critically-acclaimed album, on Innern, Der Weg Einer Freiheir are tunneling even further inward, into collapse, silence and ultimately, transformation.
Innern comes out September 12 on Season of Mist.
“Since writing the very first song in 2007, Der Weg einer Freiheit has been a journey defined by passion, intensity, and a deep commitment to exploring the fragile thresholds of the human psyche through music,” says the band’s frontman and principal songwriter Nikita Kamprad.
“Over the past years, we’ve grown, evolved, and created something we’re incredibly proud of — and now, we’re excited to share the next step with you. Innern, the new album's title, means ‘inward’ in German and perfectly captures the essence of this record: a meditation on suffering, transformation, and the intimate process of personal reckoning and renewal.”
Tethered by visceral aggression and atmospheric grandeur, Innernbalances Der Weg Einer Freiheit’s post-metal restraint with the rawness of black metal’s core. The album was composed and produced by Kamprad, who captured the band’s blistering live show while maintaining their brooding weight. Pulled between Kamprad’s guitar interplay with Nicolas Rausch, Alan Noruspur’s grounding bass presence and Tobias Schuler’s precision drumming, it is as much about restraint as it is about release. Traversing isolation, memory, and the fragile thresholds between dissolution and renewal, Innern urges listeners to confront what lies beneath.
With Innern, Der Weg Einer Freiheit move even deeper into the abyss. Produced, mixed, and mastered by Kamprad in his own studio, the album is an intensely focused work."Eos," the album’s lead single, contrasts war and renewal, imagining a post-human earth fertilized by sacrifice and reclaimed by nature."Marter" follows as a searing portrayal of inner torment and emotional release—suffering not only as a source of agony, but as a path toward transcendence. "Xibalba" then confronts the machinery of fear—media,propaganda, and spiritual fragmentation—urging a return to our collective essence through introspection and clarity. And with "Forlorn," the band delivers their most vulnerable statement yet: a delicate plea for emotional refuge, sung in English to underscore its universality. The album also marks the studio debut of bassist Alan Noruspur, whose presence brings anew emotional and personal depth to the band’s sound.
Musically, Innern leans into contrast and contradiction. Kamprad and Rausch’s guitar interplay oscillates between searing aggression and elegiac restraint. Noruspur’s basslines pulse with warmth and gravity, while Schuler’s drumming remains as meticulous as ever-bridging technicality with emotional nuance. The album's production captures a sense of immediacy and live energy, yet remains rich in detail and atmosphere. It is not merely a refinement of past styles, but are invention—one that places the listener in direct confrontation with the void.
Der Weg Einer Freiheit stand now at the peak of a fifteen-year evolution.Their music is as concerned with silence as it is with sound, as shaped by introspection as by fury. As they prepare to bring Innern to European stages in autumn 2025, they do so not as provocateurs of extremity, but as artists navigating the fragile space between collapse and clarity. In a genre often defined by spectacle, Der Weg Einer Freiheit remain committed to vulnerability, transformation, and truth.
Lineup:
Nikita Kamprad – Vocals, Guitars
Nicolas Rausch – Guitars
Alan Noruspur – Bass
Tobias Schuler – Drums
Production Credits:
Recorded, mixed & mastered in Würzburg, Germany by Nikita Kamprad.
Drums recorded separately at Studio Weißmann, Würzburg, Germany.
Cover Art:
Design & layout by Max Löffler (https://maxloeffler.com/)
Follow Der Weg Einer Freiheit:
Official Website: https://derwegeinerfreiheit.de/
Bandcamp: https://derwegeinerfreiheit.bandcamp.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/derwegeinerfreiheit
Instagram: http://instagram.com/derwegeinerfreiheit
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/derwegeinerfreiheit
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7e823b0KQoVtLG86Ui5xGD
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/der-weg-einer-freiheit/363526020
Chicago thrashers BLOODLETTER have shredded stages across the USA for over twelve years. Their new album Leave the Light Behind is a vicious culmination of over a decade’s worth of sweaty moshpits, broken bones, and riffs sharp as guillotine blades.
After releasing A Different Kind of Hell in 2023, BLOODLETTER headlined the third volume of Wise Blood’s black thrash split series Faster Than the Devil last year. Those three new songs revealed an even more sinister version of Bloodletter’s sound. Their melodies are still polished atop relentless battering ram rhythms while invoking classic thrash and modern melodeath. But Leave the Light Behind creates an atmosphere of otherworldly dread, introducing a world of darker shadows and lurking horror.
“This time around we wanted to take the melodic riffing from our Funeral Hymns record and the brute force and speed of 'A Different Kind of Hell' and really blend the two more,” explains vocalist/guitarist Pete Carparelli. “We wanted to shoot for more grandiose and dramatic arrangements, while still keeping the elements of the core BLOODLETTER sound; speed, harmonized riffs and themes that can get stuck in your head. We pushed ourselves performance-wise, tried new vocal techniques and really tried our hardest to go further than we have before musically.”
The song lyrics are rife with supernatural threats, cosmic beasts, and the specters of depression and mental illness. It is an ominous, dynamic thrash record that strikes with lethal power and leaves the listener with whiplash and a skull full of evil spirits. Leave the Light Behind will be available on Vinyl, CD, Cassette, and Digital from Wise Blood Records and Morbid & Miserable Records on June 25, 2025.
BLOODLETTER is:
Pete Carparelli - Vocals/Guitar
Tanner Hudson - Bass
Pat Armamentos - Guitar
Zach Sutton - Drums Recorded & Mixed by
Pete Carparelli at Haunted Hill Recordings
Mastered by Matt Engstrom at Reel Sounds Studios
Produced by Pete Carparelli & Matt Engstrom Artwork by
Jon Self Layout by David Jaggar Band
Photography by Cosmo Sutton
Guest Solo on “Night Terrors” by Nate Madden of Immortal Bird
Los Angeles CA based heavy metal outfit LIGHTNING STRIKES have announced a guest guitar armada of world class axe slingers to fortify their upcoming sophomore effort, 'The King Is Victorious', set for release later this year.
The album's monumental title cut, which features the 45-piece Moscow Symphony Orchestra, will include lead spots from Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD), Rowan Robertson (DIO, BANG TANGO), Rob Math (LEATHERWOLF, SOUL SIGN), Dario Mollo (VOODOO HILL, Tony Martin), Mark Zavon (KILL DEVIL HILL, 40 CYCLE HUM), and Takehiko 'Shake' Kogure (RED WARRIORS, REBECCA). In addition, Michael T. Ross whose credits include Aldo Nova, Lita Ford and ANGEL will contribute keyboards. Says drummer/producer/mastermind Karpis Maksudian: "Once 'The King Is Victorious' started taking shape and its epic scope became clear, I knew I wanted tons of guitar to reflect the vibe of the song. And there is nothing better to manifest a battle scene than having guitar players chopping heads! I couldn't be more stoked that my old friends Z, Rob and Dario said yes immediately and I was able to get Rowan, Mark, Shake and Mike as well. These guys are all awesome!"
The bulk of the album was recorded by Maksudian, Japanese guitar virtuoso, Norifumi Shima (CONCERTO MOON), American bassist extraordinaire, Barry Sparks (MSG, Yngwie Malmsteen), and up-and-coming Argentinian vocalist, Mariano Gardella, with keyboardist maestro, Derek Sherinian (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, SONS OF APOLLO), who guested on the group's debut album, also making an appearance.
Originally formed in 1984, LIGHTNING STRIKES were the first metal band to feature an all Armenian-American line-up, well over a decade before the arrival of SYSTEM OF A DOWN. Co-founder Maksudian revived the name with new personnel a quarter century after the initial breakup recording the group's self-titled 2016 full-length debut with Brazilian vocalist Nando Fernandes (SINISTRA, HANGAR), the aforementioned Rob Math and Derek Sherinian, and former BLACK SABBATH vocalist, Tony Martin, who sang on and wrote the lyrics to 'Death Valley' and '301 AD Sins of Our Fathers'. Mixed by Roy Z, the album was well received and peaked on the Japanese Burrn! Magazine import charts at number 6.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lightningstrikesrocks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightningstrikesrocks/
X: x.com/lsrocksofficial
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@lightningstrikesofficial387
DAVID REECE has revealed the title and album cover for the 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. The first single and video are expected to be released in the next month.
Giles Lavery produced the new album, along with DAVID REECE. Giles said this about the new material, "I think this is THE career album for David and Bangalore Choir... probably my favourite thing he has ever done, which is already a high bar, I am very happy! It's a "BIG" record, full of amazing songs, this is David's "Bat Out Of Hell II" or "The River", we went for the full melodic-rock 1989-1991 era soundscape with this one, with world class players and co-writers"
David Reece: Vocals
Diego Pires: Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Eric Juris: Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Andy Backing Vocals
Mario 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
Women-led, talented Brazilian Rock band MALVADA is excited to announce the release of their self-titled album, out on June 13, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl. Their new single and accompanying video, “I'm Sorry,” are also available now.
The band commented on the new album:
“It is the result of two years of work, and we are very excited to show the world how much Malvada has grown. We believe it is the best work of our lives, and everyone will like it, as it shows our real essence. You will have a real experience.
About the new single, "I'm Sorry," they added:
“It is a song that reflects our reality, being in music means that sometimes we have to be away from people we love. It is a song we made for them, and it is very emotional for us”.
The rising star of the Brazilian rock scene has a name: MALVADA, and they are ready to take over the world!
Watch the Video for “I'm Sorry” Below:
MALVADA was initially formed in March 2020, at the start of the pandemic. With a rock n' roll style full of personality, the band quickly attracted attention as one of the most promising acts in the Brazilian rock scene.
In January 2021, MALVADA released their first single entitled "Mais Um Gole," which gained great popularity. Shortly afterwards, in May of the same year, it was time to release the second single "Cada Escolha uma Renúncia," which preceded the launch of the band's debut album, 'A Noite Vai Ferver.'
In 2022 and 2023, MALVADA solidified its presence on the national rock panorama, performing more than a hundred shows in several cities in Brazil. The band had the privilege of participating in huge festivals, such as Rock in Rio, Best of Blues and Rock, Angra Fest, and Chama Rock, sharing the stage with renowned national and international rock names, like Pitty, Ira!, Angra, Viper, Edu Falaschi, Matanza, Golpe de Estado, Extreme and Tom Morello.
In November 2023, MALVADA, composed of Indira Castillo, Bruna Tsuruda, Rafaela Reoli, and Juliana Salgado surprised with a big announcement: the band has become the newest signee of the prestigious Italian label Frontiers Records, which has renowned bands in its catalog such as Mr. Big, Asia, Whitesnake, Jeff Scott Soto, among others, promising to take them to a new level, with opportunities to expand their reach and conquer the global market.
The new album, produced by the Brazilian Grammy-awarded producer Giu Daga, promises a powerful and exciting musical experience and will be the band's first work featuring tracks in English/Portuguese, aiming to conquer a global audience.
MALVADA's vibrant rock passion will take no prisoners!
MALVADA are:
Indira Castillo - Vocals
Bruna Tsuruda - Guitar
Juliana Salgado - Drums
Rafaela Reoli - Bass
