THE ETERNAL unleash first video single “It All Ends” from new EP “Celestial”

Australian-Finnish dark progressive gothic metal collective THE ETERNAL have announced their upcoming EP Celestial, set for release on January 16, 2026 via Reigning Phoenix Music, and have dropped the first video single, "It All Ends".  

Pre-save / pre-order the EP, available on all major digital platforms and as an extremely limited-edition eco-friendly recycled vinyl:https://theeternal.rpm.link/celestialPR 

"It All Ends" marks the first preview of Celestial and sets the tone with a powerful mix of haunting atmosphere, melancholic weight, and progressive finesse. The track unfolds slowly and deliberately, pulling the listener into its storm of brooding riffs, somber melodies, and an emotional vocal performance that feels both intimate and colossal. The song’s dynamics build toward a towering, epic finale that showcases the band’s cinematic approach to heavy music.

Stream/Download the single: https://theeternal.rpm.link/itallendsPR

Watch the video clip Below;

Lyrically, "It All Ends" cuts deep. Vocalist and guitarist Mark Kelson, who also designed & edited the video, explains:

"The lyrics of “It All Ends” convey a stark meditation on betrayal, disillusionment, and the collapse of trust. Through the recurring imagery of “empty words” and “broken shards,” the song captures the futility of promises that have lost their meaning and the devastation left in their wake. The repetition of the phrase “it all ends” underscores the inevitability and finality of this unraveling, while the storm imagery reflects the emotional turbulence beneath the surface. At its core, the song portrays the painful recognition that fractured communication and faithlessness lead to irreversible endings, leaving behind a lingering sense of loss that feels both suffocating and inescapable."  

With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, joined by Jan Rechberger (drums, Amorphis) and Niclas Etelävuori (bass, ex‑Amorphis/Flat Earth) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL are proving themselves a genuinely international collaboration and with the forthcoming EP, fans and first-time listeners alike get a first taste of the band’s signature intensity and powerful new material.

THE ETERNAL is:
Mark Kelson / Guitar & Vocals
Richie Poate / Guitar
Niclas Etelävuori / Bass
Jan Rechberger / Drums & Percussion
 
More on THE ETERNAL:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/TheEternal
 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theeternalofficial/
 X | https://www.twitter.com/theeternalband
 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@theeternalofficial
 YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4vJAnrZbwUesT_FlY03mdw

Singer/Songwriter Leah Blevins Warns "Be Careful Throwing Stones" on New Track

On the heels of releasing her first taste of new music with “All Dressed Up,” the title track from her Dan Auerbach-produced album, singer/songwriter Leah Blevins releases her powerful new single “Be Careful Throwing Stones” today. 

Written with Auerbach and Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges), “Be Careful Throwing Stones” continues to showcase Blevins’ piercing vocal clarity, storytelling and unflinching emotional honesty with a dash of ‘70s retro glamour and sheen.

The new track follows the recent release of “All Dressed Up,” named a “hot new track” by Barnburner, and marks the latest glimpse into the sonic landscape of her upcoming album. A timeless blend of Southern rock earthiness and pop-country shimmer, anchored by a twangy Karen Carpenter-esque vocal purity, listen to “Be Careful Throwing Stones” HERE. 

Pre-save All Dressed Up, set for release March 20, 2026, HERE.  

In addition to the song’s release, the official music video for “Be Careful Throwing Stones” premiered today exclusively with Holler, offering fans a visual interpretation of the track. Watch the video below;

“This song is about protecting the softest parts of yourself,” says Blevins. “Dan, Daniel and I were writing from that place where hope meets caution. It’s a reminder to move gently through love – with others and with yourself.”

“Be Careful Throwing Stones” expands on the fresh yet nostalgic sound Blevins introduced with “All Dressed Up,”pairing emotional intelligence and heartache with quiet strength. Raised on the bluegrass-stained Kentucky country of Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless, Dwight Yoakam and fellow Sandy Hook native Keith Whitley, Blevins continues a lineage of storytellers who understand the power of plainspoken truth.

“There are all kinds of emotions in this world,” Blevins says. “The best songs hold a few of them at once. Dan gets that. He knows how to let a feeling stretch out and take up space.”

“Be Careful Throwing Stones” also continues Blevins’ penchant for crafting songs and visuals that feel outside of time. Her work echoes the greats of the ‘60s and ‘90s while standing firmly in the present, resulting in a sound that will resonate just as deeply 30 years from now.

“Be Careful Throwing Stones” and the official video are available everywhere today. 

For the latest news and updates follow along on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook and online at leahblevinsmusic.com.

EPICA - unveil new single 'Avatar - The Final Incarnation - ' in support of their upcoming European Tour

Symphonic metal titans EPICA proudly release their explosive new single 'Avatar – The Final Incarnation – ', a track that deals with the final incarnation (Avatar) to rid the world of unrighteousness and restore truth and purity. The single is accompanied by a stunning visualizer featuring artwork taken directly from the band’s forthcoming EPICA Oracle Card Set, launching worldwide on January 7th.

Stream the song of 'Avatar – The Final Incarnation – ' (created by Dave Letelier), here: https://epica.bfan.link/avatar-the-final-incarnation


Watch the video Below;

Mark Jansen shares insight into the inspiration behind the track:
“In Hindu philosophy, Kalki represents the final avatar who restores balance at the end of the age. That idea of breaking free from cycles—through self-realization, detachment from desires, and inner transformation—resonates deeply with me. ‘Avatar’ channels that journey toward liberation, something both powerful and universal.”

Simone Simons adds:
“We absolutely can’t wait to kick off the European tour. Sharing the stage with our incredible fans night after night is the heartbeat of what we do, and this new song will definitely warm you up for the journey we’re about to take together.”

From January till March, EPICA will embark on 'The Arcane Dimensions' European Tour with Amaranthe and Charlotte Wessels’ The Obsession, that brings three of the genre’s most dynamic forces together for an unforgettable live experience. See the full list of dates below and grab your tickets now!

But more is more: On January 7th, the band will release the 'Aspiral Oracle', a beautifully crafted deluxe boxset containing a 12 card oracle deck (one card per song title and one extra artist card called ‘The Map’), a handbook with an in-depth rulesheet and a stunning incense holder, all designed and sculpted by Hedi Xandt who previously created the artwork for Aspiral. This boxset is a true must have that will give you deeper insights into the meaning of all the Aspiral songs, but can also serve as a tool that can give you guidance in your personal journey.

Pre-order it here: https://geni.us/EpicaOracle

About EPICA:

The journey of growth follows a spiral, continuously widening and deepening with every cycle. 

By sticking to this spiritual principle, symphonic metal innovators EPICA have reinvented themselves on their ninth effort Aspiral, releasing a studio album that shows a band brimming with a newfound joy in their own skin – standing united as a team, where every band member brought inspiration, ideas and years of songwriting experience to the table. 

Aspiral bears testimony to this unity, but the band’s steep ascent within the past years was far from coincidental and required lots of hard work and combination of things happening after the release of their latest album Omega in the midst of a raging pandemic. After walking several steps off their usual path with their EP The Alchemy Project which saw them collaborating with artists such as Myrkur, Fleshgod Apocalypse or Uriah Heep, the band played a massive world tour and got invited by a certain band called Metallica for several dates, and played 4 sold out “Symphonic Synergy” shows with a massive orchestra and choir. 

After diving deep into hypothetical theories, metaphysical mysticism and themes that were touching the fabric of our existence in the infinity of the universe, EPICA ’s 9th studio effort Aspiral centres on the work of sculptor Stanisław Szukalski. During the first Covid lockdown, bassist Rob van der Loo saw the documentary ‘Struggle – The Life And Lost Art Of Stanislav Szukalski’ and felt so inspired by his work that he wanted to write soundtracks for some of his sculptures, simply because each and every detail in his works are artworks on their own and their stories go very deep. And this is where the path started. Aspiral was born as an instrumental soundtrack to this world, an initially separate project that over time metamorphosed into the new EPICA record.  

The title comes from a bronze statue Szukalski did in 1965. If you take a close look, you can see snails rebuilding elements out of the mud in cycles and this eventually leads to civilization and a woman reaching out to the sun. It stands for renewal and inspiration – keywords that define EPICA now.

For more than 20 years now, EPICA  have been standing tall. And while already their last efforts clearly showcased their commitment to the game, it is Aspiral that truly distils the very heart of their trademark sound.  

Follow Epica:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | Youtube | Spotify | Apple Music | Deezer | Amazon Music | Tidal

Axel Rudi Pell Announces New Album "Ghost Town" Out 3/20 + Shares Lyric Video for Title Track

You need neither encyclopedia nor satnav to enjoy the music of Bochum-based guitarist, composer, and band mastermind Axel Rudi Pell.

Because what applies to most successful musicians also goes for Pell: His songs are marked by his typical, unmistakable signature — a hybrid of powerful guitar riffs and catchy melodies, presented by a brilliant band consisting of American vocalist Johnny Gioeli, former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli, bassist Volker Krawczak, and keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg.

And although Pell has been wowing his fans with this impressive mix for well over 35 (!!!) years, his albums have always included a number of surprises and/or remarkable collaborations. His current studio offering, Ghost Town, is no exception. Axel Rudi Pell has added another 11 masterpieces to his long list of outstanding songs.

 

Among the songs one stands out: "Breaking Seals," featuring a sensational duet starring frontman Gioeli together with German metal legend Udo Dirkschneider. This collaboration is an absolute first in Pell's career and is additional proof of the great respect the guitarist enjoys among his fellow musicians.


Axel Rudi Pell produced the Ghost Town himself, with Tommy Geiger (Blind Guardian, Helloween), who was also in charge of the mix, providing valuable engineering support during the recording sessions at the Blind Guardian Studios in Grefrath.


The album's debut single "Ghost Town" is the perfect first representative of the new album: A haunting uptempo number, very catchy, very focused that brings to mind the style of early Rainbow classics.


Watch the lyric video below;

Ghost Town will be released on March 20, 2026 through Steamhammer worldwide in the following configurations:

*CD DigiPak incl. poster

*CD Jewel case

*2LP Gatefold, 140 g, black vinyl, padded inner sleeves, colored insert

*Exclusive CD/2LP Bundles with a shirt and exclusive vinyl only at the Steamhammer shop

*2LP Gatefold exclusive coloured edition only at the Napalm shop
 *2LP Gatefold exclusive coloured edition only at the EMP shop

*Download + Streaming

STABBING Unleashes Official Video for Pummeling New Single, "Eon Of Obscenity"

Brutal death metal rising stars STABBING are now unleashing the pummeling title track from their upcoming sophomore album, 'Eon Of Obscenity.' The furious aural attack can now be found along with a music video below.

STABBING comments, "The lyrics in 'Eon' are mainly about the idea that someone with homicidal tendencies could hide it for years, and then one day just snap, and nobody in their life would ever see it coming. Like they decide to embrace their sickness and completely lose all morality.”

STABBING does not merely define the term “Brutal Death Metal," they exceed it. The Houston Texas newcomers have plundered the crypts of claustrophobia and darkness, only to surface with 'Eon of Obscenity,' STABBING’s Century Media debut and a benchmark for modern death metal. 

'Eon of Obscenity' is due on January 30, 2026 via Century Media Records and can now be pre-ordered HERE.

STABBING does not merely define the term, “Brutal Death Metal” - they exceed it. The Houston Texas foursome has plundered the crypts of claustrophobia and darkness, only to surface with Eon of Obscenity, STABBING’s Century Media debut and a benchmark for modern death metal. “It’s just more extreme,” says vocalist Bridget Lynch, when asked to define the band’s infernal sub-genre, Brutal Death Metal (AKA B.D.M.). “It’s everything that’s extreme about death metal, just taken a little bit further. The vocals. The drums. The riffs. It’s just faster and more boundary-pushing.”

When STABBING came together in 2021, the goals were simple. “We were really just having fun and wanted to emulate the style of the bands we really liked,” says Lynch. “Old school 90’s and early 2000’s brutal death metal bands like. Disgorge, Deeds of Flesh, stuff like that.” Coming from local bands and projects including guitarist Marvin Ruiz’s Nephilim Grinder and Dysmetria with Lynch dabbling in area grindcore outfits, from their first demo and 2021’s Ravenous Psychotic Onslaught EP, it was clear that STABBING was immediately pushing boundaries. On the road they distinguished themselves, giving tour mates including Defeated Sanity more than a run for their money. Not only was STABBING a bloody, clear-cut step above most, they wrapped it all in songs and blistering live performances that were as memorable as they were bellicose and brutal.

STABBING’s reckoning moment came in November 2023, as first band on for the “Ancient Unholy Rising Tour” with co-headliners Incantation and band favorites, Suffocation. Not only had STABBING’s lineup begun to solidify with then newly joined bassist Matt Day, but when Suffocation vocalist Ricky Meyers had fallen ill and had to miss a string of shows, it was Lynch who stepped in to save the day. STABBING’s vocalist simply took the stage with the New York death metal legends and gave the absent Meyers a run for his guttural money. “That was one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do,” states Bridget. “Suffocation was one of the first death metal bands I ever got into as a fan, so jumping onstage and blasting through maybe six songs was a crazy moment. I was terrified when they asked!” 

It was also on that tour that the band also caught the ear of Century Media Records who inked the band several months later. With a string of shows in 2023 and 2024 including landmark appearances at the celebrated Maryland Deathfest and Milwaukee Metalfest, as well as a U.S. tour with 200 Stab Wounds, Ruiz (who also plays with Texas Brutal Death Metal, OG’s Devourment) started putting together riffs that would serve as the foundation of Eon of Obscenity. Compared to Stabbing’s more primal origins, Eon of Obscenity. is a clearcut next step that elevates not only the band, but the genre itself. From the outset of opener, “Rotting Eternal” straight into “Inhuman Torture Chamber”, which showcases Lynch’s inhuman vocal prowess and ability to shift gears from the guttural to something chittering that barely registers as human, STABBING have taken their brutal arts to new heights. Even the album’s instrumental inclusion, “Ruminations” shows an unexpected technicality as riffs and time-signatures coalesce in unexpected ways. 

Recorded at Houston’s Southwing Audio by engineer Ben Gott with Chris Kritikos mixing and mastering, the production of Eon of Obscenity is as strident as the music itself. It’s eleven tracks that are as raw as they are extreme. “It feels more refined,” says the vocalist. “The album shows the potential of what the band started as. It’s not overly produced. There’s not a lot of effects or over-editing. We wanted to keep the raw sound that the classic bands had. We wanted to go for that, for something very honest and very us.” The album title itself also ties into Eon of Obscenity being not merely a second album from STABBING but a massive step forward. 

“It’s representative of this being a new era for the band,” Lynch states. “An improvement of the STABBING sound and us as musicians. On the last album [2022’s Extirpated Mortal Process], I wasn’t really happy with what I did vocally," she admits, "And I really wanted to really improve. One of my favorite songs on the album is called ‘Reborn to Kill Once More’, which sums up how good and how strong we feel about the band and the album now.” 

Being one of the rare female voices in modern death metal isn’t lost on Bridget. She’s quick to admit that she approaches lyrics and delivery in a way that differs from most. “When I was in high school, first getting into brutal death metal, I discovered the band, Cerebral Bore” she recounts. “When I saw that they had a female singer, I was like, ‘What the hell?’ I was like, I have to be that! I had to emulate her. I was so inspired. My hope is that when people, particularly younger girls hear STABBING for the first time, we have that same effect on them.

“It’s pretty obvious that metal, in general, has been pretty male dominated,” Lynch states. “I won’t really entertain the misogyny of brutal death metal in what we do, for obvious reasons. I try to turn it around. One of our older songs is about the first female serial killer I ever read about, Aileen Wournos. If you look at other female-led death metal bands like Castrator or Emasculator, they also try to turn the tables and present things from a different perspective.” 

With Eon of Obscenity, the Texas four-piece have delivered on everything their earlier releases and live shows have hinted at. B.D.M. has an unmistakably brutal new voice and it is STABBING. “I never expected it, there is a new wave of slam bands and brutal death metal bands,” says Bridget. “But I never thought people would think of us as an important band to that or any other scene! We have younger bands come up to us all the time and say, ‘Your first demo really inspired us,’ and that blows my mind. I never thought my brutal death metal band would have that kind of impact.” 

Line-Up:

Matt Day - Bass Guitar 

Aron Hetsko - Drums 

Bridget Lynch - Lead Vocalist 

Marvin Ruiz - Guitar

Special Guests:

Guest vocals by Ricky Myers (SUFFOCATION) on "Nauseating Composition"

Cover Artist: Rudi Yanto

Credits:
Recorded at Houston’s Southwing Audio by engineer Ben Gott

Mixed and mastered by Chris Kritikos

Discography:

Extirpated Mortal Process (2022)

Links:

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

SPOTIFY

APPLE MUSIC

Kreator Announce Spring 2026 Headline Tour

NEW ALBUM KRUSHERS OF THE WORLD OUT JANUARY 16

Metal titans KREATOR are thrilled to announce their triumphant return to U.S. soil. The band, who last conquered American audiences and venues in 2024, will embark on a headline tour of the U.S., with stops at key festivals, including Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple, and Maryland Deathfest. The tour kicks off on May 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and runs through May 23 in Huntington, New York. 

VIP packages are available here. 

The artist pre-sale is set for Thursday, December 11 at 10am local time, with the general on-sale set for Friday, December 12 at 10am local time. Get tickets here.

KREATOR ON TOUR: 
5/7—Fort Lauderdale, FL—Revolution Live*
5/8—Daytona Beach, FL—Welcome to Rockville
5/10—Atlanta, GA—The Masquerade
5/11—Knoxville, TN—The Mill & Mine
5/12—Raleigh, NC—The Ritz
5/14—Worcester, MA—Palladium
5/15—McKees Rocks, PA—Roxian Theatre
5/16—Columbus, OH—Sonic Temple*
5/18—Davenport, IA—Capitol Theatre 
5/19—Minneapolis, MN—First Avenue
5/20—Chicago, IL—Romova Theatre
5/22—Baltimore, MD—Maryland Deathfest*
5/23—Huntington, NY—Paramount
*FESTIVAL

Kreator will unleash their sixteenth full-length, Krushers Of The World, on January 16 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Pre-order and pre-save Krushers of the World HERE.

Watch the video for new single "Satanic Anarchy" HERE.

Unverkalt Announce New Album Héréditaire (featuring Sakis Tolis)

While they’ve always pushed the intricate balance that defines post-metal, Unverkalt are now plummeting over the edge into the black below. Their upcoming third album and first since signing with Season of Mist descends into humanity’s deepest and darkest origins. Héréditaire lifts the veil from our cursed existence. What emerges is the band’s heaviest and most heartfelt offering.

“Our aim has always been to blend softer, more romantic elements with extreme chaos. With Héréditaire, that time has come”, says Unverkalt’s guitarist and chief composer Themis Ioannou. “This album is a lament for what is far older than our very existence. It speaks of what seeps through generations, searching for an answer to one pervasive question: What do we carry that was never ours?”

As they begin this dark descent, today, Unverkalt are releasing a haunting video for the stirring lead single from Héréditaire. Though it starts as a slow burn, album opener “Die Auslöschung” emerges from the envoloping haze as the band’s first song to pair Dimitra Kalavrezou’s heavenly cleans with hellish harsh vocals.  

“‘Die Auslöschung’ is both bleak and immersive”, Kalavrezou says. “Carved in blackened textures and hypnotic pacing, the song channels both personal and collective collapse, setting the tone for what is to come”.

Watch the video for “Die Auslöschung” Below:

Héréditaire comes out February 27, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order

https://orcd.co/unverkalthereditaire

Pre-save on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/5ndUNl3HyjsagbOuQCrakn?si=QESfESdPQwqHTC5MKNX4Jw

Unverkalt are still possessed by a cinematic vision. “Die Auslöschung” opens Héréditaire like a camera coming into focus. However, though rendered in crisp detail, the scene that the band paints is bleak. Beneath a smoldering bass line, riffs rise like smoke from freshly scattered ashes. “When did this darkness fall?” Kalavrezou sings as if trying to climb out of the shadowed rubble.

On previous albums, Unverkalt took cues from French painting and European film noir, but Héréditaire throws back the velvet curtain in favor a veil. “Die Auslöschung” begins to peel back the blackened layers of traumatic memories that are passed down to us like a disease. “He said enter the wide gate and walk the easy path to destruction”. As the pounding drums give way to a fiery stream of blast beats, Kalavrezou breaks into a scream so piercing it can be felt all across our shared history.

“I enjoy discovering new, unique and compelling music in today’s overwhelming world of information, and I believe I truly succeeded with Unverkalt”, says Season of Mist labelmate and Rotting Christ frontman Sakis Tolis, who’s featured on the monolithic “I, The Deceit” from Héréditaire. “This is an exceptional piece of art, worth every minute of listening”.

Catch Unverkalt in Suttgart, Germany early next year when they co-headline Club Zentral with Hippotraktor.

Get tickets: https://loveyourartist.com/en/events/progmotion-hippotraktor-stuttgart-HCAIBG

The video for “Die Auslöschung” was directed by Themis Ioannou at RAWBITE Studio

On Héréditaire, Unverkalt lift the veil on our cursed existence with their heaviest and most heartfelt offering.

Recording lineup
Dimitra Kalavrezou - Vocals
Themis Ioannou - Guitars, Keys
Eli Mavrychev - Guitars, Vocals
Joscha Hoyer - Bass
Christian Eggers - Drums

Guest musicians
Sakis Tolis - Vocals on "I, The Deceit"

Songwriting credits
Composed by Themis Ioannou
Lyrics by Dimitra Kalavrezou and Eli Mavrychev
Lyrics for "I, The Deceit" by Dimitra Kalavrezou and Joscha Hoyer

Recording credits
Recorded and engineered by Unverkalt
Drums recorded and engineered by Christian Eggers at Noir Surge Sound

Production credits
Produced by Themis Ioannou
Vocals produced by Dimitra Kalavrezou & Eli Mavrychev
Mixed by Joshua Barber
Mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD Studios

Cover art
Themis Ioannou

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

Available Formats

CD Digipack

2x12” Vinyl Gatefold (Black)

2x12” Vinyl Gatefold (Gold with black splatters)

Follow Unverkalt:

Official Website: https://unverkalt.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Unverkalt/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unverkalt/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unverkalt/

Bandcamp: https://unverkalt.bandcamp.com/music/

X: https://x.com/Unverkalt/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr8Fv2aEhLNPjN4zFPoPFfg

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/unverkalt/1524174404

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/55vU7DZVwI4ks0NpfKDAvK/

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/20499985

Last.fm: https://www.last.fm/music/Unverkalt

Alkaloid Break with Metal Tradition on Faithful Performance of New Single "Agnus Dei"

They've already redefined the very composition of progressive death metal, but on their upcoming live album, Alkaloid conduct a one-of-a-kind experiment that only a true maestro can perform. Joined on stage by an award-winning ensemble, on Bach Out of Bounds, the supergroup bring the revered classical composer in conversation with the heaviest of underground arts.  

Today, Alkaloid are releasing the second advanced single from Bach Out of Bounds. While honoring the otherworldly power of Bach's original offering, the band's performance of "Agnus Dei" breaks from metal's traditions.  

"This is the most faithful interpretation of Bach on our new live album", vocalist, guitarist and primary composer Morean says. "It's a serene, fragile sound world hitherto unexplored by Alkaloid". 

Watch Alkaloid perform "Agnus Dei" below:

Bach Out of Bounds - Live in the Netherlands comes out January 23, 2026 on Season of Mist

Pre-order 
https://orcd.co/alkaloidbachoutofbounds

Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/2pWtSI1XiPBUoM0TLenyKV?si=VX7Qw3CEQ5ec26ubrYgJiA&nd=1&dlsi=a691e08dbd9948ed

Across three studio albums, Alkaloid have experimented with worldly polyrhythms, brutally technical riffing, infectious choruses and sci-fi concepts built in honor of Lovecraftian entities. The band remain curious as ever on Bach Out Of Bounds, though even the brains behind their first-ever live album is shocked by its latest creation. "Agnus Dei" began life as a prayer back in the 5th century before Johann Sebastian Bach arranged it as the fourth movement of "Mass in B minor", his final masterpiece.    

"It's quite the departure", says Morean, who the Bachfestival in Dordrecht invited for this performance. "Bach Out of Bounds is very different from what other metal bands - or even Alkaloid - normally do". 

While it stems from a place of worship that's far removed from metal's underground crypts, Alkaloid's performance of "Agnus Dei" is a stroke of divine inspiration. The guitars wisely bow to the quiet command of the string section, ceding the spotlight to soprano Rianne Wilbers. Blessed with grace and gravitas, her voice transcends to a higher realm that's not of any genre nor this Earth.

"Like all of the guests who accompanied Alkaloid for Bach Out Of Bounds, Rianne is a true wanderer between worlds", Morean says. "After a youth in metal, she acquired an impeccable pedigree in the Netherlands as a performer of traditional and contemporary classical music. She sings 'Agnus Dei' so beautifully. She really knows how to sing Bach".   

The video for "Agnus Dei" was compiled from footage filmed live during performances at the 2024 Bachfestival in Dordrecht, Netherlands, Paard van Troject in The Hague and November Music in Den Bosch. It was created by Thomas Niehof / Creative Headroom & Lindy Balduk Photography.      

With Bach Out of Bounds, Alkaloid deliver a classically innovative performance as only a true maestro can.       

Alkaloid is
Morean - Vocals, guitar
Hannes Grossmann - Drums
Linus Klausenitzer - Bass
Justin Hombach - Guitar
Max Blok - Guitar

Guest musicians
Rianne Wilbers - Soprano
Chrysa Tsaltampasi - Soprano
Julija Hartig - Violin
Oene van Geel - 5-string violin
Marieke Hopman - Accordion
Ketevan Roinishvili - Cello

Recording credits
Recorded live in the Netherlands at Bibelot / Dordrecht and Paard van Troje / The Hague
Front of house engineer: Laurens Voois

Production credits
Produced by Alkaloid
Mixed by Hannes Grossman at Mordor Sounds, Germany
Mastered by Victor Bullok at Woodshed Studio, Germany

Songwriting credits
Music for "Allegro", "Adagio - All Is Vanity" and "Agnus Dei" written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Music for "Cthulhu" written by Morean and Hannes Grossman
Music for "Beneath the Sea" and "Haunter of the Void" written by Morean
Music for "A Fool's Desire" written by Hannes Grossman
Music for "The Fungi from Yuggoth" written by Christian Münzner
Lyrics to "Adagio - All Is Vanity" based on "Es ist alles eitel" by Andreas Gryphius and adapted by Morean
Lyrics to "Agnus Dei" taken from John 1:29
Lyrics to "Beneath the Sea", "Cthulhu", "Haunter of the Void", "A Fool's Desire" and "The Fungi from Yuggoth" written by Morean

Available Formats
CD Digipack
2x12" Vinyl Gatefold 

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

Follow Alkaloid
Website:https://alkaloid-band.com/
Bandcamp:https://alkaloid-band.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KMQDFaAsPEKcqKzdvkYKc
Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alkaloid/368935306
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/Alkaloidbandmetal
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/alkaloid.metal
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/alkaloid_metal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlkaloidBand

Rotting Christ Release Live Video of "Under the Name of Legion"

After 35 years of evil existence, Rotting Christ still stand the test of time. Sakis Tolis, his brother Themis and their Greek brothers-in-arms have risen from the Athenian underground to become one of the metal world's most reliable forces, backed by a pantheon discography that has both defined and defied black metal. 

As they prepare for what's building up to be a monumental 2026, today, Rotting Christ are releasing a new live video from the upcoming Blu-Ray edition of  35 Years of Evil Existence - Live in Lycabettus. Though a familiar inclusion among the band's setlist, when performed in front of a sold-out crowd at their historic home theater, "Under the Name of Legion" raises the banner for Hellenic black metal to new heights.        

Watch Rotting Christ perform "Under the Name of Legion" Live in Lycabettus below:

The Blu-Ray edition of 35 Years of Evil Existence - Live in Lycabettus comes out this Friday, December 12, 2025 on Season of Mist. 


Pre-order

https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottingChrist35YearsLive

When Rotting Christ stepped onto the stage at the historic Lycabettus Hill Theater for the first time last summer, Sakis, Themis, Kostis Fouk and Kostas "Spades" Heliotis treated 7,000 devout followers to a two-hour set that spanned the band's entire career. Picking one song to close such a monumental evening is no easy feat, especially among their pantheon-level discography. But "Under the Name of Legion" gave them the perfect send-off. 

Originally, "Under the Name of Legion" appeared as the closing track on Genesis, Rotting Christ's seventh full-length album. While the song is still blessed with the band's enchanting gothic melodies, it's mighty opening chant recalls the unflinching pact they forged with metal legions during their earliest years. "Love of darkness signifies the enlightened life eternally". Beating from inside Lycabettus' ancient halls, Rotting Christ's true metal spirit echoed beyond the ages.  

"We are proud that our new live album will now be available on Blu-Ray", says Sakis. "Thanks to all our metal brothers and sisters for your attention, support and dedication over all these years. You can be sure that we will be at the frontline of the battlefield until the end. Non Serviam!"

The footage from 35 Years of Existence - Live in Lycabettus was directed by Yiannis Margetousakis & Thanos Liberopoulos.

Additional video credits

Camera operators
Thanos Liberopoulos
Giorgos Margetousakis
Manolis Rizikos
Roxani Varela
Phillip Daskas
Spirodon Flouretzou
Mike Kochiev

Drone operator
Yiannis Margetousakis

Editors
Evaggelia Tsiliakou
Yiannis Margetousakis

Coloring
Yiannis Margetousakis

Catch Rotting Christ next year during appearances at major summer festivals. More dates announcing soon!

Rotting Christ 2026 Summer Festivals
May 22 - Baltimore, Maryland @ Maryland Death Fest (Exclusive 1989-1995 Set) [TICKETS] 
June 19 - Clisson, France @ Hellfest [TICKETS]
July 19 - Bergen, Norway @ Beyond the Gates [TICKETS]

Line-up:
Sakis Tolis - Guitar, Vocals
Themis Tolis - Drums
Kostas "Spades" Heliotis - Bass
Kostis Fouk - Guitar

Video production credits

Camera operators
Thanos Liberopoulos
Giorgos Margetousakis
Manolis Rizikos
Roxani Varela
Phillip Daskas
Spirodon Flouretzou
Mike Kochiev

Drone operator
Yiannis Margetousakis

Editors
Evaggelia Tsiliakou
Yiannis Margetousakis

Coloring
Yiannis Margetousakis

Biography:
Sébastien J. Gamez

Follow Rotting Christ:
Official Website: https://www.rotting-christ.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rottingchristofficial/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rottingchristofficial/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/athanatoieste
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RottingChristOfficia
Bandcamp: https://rottingchristofficial.bandcamp.com/
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/artist/rotting-christ/id28441629
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FhkwcO8Jd7BRWdllBpXBJ

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: New Song From Vicious Rain

Swiss metalcore force Vicious Rain return with full intensity on "Silent Therapy," marking the powerful next step toward their upcoming album The Anatomy of Surviving, set for release on March 13.

 

 Following the momentum of their previous singles "IKIGAI" and "Spitting Blood Again," both of which firmly established the band as an exciting, modern heavy act, Vicious Rain now dive even deeper.


With the release of "Silent Therapy," Vicious Rain have officially launched the pre-orders for their new album The Anatomy of Surviving. The record promises to be their most personal and dynamic work to date, capturing the struggle, resilience, and emotional weight that define both the band and their growing international fanbase.
 

From the spiritual drive of "IKIGAI" to the ferocious outburst of "Spitting Blood Again" and now the haunting depth of "Silent Therapy," Vicious Rain continue to sharpen their identity — uncompromising, emotional, and built to endure.

Kreator Release Video for Scorching New Single "Satanic Anarchy"

Metal titans KREATOR have unleashed "Satanic Anarchy," the brand new single from their highly anticipated sixteenth full-length, Krushers Of The World, which will be out on January 16 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The song bears all the hallmarks of KREATOR's best material of the last few decades — fast-paced thrash riffs, a catchy, anthemic chorus, and a masterful guitar solo — all wrapped into three-and-a-half minutes. 

After paying homage to Dario Argento's cult horror classic Suspiria with their last single "Tränenpalast" and its corresponding video, KREATOR further prove their affinity for the horror genre by referencing another classic movie in the music video for "Satanic Anarchy." Released 10 years after Suspiria, Clive Barker's Hellraiser (1987) is known for being just as influential and groundbreaking for modern horror by combining intense psychological thrills with graphic gore.

Mille Petrozza comments, "Hordes! I hope you'll like our brand new video for the song 'SATANIC ANARCHY' off our new album KRUSHERS OF THE WORLD. The lyrics speak about a divine revolt of the mind: Breaking the spell of obedience, standing together against tyranny, and igniting change where fear once ruled. The narrative part of the video takes us back to the cinematic masterpiece Hellraiser by the great Clive Barker, This isn't a remake or a sequel — it's an echo. A tribute to the raw imagination of '80s horror, where pleasure, pain, and chaos shared the same key. Enjoy!"

Pre-order/Pre-save Krushers of the World HERE.

Stream the single "Satanic Anarchy" HERE.

U.S, FESTIVALS:
5/8 — Daytona Beach, FL — Rockville 2026 
5/16 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple
5/21 — Baltimore, MD — Maryland Deathfest 2026

Varials Announce "Where The Light Leaves" Out 2/27 + Band Shares Video for Title Track

Philadelphia's VARIALS — Skyler Conder, vocals; Shane Lyons, guitar; Mike Foley, bass; Sean Rauchut, drums — re-entered the chat and in a metallically massive way in September. The band shared the video "I'll Find the Dark," its first new track since 2022. It's an impenetrable and intimidating wall of sound. Watch the video below. It was also the first track to feature formidable new frontman Conder.

Varials up the ante yet again by announcing their new album WHERE THE LIGHT LEAVES. It arrives February 27 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here.

The band has also shared the video for the title track, which is another hulking slab of metal. 

Watch it below:

"'Where The Light Leaves' is the key introduction to the overall idea of the album itself," says Conder. "Through many emotions in my life, I found myself always feeling trapped within my mind, in a sense of purgatory and as if my mental state was a nightmare. The video and song are meant to elaborate, lyrically and visually, what it feels like being stuck there and unable to leave — eventually just accepting it and learning to live with it."

There's a distinct irony to "Where The Light Leaves." It sounds like a live demolition. The earth-shaking percussion and blast beats are like slabs of concrete, tumbling from the sky, while Conder spits violent verses that could've erupted from the center of the earth. It's plate-shifting collision of riffs and roars. Ultimately, what comes down goes right back up — the track is just another instance of Varials erecting a wall of metallic chaos with each new song.

Varials deliver hardcore ferocity, monstrous breakdowns, and nu-metal groove with an adventurous atmosphere and unapologetic purpose. Born in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, Varials embody East Coast attitude and determination, pouring every ounce of struggle into their songs. Their fourth album, Where the Light Leaves, arrives with explosive energy and focus. Varials first established their place in the modern heavy landscape with Pain Again (2017) and In Darkness (2019). Tracks like "Romance," "Empire of Dirt," and "Anything to Numb" became anthems, blending metalcore strength with raw honesty that deeply resonated with audiences. Scars for You to Remember (2022) expanded that vision, further cementing their reputation as one of the most emotionally intense acts of the modern era. Produced by longtime collaborator Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Dayseeker, The Plot In You), Where the Light Leaves signifies a new chapter. An often chaotic and experimental process—creating dozens of demos—resulted in 13 songs that capture Varials at their most powerful and creatively ambitious. The performances are deliberately raw, embracing imperfections to forge an immediate, human connection. Guttural heaviness paired with new melodic textures delivers a sound that is both punishing and expansive. As demonstrated on tours with Knocked Loose, Wage War, and Kublai Khan TX, among others, Varials are a fierce and formidable live band, and that energy is reflected in Where The Light Leaves.

Paleface Swiss Drop Emotionally Devastating New Single and Music Video "Everything Is Fine"

Switzerland’s heaviest export Paleface Swiss release new track “Everything Is Fine” today, the third and final single from their upcoming The Wilted EP, out January 2, 2026. The single differs greatly from the previously released songs from the EP so far and further displays the raw, emotional vulnerability the band are completely unafraid of tackling head on. It lands alongside one of the most emotionally charged and visually ambitious videos the band has released to date that depicts the story of two lovers grappling with heartbreakingly unfair circumstances that neither can change. Watch the official music video below and stream the new track.

Following previously released singles, “Instrument of War” and “Let Me Sleep”, this final track marks the last threshold before The Wilted EP’s full reveal. It continues the record’s core narrative: burnout, fragility, and the quiet devastation that follows explosive success. Having sold more than 35,000 tickets across the U.S. in 2025 and completed a sold-out rund through the UK, Europe and Australia, Paleface Swiss now steer into the emotional reckoning of what comes next.

“Everything Is Fine tells the story of two lovers caught in situations they cannot change,” says frontman Marc “Zelli” Zellweger. “They face unfair trials that wound them, yet they try to accept what neither wants to accept. In trying to numb the pain, it only cuts deeper because they keep asking why love fails even when they’ve done everything right.”

Musically, the track balances the band’s signature heaviness with stark melancholy. It’s one of the most cinematic and emotionally raw moments of the band's career to date. Directed by longtime collaborator Kriss Jakob, the video explores themes of love, death, and disassociation with stark theatricality. Zelli also took on co-editing duties for the first time, deepening the creative intimacy and ensuring every frame beautifully compliments the weight and impact of the track's theme.

The Wilted EP was born in the aftermath of relentless momentum. Written across months of mostly-sold-out touring through Europe, the U.S., and Australia, it traces the burnout, emotional collapse, and uneasy regrowth that comes in the wake of releasing a life-alteringly successful album and trying to learn how to navigate the aftermath. If Cursed documented the breaking point, The Wilted EP lingers in what comes after. The hollow quiet, the spiraling mind, the fragile attempts to maintain forward motion and continue to rise.

Its visual identity continues the band’s symbolic language of flowers: blooms that were once vivid when featured on the Cursed album artwork, are now curled and brittle. An unflinching depiction of decay and disintegration.

Known for their incomparable live performances and fearless approach to intense and vulnerable topics, Paleface Swiss has built a reputation as one of the most vital, unfiltered, and rapidly rising forces in the world of modern metal today. With their latest full-length album, Cursed, Paleface Swiss took listeners into their darkest, most intricate, and artistically diverse chapter yet, combining their trademark Nu-Core heaviness with raw vulnerability, a rare and special combination for a band within their genre. The album charted at #17 globally on Spotify, #3 in the U.S., and #1 in the UK, followed by an extended version - Cursed: The Complete Edition.

The album's success kicked off a year of career-defining momentum for Paleface Swiss that included back-to-back sellout tours across Europe & the UK, North America, multiple festival performances and their first ever tour of Australia. Refusing to rest on their laurels, Paleface Swiss will begin 2026 with the release of 'The Wilted EP', their biggest headline tour of Europe and the UK to date and will be heading back to the US in May to play major festivals Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple Festival. For more info and tickets head to palefaceswiss.com

ABOUT PALEFACE SWISS

Since their debut Chapter 3: The Last Selection in 2020, Paleface Swiss have risen from underground darlings to global heavyweights in the world of metal. With explosive riffs, punishing beatdowns, a brutally heavy rhythm section, and frontman Zelli’s signature vocal savagery, the band quickly gained momentum—landing four breakout tracks on Spotify’s Heavy Beatdown playlist Their 2022 follow-up Fear & Dagger pushed even further, earning praise for its emotional weight and unflinching heaviness, with standout reviews from Metal Injection, New Transcendence, and Wall of Sound. Singles like “The Orphan,” “Dead Man’s Diary” (feat. LANDMVRKS' Florent Salfati), and “My Grave / Lay with Me” solidified their place among the new wave of deathcore’s most innovative acts.

In the years that followed, Paleface Swiss took their chaos on the road—touring with Body Snatcher, Counterparts, and The Ghost Inside, and leveling festival stages from Sick New World to Hellfest. Their live reputation exploded, converting crowds with a show that fuses unrelenting brutality and raw vulnerability. Between headline tours and viral fan demand, they released standalone anthems “Best Before: Death,” “Please End Me,” and “The Gallow”—each now included on their latest offering Cursed: The Complete Edition, the most ambitious and complete chapter of their journey so far. To date, the band have amassed over 180 million streams, 53 million YouTube views, with their Spotify Monthly listeners recently peaking at over 1 million. Their recent, sold-out Cursed Tour across Europe, the UK, North America and Australia sold over 70,000 tickets.

PALEFACE SWISS are: 

Vox: Marc “Zelli” Zellweger

Guitar: Yannick Lehmann

Bass: Tommy-Lee Abt

Drums: Cassiano 'Cassi' Toma

SLIK HELVETIKA RETURN WITH NEW SINGLE, "SOLAR HEAD"

One of the heaviest bands to emerge from the Philadelphia rock scene is certainly Slik Helvetika. Who, will be returning on December 5, 2025 with a brand new single, "Solar Head" – which serves as a preview concerning what to expect from the band's 2026 full-length, 'Walk Through Fire,' which will be released through Deko Entertainment.

"'Solar Head' begins with an unsettling actual recording of solar wind, then erupts into full ass kicking mode," explains the group's long-time singer/guitarist/songwriter Michael Myers. "The song is written about a mass coronal ejection large enough to engulf all in its path. A mass extinction level event."

"What if this event's energy had a consciousness?  Let's talk about that.  Better yet, let's write a full throttle heavy metal anthem around this this extinction level event with the tongue in cheek placement of some very aggressive cliches and lyrics! The Atomic Killpig rules this world!”

 

Check out the visualizer for “Solar Head” below;

 

To pre-save on Spotify or pre-add on Apple Music, visit: https://push.fm/ps/trxojc5l

 

To pre-order, visit: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/inthesquare/slik-helvetika

From the glory days of the Philadelphia and New Jersey rock scene of the 80s that spawned Cinderella, Britny Fox, Pretty Poison, John Eddie, and an entire laundry list of artists who went forward to be stars, there was a band called Destroyer.  These boys in Destroyer were *ssholes. Too young, bad attitudes, but really good, great songs, and ultra entertaining. 

 

Going wide open full throttle, it would take them some time before they were a commodity that a record company of that day would even consider. Even though their self-released EP sold out of multiple pressings. When that glorious day came, there was a flash bulletin....“Sorry, grunge ate your genre”. 

 

Led by Myers, the band had unknowingly sidestepped all the woes and pressures of being “that commodity” and unwanted influences. Taking some time to let the songs and playing develop to be the best it could resulted in that band today called Slik Helvetika. Lots of driving energy, melody, memorable chorus hooks, great playing and strong lyrics. Yes, it is a reincarnation of Destroyer with bigger balls, but incredibly tastefully done. 

 

The line up has always featured Michael Myers on lead guitar and vocals – who has had the privilege of playing alongside a variety of talented musicians, such as Kjell Benner [formerly of Quiet Riot] Vern Parsons [Greg Howe].  Slik Helvetika and Destroyer have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Cinderella, Trixter, Savatage, EZO, Kingdom Come, Malice, Foghat, Rick Derringer, Funny Money, [Kix side project], Krokus, Manowar, John 5 and many more.

 

And on December 5th, Myers and co. will prove once again that they are one of the most ferocious rock bands to ever come out of the Philly scene, with the arrival of "Solar Head."

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 

slikhelvetika.com

BEYOND THE BLACK - Release Video For Brand New Single 'Ravens'

Symphonic metal sensation BEYOND THE BLACK are happy to share the fifth single from their eagerly awaited upcoming studio album, Break The Silence, which is due to be released on January 9th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The deeply emotional song 'Ravens' focuses on unity, loyalty and resilience. Rising together through darkness, bound by shared spirit and freedom, symbolized by ravens soaring high. Both the song and the video feature guest appearances & contributions by BEYOND THE BLACK fans, further underlining one of the core themes of the album: overcoming interpersonal communication barriers and connecting people.

Singer Jennifer Haben commented:
“‘Ravens’ is about belonging — about finding light in others when everything feels disconnected. Hearing our fans’ voices on this song made that message real in the most beautiful way."

"This song was created with our fans at its heart. A very special thank you to you, our RAVENS, for being part of recording this song and bringing it to life with us."

BEYOND THE BLACK's sixth full length Break The Silence is a concept album rooted in melodic metal with ethno influences, it explores themes of communication, inner strength, resilience and the urgent need to reconnect in a divided world. Tracks like 'Let There Be Rain', '(La Vie Est Un) Cinéma', 'Ravens' and 'The Flood' examine how words – and their absence – shape our reality. It’s an emotional, multi-layered experience that mirrors today’s complex world and invites fans to be part of this new chapter.

PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE THE NEW ALBUM BREAK THE SILENCE:
https://beyondtheblack.bfan.link/break-the-silence-album

LISTEN TO 'RAVENS': 
https://beyondtheblack.bfan.link/ravens

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR 'RAVENS' Below;

About BEYOND THE BLACK:

German symphonic metal band BEYOND THE BLACK have become one of the most exciting forces in modern symphonic metal, carving an impressive path since their formation. It started with their debut album in 2015: Songs Of Love And Death was an instant success and stayed strong in the German Top15 for weeks, earning the Metal Hammer Award for “Best Debut.” Its successor Lost In Forever (2016) entered the German charts at #4 and paved the way for a major tour through Germany, the UK, Russia and Japan. Since their live debut in 2014, the band has played the world’s biggest metal festivals like Wacken Open Air and supported international metal acts such as AEROSMITH, KORN, SCORPIONS, SAXON, and WITHIN TEMPTATION.

With the release of their third album Heart Of The Hurricane, BEYOND THE BLACK launched their first European headline tour in fall 2019 – over 20 shows in 10 countries, most of them sold out. The band returned to the studio soon after and in June 2020 released the highly anticipated Horizons, which entered the German album charts at #3 (CH #6, AT #16, BE #53). 

After the pandemic-induced break, BEYOND THE BLACK came back stronger than ever: Following a successful European tour in fall 2022, their self-titled fifth album BEYOND THE BLACK dropped in January 2023, charting in several countries (DE #2, UK #2 Rock, CH #6, AT #12, SE #12, US #7 Top New Artist) and marking a new career high.

Following a powerful festival summer, the band toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in late 2023, as special guests of Swedish metal act THE HALO EFFECT. In early 2024, BEYOND THE BLACK played their most successful European headline tour to date – Dancing In The Dark – followed by more celebrated shows across the continent that summer.

In early 2025, the band reached another milestone with their first-ever Latin America tour, playing headline shows in Argentina, Chile and Mexico, as well as performing at Brazil’s renowned Bangers Open Air. During the Summer of 2025, they have once again conquered the stages of Europe’s most prestigious festivals, including Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and Graspop.

The excitement continues as BEYOND THE BLACK launch their next European headline tour, Rising High, kicking off in January 2026, tied with the release of their highly anticipated sixth studio album Break The Silence.

TX2 Announces Debut Album 'End Of Us'; Drops New Single Feat. Black Veil Brides

Alt-rock phenom, TX2 has announced the release of his long-awaited and highly-anticipated debut album End Of Us, arriving February 13, 2026 via Hopeless Records. The album announcement arrives alongside the release of lead single and title track "The End of Us," an epic six-minute cinematic opus featuring Black Veil Brides, live strings, and TX2's most ambitious music video to date that he self-directed alongside guitarist Cameron Rostami. Stream the new track HERE. Watch the music video Below and pre-order the upcoming album HERE.

End Of Us marks a turning point for an artist who's spent a decade building one of heavy music's most devoted, and polarizing, fanbases. With 1 million monthly Spotify listeners, 1.3 million TikTok followers, and a relentless touring schedule that's taken him from opening slots on the Summer of Loud tour and multiple tours with Ice Nine Kills, performances at the Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple, to Download Festival 2026, TX2 has turned online hate into undeniable, unstoppable momentum. Today, TX2 continues his meteoric rise as he heralds the beginning of a new chapter with the album’s title track which captures the weight of betrayal, the chaos of spiraling, and the courageous defiance required to keep going anyway.

Speaking on today's announcement, Evan Thomas (TX2) shares

"'The End of Us' is the darkest song I've ever written. It captures that feeling of spiraling that happens shortly after betrayal, when everything you've built slips away. I said 'fuck it' and wanted to make a 6 minute epic. Live strings captured the emotions perfectly. Then having Andy's voice brings a weight and intensity that was perfect for the emotion of the track—he played the perfect character and created cinematic chaos. This song is the lead single of our album 'The End of Us' and features our biggest music video yet. Cam and I directed the music video, and I think made a video that will live much longer than we expected. I hope this song finds its own meaning to the right person."

TX2 has spent years earning co-signs from scene veterans. Beartooth's Caleb Shomo has publicly praised his "passion, hard work, and talent", his track "MAD" featuring Ice Nine Kills' Spencer Charnas generated over 10,000 TikTok video creations and From First to Last joined him on "THIS ISN'T ABOUT DRUGS (I SWEAR)."

The 13-track album collects previously released singles alongside new material, including recent tracks "The Rain," "HOSTAGE (they will not erase us)," "Feed" featuring DeathbyRomy, and "Nice Guy" featuring Ekoh. Between them, these previously released songs have racked up a staggering 100 million streams and 42 million likes on TikTok in the last 12 months. The upcoming album also features a further collaboration with Magnolia Park and an instrumental version of TX2's track with Ice Nine Kills' Spencer Charnas, "M.A.D".

Beyond the music, TX2 has built something even more impressive: the X Movement, a Discord-based community where thousands of fans support each other through mental health struggles. He goes live on social media to answer fan questions every day and stays after every show, sometimes for hours, to meet every fan. He keeps ticket prices low and uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and fan safety in music spaces. It's work that's made him both a target and a lifeline, depending on who's watching.

End Of Us captures all of it. The noise, the defiance, the exhaustion, and the refusal to quit. Thomas describes the album's sound as "punk meets vampire-core with an Eminem edge," drawing from influences like My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Black Veil Brides, and Linkin Park while carving out space that's entirely his own and elevating the genre, and it’s fandom, to a new level.

TX2 is currently supporting Ice Nine Kills on their EU dates and UK arena tour in December before returning to the UK for Download Festival 2026, where he'll play alongside Linkin Park, Guns N' Roses, and Limp Bizkit.

ABOUT TX2

TX2 is the project of Los Angeles based artist Evan Thomas, known for raw, emotionally charged alt-rock that refuses to play by the rules. Since going viral on TikTok in 2023 with "I Would Hate Me Too," TX2 has amassed 1 million monthly Spotify listeners, 1.3 million TikTok followers, and a touring resume that includes opening for Beartooth, I Prevail, Killswitch Engage, Ice Nine Kills and Parkway Drive on the Summer of Loud tour.

Thomas founded the X Movement, a community dedicated to mental health awareness and creating safe spaces for fans who feel like they don't belong. He's openly queer, vocally advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and fan safety, and stays after every show to meet every fan, sometimes for hours. He's been called emo's most hated artist and its most necessary voice, often in the same breath. His debut album End Of Us arrives February 13, 2026 via Hopeless Records.

Death Thrash Metal Outfit INTOXICATED Announces New Album; Unleashes Video for Furious First Single

Florida death thrash metal outfit INTOXICATED will be unleashing their third full-length, 'The Dome,' on March 27, 2026 via Redefining Darkness! The band is celebrating this release with the vicious first single, "War Club," along with a music video that captures the band unrelenting dominance on stage. The clip can be found below.

Vocalist/guitarist Erik Payne comments, "'War Club' captures Intoxicated’s uncompromising perspective as observers of today’s fractured world. The band likens it to being dragged into fights you never asked for—pushed by forces that don’t reflect who you are or what you stand for. The track channels that frustration into a violent metaphor, exploring how even good people can feel driven to confront the malevolent forces dragging society down."

INTOXICATED is a thrash/death metal band from Altamonte Springs, Florida, originally formed in 1993. Led by vocalist and guitarist Erik Payne, the band quickly carved out a place in Florida’s extreme metal lineage, earning early mentorship from Death’s legendary Chuck Schuldiner. Rooted firmly in Florida’s storied death-thrash tradition, Intoxicated’s sound draws natural comparisons to Death, Sadus, and Obituary— as marked by unrelenting speed, sharp riffing, and concise, high-impact songwriting.

'The Dome' is now available for pre-orders in the USA HERE while it's available for the rest of the world HERE.

In addition, INTOXICATED is hitting the road tomorrow, December 5, in support of Obituary's Florida Swamp Tour 2. The trek will kick off in Destin, FL and make its way through the state until the final stops in Tampa, FL on December 13 - 14. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.

GET TICKETS HERE

INTOXICATED Tour Dates (Supporting OBITUARY w/ CASTRATOR + COLD STEEL)

12/05: Destin, FL @ Club LA

12/06: Jacksonville, FL @ Albatross

12/07: Orlando, FL @ Conduit

12/12: Miami, FL @ Gramps

12/13: Tampa, FL @ The Brass Mug

12/14: Tampa, FL @ The Brass Mug

Intoxicated is a thrash/death metal band from Altamonte Springs, Florida, originally formed in 1993. Led by vocalist and guitarist Erik Payne, the band quickly carved out a place in Florida’s extreme metal lineage, earning early mentorship from Death’s legendary Chuck Schuldiner. Their first run produced a trio of EPs—.08 (1994), Scars (1995), and Metal Neck (1997)—before releasing their third EP, Drain.

Following their initial rise, Intoxicated went on hiatus as Payne, along with Obituary’s Donald Tardy and Ken Andrews, joined the touring lineup for Andrew W.K. in 1999, a role they held for nearly two decades while performing around the world.

The band reactivated in 2019, returning with the Walled EP (2020) and their long-awaited debut full-length, Watch You Burn (2022). The album showcased the band’s signature blend of ragged thrash aggression and Florida-bred death metal grit. Featuring guest appearances from Ken Andrews (Obituary, ex–Andrew W.K.) and Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste), and produced, mixed, and mastered by Ryan Boesch (Foo Fighters, Andrew W.K.) at Candor Recording—formerly Morbid Angel’s headquarters—Watch You Burn reaffirmed Intoxicated’s place among fans of classic Kreator, Death, Obituary, Protector, and Devastation.

Now, Intoxicated is preparing to unleash their second full-length album, The Dome, on Redefining Darkness Records.

Rooted firmly in Florida’s storied death-thrash tradition, Intoxicated’s sound draws natural comparisons to Death, Sadus, and Obituary— as marked by unrelenting speed, sharp riffing, and concise, high-impact songwriting.

Lineup:

Erik Payne - Guitar/Vocals

John Sutton - Guitar

Shawn Clarson - Bass/Backing Vocals

Colin Vaccaro - Drums

Album credits:

Produced by Ryan Boesch and Erik Payne @ Candor Recording in Tampa Fl

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Ryan Boesch

Cover Artist: Celeste Payne

Formats:

CD

Vinyl

Digital

Pre-orders (Worldwide excl. USA): https://shop.redefiningdarkness.com/

Preorders (USA): https://tornfromthegrave.us/collections/intoxicated

Links:

Official Website

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Music

Enthroned Ascend Into the Fires of 'Ashspawn'

Belgian black metal institution Enthroned are opening a new chapter in their storied career with their upcoming twelfth album. Conceived during six years of ritualistic creation, Ashspawn now emerges as the band’s most uncompromising statement. Written in collaboration with occult author Gilles de Laval, it descends into spiritual death, only to emerge reborn amongst the flames.

Ashspawn comes out tomorrow, Friday, December 5, 2025 on Season of Mist, but you can bask in the towering flames of all nine songs by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.

Listen to Ashspawn Below;

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/enthronedashspawn

Ashspawn represents a total unity of vision. Enthroned channel ferocious blast beats, oppressive mid-tempos and progressive structures into an album that moves between violent catharsis and crushing introspection. Solos oscillate from Morbid Angel frenzy to sharp, ascendant phrases that recall classic heavy metal’s virtuosity.

Lead single “Raviasamin” is a chant and a curse, invoking both negation and transformation with frostbitten riffs and serpentine rhythms. The title track embodies the band’s driving ethos, blazing into spiritual destruction as a path toward transcendence. Conceived as the album’s final rite of passage, “Ashen Advocacy” rises in a slow-burning psalm of judgement. With each crack of the judge’s gavel, the song divides the self between accuser and the accused.

Ashspawn now stands darker, heavier, and more personal than anything in Enthroned’s catalogue, crafted as a transformative weapon rather than an act of reiteration.

Now, in 2025, Ashspawn stands as Enthroned’s most ambitious and personal statement to date. Musically, it embodies a total unity of vision: ferocious blast beats, oppressive mid-tempos, and progressive structures collapse into one another, laced with solos that veer from Morbid Angel-like madness to Judas Priest-inspired virtuosity. Lyrically, it operates as a metaphysical architecture, its verses designed not merely to be heard but to infect and transform. Tracks such as “Raviasamin,” “Ashspawn,” and “Ashen Advocacy” reveal its dual nature: violent catharsis intertwined with crushing introspection, a tribunal where the self is broken and reforged.

More than three decades after their inception, Enthroned remain steadfast in their purpose: not to replicate the past, but to realign with the forces that birthed them. Ashspawn is the testimony of this alignment, a ritual weapon that rejects nostalgia and compromise. It is a resurrection of spirit through suffering, a reaffirmation of Enthroned’s place among black metal’s most visionary entities.

Line-up:

Nornagest — Vocals & Samplers

T. Kaos — Guitars & Bass

Menthor — Drums & Percussion

Production Credits:

Recorded at Ophiussa Studio, London, UK.

Produced by Menthor.

Mixed by Stefano Santi at SPVN Studio, Milan, Italy.

Mastered by Phil Bashford at The Hive, London, UK.

Cover Art:

Cover artwork by Jose Gabriel Alegria Sambogal
(https://www.instagram.com/josegabrielalegriasabogal/)

Photography:

Band photography by Emanuela Giurano

Pre-save & Pre-order: https://orcd.co/enthronedashspawn
 
Follow Enthroned:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Frater.Silurian
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enthronedofficial/
Bandcamp: https://enthroned.bandcamp.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@enthronedofficial
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lmT6zZl7aPNg8hv5UrJGz
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/artist/enthroned/47713289
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/14611
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3604477

UK Death Metal Outfit UNBURIER Unleashes New Single, "Survive the Vermin", And Announces Third EP, 'As Time Awaits'

UK death metal band UNBURIER has returned with a vengeance on their latest single, "Survive the Vermin". The new song introduces the band's upcoming EP, As Time Awaits, with the appropriate blend of ferocity and spellbinding technicality. Vocalist and guitarist Ben Champion shows off a viscerally emotive vocal range, skillfully punctuating his mid-range snarls with screeching highs for maximum impact. Bassist Stan Mitchell and drummer Kim Hughes lay the foundation for the song's intensity with a punchy, driving rhythm section. Finally, guitarist Blake Hibberd propels the momentum forward with a relentless barrage of twisting, turning, shredding leads. The lyrics of "Survive The Vermin" develop themes of purpose and identity on the EP through a first-person account of a cosmic, immortal warrior. Surrendering flesh for steel, the narrator struggles to detach themselves from the sensations they thought to have discarded. The lyrics ask if, when we give ourselves wholly to one purpose, it is worth sacrificing the simplicity of everyday life. Paying homage to sci-fi author Nate Crowley and absurdist philosophy, "Survive The Vermin" provides the most direct declaration of the themes behind the EP. 

Watch "Survive the Vermin" Below.

Pre-Order As Time Awaits HERE: https://www.unburierband.com/category/all-products

About UNBURIER:
Hailing from the south of England, UNBURIER stormed onto the death metal scene in the summer of 2022 with their debut EP Twisted Existence. The EP showcased the band's undeniable technical abilities, in addition to their raw and harrowing sound. In 2024, UNBURIER returned with their follow-up EP, Nebulous, on which the band refined their songwriting and technical prowess. On this release, the band ventured even deeper into the realms of their death metal influences, among which they count DEATH, NECROPHAGIST, and REVOCATION.

Having conquered stages alongside the likes of SANGUISUGABOGG, CRYPTA, and PARTY CANNON, as well as making notable appearances at Bloodstock Open Air and Incineration Festival, UNBURIER continues to carve a path alongside giants of the death metal genre. Their upcoming third EP, As Time Awaits, sees UNBURIER blending old- and new-school death metal styles with technicality, hooks, and razor-sharp songwriting. Carrying the torch of the classic death metal sound into a new age, As Time Awaits is certain to enthrall longtime fans of the genre.
 

UNBURIER lineup:
Ben Champion - Vocals/Guitar
Blake Hibberd - Guitar/Vocals
Stan Mitchell - Bass
Kim Hughes - Drums