New England Metal and Hardcore Fest Set For 9/21 + 9/22 + Featuring KsE, Converge, Machine Head, Nails + More

New England Metal & Hardcore Fest launched back in 1999 and took place at the famed Palladium in Worcester through 2018. It was often held over two or three days, with multiple stages and top-tier acts like Megadeth, Manowar, DragonForce, Opeth, Between the Buried & Me, Meshuggah, Killswitch Engage, Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, and more appearing through the years. It was always a "who's who" of the metal and hardcore scene and was a "not to be missed" event each Spring.

It took a brief break after 2018 but returned to much fanfare in 2023 with Parkway Drive, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, and more. 

Today, the 2024 edition has been announced and the lineup is stacked. It features literally every single band you'd want to see at a metal and hardcore festival.

The two-day extravaganza will take place on September 21 and 22 at the Palladium. NEM&HCF faves Killswitch Engage will be playing a special 25th anniversary show and will headline the first night. Slaughter to Prevail will headline the second night. 

"I think this lineup is one of the top five best in the festival's history," says Scott Lee, founder of the festival. "It will appeal to all fans of all genres of extreme music."

"The place where it all began for us was The Worcester Palladium our first show and our first Metal Festival," says KsE singer Jesse Leach. "Here we are, 25 years later, returning to the same venue to perform a unique set to celebrate our legacy as a band  We are honored and excited to be a part of this legendary festival once again. 25 years of Killswitch Engage!"

VIP tickets are available here.

LINEUP
HEADLINERS:
Killswitch Engage — 25th Anniversary Show (SATURDAY)
Slaughter to Prevail (SUNDAY)

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WITH MORE TBA:
200 Stab Wounds
After The Burial
Alluvial
As I Lay Dying
Balmora
Bane
Better Lovers
Brand Of Sacrifice 
Brat
Converge
Corpse Pile
Death Before Dishonor
Disembodied Tyrant
Ends of Sanity
Fleshgod Apocalypse
Full of Hell
Incendiary
Integrity
Jarhead Fertilizer
Life Cycles 
Machine Head
Mammoth Grinder
Missing Link
Mouth For War
Nails
No Cure
On Broken Wings
Overkill
Pain of Truth
Psycho Frame
Shadow of Intent
Simulakra
Since The Flood
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicide Silence
The Red Chord
The Zenith Passage
Throwdown
Trail Of Lies
Tribal Gaze
Two Piece
Upon Stone
With Honor

BEAST IN BLACK REVEAL BOLD VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE "HARDCORE"

BEAST IN BLACK REVEAL BOLD VIDEO FOR
NEW SINGLE "HARDCORE"

NEW ALBUM "DARK CONNECTION" OUT NOW!

Last Friday, the international powerhouse BEAST IN BLACK released their long awaited third album "Dark Connection."

But that's not all, they have another surprise for their fans with the release of the striking new video for third single "Hardcore," taken from the new album.

"Welcome to the next century. Dark connections and prohibited pleasures is the name of this ultimate game, a reality within reality. Some things are just too irresistible not to taste, even when it's your own life that is at stake." Anton Kabanen comments, as he sums up the core message of the video.

"Time to reveal the naked truth and face the judgment. What you're about to witness is the result of an unapologetic and unforgiving vision inspired by the mind bending works of Hajime Sorayama and raw cyberpunk animes of the 90's, namely, 'AD Police Files: The Phantom Woman'.
For your pleasure, or your slight, we present you: 'HARDCORE'!"

Watch the video below.

Listen here: https://bfan.link/dark-connection

And there is one more highlight the band has in store - the amazing video game that they developed for their fans. You can play and get addicted here: https://beastinblack.com/game

"Dark Connection" will be available as digital album, CD, Black Vinyl, Clear/Sky Blue Marbled Vinyl [limited to 300 pieces], Blue Transparent Vinyl [UK exclusive, limited to 300 pieces], Red/Ocean Blue Splattered Vinyl [Bravado Exclusive, limited to 300 pieces], White/Red Inkspot Vinyl [EMP exclusive, limited to 300 pieces] and Purple/Silver Inkspot Vinyl [US exclusive, limited to 300 pieces].

Produced, recorded and mixed by Anton Kabanen himself as well as mastered by Emil Pohjalainen (Amethyst Sound Productions), »Dark Connection« may feature the most prominent synths of all of BEAST IN BLACK’s recordings so far, especially in the form of the Italo disco, Euro beat and symphonic elements that the band are so widely loved for. Despite that, at its core it’s still all about simple heavy metal.

The kind of ageless melodies that Kabanen has always been able to create. These tunes once again melt with heroic stories that are rooted in sci-fi, fantasy and cyberpunk, that are represented in the artwork of the band’s long-time companion Roman Ismailov.

BEAST IN BLACK is:
Yannis Papadopoulos | vocals
Mate Molnar | bass
Atte Palokangas | drums
Kasperi Heikkinen | guitars
Anton Kabanen | guitars, vocals

Terror releases The BBC Session live EP via Velocity Records

TERROR RELEASE LIVE EP THE BBC SESSIONS
THROUGH VELOCITY RECORDS / EQUAL VISION RECORDS

AVAILABLE ON 12” VINYL AND STREAMING NOW

PURCHASE | STREAM

Legendary hardcore group, Terror, announced the release of The BBC Sessions today in partnerships with Velocity Records and Equal Vision Records. Recorded in the mid-2000s, the band rips through four tracks from their early catalog. The EP, now available on 12” vinyl here, features “Better Off Without You” and “Push It Away” from Lowest of the Low, as well as “Keep Your Mouth Shut” and “Overcome” from One with the Underdogs. Terror has also announced their next live show is happening on September 23rd in Los Angeles with Comeback Kid, Drain, and more.

Speaking on the release, Scott Vogel says, “When we posted this BBC session on the StickTight.LA site, we got a lot of feedback that people would love this recording on vinyl, and we agreed. This is a very cool piece of the Terror history. Thanks Velocity Records for making this happen.”

The BBC Sessions Tracklist:
1. Better Off Without You
2. Keep Your Mouth Shut
3. Overcome
4. Push It Away

KHARMA ANNOUNCE NEW EP MOST DANGEROUS GAME OUT NOV 20th VIA FLATSPOT RECORDS

Kharma - Most Dangerous Game (Official Music Video) Off of the upcoming 7" EP "Most Dangerous Game" on Flatspot Records Preorder Vinyl & Merch: https://bit.l...

Rising from Chicago’s heavy music scene, KHARMA recently announced their signing to the influential hardcore label, Flatspot Records, and today the band has announced their debut release for the label titled Most Dangerous Game, due out November 20th, 2020. The announcement was accompanied by the premiere of the bulldozing first single and music video for “Most Dangerous Game” via BrooklynVegan. Recorded with Andy Nelson (Weekend Nachos) in Chicago, KHARMA flexes their pressurized brand of metallic hardcore across the five-song EP, telling stories of life on the street, police brutality, racism, and survival in the middle of America. With touring on pause, the band also treated fans this past week to the premiere of their February 2020 live set at LDB Fest, available to watch in full here. The single “Most Dangerous Game” is also available to stream now on Bandcamp or Spotify and pre-orders for the EP are available here.

Formed in 2015 in Chicago, KHARMA deals in gritty, metallic hardcore with walls of sound to pummel the listener into submission. Directly influenced by their city, from the forebears of their scene to the daily circumstances that inform their lyrics and unrelenting aggression, the quintet calls to mind the blunt brutality of acts like Neglect, Billy Club Sandwich, Bulldoze, and Arkangel. While hardcore has always been a genre of the people, KHARMA truly embodies that sentiment through tales of life on the streets and the reality of surviving in the middle of America. The band gave their first glimpse into this world on 2016’s self-released EP, Survival, followed up by 2018’s Moment of Violence EP, during which time the band has shared the stage with the likes of Madball, Knocked Loose, Mindforce, Adrenaline, and Life of Agony. 

In the Fall of 2020, KHARMA returns with their most mature and downright hostile release to date - Most Dangerous Game, due out on Flatspot Records. Throughout the 5 tracks, KHARMA flexes their shattering sonic assault on topics such as classism, police brutality, and racism, systems of oppression the band has been challenging since their inception. Inspired by Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game”, the band applies the analogy to varying degrees within the dismal stories told on their label debut. The mix of KHARMA’s pulverizing riffs with harsh, spiteful vocals amounts to a concoction of mosh-ready and genuine anthems for the dark modern age. Recorded and mixed with Andy Nelson (Weekend Nachos) at Bricktop Recordings in Chicago, the no-frills and fervid performances on Most Dangerous Game proves why KHARMA has become an up and coming favorite to watch on hardcore bills throughout the country and solidifies their further rise in Chicago’s heavy music scene.

PREORDER: Most Dangerous Game

VENOMOUS CONCEPT Debuts New Song, "Eliminate"

Subscribe to Season Of Mist for new releases : https://som.lnk.to/YouTube Taken from the forthcoming album "Politics Versus the Erection". Release Date: Augu...

Grindcore / hardcore punk veterans VENOMOUS CONCEPT (featuring band members of BRUTAL TRUTH and NAPALM DEATH) will be releasing their topical fourth full-length, 'Politics Versus The Erection' on August 28, 2020! The band is now sharing "Eliminate," the second new single from the offering.

'Politics Versus The Erection' can be pre-ordered HERE.

If the state of today’s society is reflected in music, hardcore punk / grindcore veterans VENOMOUS CONCEPT have returned to the stage with a fitting soundtrack. The band’s fourth full-length frontal assault, ‘Politics Versus The Erection’ manifests a no-nonsense and outspoken voice, resonating with the chaos that reigns over the world today.  

Starting out in 2004, the band was conceived as something like a grind punk supergroup - if that term can even be applied to a bunch of people with clear counterculture preferences. The name was chosen to pay homage to the legendary POISON IDEA.
 
At the core of VENOMOUS CONCEPT you will find BRUTAL TRUTH vocalist Kevin Sharp and Shane Embury, the iconic bass player of NAPALM DEATH. The two musicians had bonded over beer and pizza as well as their mutual love of punk heroes such as BLACK FLAG, SYSTEMATIC DEATH, GBH, SIEGE, and of course POISON IDEA.
 
The duo soon set about plotting its own assault on the style. Armed with bucketloads of coffee, the pair roped in Danny Herrera of NAPALM DEATH on drums, as well as MELVINS guitarist Buzz Osborne. A record deal was signed with Mike Patton and VENOMOUS CONCEPT's first album, 'Retroactive Abortion' (2004) was followed by a split-CD with Japanese grind band 324 (2006) and another in 2008 with BLÖOD DÜSTER.

Buzz Osborne eventually went on a hiatus, but he never really left and there is always a chance for his return - schedules permitting. Shane switched to guitar when longtime friend Dan Lilker (BRUTAL TRUTH, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, ex-ANTHRAX) joined on bass. Next, VENOMOUS CONCEPT brought in John Cooke of CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR on second guitar for touring. Sophomore full-length 'Poisoned Apple' hit the stores in 2008.
 
A quiet spell followed, but the band returned fully charged and ready for attack with their third record 'Kick Me Silly - VC III' in 2016, which saw VENOMOUSCONCEPT continue in their trademark grindcore punk style. Following a European tour with BRUJERIA in 2019 and several festivals shows, the musicians headed back into the studio to write and record their fourth album.

With over 30 minutes of short, sharp musical blasts, venomous lyrics, satirical animations, and by offering their candid views, VENOMOUS CONCEPT have again created a record that breathes a true hardcore punk spirit.

Line-up 
Kevin Sharp - Vocals
Shane Embury - Bass
John Cooke - Guitar
Danny Herrera - Drums

Style: Grindcore / hardcore punk

Pre-orders: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/venomous-concept-pvte

For more on VENOMOUS CONCEPT, visit the band's official FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, and BANDCAMP.

VENOMOUS CONCEPT Announces New Album Details, Releases New Song

Grindcore / hardcore punk veterans VENOMOUS CONCEPT (featuring band members of BRUTAL TRUTH and NAPALM DEATH) will be releasing their fourth full-length, 'Politics Versus The Erection' on August 28, 2020! The album art and tracklist can be found below. In conjunction with the announcement, the band has shared "Lemonade," the first single from the upcoming offering

If the state of today’s society is reflected in music, hardcore punk / grindcore veterans VENOMOUS CONCEPT have returned to the stage with a fitting soundtrack. The band’s fourth full-length frontal assault, ‘Politics Versus The Erection’ manifests a no-nonsense and outspoken voice, resonating with the chaos that reigns over the world today.  

Starting out in 2004, the band was conceived as something like a grind punk supergroup - if that term can even be applied to a bunch of people with clear counterculture preferences. The name was chosen to pay homage to the legendary POISON IDEA.
 
At the core of VENOMOUS CONCEPT you will find BRUTAL TRUTH vocalist Kevin Sharp and Shane Embury, the iconic bass player of NAPALM DEATH. The two musicians had bonded over beer and pizza as well as their mutual love of punk heroes such as BLACK FLAG, SYSTEMATIC DEATH, GBH, SIEGE, and of course POISON IDEA.
 
The duo soon set about plotting its own assault on the style. Armed with bucketloads of coffee, the pair roped in Danny Herrera of NAPALM DEATH on drums, as well as MELVINS guitarist Buzz Osborne. A record deal was signed with Mike Patton and VENOMOUS CONCEPT's first album, 'Retroactive Abortion' (2004) was followed by a split-CD with Japanese grind band 324 (2006) and another in 2008 with BLÖOD DÜSTER.

Buzz Osborne eventually went on a hiatus, but he never really left and there is always a chance for his return - schedules permitting. Shane switched to guitar when longtime friend Dan Lilker (BRUTAL TRUTH, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, ex-ANTHRAX) joined on bass. Next, VENOMOUS CONCEPT brought in John Cooke of CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR on second guitar for touring. Sophomore full-length 'Poisoned Apple' hit the stores in 2008.
 
A quiet spell followed, but the band returned fully charged and ready for attack with their third record 'Kick Me Silly - VC III' in 2016, which saw VENOMOUSCONCEPT continue in their trademark grindcore punk style. Following a European tour with BRUJERIA in 2019 and several festivals shows, the musicians headed back into the studio to write and record their fourth album.

With over 30 minutes of short, sharp musical blasts, venomous lyrics, satirical animations, and by offering their candid views, VENOMOUS CONCEPT have again created a record that breathes a true hardcore punk spirit.

Line-up 
Kevin Sharp - Vocals
Shane Embury - Bass
John Cooke - Guitar
Danny Herrera - Drums

Style: Grindcore / hardcore punk

Pre-orders: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/venomous-concept-pvte

For more on VENOMOUS CONCEPT, visit the band's official FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, and BANDCAMP.

BEYOND CREATION Release Official "Surface's Echoes" Music Video

BEYOND CREATION has teamed up with Ghost Cult Magazine to premiere the new video for the song "Surface's Echoes." The track is taken from the band's 2018 release, 'Algorythm,' which was nominated for a JUNO-Award and won the Independent Music Award for "Best Metal/Hardcore Album." 

Feel the onrush of sweeping arpeggios, crushing waves of fretless bass, complex rhythmical patterns and erupting scales peppered with jazzy feeling and masterful execution under the mark of 'Algorythm', which names the third full-length of BEYOND CREATION. 
 
The French part of Canada is home to a vibrant culture of technical Death Metal fostered by outstanding acts such as GORGUTS, CRYPTOPSY, MARTYR, and NEURAXIS. This illustrious family tree has produced many sprouts in the past, yet none of them are as brilliant as Quebec's amazing scion: BEYOND CREATION!

BEYOND CREATION saw the light of day in 2005 in Montreal, Canada but it wasn’t until 2010 that the band was ready to hit the stage with their original line-up consisting of Simon Girard, Kevin Chatré, Guyot Bégin-Benoît and Dominic 'Forest' Lapointe. A year later, the band self-released their debut full-length album 'The Aura' (2011), which quickly became a highlight in the genre. Since then, BEYOND CREATION has been known as the progressive, innovative and exciting new metal sound of their homeland, Quebec.
 
In late 2012, the band had Philippe Boucher (Ex-FIRST FRAGMENT, INCADESCENSE, CHTHE'ILIST, DÉCOMBRES) take Guyot's place on drums and things started moving at a faster pace in 2013, when they joined Season of Mist, re-releasing 'The Aura' and touring North America and Japan. In 2014, BEYOND CREATION released their second masterpiece 'Earthborn Evolution'.
 
After the addition of Hugo Doyon-Karout (BROUGHT BY PAIN, EQUIPOISE, CONFLUX) on bass, the band focused on touring as much as possible on the 'Earthborn Evolution' album cycle compiling 3 North American tours, 3 European tours, countless shows in Canada, appearances in Mexico, Colombia and Dubaï, sharing the stage with heavy weights like ARCH ENEMY, HATE ETERNAL, MISERY INDEX, DYING FETUS, PSYCROPTIC and OBSCURA. They also took part in multiple large-scale music festivals such as Hellfest (FR), 70 000 Tons of Metal (US), UK Tech-Fest, Montebello Rockfest (CA), Heavy MTL (CA) and Damnation Fest (UK).
 
In 2018, BEYOND CREATION recorded their highly-anticipated third album 'Algorythm' at The Grid Studio in home land Canada, which is set for release on October 12th, 2018. With the new album, BEYOND CREATION delivers a ferocious blend of technicality, melody, and brutality aided by fang-filled growls, which is interwoven with beautiful progressive interludes. Prepare for the lightning evolution of the progressive technical death metal revolution!

Current line-up
Simon Girard: Vocals & Guitars
Kevin Chartré: Guitars & Back Vocals
Hugo Doyon-Karout: Bass
Philippe Boucher: Drums

For more on BEYOND CREATION, visit their official WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.