BLACKBRAID Kicks Off North American Headlining Tour

Indigenous solo black metal project BLACKBRAID is now embarking on its first ever North American headliner, in which he will be supported by Lamp of Murmuur and Dödsrit, with Gudsforladt replacing LoM as support for two Canadian dates. The trek will kick off today, September 18, in San Diego, CA and will make its way around the U.S. + Canada until the final stop on October 11 in Los Angeles, CA. Many dates have already sold out, have had venue upgrades due to demand, or are close to selling out!

Blackbraid will then be headlining the UK and Ireland from April 9 - 14, 2026, in which he will be supported by WINTERFYLLETH + NOCTEM. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are available HERE.

Vinyl and cassette formats of 'Blackbraid III,' as well as new merch designs, can be found via Blackbraid.US & Blackbraid.EU while the album can be streamed or downloaded HERE.

Blackbraid is a solo indigenous black metal project from from the depths of the Adirondack wilderness creating music as raw and powerful as the mountains from whence it came… 

TICKETS

BLACKBRAID North American Tour w/ Lamp of Murmuur + Dödsrit,:

09/18: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick [LOW TICKET WARNING]

09/19: Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live

09/20: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

09/22: Dallas, TX @ Trees

09/24: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Purgatory) [LOW TICKET WARNING]

09/25: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819

09/26: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage [VENUE UPGRADE]

09/27: Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows [SOLD OUT]

09/28: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

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

10/01: Montreal, QC @ Café Campus * [LOW TICKET WARNING]

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

10/03: Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge

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

10/05: St. Paul, MN @ The Turf Club [SOLD OUT]

10/07: Denver, CO @ HQ

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

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

10/11: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

*w/ Gudsforladt, no LoM

Creator of Blackbraid: Sgah’gahsowáh

'Blackbraid III' Album Credits:

Composed & performed by Sgah'gahsowáh

Drums, recording, mixing & mastering by Neil Schneider 

Guitar solo in “God of Black Blood" performed by Randy Moore

“Fleshbound" originally composed by Lord Belial

Painting by Adam Burke

Illustration by Adrian Baxter

Visual development & graphic design by Wolf Mountain Productions 

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Shop/Pre-order:

Official Merch Store (USA)

Official Merch Store (EU) 

Blackbraid is an independent artist and is not contracted to or owned by any music label. 

OBSIDIAN TONGUE Kicks Off West Coast Headliner

Progressive black metal duo OBSIDIAN TONGUE is now kicking off a West Coast U.S. headliner! The trek starts in Seattle, WA today, September 18 and will dominate 10 cities until the final stop in Spring Valley, CA on September 27. The tour will celebrate the release of OBSIDIAN TONGUE's latest studio album, 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn." The full itinerary can be found below!

'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn,' which is out now via Profound Lore Records and can be ordered HERE.

Comprised of multi-instrumentalist Brendan Hayter (Thrawsunblat/Obsequiae live) and drummer Raymond Capizzo (Falls Of Rauros/Panopticon live), OBSIDIAN TONGUE returned to the all-analog Mystic Valley Studio, where their first two records were made, to print their Covid-era home sessions onto two-inch tape. Mixed and mastered in the analog domain as well by Alex Garcia-Rivera, 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn' boasts a unique and unmistakable sonic force amidst the modern digital landscape; created with a total absence of click tracks, quantization, or sound replacement of any kind. 

OBSIDIAN TONGUE Tour Dates:

09/18: Seattle, WA @ BYC

09/19: Eugene, OR @ John Henry's

09/20: Portland, OR @ High Water Mark 

09/21: Olympia, WA @ The Crypt

09/22: Medford, OR @ Rockafairy Express

09/23: Nevada City, NV @ The Owl Cave

09/24: Santa Rosa, CA @ The Shop

09/25: Fresno, CA @ Summer Fox Brewing

09/26: Los Angeles, CA @ Five Star Bar 

09/27: Spring Valley, CA @ The Bancroft

Sixteen years into the band’s existence, Obsidian Tongue clearly show no signs of running out of new ways to alter their sound - song by song, album by album.

Lineup:

Brendan Hayter - Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Synth

Raymond Capizzo - Drums

Recorded @ Mystic Valley Studio

Mixed & Mastered by Alex Garcia-Rivera

Photos by: Stephanie Sintra

Pre-Orders: https://linktr.ee/obsidiantongue

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INFERNO FESTIVAL NORWAY 2026 Reveals Second Wave of Bands; ENSLAVED, SAMAEL, AUÐN + More!

After a strong first announcement, INFERNO FESTIVAL NORWAY 2026 is pleased to reveal five more bands for next year's edition! The festival now welcomes Enslaved, Samael, Auðn, Morax, and Forsmán, with more TBA!

Inferno will once again take place across several venues in Oslo (NO) during Easter from April 2 - 5! Tickets and passes can be found HERE.

The current lineup is now as follows with more TBA:

Deicide

Enslaved

Old Man’s Child

The Kovenant

Kanonenfieber

Samael

Incantation

Auðn

Whoredom Rife

Darvaza

Perchta

Morax

Myr

Forsmán

+ more TBA!

The iconic Inferno Metal Festival started in 2001 and is the longest running metal festival in

Norway and one of the most important extreme metal festivals in the world. We are very proud

of this position and we will continue fronting Norwegian metal and bringing bands from all over

the world to Norway. Inferno Metal Festival is being held four days at Rockefeller Music Halls’

two stages Rockefeller and John Dee as well as many smaller clubs around Oslo. The festival takes place during Easter in Norway when not a lot of other stuff is happening in Oslo. The festival are usually sold out and more than fifty percent of the audience are from outside of Norway. The ticket sales are from all over the world including China, Australia, Chile, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, USA, Columbia, Argentina and many more.

Links:

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PAUL MASVIDAL + Kiesel Guitars Announce the Masvidalien MIII Hybrid Guitar; Shares New Performance Video

Kiesel Guitars proudly introduces the Masvidalien MIII, the debut Kiesel signature model from Paul Masvidal, guitarist and composer known for his work with Cynic, Death, Æon Spoke, and Mythical Human Vessel.

Built in Kiesel’s California factory, the MIII was designed with strength, resonance, and playability at its core. Inspired by Kiesel’s Kyber model, which Masvidal was already connected to, the MIII began as a natural extension of that instrument but quickly evolved into something uniquely its own, a Hybrid Guitar that expands on the Kyber’s spirit and opens new creative ground.

“Creating the Masvidalien MIII with Jeff and the Kiesel family at their Southern California factory was educational and eye opening," say Masvidal. Every step taught me something new, from experimenting with strength and resonance in the neck to noticing the subtle details that make a guitar feel alive against the body. Even obstacles opened new doors, leading to the discovery of a pickup voicing that surprised us with its sound. Working with Jeff was a unique experience. I could bring in ideas from my perspective, and he would ground them in what was possible, or reveal a new path I had not considered. The back and forth shaped the guitar in ways I could not have reached alone.”

“Through it all I learned the value of patience, of showing up and letting the instrument itself guide the process. What emerged is both personal and universal, a guitar designed for playability, balance, and substance. Guitars evolve as musicians and styles evolve, so this work is like a living organism that will keep expanding. These instruments honor the classic reference points left by the great master luthiers while embracing the infinite possibilities ahead. For me, the MIII is a symbol of that evolution.”

To mark the launch, Masvidal filmed a performance video that captures both the spirit of the MIII and of California. Shot with spontaneous, off the cuff moments to reflect the true feel of the instrument, the video also includes b roll footage that Masvidal describes as his love letter to San Francisco, the city where he now lives. For Masvidal, the guitar and film together celebrate not only the evolution of the instrument but also the inspiration of California itself. The video can be seen Below.

Masvidal co-founded Cynic as a teenager, recording several demos before being invited to play guitar on Death’s landmark Human. Cynic would go on to release records that reshaped progressive music, including Focus, Traced in Air, and Ascension Codes. Beyond Cynic, his work spans film, television, and experimental solo projects, all rooted in exploration and sound.

The Masvidalien MIII continues this spirit, merging playability, resonance, and thoughtful design in collaboration with Kiesel’s Escondido based team.

Paul Masvidal is a groundbreaking guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of Cynic, a pioneering progressive metal band known for its innovative fusion of metal, jazz, and experimental music. Widely respected as a groundbreaking guitarist and songwriter, Masvidal has collaborated with major artists across genres, adding to his legacy as an innovative musician. Over time, he has become a well recognized figure in the metal and progressive music community, with countless younger artists and musicians citing him as a key influence in both technical ability and creative vision.

Known for his philosophical and spiritual approach to art, exploring themes of the dream-like nature of reality, consciousness, and the search for deeper truths, his music transcends labels, resonating with fans of both the metal world and beyond, thanks to his ability to combine technicality with emotional depth.

Masvidal played guitar on Death’s influential album, 'Human,' and helped shape the genre with Cynic's acclaimed 1993 release, 'Focus,' often regarded as a seminal record in progressive metal. Following 'Focus,' Cynic expanded their sound with albums such as 'Traced in Air' (2008), and explored more experimental territory with EPs 'Re-Traced' (2010) and 'Carbon-Based Anatomy' (2011), which reimagined Cynic’s music with atmospheric and ambient textures. Cynic continued to evolve with the full-length album 'Kindly Bent to Free Us' (2014), which took a more raw, progressive rock trio direction, further solidifying their role as innovators in the genre.

In 2022, Cynic released the futuristic concept album 'Ascension Codes,' a deeply philosophical record that explores themes of cosmic consciousness, spirituality, and transcendence, showcasing Masvidal’s continued creative evolution.

In addition to his work with Cynic, Masvidal has produced a solo trilogy, Mythical Human Vessel, and led the alternative project Æon Spoke. He gained significant attention for his personal coming-out story in the LA Times, advocating for LGBTQ+ representation in the metal community in 2014, where he courageously shared his journey as a gay man in the metal scene, shattering stereotypes and inspiring fans worldwide.during a time when coming out was still taboo. A dedicated vegan, Masvidal promotes conscious living and mindfulness, further extending his creativity through his jewelry line, Masvidalien, inspired by metaphysical concepts.

Masvidal has also collaborated with various artists and composed music for TV and film, including the award-winning The Tiger Hunter. He has also launched two signature guitars with Strandberg and now Kiesel, cementing his place as a guitarist whose influence is felt by players across a wide spectrum of genres.

For the last two years, he has been actively touring with Cynic, including the 30th anniversary memorial tour for Focus, bringing the band’s music to audiences around the world with renewed energy and resonance. Alongside Cynic, he has also continued to perform as a solo artist. His solo performances offer a meditative experience, blending acoustic and electronic elements to create intimate, reflective soundscapes. Widely respected, Masvidal continues to influence generations of musicians with his technical prowess and philosophical approach to art.

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MANY EYES Unleashes New Single, Announces Forthcoming EP

Emerging metallic hardcore outfit MANY EYES is now unleashing a brand new single, "The Clock Behind All Other Clocks," which is taken from the band's forthcoming EP, 'Combust,' due on September 19 via Perseverance Media Group! The song can be found along with a lyric video below.

Frontman Keith Buckley comments, "'The Clock Behind All Other Clocks' is about peeling back the illusory layers of personality to look into someone’s deepest, darkest and truest intentions. once you see them, you become the clock.”

'Combust' will be available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats, with the physical editions having five additional bonus tracks. The EP can be pre-ordered HERE.

In addition, MANY EYES will be embarking on an East Coast U.S. headliner tour, which kicks off on September 25 in Albany, NY throughout October 12, where it will conclude in the band's hometown of Buffalo, NY. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.

GET TICKETS

MANY EYES U.S. Tour Dates:

09/25: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

09/26: Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie

09/27: Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club

09/28: Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506

09/30: Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum

10/01: Miami, FL @ Gramps

10/03: Orlando, FL @ The Social

10/05: Princeton, AL @ Furnace Fest 2025

10/06: St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway

10/08: Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry Concert Club

10/09: Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge

10/11: Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom

10/12: Buffalo, NY @ Electric City

Many Eyes came together in the winter of 2022 and immediately went to work crafting a sound that was as brutal as it was melodic. When their 2023 LP THE LIGHT AGE was released by Perseverance Media Group - a label owned and run by Jamey Jasta, vocalist for Hardcore pioneers HATEBREED - it captured the angry energy of the whole world at the time while subtly paying homage to the punk rock and hardcore scenes of the late 90’s that raised these music veterans. However, it was on a tour with Post-Hardcore legends THURSDAY that Many Eyes would forge a fierce live element for their already stacked arsenal, an element that would set Many Eyes on a most excellent adventure - an adventure that continues…. to this very day! 

Many Eyes features Keith Buckley on vocals, Nick Bellmore on drums, Sean Vallie on bass and Alan Hague on guitar.

Lineup:

Keith Buckley - Vocals

Alan Hague - Guitar

Nick Bellmore - Drums

Sean Vallie - Bas

Cover Art: Nick Steinhardt

Recorded/Mixed by Nick Bellmore

Mastered by Randy Merrill

Pre-orders: https://www.martyrstore.net/artist/many-eyes

Links:

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Melodic Death Metal Newcomers THE HUNT Debut First Song, "Erratic," with Music Video

Melodic death metal rising stars THE HUNT are now making their debut with the searing new single, "Erratic," along with blistering performance video! The clip, which was directed by Gabriel Connor.

THE HUNT frontman Tony Rauser comments, "'Erratic' is a song that embodies my own experience with anxiety. It's a visceral reaction to a helpless feeling."

Influenced by iconic bands across the genre like At The Gates, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, and others, The Hunt brings a unique blend of memorable guitar riffs, victorious melodies, and aggressive, dynamic vocal interplay to the stage.

The single is the precursor to a forthcoming EP from the band, for which more will be revealed soon... stay tuned!

In addition, THE HUNT will be performing a hometown show tomorrow, September 5, at Knucklehead Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA. Tickets can be found HERE.

The Hunt Live U.S. Shows:

09/05: Los Angeles, CA @ Knucklehead Hollywood [TICKETS]

The Hunt is a Melodic Death Metal band originally from Redwood City, California, known regionally for their unique blend of Bay Area Melodic Death Metal. The band is fronted by Tony Rauser, features world class lead guitarist Cameron Stucky (Darkness Everywhere, Sea in the Sky), Jacob Lauing (Phantom Code, ex-Terrestria) on Drums / backing vocals and Dan Saltzman (Illucinus, Fleshspoil) on Bass / backing vocals.

Influenced by iconic bands across the genre like At The Gates, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, and others, The Hunt brings a unique blend of memorable guitar riffs, victorious melodies, and aggressive, dynamic vocal interplay to the stage. The Hunt's lyrics often explore themes of survival, death, triumph, the human experience, and much more.

THE HUNT Lineup:

Tony Rauser (Vocals / Guitar)

Cameron Stucky (Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals)

Dan Saltzman (Bass / Backing Vocals) 

Jacob Lauing (Drums / Backing Vocals)

Mixed and Mastered by Julian Gargiulo 

Links:

BANDCAMP

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

YOUTUBE

APPLE MUSIC

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INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

MERCH STORE

Photo by: Cameron Nunez

ONE OF NINE Summons Pure Tolkienian Sorrow with New Song,"Dreadful Leap," (Ft. HULDER), Announces New Album

From the shadowed vales of Brethil, ONE OF NINE unveils their hymn “Dreadful Leap," a glimpse into their forthcoming epic, 'Dawn of the Iron Shadow,' to be released on October 31 through Profound Lore Records. Rooted in the tale of Túrin son of Húrin and the bitter fate of Nienor, the song rises as a lament of doom and grief, its sorrowful voice joined with the presence of HULDER as the Tear Maiden. Listen to the bards play their tune HERE.

One of Nine says,

"The page turns, and old sorceries die. 

Túrin, son of Húrin, has struck dead Glaurung, the dread worm!

And in such bitter triumph the doom of his house is revealed as the golden veil upon Nienor’s mind is forever lifted. 

Thus do we, the Nine, lift our voices in the retelling, to proffer a glimpse upon the 'Dawn of the Iron Shadow.'

'Dreadful Leap' is unveiled, and its echo now resounds in every hall."

'Dawn of the Iron Shadow' can be pre-ordered HERE.

The cover artwork was carefully wrought by the hand of Ted Nasmith, a craftsman of no small renown who is the illustrator of J. R. R. Tolkien's works 'The Lord of the Rings,' 'Unfinished Tales,' and 'The Silmarillion.'

ONE OF NINE Lineup:

Fellrider of Northern Unlight - Guitars, vocals

Pharazon the Golden - Drums

Gurthang the Black Sword - Guitars

Urmaiar the Rope - Bass

Langon - Keyboards

Guest Musicians:

Hulder as The Tear Maiden (on "Dreadful Leap")

M. of Lamp of Murmuur as Morgoth (on "Behold the Shadow of My Thoughts")

Cover artist:

​Ted Nasmith

Links:

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TOMBS Unveils Haunting New Single "The Sun Sets"

New Jersey experimental metal collective TOMBS is now unveiling a haunting new single, "The Sun Sets" which can be heard below.

TOMBS bassist Drew Murphy comments, "I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished on the album. I'm particularly proud of this song. It's definitely a standout track in my opinion. When I listen to this song I feel like it takes me on an epic journey that ends with being stranded in the middle of a very angry sea. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do."

"The Sun Sets" is taken from the band's upcoming studio album, 'Feral Darkness,' which will be released on October 17, 2025 via Redefining Darkness! The title track from the offering was previously released and can be heard HERE.

The band is not only returning with a new label, but also with a new sound! While 'Feral Darkness' still embraces TOMBS' black metal roots, it also explores the band's gothic, death rock side, creating the band's darkest and most haunting record to date!

Pre-orders for 'Feral Darkness' are now live via Bandcamp as well as via the Redefining Darkness store.

Formed in 2007, New Jersey-based experimental metal outfit TOMBS blends bleak, post-punk minimalism with the ferocious attack of sludge and haunting goth rock. TOMBS have established themselves as an act that's as committed to consistency as it is to growth, developing smoothly (but never predictably) over the course of their career.

TOMBS Lineup:

Mike Hill – guitar / vocals / synth

Justin Spaeth – drums / guitar

Andrew Murphy – Bass / guitar / vocals

Dan Higgins - guitar

Guest Musicians:

Sera Timms – vocals on "Nightland" (Black Mare, Black Math Horsemen, Ides of Gemini)

Cover Artist: Seldon Hunt

Recording and Mixing: Justin Spaeth

Mastering: Andreas Rosczyk

Photos: Mike Goncalves

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OBSIDIAN TONGUE Announces West Coast Headliner

Progressive black metal duo OBSIDIAN TONGUE will be embarking on a West Coast U.S. headliner next month! The trek will kick off in Seattle, WA on September 18 and will dominate 10 cities until the final stop in Spring Valley, CA on September 27. The tour will not only celebrate the release of OBSIDIAN TONGUE's latest studio album, 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn." The full itinerary can be found below!

'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn,' which is out now via Profound Lore Records and can be ordered HERE.

Comprised of multi-instrumentalist Brendan Hayter (Thrawsunblat/Obsequiae live) and drummer Raymond Capizzo (Falls Of Rauros/Panopticon live), OBSIDIAN TONGUE returned to the all-analog Mystic Valley Studio, where their first two records were made, to print their Covid-era home sessions onto two-inch tape. Mixed and mastered in the analog domain as well by Alex Garcia-Rivera, 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn' boasts a unique and unmistakable sonic force amidst the modern digital landscape; created with a total absence of click tracks, quantization, or sound replacement of any kind. 

OBSIDIAN TONGUE Tour Dates:

09/18: Seattle, WA @ BYC

09/19: Eugene, OR @ John Henry's

09/20: Portland, OR @ High Water Mark 

09/21: Olympia, WA @ The Crypt

09/22: Medford, OR @ Rockafairy Express

09/23: Nevada City, NV @ The Owl Cave

09/24: Santa Rosa, CA @ The Shop

09/25: Fresno, CA @ Summer Fox Brewing

09/26: Los Angeles, CA @ Five Star Bar 

09/27: Spring Valley, CA @ The Bancroft

Sixteen years into the band’s existence, Obsidian Tongue clearly show no signs of running out of new ways to alter their sound - song by song, album by album.

Lineup:

Brendan Hayter - Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Synth

Raymond Capizzo - Drums

Recorded @ Mystic Valley Studio

Mixed & Mastered by Alex Garcia-Rivera

Photos by: Stephanie Sintra

Pre-Orders: https://linktr.ee/obsidiantongue

Recommended for Fans Of: Agalloch, Blut Aus Nord, Dødheimsgard, Wolves in the Throne Room

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INFERNO FESTIVAL NORWAY 2026 Reveals First Wave of Bands; DEICIDE, OLD MAN'S CHILD

INFERNO FESTIVAL NORWAY 2026 is now proudly welcoming the first wave of bands to next year's edition, which will once again take place across several venues in Oslo (NO) during Easter from April 2 - 5! Deicide, Old Man’s Child, The Kovenant, Kanonenfieber, Incantation, Whoredom Rife, Darvaza, Perchta, and Myr are confirmed to conquer the festival!

Tickets and passes can be found HERE.

The full lineup is now as follows with more TBA:

Deicide

Old Man’s Child

The Kovenant

Kanonenfieber

Incantation

Whoredom Rife

Darvaza

Perchta

Myr

+ more TBA!

BAEST Launches Visualizer for New Song, “Depraved World," New Album 'Colossal' Out Now

Danish death metal commando BAEST is now celebrating the release of its fourth studio album, 'Colossal,' which is out now, via Century Media Records! The band is also now sharing a visualizer with animation by Frederik Birn for the album’s closing track, “Depraved World," which can be found below.

BAEST comments, “Lo and behold! Our new album ‘Colossal’ is out now. We’re proud of this one and we’ve been working hard to reach this outcome. And the title says it all - it’s grandiose, it’s epic and it’s COLOSSAL!”

Produced by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio (Heaven Shall Burn, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Haunted, etc.), the album contains nine tracks across 42 minutes, including the already released singles "Colossus" and "Imp Of The Perverse," as well as an upcoming single with guest vocal features by Jesper Binzer of D-A-D on “King Of The Sun."

'Colossal' is now available to order, stream, or download HERE.

The album’s artwork was created by Solomacello

Are you ready to rock? Something colossal is coming…

Baest are back, with a new sound and a badass attitude. Over the last decade, the Danish quintet have become one of the most celebrated and respected death metal bands in Europe. Their reign of terror began with debut album Danse Macabre, which emerged to great acclaim in 2019. Since then, the Danes have been relentless. Subsequent albums Venenum (2019) and Necro Sapiens (2021) cemented their reputation as extreme metal mavericks with an ear for lethal hooks, while their passionate dedication to playing live enabled them to spread the word at shows and festivals around the world. 

But things are slightly changing with album number 4: Colossal. Pieced together in the aftermath of Covid lockdowns, and fine-tuned over the last couple of years, the new Baest album is an absolute monster. The new songs are still rooted in the belligerent death metal that informed previous records, but Colossal represents a wholesale transformation. Inspired by and infused with old school, classic metal riffs and a giant helping of rock ‘n’ roll bombast, Baest have written an album that delights in the glory of heavy metal and the fine art of rocking out. Bursting at the seams with catchy riffs and classy melodies, with stylistic salutes to everyone from Ozzy Osbourne and Dokken, through to Iron Maiden and Whitesnake, this is the magnificent rock ‘n’ roll rebirth of Baest. 

BAEST line-up:

Svend Karlsson - Rhythm/Lead Guitar 

Simon Olsen - Vocals 

Lasse Revsbech - Rhythm/Lead Guitar 

Sebastian Abildsten - Drums & Percussion

Mattias ‘Muddi’ Melchiorsen - Bass

Album Artwork:

Solomacello

Production:

Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio

Special Guests:

Jesper Binzer of D-A-D on "King Of The Sun"

ORM on "Misfortunate Son"

Formats (U.S.): Ltd. CD Digipak / LP / Digital Album

BAEST online:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK 

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

STREAM // DOWNLOAD

CORONER Announces New Album 'Dissonance Theory,' Unleashes Music Video for First Single, "Renewal"

After more than three decades, Swiss technical thrash pioneer CORONER will be releasing a long-anticipated studio album, 'Dissonance Theory,' on October 17, 2025 via Century Media Records! Pre-orders are now live HERE.

To celebrate the forthcoming opus, the band is now unleashing the ferocious first single, "Renewal," along with a music video! The clip was directed by Dariusz Szermanowicz and can be found below.

 

Coroner’s guitarist, songwriter, and producer Tommy Vetterli comments on the new music, “I thought a lot about what Coroner should sound like today, but I pretty quickly realized that looking backwards wouldn’t serve us. Of course, over time you develop a certain signature as a musician. So even if the material is new, it might still feel like a bridge to earlier phases - simply because it’s me writing it.

"That said, we didn’t set out to continue a legacy. We just wanted to create something honest and grounded in the present. ‘Renewal’ now opens the chapter for what became the first Coroner album I’m fully satisfied with, start to finish. So we’ll let the music speak for itself - you’ll know if it speaks to you.”

'Dissonance Theory' contains ten new songs across 47 minutes, recorded by Tommy Vetterli at New Sound Studios in Switzerland and mixed/mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden (Opeth, Kreator, Amon Amarth, etc.).

The album cover artwork was created by Stefan Thanneur.

'Dissonance Theory,' in totality, is rich in sonic detail, a stereophile’s delight. Part of that can be attributed to the expert mixing/mastering by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. But the production, arrangement and soundscape details are largely the work of Vetterli and a longtime creative partner at his own New Sound studio. Vetterli notes, “At some point, I felt something was missing — a kind of creative counterweight. Someone to reflect things back with a fresh, critical ear. That’s when I brought in a longtime collaborator I’ve worked with for years at my studio. He helped push things into new territory and gave me the clarity and momentum Dissonance Theory needed to move forward. We made a point throughout the production to record as many authentic, organic sounds as possible. The studio was packed with tube amps, analog synths, and vintage instruments — including a harmonium and a grand piano — and we put them all to good use. We've worked together on many other productions, so the trust was already there. We get into that whole collaboration — and how it evolved — more deeply in the CD mediabook edition.” 

Coroner are offering a work that proves they know themselves and what their band should sound like. No Coroner fan could possibly be disappointed in Dissonance Theory. It’s like a massive bonus from a band we all thought had spent their creative energies decades ago. “They don’t make albums like this anymore”. Ever heard that one? Coroner proves they were not only always in metal’s top tier, but that anything less than a ferocious return such as this would never have been the Coroner way. 

Lineup:

Ron Royce - Bass/vocals

Tommy T. Baron - Guitars

Diego Rappachietti - Drums

Recording: Tommy Vetterli at New Sound Studios in Switzerland

Mixing + Mastering: Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden 

BLACKBRAID Announces UK + Ireland Headlining Tour

Indigenous solo black metal project BLACKBRAID is now announcing a headlining tour of the UKand Ireland from April 9 - 14, 2026, in which he will be supported by WINTERFYLLETH + NOCTEM. The full itinerary can be found below!

BLACKBRAID will be supporting its latest album, 'Blackbraid III,' which is out now! Vinyl and cassette formats of 'Blackbraid III,' as well as new merch designs, can be found via Blackbraid.US & Blackbraid.EU while the album can be streamed or downloaded HERE.

ICYMI: Blackbraid recently unveiled the latest single, "The Dying Breath of a Sacred Stag," along with a music video via Black Metal Promotions! The clip was created by Wolf Mountain Productions(The Anti-label) and can be found at THIS LOCATION.

BLACKBRAID will also be embarking on a North American headliner later this year with support from Lamp of Murmuur and Dödsrit, with Gudsforladt replacing LoM as support for two Canadian dates. The trek will kick off on September 19 in San Diego, CA and will make its way around the U.S. + Canada until the final stop on October 11 in Los Angeles, CA. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are available HERE.

Due to the high demand, the previously sold out Baltimore performance has now been upgraded to Soundstage and tickets have been added!

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

Blackbraid is a solo indigenous black metal project from from the depths of the Adirondack wilderness creating music as raw and powerful as the mountains from whence it came… 

TICKETS

BLACKBRAID North American Tour w/ Lamp of Murmuur + Dödsrit,:

09/18: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

09/19: Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live

09/20: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

09/22: Dallas, TX @ Trees

09/24: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Purgatory)

09/25: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819

09/26: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage [VENUE UPGRADE]

09/27: Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows [LOW TICKET WARNING]

09/28: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

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

10/01: Montreal, QC @ Café Campus *

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

10/03: Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge

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

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

10/07: Denver, CO @ HQ

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

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

10/11: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

*w/ Gudsforladt, no LoM

BLACKBRAID UK + IE Tour w/ Winterfylleth + Noctem:

04/09/26: Bristol, UK @ The Fleece 

04/10/26: Manchester, UK @ Rebellion 

04/11/26: Dublin, IE @ Whelan's 

04/12/26: Belfast, UK  @ Limelight 2 

04/13/26: Glasgow, UK  @ Slay

04/14/26: Birmingham, UK  -@Asylum 

04/15/26: London, UK  @ The Garage

BLACKBRAID Upcoming Festivals:

08/23: Eisfeld (DE) @ Wolfszeit Festival

12/19: Leipzig (DE) @ Black Hole Fest Germania III - Frost Edition

04/05/26: Munich (DE) @ Dark Easter Metal Meeting

Follow // Listen:

Bandcamp

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Instagram

Shop/Pre-order:

Official Merch Store (USA)

Official Merch Store (EU) 

Blackbraid is an independent artist and is not contracted to or owned by any music label. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo by MM Photography

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

GET PASSES HERE

WATCH 2025 COVERAGE HERE

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

Passes for next year are now available at THIS LOCATION.

The current lineup is as follows, with more TBA!

Dimma

Sign

Hamferð

Voivod

Misþyrming

Tailgunner

Skitsystem

Necrowretch

Wistaria

Devine Defilement

Carpe Noctem

Barnaveiki

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

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

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

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

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

Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Official Website

Claudio Simonetti's Goblin Announces 'Suspiria' Canadian Tour + 'Deep Red / Profondo Rosso' 50th Anniversary U.S. Tour🔪

Just in time for spooky season when the veil gets thinner between the living and dead, the maestro of horror returns to haunt North America! Claudio Simonetti's Goblin will be performing two special headlining tours of Canada and the United States. From October 8 - 15, the horror collective will bring the score of Dario Argento's 'Suspiria' along with a screening of the film for audiences in Canada.

Then, the band will cross into the states to deliver the sounds of Argento's 'Deep Red / Profondo Rosso' to a special 50th anniversary screening of the film from October 24 until the tour's epic conclusion in Los Angeles, CA on November 8 as one of featured artists for Future Ruins Music & Arts festival. Organized and curated by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Future Ruins is a first-of-its-kind music festival: a day-long event where the world’s most influential film and television composers step out from behind the screen and onto the stage. Simonetti's Goblin will perform along with other composers who are household names such as Danny Elfman, John Carpenter and their younger contemporaries like Cristobal Tapia de Veer ('Black Mirror,' 'The White Lotus,' 'Babygirl,' etc). More info and tickets on the event can be found HERE.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, August 1 @ 10:00 A.M. EDT at THIS LOCATION.

The band will be performing full concerts instead of movie screenings during their exclusive appearances at both Future Ruins festival and Saturday Nightmares Horror Con in Los Angeles CA and East Rutherford, NJ on October 25, respectively. These will be the only two full GOBLIN concerts of the tour.

Composer Claudio Simonetti has written and recorded some of the most influential scores and soundtracks in horror, including 'Suspiria,' 'Dawn of the Dead,' 'Deep Red / Profondo Rosso,' 'Tenebre,' 'Demons,' and many others, with his seminal work still informing the genre to this day.

Claudio Simonetti's Goblin Canadian Tour 2025 (performing 'Suspiria'):

10/08: Calgary, AB @ Globe Cinema

10/09: Calgary, AB @ Globe Cinema

10/11: Edmonton, AB @ Metro Cinema

10/14: Vancouver, BC @ Rio Theatre

10/15: Vancouver, BC @ Rio Theatre

Claudio Simonetti's Goblin U.S. Tour 2025 (performing 'Deep Red / Profondo Rosso'):

10/24: New York, NY @ City Winery

10/25: East Rutherford, NJ @ Saturday Nightmares // The Williams Center*

10/26: Philadelphia, PA @ City Winery

10/29: Boston, MA @ City Winery

10/31: Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre

11/01: Boston, MA @ City Winery

11/02: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

11/05: Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre

11/08: Los Angeles, CA @ Future Ruins*

*Best of set only

Claudio Simonetti is a renowned composer, musician, and keyboardist, best known for his work in the horror film genre. He gained fame as the founder of the Italian progressive rock band Goblin, which became iconic for its collaborations with director Dario Argento, particularly with films like Suspiria and Profondo Rosso.

Simonetti’s compositions are characterized by their innovative use of synthesizers and orchestral elements, blending rock, classical, and avant-garde influences. His scores have significantly contributed to the atmospheric tension of Argento's films and have garnered a dedicated following. In addition to his film work, Simonetti has released solo albums and continues to perform internationally, celebrating the legacy of Goblin while exploring new musical avenues.

With a career spanning several decades, Simonetti remains a pivotal figure in both the horror film industry and the progressive rock scene, influencing a generation of musicians and filmmakers.

Lineup:

Claudio Simonetti: Keyboards

Daniele Amador: Guitar

Cecilia Nappo: Bass

Federico Maragoni: Drums

Links:

Official Goblin Website

Facebook

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Shop

Iceland's Sátan Metal Festival Announces Next Wave of Bands; Sign, Misþyrming and Barnaveiki

Sátan, an emerging metal festival in Iceland, is now pleased to reveal the next wave of bands for 2026 and is now welcoming Icelandic natives, Sign, Misþyrming and Barnaveiki! The third edition of the festival will take place in Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula from June 4-6, 2026!

Passes for next year are now available at THIS LOCATION.

The current lineup is as follows, with more TBA!

Dimma

Sign

Hamferð

Misþyrming

Skitsystem

Necrowretch

Devine Defilement

Carpe Noctem

Barnaveiki

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

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

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

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

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

Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Official Website

BLACKBRAID Unveils Music Video for New Single, "The Dying Breath of a Sacred Stag

Solo black metal project BLACKBRAID is now unveiling a new single, "The Dying Breath of a Sacred Stag," along with a music video via Black Metal Promotions! The clip was created by Wolf Mountain Productions (The Anti-label) and can be found at THIS LOCATION.

The song is taken from 'Blackbraid III,'  will be released on August 8, 2025 independently! Vinyl and cassette formats, as well as new merch designs, can now be pre-ordered via Blackbraid.US & Blackbraid.EU while the album can be pre-saved across all streaming services HERE.

ICYMI: Blackbraid's new single "Wardrums at Dawn on the Day of my Death" is now streaming along with a music video at Black Metal Promotions! The video was created by Moshmallows and captures the haunting and primal nature of Blackbraid's live shows. Watch the clip below.

BLACKBRAID will also be embarking on a North American headliner later this year with support from Lamp of Murmuur and Dödsrit, with Gudsforladt replacing LoM as support for two Canadian dates. The trek will kick off on September 19 in San Diego, CA and will make its way around the U.S. + Canada until the final stop on October 11 in Los Angeles, CA. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are available HERE.

In addition, BLACKBRAID has partnered with Fire in the Mountains Festival to curate a special pre-release event where festival attendees will get to hear 'Blackbraid III' ahead of its August 8 release date! During the event, there will also be a special live Q&A that will take place during the listening session with Metal Injection's Frank Godla.

Fire in the Mountains will take place in Montana from July 25-27, 2025 at the Red Eagle Campground on the Blackfeet Nation Reserve. BLACKBRAID joins an esteemed lineup of artists including Wardruna, Old Man's Child, Chelsea Wolfe, Converge, Blood Incantation, and more! Tickets are available HERE while the full lineup and all pertinent festival information can be found HERE.

Blackbraid is a solo indigenous black metal project from from the depths of the Adirondack wilderness creating music as raw and powerful as the mountains from whence it came… 

The captivating album artwork for 'Blackbraid III,' was created in collaboration with Adam Burke, who handled the painting, and mainstay Blackbraid album artist Adrian Baxter, who did the illustration. The artwork can be found below.

TICKETS

BLACKBRAID North American Tour w/ Lamp of Murmuur + Dödsrit,:

09/18: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

09/19: Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live

09/20: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

09/22: Dallas, TX @ Trees

09/24: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Purgatory)

09/25: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819

09/26: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery [SOLD OUT]

09/27: Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows

09/28: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

09/30: Boston, MA @ Middle East (Downstairs)

10/01: Montreal, QC @ Café Campus *

10/02: Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground *

10/03: Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge

10/04: Chicago, IL @ Reggies

10/05: St. Paul, MN @ The Turf Club

10/07: Denver, CO @ HQ

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

10/10: Oakland, CA @ Thee Stork Club

10/11: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

*w/ Gudsforladt, no LoM

BLACKBRAID Upcoming Festivals:

07/27: Red Eagle Campground, MT @ Fire in the Mountains Fest

08/23: Eisfeld (DE) @ Wolfszeit Festival

12/19: Leipzig (DE) @ Black Hole Fest Germania III - Frost Edition

04/05/26: Munich (DE) @ Dark Easter Metal Meeting

Creator of Blackbraid: Sgah’gahsowáh

'Blackbraid III' Album Credits:

Composed & performed by Sgah'gahsowáh

Drums, recording, mixing & mastering by Neil Schneider 

Guitar solo in “God of Black Blood" performed by Randy Moore

“Fleshbound" originally composed by Lord Belial

Painting by Adam Burke

Illustration by Adrian Baxter

Visual development & graphic design by Wolf Mountain Productions 

Follow // Listen:

Bandcamp

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Instagram

Shop/Pre-order:

Official Merch Store (USA)

Official Merch Store (EU) 

Blackbraid is an independent artist and is not contracted to or owned by any music label. 

BLACKBRAID Launches Pre-Orders for 'Blackbraid III

Solo black metal project BLACKBRAID is now launching pre-sales for 'Blackbraid III,'  will be released on August 8, 2025 independently! Vinyl and cassette formats, as well as new merch designs, can now be pre-ordered via Blackbraid.US & Blackbraid.EU!

Blackbraid's new single "Wardrums at Dawn on the Day of my Death" is now streaming along with a music video at Black Metal Promotions! The video was created by Moshmallows and captures the haunting and primal nature of Blackbraid's live shows. Watch the clip below.

BLACKBRAID will also be embarking on a North American headliner later this year with support from Lamp of Murmuur and Dödsrit, with Gudsforladt replacing LoM as support for two Canadian dates. The trek will kick off on September 19 in San Diego, CA and will make its way around the U.S. + Canada until the final stop on October 11 in Los Angeles, CA. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are available HERE.

In addition, BLACKBRAID has partnered with Fire in the Mountains Festival to curate a special pre-release event where festival attendees will get to hear 'Blackbraid III' ahead of its August 8 release date! During the event, there will also be a special live Q&A that will take place during the listening session with Metal Injection's Frank Godla.

Fire in the Mountains will take place in Montana from July 25-27, 2025 at the Red Eagle Campground on the Blackfeet Nation Reserve. BLACKBRAID joins an esteemed lineup of artists including Wardruna, Old Man's Child, Chelsea Wolfe, Converge, Blood Incantation, and more! Tickets are available HERE while the full lineup and all pertinent festival information can be found HERE.

Blackbraid is a solo indigenous black metal project from from the depths of the Adirondack wilderness creating music as raw and powerful as the mountains from whence it came… 

TICKETS

BLACKBRAID North American Tour w/ Lamp of Murmuur + Dödsrit,:

09/18: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

09/19: Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live

09/20: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

09/22: Dallas, TX @ Trees

09/24: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Purgatory)

09/25: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819

09/26: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery

09/27: Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows

09/28: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

09/30: Boston, MA @ Middle East (Downstairs)

10/01: Montreal, QC @ Café Campus *

10/02: Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground *

10/03: Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge

10/04: Chicago, IL @ Reggies

10/05: St. Paul, MN @ The Turf Club

10/07: Denver, CO @ HQ

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

10/10: Oakland, CA @ Thee Stork Club

10/11: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

*w/ Gudsforladt, no LoM

BLACKBRAID Upcoming Festivals:

07/27: Red Eagle Campground, MT @ Fire in the Mountains Fest

08/23: Eisfeld (DE) @ Wolfszeit Festival

12/19: Leipzig (DE) @ Black Hole Fest Germania III - Frost Edition

04/05/26: Munich (DE) @ Dark Easter Metal Meeting

Creator of Blackbraid: Sgah’gahsowáh

'Blackbraid III' Album Credits:

Composed & performed by Sgah'gahsowáh

Drums, recording, mixing & mastering by Neil Schneider 

Guitar solo in “God of Black Blood" performed by Randy Moore

“Fleshbound" originally composed by Lord Belial

Painting by Adam Burke

Illustration by Adrian Baxter

Visual development & graphic design by Wolf Mountain Productions 

Follow // Listen:

Bandcamp

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Instagram

Shop/Pre-order:

Official Merch Store (USA)

Official Merch Store (EU) 

Blackbraid is an independent artist and is not contracted to or owned by any music label. 

Iceland's Sátan Metal Festival 2025 Announces Conference Schedule

GET PASSES HERE

Sátan, an emerging metal festival in Iceland, is now revealing the industry conference schedule, which will take place in Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula from June 5-7, 2025! Three-day passes and daily tickets can be found at THIS LOCATION.

The conference schedule and details are as follows:

Thursday, June 5:

Building a sustainable artist career: What does it take?

Thursday, 5 June from 14:00 - 14.45 @ Fosshotel

When it comes to building a successful career as an artist, one of the challenges is finding career sustainability and longevity, especially in 2025 when digital media dictates the trends and programs consumers at the whimsy of algorithms and “likes.” This panel of experts will explore traditional and modern methods that can help both established and emerging artists withstand the test of time rather than become a “one-hit-wonder.”

Moderator:

Laetitia Abbenes (Northstar Media)

Panelists:

Aðalbjorn Tryggvason (Solstafir)

Martin Kvam (Karisma & Dark Essence Records)

Mélanie Duperrex (AISAmusic)

Katy Irizarry (Suspiria PR)

Live Podcast Interview w/ Sororicide and Wyatt Turner

Thursday, 5 June from 15.00 - 16.00 @ Fosshotel

It's a seminal year for Icelandic death metal stalwarts Sororicide. The band is not only reuniting this year for the first time since 2010 to conquer the stage at Sátan Festival to celebrate their 35th anniversary, but it will also be their final show ever. In honor of this milestone, Sororicide founding member Gísli Sigmundsson will sit down with Wyatt Turner of Wyatt's Metal channel on YouTube for an in-depth live interview to pay tribute to the band's legacy.

Ft. Gísli Sigmundsson (Sororicide) and Wyatt Turner (Wyatt's Metal)

Friday, June 6:

Guitar Clinic w/ Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson

Friday, 6 June from 12:00 - 13:00 @ Fosshotel

Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson (Bastarður, Skálmöld) welcomes fans and shredders alike to join this guitar clinic. From beginner basics to advanced concepts, this clinic aims to expand your musical vocabulary and improve your understanding of the fretboard.

Runes in Continuum: Icelandic runic traditions and use of runic magick in modern music

Friday, 6 June from 13.00 - 13.45 @ Fosshotel

Runes were used as a writing form in the Germanic and Scandinavian area before the arrival of Latin alphabet systems. Runes were used in Iceland for around 1000 years, arriving with the settlers and remaining in use until the mid 19th century.

Runes, however, were rarely used for written texts, rather their usage was isolated to grave stones, monuments, possessional and farm markings and then to magic.

The runic tradition has been making a comeback lately and is widely used by modern metal and folk musicians.

Teresa Dröfn Freysdóttir Njarðvík, author and medieval philologist, will give a keynote lecture on the Icelandic runic tradition. She holds an M.A. in Medieval Studies and is completing a Doctorate in Icelandic philology, has written books on runes, published text editions of sagas and is currently a researcher at Árnastofnun The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on how runes and magical rituals are being implemented today through music. 

Keynote Speaker:

Teresa Njarðvík (author and medieval philologist)

Moderator:

Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen (Morgunblaðið)

Panelists:

Mélanie Duperrex (AISAmusic)

Snæbjörn Ragnarsson (Skálmöld)

Teresa Njarðvík (author and medieval philologist)

Live Broadcast w/ Vintage Caravan and Stokkið í eldinnt 

Friday, 6 June from 13:00 - 15:00 @ Narfeyrarstofa

Psych rock trio The Vintage Caravan will join Birkir and Smári of Stokkið í eldinnt for a live broadcast to discuss their storied career as one of Iceland’s premier classic rock bands!

Ft. Alexander Örn Númason (Vintage Caravan) w/ Birkir Fjalar and Smári Tarfur (Stokkið í eldinnt)

Getting out of Iceland: Tips & tricks on how to break out of Iceland

Friday, 6 June from 14.00 - 14.45 @ Fosshotel

Iceland is a fertile breeding ground for dark, extreme, and esoteric music. While the scene in Iceland is thriving and unique, its remote and desolate location can prove challenging for artists who are looking to break out into new territories. This panel aims to provide insights on how Icelandic artists can reach a global audience, tour new countries, and gain a broader fanbase.

Moderator:

Wyatt Turner (Wyatt's Metal)

Panelists:

Árni Hjörvar (Iceland Music)

Þorsteinn Kolbeinsson (Wacken Metal Battle Iceland)

Einar Guðmundsson (Fortid)

Gunnar Sauermann (Metal Hammer DE)

In Defense of Valhalla Part II: Defending Asgard, Independence and Human Rights, The Use of History in Music & Pop Culture

Friday, 6 June from 15:00 - 16:00 @ Fosshotel

During the 2025 edition of the Inferno Music Conference, former Icelandic president Guðni Th. Jóhannesson revisited a lecture he presented at University of Warsaw, March 4. 2020 entitled "Defending Asgard, Independence and Human Rights. The Use of History in Current Affairs." Due to the tremendous success of the first iteration of this panel, we are giving attendees at Sátan a chance to witness a powerful and thought-provoking talk on how hate groups are claiming old Norse symbolism for their causes and using it as beacons of hate as well as positive ways that this symbolism has been implemented in music and pop culture today.

Keynote Speaker:

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson (Former Icelandic President)

Moderator:

Gunnar Sauermann (Metal Hammer Germany)

Panelists:

Snæbjörn Ragnarsson (Skálmöld)

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson (Former Icelandic President)

--

Saturday, June 7:

Icelandic Festival Presentation

Saturday, 7 June from 13:00 - 13:45 @ Fosshotel

Shaping the metal landscape through the work of four key festivals: Reykjadoom, Andkristni, Reykjavik Deathfest, and Wacken Metal Battle Iceland. Each organiser offers a short presentation on how their event began, what keeps it going, and how it contributes to the ongoing growth of the scene.

Presenters:

Reykjadoom

Andkristni

Reykjavik Deathfest

Wacken Metal Battle Iceland

Bass Clinic w/ Magnús Halldór Pálsson

Saturday, 7 June from 14:00 - 14:45 @ Fosshotel A veteran of the Icelandic scene Magnús Halldór Pálsson, Helvítis Maddi, gives us a glimpse into the low end spectrum of metal music through personal stories, practical techniques, and battle-scarred wisdom from 30+ years in the metal underground.

Maddi has been active in Iceland's metal scene since the early 1990s, involving himself in several notable bands across different metal subgenres. He is a founding member of one of Iceland's earliest black metal bands, Ámsvartnir, but is best known for his work with grindcore band Forgarður Helvítis, progressive rock supergroup Dark Harvest, black metal band Vetur, and death/thrash metal band Changer. In 2017 he joined Beneath, one of the most prominent death metal bands from Iceland. To keep himself in form between projects, he plays in the Icelandic Iron Maiden cover band Maideniced and is also a member of a local jazz ensemble in Reykjavík.

With a passion for playing fast, he has developed routines for practicing and building the strength needed to succeed as a metal bassist.

Hemúllinn Performance

Saturday, 7 June from 15:00 - 15:45 @ Fosshotel

Hemúllinn is a one-man electro-punk band that has been active in the Icelandic music scene for over a decade, performing at dirty venues, small and large music festivals and countless political protests. The soundscape fuses raw punk, hard-hitting lyrics, and cheery 8-bit music. The themes largely revolve around politics, religion, feminism and hatred of the Body Mass Index. Come have a raucous good time for this very intimate and special performance at the Sátan Music Conference!

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

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

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

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

Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Official Website