Rotten Sound Countdown to 'Mass Extinction'

October 29, 2025

Take cover, metalheads. After outrunning the apocalypse on their last long-player, Rotten Sound are back with another destructive burst of politically-charged grindcore. On their upcoming 11th EP, the underground veterans' worldview is more dire than ever. But Mass Extinction lays waste to all that's plaguing our society. The album's lead single, "Brave New World", pushes for unity over division behind a barrage of blast beats and relentless groove.

"This is one of the most aggressive songs on our new EP", says Rotten Sound. "'Brave New World' is about how misinformation, polarization, conspiracy theories and censorship has lead people into a state of distrust. Our strong sense of community has been replaced by skepticism and fear. The fight for coherent and reliable information is now a constant struggle".

Watch the hellish video for "Brave New World" Below.

Mass Extinction comes out December 12 on Season of Mist.

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

Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/4GjDqqrZi7TTEjCmvvXq5f?si=maLSpuYJTP-Vqs4RmsTaUA

Few extreme metal bands have enjoyed the shelf life of Rotten Sound. The Finnish exports longevity is practically unheard of for grindcore. The band's core lineup of guitarist Mika Aalto, vocalist Keijo Niinimaa and drummer Sami Latva have been banging heads since 2004. Their high-speed blend of classic D-beat punk and Swedish death metal has only sharpened with each successive stab in the studio. "Brave New World" shatters your speakers like the perfectly-timed throw of a Molotov cocktail.

All eight songs on Mass Extinction were spliced from the same radioactive Petri dish that birthed Apocalypse. But Rotting Sound's whopping 11th EP is no half-life mutation. In just under 10 minutes, the band chew through a festering host of societal ills. Ushered in by an opening address from none other than Jim Jones, "Brave New World" warns against following party lines sown by divisive leaders. "Trust no one", Niinimaa screams over rapid-fire blasts and bludgeoning riffs that send the opposition ducking for cover.

The video for "Brave New World" was created by Shaumbra ArtVisuals.

Rotten Sound are ushering in Mass Extinction with a tour of South America alongside their Season of Mist labelmates DVRK and Brazil's very own Crypta.

Next year, the band will return to the grind with a fresh set of European headline dates in support of their new EP. Following this blistering ride with Repulsive Feast and Teething, Rotten Sound will return to the U.S. for a special set at Maryland Death Fest celbrating their classic albums Murderworks and Exit.

Rotten Sound South America Tour 2025
November 13 - Campinas, Brazil @ TAG* [TICKETS]
November 14 - Santos, Brazil @ Cadillac Music* [TICKETS]
November 15 - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil @ Garage Grindhouse* [TICKETS]
November 16 - São Paulo, Brazil @ Burning House* [TICKETS]
November 19 - Montevideo, Uruguay @ Live Era** [TICKETS]
November 20 - Córdoba, Argentina @ Sala Formosa** [TICKETS]
November 21 - Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Uniclub** [TICKETS]
November 22 - Santiago, Chile @ RBX Clube** [TICKETS]
*with Baixo Calao
*with Crypta & DVRK

Rotten Sound North American Dates 2026
May 23 - Baltimore, Maryland @ Maryland Death Fest

more dates coming soon...

Rotten Sound know how to get their message across. In just under 10 minutes, Mass Extinction chews through toxic consumerism, labor exploitation and other plagues on society. Lead single “Brave New World” pushes for unity over divisive politicking behind a barrage of blast beats. But while our leaders certainly need to clean up their act, there’s nothing stale about this band’s filthy brand of grindcore. Even the slightly optimistic “Idealist” gives way to a downright hostile groove upon Niinimaa’s screaming command.

“Wake up!” With so much atomic force, it’s impossible not to heed Rotten Sound’s warning on Mass Extinction.

Recording lineup
Keijo Niinimaa - Vocals
Mika Aalto - Guitars
Sami Latva - Drums
Matti Raappana - Bass, Backing vocals

All music written by Mika Aalto

All lyrics written by Keijo Niinimaa

Producer
Rotten Sound

Recording & Sound Engineer
Janne Saksa

Recording Studio
Sound Supreme for drums and vocals, Nordic Audio Labs for guitar and bass

Mixing
Jesse Gander at Rain City Studios

Mastering
Brad Boatright at Audio Siege

Cover art
Error Design

Photos
Mika Aalto

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

Available formats

Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl (Black with B-side etching)
12" Colored Vinyl (Dark Green with B-side etching)
12" Colored Vinyl (Half Copper, Half Black with B-site etching)

Follow Rotten Sound
https://music.apple.com/artist/rotten-sound/71466405
http://rottensound.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RottenSoundOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/rottensoundgrind/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4aglyvdJ7ApTfDC6aQ2LFf

Defeated Sanity Crush the Crowd at Brutal Assault

October 23, 2025

In just under two weeks, Defeated Sanity are finally hitting North America live and in the flesh with their latest Billboard-busting album. The brutal technical death metal innovators are leveling major cities across the U.S. and Canada alongside Sanguisugabogg, Despised Icon and Corpse Pile, along with some eye-popping special guests.

As they prepare to wreck havoc out on the road, today, Defeated Sanity are giving everyone an early taste of the destruction that they can expect see during the upcoming tour. Brutal Assault recently released footage from the band's punishing set at this year's festival, which features three of the most insane tracks from Chronicles of Lunacy.

Watch Defeated Sanity live at Brutal Assault 28 Below;

"We can't wait to finally present our new album Chronicles of Lunacy to our U.S. fans live and in action", Defeated Sanity says. "Be sure to join us as we brutalize the U.S. once again".

Get tickets for Defeated Sanity's 2025 North American Tour

https://defeatedsanity.com/

Chronicles of Lunacy is out now on Season of Mist.

Order the new limited-edition gold with black splatters vinyl variant.

https://orcd.co/defeatedsanitythecroniclesoflunacy

Defeated Sanity 2025 U.S. Tour Dates
with Sanguisugabogg, Despised Icon and Corpse Pile + special guests

November 2 - Cambridge, MA @ Sonia Live Music Venue [HEADLINE SHOW] [TICKETS]~
November 4 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall [TICKETS]*
November 5 - Chicago, IL @ Metro [TICKETS]**
November 6 - Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe (Old National Centre) [TICKETS]***
November 7 - Lawrence, KS @ The Granada [TICKETS]
November 8 - Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall [TICKETS]
November 9 - Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater [TICKETS]
November 11 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile Theater [TICKETS]#
November 12 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory [TICKETS]#
November 13 - Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre [TICKETS]#
November 14 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater [TICKETS]#
November 15 - Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont Country Club [TICKETS]#
November 17 - Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge & Music Hall [TICKETS]
November 18 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk [TICKETS]##
November 19 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall (Downstairs) [TICKETS]##
November 21 - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum [TICKETS]##
November 22 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade [TICKETS]##
November 23 - Charlotte, NC @ The Underground [TICKETS]##
November 25 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre [TICKETS]
November 26 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage [TICKETS]###
November 28 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza [TICKETS]^
November 29 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer [TICKETS]^
November 30 - Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs [TICKETS]^^
~ only Defeated Sanity
* with Everybody Dies
** with Everybody Dies + Gorgasm
*** with Volcano + Ran Thru
# with Upon Stone
## with Bayway
### with Bludgeoned by Deformity
^ with Skinless
^^ with Ringworm + Anatomize

None of their albums are ever going to follow a straight line, but on Chronicles of Lunacy, Defeated Sanity return to sheer brutality.

Lineup
Josh Welshman - Vocals
Vaughn Stoffey - Guitars
Jacob Schmidt - Bass
Lille Gruber - Drums

Guest musicians
Danny Nelson and Paolo Paguntalan provide backup vocals on "Amputationsdrang" and "Accelerating the Rot"

Recording Studio
Thousand Caves Studio in January 2024.

Production
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Colin Marston.
Produced by Colin Marston and Defeated Sanity.

Cover Art
Artwork by Jon Zig
Title lettering by Liz Schmidt
Layout by Alex Eckman-Lawn

Order & Stream
https://orcd.co/defeatedsanitythecroniclesoflunacy

Booking: Daniel Defonce TKO: danieldefonce@tkoco.com

Follow Defeated Sanity
https://defeatedsanity.com/
https://defeatedsanity.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/DefeatedSanity
https://www.instagram.com/defeated_sanity_official
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0dy6peOuKo2QkwaNWPoJpx
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/defeated-sanity/277268753

Bedsore Sign to Season of Mist

October 22, 2025

Season of Mist is proud to welcome Bedsore!

Seven years ago, Bedsore appeared from Italy's underground with a magical potion that stirs together death metal, vintage prog rock and cinematic horror. The band's first album Hypnagogic Hallucinations was plenty potent, though last year's follow-up proved truly mesmerizing. Dreaming the Strife for Love was named one of the best metal albums of 2024 by Brooklyn Vegan, Treble, BangerTV and other notable publications.

Now, as the band return to the studio for their upcoming third album and first since fleshing out into a six-piece lineup, Bedsore are pleased to finally reveal that they've signed with Season of Mist.

"With a long and continued tradition of supporting leading artists who are on the cutting edge, Season of Mist represents the perfect partner for Bedsore's musical imagery, offering us an open field for creative exploration while also helping us reach listeners who truly care", says the band's founding members Jacopo Gianmaria Pepe and Stefano Allegretti. "Being part of this forward-thinking family gives us the freedom to keep developing our aesthetic without any compromise, which is why joining hands with Season of Mist feels like the wisest decision for us at this stage.

"We would firmly like to extend our heartfelt thanks to 20 Buck Spin for their invaluable contributions so far. We would not be here today without their trust and support. We sincerely wish them the very best as we take on a new step of our journey".

To go along with their new label home, Bedsore are also thrilled to announce today that they have joined forces with Swamp Booking. "We are truly excited to work alongside what is hands down one of the best booking acts around and look forward to bringing our music to stages everywhere", the band continues. "As good things come in threes, new sensational music is already in the works and marks a transition toward something even more ambitious. We can't wait to move forward and share it with all of you soon!"

Don't miss Bedsore when they close out 2025 alongside StarGazer and Drowned.

Like so many of their Italian brethren from Goblin and Devil Doll, to Death SS and Black Hole, Bedsore continue to pursue their uncompromising vision, now in a renovated vest, and performing as a six-piece to achieve a more powerful live dynamic and timbrel palette.

Bedsore already have two European tours and appearances at eminent international festivals like Chaos Descends Festival, Incineration Festival, Kill-Town Death Fest, Courts of Chaos Festival, Frantic Festival and Metalitalia Festival under their belts. The band's live appearances aim to convey their musical kaleidoscopic frame into a unique visual and aural experience that's all-encompassing for both the audience and the musicians.

So, brace yourself! Bedsore's journey is just at its beginning, and the future promises even greater sonic heights.

Lineup
Jacopo Gianmaria Pepe - Vocals, Electric Guitar, 12-String Guitar
Stefano Allegretti - Hammond Organ, Mellotron, String Machine
Ruben Palma - Bass
Luca Tiraterra - Drums
Alessandro De Falco - Electric Guitar
Samuele Cima - Synthesizers

Booking Agent
marie.swampbooking@gmail.com

Stream
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5voYmbejb8Nj564tCDZTBG?si=ykzS32hUQKqZi2vkgb5QEg

Order
https://bedsoredeath.bandcamp.com/

Follow Bedsore

Bandcamp: https://bedsoredeath.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5voYmbejb8Nj564tCDZTBG?si=ykzS32hUQKqZi2vkgb5QEg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bedsoredeath
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedsoredeath
Bandsintown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15598011?came_from=206

Abysmal Dawn Return with "Cradle of Affliction"

October 20, 2025

While they hail from the City of Angels, Abysmal Dawn remain one of death metal's most consistently crushing creative forces. Two decades removed from their very first tour, next month, the L.A. mainstays are hitting the road hard once again with the mighty Krisiun. Only this time, they'll be raising hell with their first new song since 2022.

Today, Abysmal Dawn are releasing "Cradle of Affliction". Even though its various mutations have been banging around in their heads since Phylogenesis, the band's new single proves timely. "'Cradle of Affliction' nods to the sound of our first record and our earlier melodic death metal influences like At The Gates", explains vocalist, guitarist and founding member Charles Elliott. "This one is for Tomas (R.I.P.) and all the fans who have continued to support Abysmal Dawn throughout our journey for more than two decades now".

"The music is written played, recorded and mixed by humans", Elliott continues. "The artwork was created by a human. The music video was shot and edited by a human. We hope you come out to a show and support four of your favorite semi-humans playing death metal while you still can. Cheers!"

Watch the video for "Cradle of Affliction" Below.

Stream

https://orcd.co/abysmaldawncradleofaffliction

The video for "Cradle of Affliction" was directed by Robert Graves (Defiant Digital Productions)

"Cradle of Affliction" bears the bloodied markings of Abysmal Dawn. The production is crisp but thick with heavy double bass and bone-crunching riffs. Back-to-back guitar solos twist like two spires up the same darkened tower, circling back to a killer chorus that begs to be screamed with horns raised to the rafters. "Cursed in name / Blessed in death". Indeed, few bands have ever possessed such unholy staying power.

Abysmal Dawn's latest album Phylogenesis and their most-recent EP Nightmare Frontier are both now available through Season of Mist.

Order
https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/absymaldawn

Stream
https://linktr.ee/abysmaldawn

Get tickets for Abysmal Dawn's North American tour with Krisiun at https://krisiun.com.br/tour/

Conquerors of Armageddon 25th Anniversary Tour
November 1 – Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
November 2 – Bensalem, PA @ Broken Goblet
November 3 – Raleigh, NC @ Chapel of Bones
November 4 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Altar)
November 5 – New Orleans, LA @ Southport Hall
November 7 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take it Live
November 8 – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
November 9 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
November 10 – Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Collective
November 11 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
November 12 – Mesa, AZ @ The Rosetta Room
November 13 – San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick
November 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
November 15 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
November 16 – Portland, OR @ Nova PDX
November 17 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
November 19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
November 20 – Denver, CO @ HQ
November 21 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
November 22 – Iowa City, IA @ Wildwood
November 23 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie's
November 24 – Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary
November 25 – Lakewood, OH @ The Foundry
November 26 – Syracuse, NY @ The Lost Horizon
November 27 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
November 28 – Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques
November 29 – Quebec City, QC @ Source de la Martinière
November 30 – Boston, MA @ Middle-East Upstairs
December 1 – Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz

Now, as the completion of their fifth full-length draws near, Abysmal Dawn are celebrating 25 years of conquering Armageddon with their very first tour mates Krisiun. To commemorate this month-long run across the U.S., the band will debut their new single "Cradle of Affliction" live in all its accursed glory.

Lineup for "Cradle of Affliction"
Charles Elliott: Guitars, Vocals
Eliseo Garcia: Bass, Additional vocals
James Coppolino: Drums
Vito Petroni: Guitars

Production credits for "Cradle of Affliction"
Guitars, bass and vocals recorded at Tastemaker Audio by Charles Elliott (tastemakeraudio.us).
Drums recorded at Trench Studios by John Haddad.
Produced by Charles Elliott and Abysmal Dawn.
Mixed and mastered by Charles Elliott

Booking Agent:
North America:steph@continental-concerts.us
Europe:stephen.moss@echelonartists.com

Stream:https://linktr.ee/abysmaldawn
Order:https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/absymaldawn

Follow Abysmal Dawn:
https://abysmaldawn.bandcamp.com/
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/abysmal-dawn/159709532
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2h7HrMDoZpWxx3uAuJxyj9
www.facebook.com/abysmaldawn
www.instagram.com/abysmaldawn
www.twitter.com/abysmaldawn
https://abysmaldawn.bandcamp.com/

Enthroned Release Scorching New Single "Ashspawn"

October 15, 2025

Belgian black metal institution Enthroned are opening a new chapter in their storied career with their upcoming twelfth album, which now stands as their most ferocious and personal work. Written in collaboration with occult author Gilles de Laval, Ashspawndescends into spiritual death, only to emerge reborn amongst the flames.

Today, Enthroned are releasing the album’s scorching title track as its second advanced single. “Ashspawn” embodies the band’s driving ethos, blazing into spiritual destruction as a path toward transcendence.

Listen to “Ashspawn” below.

Ashspawn comes out December 5 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/enthronedashspawn

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

Booking Contact:
Bart Gabriel — Dragon Productions
bart@dragon-productions.com

Mayhem Celebrating 25 Years of 'Grand Declaration of War'

October 15, 2025

No band embodies the spirit of black metal like Mayhem. In the wake of violence and scandal, the Norwegians set the standard for the genre with their canonical 1994 debut. Other influential acts were quick to follow in their footsteps, but these iconoclasts defied convention by making a truly bold statement on Grand Declaration of War.

"This record means a lot", its chief sonic architect Blasphemer told Outburn during a recent retrospective on the band's long since debated second album. "It built a foundation, not only for me personally, but it also built a new foundation for Mayhem".

Today, Season of Mist is celebrating the album's 25th anniversary with a special edition of Grand Declaration of War. Along with the original master, this sunburst colored gatefold LP includes new silver hot foil packaging, a double-sided poster and an embroidered leather patch.

"For Season of Mist, there was a before and an after Grand Declaration of War", says the label's founder and manager Michael Berberian. "This is probably the first true classic album we ever released, the one that put us on the map. And what an album. Talk about unexpected. Talk about daring".

The 25th Anniversary Edition of Grand Declaration of War comes out December 5th on Season of Mist.

Pre-order
https://shop.season-of-mist.com/mayhem-grand-declaration-of-war-lp-gatefold-coloured-red

On Grand Declaration of War, Mayhem continued to bow down for no one – even themselves. The band were coldblooded as ever on merciless cuts like “A Time to Die”, but their arsenal of blast beats and tremolo picking was strengthened by an increase in command. Written in collaboration between newly appointed guitarist Blasphemer and vocalist Maniac, the album didn’t expand so much as it invaded territory that was then believed off-limits: spoken word (“View from Nihil”), trip-hop (“A Bloodsword and a Colder Sun”), soundscapes of doom (“Completion in Science of Agony”).

No matter how they choose to impose their will, after 25 years of Grand Declaration of War, there's still nowhere that Mayhem fear to tread.

The incredible rawness of the Deathcrush EP (1987) was followed by the still iconic and genre-defining De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994), which featured devilish drummer Jan Axel “Hellhammer” Blomberg, who had joined in 1988. The vocalist on this album was the Hungarian Attila Csihar of Tormentor fame, who returned later in 2004 to take over from his meantime heir, the enigmatic original singer Sven-Erik “Maniac” Kristiansen. The latter was featured on the Wolf’s Lair Abyss EP (1997), which was written mostly by highly talented guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen, who scored a massive artistic success with the highly controversial Grand Declaration Of War (2000).

Recording lineup
Maniac - Vocals
Blasphemer - Guitars
Necrobutcher - Bass
Hellhammer - Drums

Guest musicians
Tore Ylwizaker - Noise on "Completion in Science of Agony (Part I of II)"
Øyvind Hægeland - Additional vocals on "Completion in Science of Agony (Part I of II)"

Production credits
Produced and engineered by Børge Finstad
Mastered by Morten Lund

Cover Art
Mark Francombe Red

Follow Mayhem
https://linktr.ee/thetruemayhem
https://www.thetruemayhem.com/
https://mayhemofficial.bandcamp.com/music
http://instagram.com/thetruemayhem
http://www.facebook.com/MayhemOfficial
https://www.bandsintown.com/en/a/1542823-the-true-mayhem
https://www.youtube.com/user/MayhemOfficialVideo
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0dR10i73opHXuRuLbgxltM
https://itunes.apple.com/artist/mayhem/id48820563
https://www.amazon.com/Mayhem/e/B000AQ2WP0/
https://www.deezer.com/artist/6696

Your Inland Empire Spark on New Single "Grinding"

October 13, 2025

From the ashes of Crown, rises a shiny new banner for dark wave. On Your Inland Empire, the duo of Stéphane Azam and David Husser take the heavy electronics that they first donned on Crown’s last album a step further into the darkness of the club.

Today, Your Inland Empire are releasing “Grinding” as the second single off their upcoming debut album. Churning with pulsing beats, sparking riffs and shadowy bass lines, the song cuts straight to the album’s core, dancing between conflicting emotions and industrial decay, through the darkness and into the light.

Watch the video for “Grinding” below.

Your Inland Empire’ self-titled debut album comes out November 14, 2025 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/yourinlandempireyie

In 2021, Crown’s The End of All Things revealed a striking metamorphosis. The album shifted the duo of Stéphane Azam and David Husser away from their sludge-laden origins into a cinematic fusion of industrial rock, post-metal atmosphere and darkwave sensibility. Its balance of bleakness and accessibility was praised for expanding Crown’s sonic vocabulary, yet the record ultimately stood as both culmination and chrysalis: the closing of one chapter and the quiet emergence of another.

That emergence is now complete. Your Inland Empire opens a new frontier with their upcoming self-titled debut album. “Grinding” pulses against bleak meditations on distance and dissolution. “I’m falling apart / In the void of my heart”, Azam sings, as if through gritted teeth, as he drifts through a haze of electro-shocked guitars.

“When writing music and lyrics, I often have very abstract visions — living paintings that I try to transcribe into sound,” Azam explains. “It can be colors, shapes, landscapes, people, all evolving in my imagination like a trance”.

The video for “Grinding” was directed by Brice Hincker & Amelie Diane. Your Inland Empire would like to give a special thanks to Philippe Dolfus and Olivier Guillemin for their collaboration and support on the video.

Line-up
David Husser — Guitars, Programming, Production, Experimentation
Stephane Azam — Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting, Experimentation
Nicolas Uhlen — Drums
Marc Strebler — Bass Guitar

Production Credits
Recorded & mixed by David Husser at La Grange Studio, France.
Mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studio, Porto, Portugal.

Cover Art
Design & layout by Jeffrey V. Daniels.

Photography
Band photos taken by Jennifer Brachet.

Pre-save & Pre-order

https://orcd.co/yourinlandempireyie

Available Formats
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12” Vinyl Gatefold – Black
12” Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Turquoise w/ Black Splatters

The Old Dead Tree Announce Live EP

October 9, 2025

Having weathered two decades, The Old Dead Tree are still at the roots of dark progressive metal. Last year, the French band returned to much fanfare with Second Thoughts, their first full-length since 2007. Now, they’re back with a new EP that was recorded live at legendary Abbey Road Studios.

The Old Dead Tree are releasing the EP’s first advanced single. “Feel Alive Again” is a new song that’s cut for the stage, leaning into stadium rock while staying grounded in the band’s dark progressive foundation.

Watch The Old Dead Tree perform “Feel Alive Again” live at Abbey Road below.

London Sessions comes out November 28, 2025 on all digital platforms.

Pre-save

https://orcd.co/todtlondonsessions

“Feel Alive Again” begins with a confession, only to ascend into the stadium spotlight with a soaring crescendo. At once airy and direct, the song shows the vulnerability and strength of The Old Dead Tree.

Along with “Feel Alive Again”, London Sessions includes another new song, plus new versions of two songs from the band’s second album The Perpetual Motion.

The video for “Feel Alive Again” was directed, shot and edited by The Old Dead Tree’s long-time collaborator Julien Metternich. Metternich has been at the helm of many of the band’s videos and photo shoots.

Second Thoughts is available now on Season of Mist.

Order & Stream

https://orcd.co/theolddeadtreesecondthoughtsalbum

In the spring 2025, as THE OLD DEAD TREE toured France with KLONE and achieved the production of the 4 tracks recorded in Abbey Road Studios to give birth to the EP London Sessions.

Line-up:
Manuel Munoz — Vocals
Nicolas Chevrollier — Guitars & Backing Vocals
Nicolas Cornolo — Guitars
Gilles Moinet — Bass Guitar
Raphaël Antheaume — Drums

Recording Studio:
Abbey Road Studios, London, United Kingdom.

Production Credits:
Produced, engineered & mixed by François-Maxime Boutault (Behomth, Dagoba) at Les Liens du Son.
Mastered by Tony Lindgren (Opeth, Paradise Lost) at Fascination Street Studios.

Guest Musician:
Raphaël Verguin (Psygnosis) — Cello

Cover Art:
Henri Lejeune (exclamations.fr)

Photography:
Band & studio photos taken by Julien Metternich.

Order & Stream

https://orcd.co/theolddeadtreesecondthoughtsalbum

Follow The Old Dead Tree:
https://linktr.ee/TODT

Defeated Sanity Release Punishing New Drum Playthrough

October 5, 2025

Having dedicated this year to leveling Europe and Latin America behind the sheer brutality of the band's latest Billboard-busting offering, Defeated Sanity are capping off 2025 with their first U.S. tour for Chronicles of Lunacy.

The long-standing innovators of brutal technical death metal are kicking off this mad-dash run with a special headlining show in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Defeated Sanity will then conjoin with their fellow lunatics in Corpse Pile, Despised Icon and Sanguisugabogg - who featured the band's vocalist Josh Welshman on their new single - for 22 dates covering both coasts. Along the way, Skinless, Bayway, Ringworm, Upon Stone and other guests will appear during select shows.

"We can't wait to finally present our new album Chronicles of Lunacy to our U.S. fans live and in action", Defeated Sanity says. "Be sure to join us as we brutalize the U.S. once again".

As they prepare to slam America with the critically-acclaimed Chronicles of Lunacy, today, Defeated Sanity are releasing a new drum playthrough for the album's most punishing song. "Condemned to Vascular Famine" will have heads banging, bodies flying and brains exploding when the band spills its bloodlust all over the stage.

"'Condemned to Vascular Famine' was voted by our fans as their favorite song off Chronicles of Lunacy, so we decided to open our set with it on the last tour", says Defeated Sanity's drummer, primary songwriter and co-founding member Lille Gruber. "'The song is a very epic and varied composition. It's quite funny to start out a big Euro fest with this weird drum beat, but we like to fuck with our audience, as everyone knows".

Watch Defeated Sanity drummer Lille Gruber crush "Condemned to Vascular Famine" below.

Get tickets at https://defeatedsanity.com/

Defeated Sanity 2025 U.S. Tour Dates
with Sanguisugabogg, Despised Icon and Corpse Pile + special guests

November 2 - Cambridge, MA @ Sonia Live Music Venue [HEADLINE SHOW] [TICKETS]~
November 4 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall [TICKETS]*
November 5 - Chicago, IL @ Metro [TICKETS]**
November 6 - Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe (Old National Centre) [TICKETS]***
November 7 - Lawrence, KS @ The Granada [TICKETS]
November 8 - Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall [TICKETS]
November 9 - Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater [TICKETS]
November 11 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile Theater [TICKETS]#
November 12 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory [TICKETS]#
November 13 - Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre [TICKETS]#
November 14 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater [TICKETS]#
November 15 - Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont Country Club [TICKETS]#
November 17 - Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge & Music Hall [TICKETS]
November 18 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk [TICKETS]##
November 19 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall (Downstairs) [TICKETS]##
November 21 - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum [TICKETS]##
November 22 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade [TICKETS]##
November 23 - Charlotte, NC @ The Underground [TICKETS]##
November 25 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre [TICKETS]
November 26 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage [TICKETS]###
November 28 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza [TICKETS]^
November 29 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer [TICKETS]^
November 30 - Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs [TICKETS]^^
~ only Defeated Sanity
* with Everybody Dies
** with Everybody Dies + Gorgasm
*** with Volcano + Ran Thru
# with Upon Stone
## with Bayway
### with Bludgeoned by Deformity
^ with Skinless
^^ with Ringworm + Anatomize

Chronicles of Lunacy is out now on Season of Mist.

Order the new limited-edition gold with black splatters vinyl variant.

https://orcd.co/defeatedsanitythecroniclesoflunacy

None of their albums are ever going to follow a straight line, but on Chronicles of Lunacy, Defeated Sanity return to sheer brutality.

Hooded Menace Premiere Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration

October 2, 2025

For more than two decades, Hooded Menace have stood as the pillar between two realms of underground metal. The Finnish band are still transfixed by classic horror on their monumental new album. But Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration only goes to show that these stewards of death-doom remain far from stuck in their ways.

Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration comes out tomorrow, Friday, October 3, but you can hear all seven earthshaking tracks today by listening to the full album stream below.

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

Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/3Os1kbdsMgl805olZjrZUr

Ask the band anything about Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration during tomorrow's Reddit AMA.

Hooded Menace AMA
r/Metal
Friday, October 3 @ Noon EST / 18 CEST

Join
https://www.reddit.com/r/Metal/comments/1nr7jx3/hooded_menace_ama/

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

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

Guest Musicians
Antti Poutanen — Cello
John McNulty — Spoken Word

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

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

Photography
Pasi Nevalaita

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

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

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

1349 Announces 'Winter Mass' Live Album, Shares "I Am Abomination" Performance

September 30, 2025

True Norwegian black metal horde 1349 is now revealing that their latest live album, 'Winter Mass,' will be released on November 28, 2025 via Season of Mist. The concert was captured on November 20, 2021 in the band's hometown of Oslo (NO) at the venue Parkteatret. To commence this announcement, the band is now sharing the live recording of "I Am Abomination," along with the video, which can be seen below.

1349 frontman Ravn comments, "This show was captured between two lockdowns in the recent plague, and it mirrors the energy that we feel onstage to perfection. What you see here is the raw outburst of what we label 'Aural Hellfire.' To top it off, we also included all of the drawings that Kim Holm has done of us, thus far, and he also is able to convey that energy through his art. Rejoice and ravish this complete package of raw Hellfire!"

The offering will be released on vinyl, CD, and video formats; pre-orders are now live HERE.

1349 has also recently been announced among the first wave of bands to take the stage at next year's edition of Beyond the Gates Festival. The epic four-day metal event will take place once again in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 29 - August 1, 2026. Tickets are available HERE.

The cover artwork and layouts for 'Winter Mass' were created by Kim Diaz Holm. The Norwegian artist has captured more than 2,000 concerts, often while standing to the side of the stage. Holm has worked with larger-than-life artists like Abbath but developed a special connection with 1349 after drawing them at both Inferno Festival and Hulen in 2012. Over the past 13 years, he has continued to document the band's incendiary live shows and even designed their merch. What he's created for Winter Mass draws fans even closer to fire. Sketched while he was headbanging in the pit, these drawings leap off the page with the same raw, dark spirit as their muse.

Now, fresh from the ashes of their eighth album, The Wolf & The King, 1349 are releasing a new live album. Though recorded shortly after pandemic lockdown was lifted, 'Winter Mass' explodes out the gates with the band’s signature aural hellfire. This hour-plus set, recorded at Oslo's Parkteatret, enraptured their home crowd with apocalyptic spells from across their discography’s massive cauldron of chaos. Early classics like “Sculptor of Flesh” thrash with unchained madness. Recent favorite "Striding the Chasm" whips by at a blistering pace that could only be captured by cover artist Kim Diaz Holm, who drew the album’s artwork while headbanging in the pit.

"I will always be here / In all ways in all times", snarls Ravn on hellacious cut "I Am Abomination". After three decades and counting, what was once a proclamation is now a testament to 1349's enduring firepower.

Experience aural hellfire live in the flesh back where it all began with 'Winter Mass.'

Live Line-up

Archaon - Guitars

Destructhor - Guitars

Frost - Drums

Ravn - Vocals

Seidemann - Bass

Recording:

Parkteatret, Oslo on November 20, 2021

Production Credits

Producer & Sound Engineer - Hugo Alvarstein

Mixing Studio - Alvarstein Mix & Mastering Studio Oslo Norway

Mixing Engineer - Hugo Alvarstein

Mastering Studio - Alvarstein Mix & Mastering Studio Oslo Norway

Mastering Engineer - Huge Alvarstein

Cover + Layout Artist:

Kim Holm

Pre-Order // Pre-Save: https://orcd.co/1349wintermass

Links:

Danheim Summons the Storm on New Single

September 30, 2025

With more than 1 billion streams and features in the History Channel TV show Vikings, Danheim has become a cornerstone for Nordic folk, Viking and World music alongside Heilung and Wardruna. On his upcoming ninth album and first since signing with Season of Mist, producer Reidar Schaefer Olsen is continuing to evolve the Nordic sound by journeying home.

Today, Danheim is releasing “Stormdans” as the second advanced single from Heimferd. With drums that roll like thunder and strings that swirl with all the silent anticipation of dark clouds on the horizon, the song embodies the tension at the heart of the album between restraint and release, destruction and renewal.

Watch the video for “Stormdans” Below:

Heimferd comes out October 31st, 2025 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/danheimheimferd

Pre-save on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/5jx5D2KXJEaIyXKSYgiyR1

“Stormdans” brings the tension swirling at the center of Heimferd to a head. Where other songs on his new album sink into quiet reflection, Danheim’s latest single summons the raw power of a storm. The sky-scraping strings and earthshaking beats resonate with ancient force.

“For me, Heimferd is a journey home”, Olsen says, “not to a physical place, but to my ancestry, honoring the weight of old paths while also forging new ones”.

DANHEIM is a Nordic folk/Viking inspired project from the Copenhagen-based Danish producer Reidar Schæfer Olsen, a man with 10 years of experience in electronic and ambient music – focusing on Nordic Folk and Viking age inspired music with a certain Nordic authenticity or mood. Danheim’s music is often composed of ideas and stories based on the darker side of the Viking period, inspired or consisting of Nordic Mythology, old Danish folklore, and a vivid imagination.

Danheim hit 1 billion streams across streaming platforms in 2022, has 585.000 subscribers on YouTube, with music featured in multiple seasons of the popular TV show Vikings.

Early information: Singer-songwriter Reidar Schæfer Olsen, (born in 1985, Brøndby, Denmark), transitioned to focus on music in the early 2000s and has been composing music almost continuously ever since, alongside doing radio shows and starting the indie label Fimbul Records.

With a passion for songwriting running through his veins from an early age, Reidar Olsen’s Viking-inspired music and dark melodies have broadened the Nordic folk genre and inspired millions of listeners around the world, bringing them back in time with a blend of his imagination and creativity.

“A deep connection to his Danish roots and heritage fueled his interest in the Nordic Folk/Viking genre, prompting the creation of Danheim and his indie label Fimbul Records.”

Ǽttartrú, a self-made Scandinavian belief system that reconnects oneself with their ancestors.

Line-up:
Reidar Schæfer Olsen – All Instruments & Production

Production Credits:
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Reidar Schæfer Olsen in his home studio.

Cover Art:
Reidar Schæfer Olsen

Photography:
Reidar Schæfer Olsen

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

Eihwar Reveal Hidden World on New Single

September 24, 2025

The enfants terribles of Season of Mist’s roster, Eihwar, are releasing a new single today. Known for their explosive fusion of Nordic folk and electro-industrial chaos, the clan continues to defy the solemnity of most pagan acts on “Hugrheim” with a style that is wild, cartoonish, and fiercely ritualistic.

As Eihwar themselves proclaim:

“Over the past few years, our souls have gradually taken over the bodies of two human musicians. Through incarnation, we lost much of our memories. All that remains are images, emotions, and fragments from our previous existence, mixed in with the thoughts and memories of our human hosts. In this new song, we evoke the memories that gradually come back to us: memories of Hugrheim, the tenth world of Yggdrasil, hidden and unknown to men. This world is shaped by the Hugr, the spirit. In this realm dwell the invisible forces of the soul and consciousness. When our vessels perish here and our incarnation ends, we will return to Hugrheim. Still, we hope to remain here as long as possible this time, because nowadays the beer is fucking good, the rockstar life is pretty damn cool, and dental anesthesia actually exists.”

Watch the video for “Hugrheim” Below:

Stream “Hugrheim”

https://orcd.co/eihwarhugrheim

Following a summer of electrifying festival appearances at Wacken Open Air, Resurrection Fest and Midgardsblot, as well as dates opening for The Hu, with “Hugrheim”, Eihwar present a song that both deepens their mythos and heightens their trance-driven energy.

The word “Hugrheim” comes from Old Norse roots. It can be understood as the realm of spirit, of memory, of consciousness. In the lore woven by Eihwar, their souls appear as reincarnated essences inhabiting human vessels, recalling fragments of their former existence. The song channels these recollections through warrior cries, horns, ritual percussion and machine-driven pulse, aligning Asrunn and Mark with pagan folk lineage while advancing into their own shamanic and celebratory, dance-driven terrain.

To celebrate “Hugrheim”, Eihwar are opening their new Traveling Merchant Webshop. This shop currently includes four t-shirt designs, one of which was only previously available at their concerts. It also holds the “Eihwar bindrune” medallion, which the duo describe as the “jewelry of the clan” - a symbolic extension of their ritual universe.

Shop at https://www.eihwar.com/

Eihwar’s debut album Viking War Trance is out now on Season of Mist.

Order & Stream

https://orcd.co/eihwarvikingwartrance

The video for “Hugrheim” was directed by Samuel Maurin and features actors Arya and Benoit Lala. The digital artwork showcases costume design by Yaelle Ghyselink.

Many bands have explored the Pagan & Norse worlds over the last 15 years seeking atmospheric, acoustic and ritual sounds with great seriousness. This is not the path EIHWAR chose.

Although the musicians of Eihwar are virtuosos in their acoustic traditional instruments, their goal is to bring some fun… and as much chaos as possible during their concerts, provoking the craziest trance on dancefloors. They bring a festive and furious neo-viking music whose primal force is based on technoid machines, mixed with trance vocals, shamanic drums and traditional Nordic sounds. Electronics are a ‘new steel’ for those modern warriors, cold and powerful. As the web already says, the duo is a kind of new ‘Viking Carpenter Brut’.

Lineup:

Asrunn — Vocals, Traditional Percussions

Mark — Vocals, Machines

Links:
Website: http://www.eihwar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eihwar.music
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/eihwar.music
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@eihwar
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eihwar

Stoned Jesus Premiere Mind-Melting 'Songs to Sun'

September 21, 2025

While they've blazed beyond the hot box of stoner metal, after 16 years, Stoned Jesus are still expanding their horizons. This week, the heavy progressive rockers are officially embarking on a three-album journey that will take them all the way to the sun, moon and back. Though created during a dark period of instability, the trilogy's stunning opener, Songs to Sun, is guided by a burning passion for innovation that frontman Igor Sydorenko shares with his new bandmates.

"The melodies, the hooks, the progressive side coming together with the sheer joy of a band riding grooves", The Obelisk writes of Songs to Sunin an early review. "...it's a next-level, AOTY-contender-type outing".

"This is an outstanding record from a band who are simply at THE TOP OF THEIR GAME and who deserve all the plaudits fully coming their way", salutes Outlaws of the Sun.

Songs to Sun out now , on Season of Mist, but you can hear all six mind-melting tracks today by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.

Listen Below:

"It's time for Songs to Sun to arrive", Sydorenko says. "The first part of The Songs Trilogy is one of our heaviest and intense yet eclectic and intricate collection of tracks to date. I'm extremely proud of presenting it to you all to enjoy. Can't wait to play this material live, too. See you on the road!"

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

Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/4CYNwXVJHZn9MMtOIvLApx?si=KvumqJJMQFuZhiPMEA5lBA

Songs to Sun is the first album in a forthcoming trilogy that once complete, will stand as the pinnacle of what's been a decades-long trip for Stoned Jesus. While picking up where Father Light left off, Sydorenko and his new mates still nod to Seven Thunders Roar and The Harvest along the way. But by merging metal's fiery intensity with mind-melting grooves, vintage prog and their catchiest choruses yet, they bring the many distinct phases of Stoned Jesus to a bright, burning head.

Lineup
Igor Sydorenko - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Andrew Rodin - Bass, Backing Vocals
Yurii Ciel - Drums, Backing Vocals

Production Credits
Produced by Igor Sydorenko
Recorded by Ignancy Gruzecki
Mixed and Mastered by Karl Daniel Lidén at Studio Tri-Lamb, Sweden

Recording Studio
Monochrom Studio in Poland

Cover Art
Vadym "Karaska" Karasiov

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

Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/4CYNwXVJHZn9MMtOIvLApx?si=KvumqJJMQFuZhiPMEA5lBA

Available Formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl (Black)
12" Vinyl (Black and White Marbled)
12" Vinyl (Translucent Blue, Black and White Marbled)
12" Vinyl (Silver and Black Splatters)
12" Vinyl (Yellow with Blue Splatters)

Follow Stoned Jesus:
https://linktr.ee/stonedjesusband
https://music.apple.com/sg/artist/stoned-jesus/396799004
https://open.spotify.com/artist/23lyMLxYNPS15hpVvFNptR
instagram.com/stonedjesusband
http://facebook.com/stonedjesusband
twitter.com/stonedjesusband
https://www.tiktok.com/@stonedjesusband
youtube.com/c/StonedJesus
stonedjesus.bandcamp.com

Carach Angren Revisit Old Haunt on Spellbinding New Single

September 16, 2025

Since they crawled out from their curious vault in 2003, Carach Angren have mastered the dark art of composing symphonic, blackened ghost stories. Now into their third decade, on their upcoming EP, the Dutch masters of horror are returning to the source that inspired their first album. The latest single from The Cult of Kariba brings its titular sorceress back from the underworld. But as “The Resurrection of Kariba” so delights in revealing, her return brings consequences that are more catastrophic than anyone could imagine.

Watch the spine-tingling 3D video for “The Resurrection of Kariba” Below.

The Cult of Kariba comes out October 17 on Season of Mist

Pre-order

https://orcd.co/carachangrenthecultofkariba

Pre-save

https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/6haPZ1Ex0DuzfaeGL9D3Fo?si=-wG2OmnQQUSlOetHuxywdw

The Cult of Kariba is both a return and a continuation. The EP expands on Carach Angren’s first album Lammendam by entwining the sinister figure of Kariba within the folk tale of the White Lady. “The Resurrection of Kariba” opens underneath the floor of a church, where a cult gathers to summon the alleged sorceress. An unholy pounding by the duo’s blood-splattered symphonic signature brings Kariba back among the land of the living. Yet her audience of worshipers discover far more than they intended. The song’s ritual unleashes something even more sinister: one of her victims, now awakened with vengeance.

The video for “The Resurrection of Kariba” was created by Aimed & Framed’s Tamara Llenas.

With the upcoming EP The Cult of Kariba, CARACH ANGREN return to the story that first defined their identity. Drawing from historical legends and obscure regional folklore, the band revisits the myth of the White Lady from Schinveld, this time expanding it with a new, sinister figure: Kariba. Inspired by real poems, forgotten theatre plays, and occult symbolism, this EP introduces a hidden cult intent on resurrecting Kariba—a poisoner and alleged witch whose spirit carries a legacy of vengeance. The Cult of Kariba explores this narrative with a blend of haunting atmosphere, cinematic scope, and blackened aggression.

Produced with precision and narrative cohesion, The Cult of Karibaties together myth, horror, and folklore in a tightly crafted five-part journey. Rather than simply revisiting the setting of Lammendam, Carach Angren expand the story with additional historical context, new characters, and an even darker tone.

Lineup

Seregor - Vocals, guitar

Ardek - Keyboards, orchestra

Production & Recording Credits
Main compositions by Ardek.
Pre-production, orchestral arrangements and keyboards by Ardek.
Vocals by Seregor, recorded at Tidal Wave Studio, Germany.
Backing vocals by Ardek.
Drums performed by Gabe Seeber, recorded at Mayhemeness Recording Studio.
Bass guitar, drums written by Ardek.
Guitars tracks 2,3 written by Seregor.
Guitars tracks 4,5 written by Ardek.
Lyrics tracks 1, 2, 5 by Ardek.
Lyrics track 3 by Ardek & Seregor.
Lyrics track 4 by Seregor.
All guitars and bass guitar performed and recorded by Patrick Damiani at Tidal Wave Studio, Germany.
Mixed & Mastered by Patrick Damiani at Tidal Wave Studio, Germany.
Vinyl Mastered by Robert Schmidt, 24-96 Mastering, Germany.

Guest Musicians
Solo violin tracks 2, 5 performed and recorded by Nikos Mavridis.
Voice overs done by Tim Wells.
Wolf howl track 3 by Frodo Wijers.

Lyrics proofreading done by Sylvy Notermans.

Model
Lara Mauve

Photography
Stefan Heilemann (http://www.heilemania.de)

Hooded Menace Cover Duran Duran

September 15, 2025

Since making their accursed debut in the late 2000s, Hooded Menace have paved the way for hordes of metal maniacs who enjoy headbanging to more creepily, crushing tempos. On their upcoming seventh album, the Finnish horror lovers still stand between two realms of the underground with the unshakable force of a pillar. But as uncovered by its new single's surprise twist, Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration continues to break the mold that the band set for death-doom.

Today, Hooded Menace are releasing their cover of "Save a Prayer", the enduring smash from English new wavers Duran Duran. While the song's latest video is styled with gothic flair, when hammered by the band's blood-stained signature, this pop gem glows in a ghoulish new light.

Watch Hooded Menace cover "Save a Prayer" below.

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

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

Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/3Os1kbdsMgl805olZjrZUr

Can't wait to sink into Hooded Menace's new album? Hear all seven glorious tracks on Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration by RSVPing to this week's Bandcamp Listening Party.

Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration Bandcamp Listening Party
Wednesday, September 17 @ 1:30 pm ET / 7:30 pm CEST

RSVP
https://hoodedmenace.bandcamp.com/merch/lachrymose-monuments-of-obscuration-listening-party

The video for "Save a Prayer" was directed by Tekla Vály.

Additional video credits
Director of Photography - Tekla Vály
Second Camera - Eetu Kolehmainen

MicroPitching and other effects aren't the only tricks of the trade that are pulled out from under Hooded Menace's cloak. Traditional death-doomers might have been pleasantly surprised by the band covering W.A.S.P., so imagine the delighted screams upon hearing a Top of the Pops' gem like "Save a Prayer" splattered in their signature blood-soaked dread. Lasse's riffs still cement the rock-solid foundation beneath Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration, but even he was surprised when sculpting its lead single. What should appear from the double bass swirling amidst "Portrait Without a Face" but the moan of a cello. Like an echo from beyond the grave, the cry of strings reappears during the album's grand finale. Former live bassist Antti Poutanen sorrowfully saws as the band marches, gallops then sinks back "Into Haunted Oblivion".

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

Savage Lands Release Live Hellfest Video

September 15, 2025

SAVAGE LANDS are releasing the full video of their star-studded performance at last year’s Hellfest. The metal non-profit, which was founded by Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and musician-turned-activist Sylvain Demercastel, performed songs off their debut album Army of the Trees on the festival’s main stage alongside Vincent Price (Body Count), Billy Graziadei (Biohazard), Shane Embury (Napalm Death), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and other leading voices from across the world of metal.

Watch Savage Lands’ star-studded performance at Hellfest Below.

Army of the Trees is out now on Season of Mist.

Order & Stream

https://orcd.co/savagelandsarmyofthetrees

Just listening to Army of the Trees helps support Savage Lands. 100% of the song’s royalties fund the musician-run non-profit’s ongoing preservation efforts.

Last year’s Hellfest 2024 marked a turning point for Savage Lands. The festival announced that they are donating €1 million to support the organization’s reforestation and biodiversity initiatives in Costa Rica and Europe. Their performance concluded with a stirring rendition of “Roots Bloody Roots,” which amplified the project’s rallying call for ecological action.

Beyond the stage, Savage Lands continue to grow. In France, they recently launched the Alliance of the Trees with three local associations: Association Francis Hallé, Etats Sauvages and Semeurs de Forêts. Together, these organizations will coordinate reforestation and preservation efforts on a national scale.

Savage Lands is also preparing a landmark initiative for this Saturday, September 20. In collaboration with Heilung, Hellfest Productions, the Jane Goodall Institute France, and Association Protection des Animaux Sauvages (ASPAS), Savage Lands will bring 10 metal fans to witness the inauguration of the first Jane Goodall wildlife reserve in Brittany, France.

Learn more about Savage Lands
https://savagelands.org/

Donate
https://savagelands.org/donation/

Savage Lands' debut album introduces several new species of metalhead to their ecosystem. Eurovision’s darlings Lord Of The Lost spill their blood and glitter over the spiky riffs that puncture “Out of Breath”. Holding court over lead single “Ruling Queen” with her serpentine cleans and lioness roar is none other than Arch Enemy’s Alissa White-Gluz. “Now is the time to take a stand”, the band roar in a fierce rallying cry during the album’s climactic title track, backed by Julien Truchan from Benighted and other pillars from the French metal community.

“Our goals are attainable,” Sylvain and Dirk say. “By converting the land that we purchase into nature sanctuaries, Savage Lands will help set a precedent for environmental activism. But we must work together and quickly. Ecosystems are still under attack. If we don’t, then there won’t be any wildlife left to save”.

Raise your horns and join the Army of the Trees in support of the metal non-profit.

Learn more about Savage Lands: https://savagelands.org/

Donate: https://savagelands.org/donation/

Core Lineup:
Poun - Vocals
Sylvain Demercastel - Guitars
Etienne Treton - Bass
Florian Pons - Drums

Special Member:
Dirk Verbeuren (Drums on "Black Rock Heart", "The Last Howl" and "Out of Breath)

Collaborators:
Stephane Buriez
Ardag Basmadjian
HK Nico + James at Vamacara

Guest Features:
Kai Uwe Faust - Vocals (Black Rock Heart)
Chloe Trujillo - Vocals (Black Rock Heart, Out of Breath)
Alissa White-Gluz - Vocals (Ruling Queen)
Kenneth Andrews - Guitar (Ruling Queen)
Andreas Kisser - Guitar (The Last Howl)
John Tardy - Vocals (The Last Howl)
Maria Franz - Vocals (No Remedy)
Lord Of The Lost - Vocals, Guitars (Out of Breath)

*Army of Trees features Steeven Corsini (Loco Muerte), Auré Jäger (Akiavel), David & Viber (Sidilarsen), Niko Jones (Tagada Jones), Julien Truchan (Benighted), Stéphane Buriez (Loudblast, Sinsaenum), Nils Courbaron (Bloodorn, Sirenia, DDC) and Aurelien Ouzoulias (The Beat Factory, Mörglbl).

Production:
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Adair Daufembach at Daufembach Studio in Los Angeles.

Cover Artist:
Brewster Agency

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

Follow Savage Lands:
Official Website: https://savagelands.org/
Bandcamp: https://savagelands.bandcamp.com/album/army-of-the-trees
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/savage-lands/1712738479
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fft5SyNYhNar3PdYtKQSF
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Savage-Lands-100081754354224/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savagelands_project/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@savagelands9644

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digisleeve
12" BioVinyl (Gatefold)

How Stoned Jesus Reached New Highs on "Low"

September 10, 2025

While they've blazed through folk, prog, pop and alternative rock following their first sip of doom metal, after 15 years, Stoned Jesusare still reaching new creative peaks. On the latest single from the band's mind-melting new album, Songs to Sun, the heavy progressive rockers rose above personal lows by doing something they've never done before: blast beats and harsh vocals.

Today, frontman Igor Sydorenko is releasing a new video that shows how to play and how he wrote "Low". Thanks to a simple riff and instant chemistry shared between Sydorenko and his new rhythm section, the band stopped worrying about pleasing people and blasted out the heaviest song in Stoned Jesus' wide-ranging discography.

"This is probably the happiest I've been creatively in Stoned Jesus", Sydorenko says. "With both Andrew and Yuri now in the band, we can experiment as deep as we can.

"Even though, we are currently working on the darker follow-up to Songs to Sun", he continues, "the three of us are constantly laughing all the time".

Watch Igor Sydorenko explain how to play and how he wrote "Low" below:

Songs to Sun comes out September 19, 2025 on Season of Mist.

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

Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/4CYNwXVJHZn9MMtOIvLApx?si=KvumqJJMQFuZhiPMEA5lBA

Can't wait to hear Stoned Jesus' mind-melting new album? Hear all of Songs to Sun before it comes out during the band's upcoming listening party on Bandcamp.

Songs to Sun Bandcamp Listening Party
Tuesday, September 16 @ 1:30 pm CEST / 7:30 pm CEST

RSVP
https://stonedjesus.bandcamp.com/live/songs-to-sun-listening-party

Songs to Sun is the first album in a forthcoming trilogy that once complete, will stand as the pinnacle of what’s been a decades-long trip for Stoned Jesus. While picking up where the band’s last album, Father Light left off, Sydorenko and his new mates still nod to their early classics Seven Thunders Roar and The Harvest. But by merging metal’s fiery intensity with mind-melting grooves, vintage prog and their catchiest choruses yet, they bring the many distinct phases of Stoned Jesus to a bright, burning head.

The video for “Shadowland: how to play it & how I wrote it” was written and filmed by Igor Sydorenko. It was edited by Radion Yakumenko.

Lineup
Igor Sydorenko - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Andrew Rodin - Bass, Backing Vocals
Yurii Ciel - Drums, Backing Vocals

Production Credits
Produced by Igor Sydorenko
Recorded by Ignancy Gruzecki
Mixed and Mastered by Karl Daniel Lidén at Studio Tri-Lamb, Sweden

Recording Studio
Monochrom Studio in Poland

Garmarna Winners of The John Lennon Songwriting Contest

September 9, 2025

For the past three decades, Garmarna have won equal praise from metal heads and folk lovers. On their seventh and most recent album, the Swedes continued to weave traditional medieval tales with rock, pop, dance and other modern-day inventions, alongside executive producer Christopher Juul from Season of Mist labelmates Heilung. In 2021, Förbundet was nominated for Folk Album of the Year by the Grammis. Now, four years later, its opening song is taking home a different award.

Today, Garmarna are proud to announce that "Ramunder" was selected by The John Lennon Songwriting Contest as the Session I Grand Prize Winner in the World category. The prize package for this award includes a Taylor acoustic-electric guitar and more than $4,000 in recording equipment.

"It's a great honor to receive this award", says Garmarna, who were selected as a finalist by the same contest in 2021 for their song "Dagen Flyr". "John Lennon and The Beatles pushed the envelope on what you can do in just about every field of the music business. Throughout our 35 year career, we've always aimed to do the same by mixing traditional Swedish ballads with contemporary influences. We always try to stay curious and bend the rules, with feet firmly planted in the ballad tradition".

Watch the video for "Ramunder" below:

Förbundet is out now on Season of Mist

Order

https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/garmarna-forbundet

Stream

https://linktr.ee/garmarna_official

While they've always pulled from the darker chapters of Swedish folklore, "Ramunder" claims the crown as Garmarna's most chilling tale. Reimagined by razor-sharp acoustics, distorted grooves and a stomping drum beat, the opening of Förbundet sets a rather bloody scene with the tale of a warrior that destroys his enemies purely for the sake of his own enjoyment.

However, "Ramunder" isn't all doom and gloom. Anders Norudde saws his moraharpa with devilish delight. The Swedish multi-instrumentalist, composer, carpenter and violin-maker is a member of Hedningarna, the fellow groundbreaking Swedish folk band who were an early inspiration for Garmarna.

Next year, Garmarna will face the Session II Grand Prize Winner in a public vote to determine the overall winner for the World category.

When asked about how fans have responded to their different influences and diverse output over the years, Stefan cannot definitively say because their followers are seemingly fluid in their tastes as well. “Sometimes we’ve thought the audience will hate the new stuff, all jungle beats or house or pop or whatever,” he says. “The audience is a mix of metal heads, folk enthusiasts, hipsters, and just casual music lovers of all ages. Along the way, they have seemed to like what we do! We know that a lot of people wished the return album 6 would have been a bit more traditional, but then a lot of people also praised it for being 'so much GARMARNA' in the sense that it took an unexpected turn somewhere new.”

Their loyal acolytes should be pleased with 'Förbundet', and they will likely draw in new converts as well. You're next.

Lineup
Emma Härdelin: Vocals, violin
Stefan Brisland-Ferner: Violin, Viola, Hurdy gurdy, Keyboards, Nordic bowed lyre, Kantele, Moraharpa, Mouth harp, Electronics, Electric guitar, Mandolin, Backing vocals
Gotte Ringqvist: Acoustic guitar, Hardanger fiddle, backing vocals
Rickard Westman: Electric guitar, Electric bass
Jens Höglin: Drums, Percussion, Electronics

Guest musicians
Maria Franz: Vocals on ”Två Systrar”
Anders Norudde: Moraharpa on ”Ramunder”
Ulf Gruvberg: Vocals on ”Lussi Lilla”

Producer
Stefan Brisland-Ferner

Executive producer
Christopher Juul

Mixing
Christopher Juul

Mastering
Christopher Juul

Recording studios
DNA Studios in Stockholm with Stefan Brisland-Ferner
Studio NEVO Sundsvall with Stefan Brisland-Ferner and Henrik Heinrich
Studio Cobra Stockholm with Christian Gabel

Cover art
Axel Torvenius

Bio
Bryan Reesman

Order
https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/garmarna-forbundet

Stream
https://linktr.ee/garmarna_official

Available formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Silver
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Gold
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Red

Follow Garmarna
https://linktr.ee/garmarna_official
https://garmarnasom.bandcamp.com/album/f-rbundet
https://www.facebook.com/Garmarnaoffical
https://www.instagram.com/garmarna_official/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ED7dE68y0YZGpyXcuiRsI?si=x80dzp_RQd-uQdbF5AN5cg

Ponte Del Diavolo Release Roadburn Live Video

September 8, 2025

Last year, Ponte Del Diavolo made their mark by bridging the gap between two nefarious corners of the underground on their fiery debut album. Fire Blades from the Tomb welds doom and black metal into a towering, twisted new wave of dark art that's as cruel and mesmerizing as their native Italy's infamous Devil's Bridge.

As they prepare to unfurl their next deadly creation, today, Ponte Del Diavolo are releasing a new video from their mesmerizing performance at Roadburn. Weaving enchantments of synth, theremin and clarinet into their ritual dance with death, "Covenant" burns with newfound intensity when stoked by the fiery response from this year's festival crowd.

Watch Ponte Del Diavolo perform "Covenant" live at Roadburn 2025 Below’

Fire Blades from the Tomb is out now on Season of Mist.

Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/PonteFireBlades

Stream: https://orcd.co/firebladesfromthetombpresave

PONTE DEL DIAVOLO bridges the gap between two separate worlds.

The Italian band proposes a Doom / Black metal sound with old-school roots, adding a modern and outside the box background. The female voice - with strong dark wave influences - is the lyric corpus of this strongly esoteric project. The solid presence of two bassists creates the massive foundation for the rhythmic guitar, everything marked by a raw and dynamic drumming.

Mystery of Mystery / Secret Live Session marked the quintet’s debut EP. It was recorded live and without editing at Dracma Studio with the producer L’Ossario in their home base of Turin in March 2020. "I" was released on the web by Iopan Records. It was soon followed by their second single, "The Wickedest Woman In the World".

At the end of 2021, Ponte Del Diavolo recorded their second EP, Sancta Menstruis at Deepest Sea Studio in Turin with Danilo Battocchio. The first single, "The Unborn", arrived in February 2022.

The band's third EP, Ave Scintilla!, was also recorded in Turin. This time around, they reconvened at Dracma Studio with L'Ossario.

Now that they've signed with Season of Mist, Ponte Del Diavolo are ready to release their debut album. Fire Blades From the Tomb forgesclassic, cultish doom metal with modern bents of post-punk. Lead single and opening track “Demone” is whipped along by a boiled black bass line and dark-wave induced vocals.

Prepare to cross over into the Italian dark arts.

Line-up
Elena Camusso (as Erba Del Diavolo) - Vocals
Alessio Caruso (as Krhura) - Bass
Andrea l'Abbate (as Kratom) - Bass
Stefano Franchina (as Segale Cornuta) - Drums
Rocco Scuzzarella (as Nerium) - Guitars

Guest Musicians
Andrea l'Abbate - Synth on 'Covenant'.
Lucynine - Theremin on 'Covenant'.
Vittorio Sabelli - Clarinet on 'Covenant', 'Red as the sex of She who lives in death' & 'Nocturnal veil'.
Davide Straccione - Vocals on 'The weeping song'.

Recording Studio
Deepest Sea Studio

Producer & Sound Engineer
Danilo Battocchio

Mixing & Mastering Studio / Engineer
Lunatech Sounds / Dimitris Douvras

Cover Art
Laura Nardelli

Stream: https://orcd.co/firebladesfromthetombpresave

Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/PonteFireBlades

Links:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ponte-del-diavolo/1639072320
Bandcamp: https://pontedeldiavolo666.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PontedelDiavolo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pontedeldiavoloband/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mAfr0B2wgIFbVBUAv9btD
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pontedeldiavolo3847