BRAINSTORM Launch “Crawling” Lyric Video & Embark On ‘Plague Of Rats’ Release Co-Headline Tour

Long-serving German metallers BRAINSTORM are starting the celebrations of their long-awaited new album Plague Of Rats (Reigning Phoenix Music) early! Tonight, the quintet are playing the first out of eight co-headline release shows with label mates ARION but they have also launched a lyric video for “Crawling,” another track taken from their new record, which was highly praised by press throughout and will finally be unleashed tomorrow.

The song is based on strong synth leads entering one’s mind instantly – and there’s no chance to get rid of them anytime soon. Taken over by guitar duo Ihlenfeld/Loncaric, the melody settles even more, resulting in another new BRAINSTORM anthem while telling a critical story about expectations the society has from individuals and reminding fans of the importance of free speech.

“Another single on the album and perhaps the most melodic track on “Plague Of Rats.” ‘Crawling in’ and ‘crawling out’ suggest a feeling of being trapped and a desire for freedom. But what creeps in and where does it creep out? Having your own opinion has become very difficult in our world. In our society, we’re easily manipulated and lured with nice words to support or accept an opinion. For example, the line ‘I lured you with my sweet words’ is intended to clarify this somewhat. It’s good and important to represent completely contrary opinions sometimes. This is what today’s world has to endure. We don’t walk upright through a door but crawl through cracks to avoid attracting attention instead. If you don’t follow the instructions or – in this case – manipulation, you’re out. You fall off the grid and no longer belong. The message? Stand by yourself and your ideals…and don’t move like a skeleton or zombie,” states vocalist Andy B Franck.

Check out the lyric video:

BRAINSTORM remain a vital force in the metal scene, seamlessly blending traditional elements with modern influences in their latest work, Plague Of RatsDrawing inspiration from the rich and mystical narratives of ancient Indian civilization, this album delivers an energetic line-up of tracks devoid of slow songs or ballads, fully embodying the band’s dynamic and robust metal style. Expertly crafted with the collaboration of Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann (ORDEN OGAN, ANGUS McSIX) for mixing and mastering at Greenman Studios, and featuring striking artwork by Gyula Havancsák (DESTRUCTION, KREATOR, GRAVE DIGGER etc.) and photography by Alex Kühr, Plague Of Rats offers ten compelling new tracks that transport listeners to the captivating worlds of India and beyond.

Plague Of Rats  Track Listing:

01. Beyond Enemy Lines
02. Garuda (Eater Of Snakes)
03. False Memories
04. The Shepherd Girl (Gitavoginda)
05. Your Soul That Lingers In Me [feat. Elina Siirala]
06. Masquerade Conspiracy
07. From Hell [feat. Alex Krull]
08. The Dark Of Night
09. Crawling
10. Celebrate Youth [RICK SPRINGFIELD Cover; excl. digipak/earbook bonus track]
11. Curtains Fall

BRAINSTORM live:
 
“The Plague That Burns The Sky”
BRAINSTORM + ARION
Co-Headline Tour 2025
w/ STRANGER VISION
Presented by Rock Hard, musix, metal.depowermetal.de, Decibel-Touring & RPM
27.02.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal
28.02.2025 CH Solothurn – Kulturfabrik Kofmehl
01.03.2025 DE Essen – Turock
02.03.2025 DE Mannheim – 7er Club
03.03.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Halle)
04.03.2025 DE Hamburg – Bahnhof Pauli
05.03.2025 DE Hanover – MusikZentrum
06.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann

w/ SIGNUM REGIS
08.03.2025 NL Harderwijk – Estrado
09.03.2025 NL Gouda – StudioGonz

05. – 08.06.2025 DE Oettingen i. Bay. – Camping Battleground Festival
11.07.2025 BG Chirpan – Midalidare Rock In the Wine Valley
24.08.2025 PT Pindelo dos Milagres – Milagre Metaleiro Open Air

Doom Force KATLA Releases Second Single “Dead Lover” + Official Music Video Released

Doom hellhounds KATLA travel into the depths of heartache and resilience with their newly released track, “Dead Lover”. The song is the second single to premiere from the three-headed Danish metal monster’s unmissable debut album, Scandinavian Pain, out March 21, 2025 via Napalm Records.
 
After years of honing their colossal sound and live energy, the band delivers an unrelenting blend of raw emotion, gritty riffs, and subterranean sonic battery. Scandinavian Pain not only marks a new chapter for the band, but also reflects their rise to acclaim – from humble beginnings at Copenhell Festival, to becoming a standout act in Denmark’s heavy music underground.
 
“Dead Lover” delivers relentless energy and powerful imagery, encouraging listeners to embrace their struggles and emerge stronger. Battling inner demons and cosmic horrors, the track pulses with raw emotion.
 
KATLA on “Dead Lover”:
“This song was the first song to actually go on the album, as our first single ‘Taurus’ was kind of a standalone single by then. ‘Dead Lover’ was basically made in one day, as it was the perfect fit to that no-bullshit approach we wanted to make with the album. The lyrics were almost made as the song was being created in the rehearsal room, and pretty much hit the spot straight away. On a personal level, the ‘Dead Lover’ lyrics wrote themselves at the time, since Rasmus was also dealing with some very depressive and dark thoughts at the time. It is meant as more of an ‘uplifting’ song, as it also explores the subjects of getting through rough patches and coming out on the other side.”
Watch the official music video for “Dead Lover”:

Scandinavian Pain is a cathartic exploration of personal struggles, mental health, and societal critique. Songs like “Grim Jesus” dive deep into themes of overcoming inner darkness and rejecting oppressive systems, showcasing lyrics that resonate with the resilience of the human spirit. “Castle of Purity” is a searing anthem that calls out the abuse and hypocrisy in organized religion – a powerful statement about pushing back against injustice and finding strength in individuality. Produced by Lasse Ballade (known for his work with Solbrud, Alkymist, and Halshug), the record combines visceral sonic landscapes with a deeply personal narrative. Prepare to experience the raw power and unfiltered honesty of KATLA on Scandinavian Pain.
 
Scandinavian Pain also marks the debut of new KATLA bassist and vocalist Theis Thorgersen. His addition not only breathes renewed energy into the band itself, but imbues an evolved sound that is heavier, darker, and sharper than ever before. KATLA’s meaningful yet uninhibited sound and high-energy live performances have positioned them as a force to be reckoned with.
 
KATLA says about the album:
Scandinavian Pain is an album about the shame of feeling depressed in a country that in many ways seems to be out of any misery or control of others. The inherent feeling of guilt, the despondent thoughts. The weight of cultural Christianity and being part of a system that is destroying both ours and other lives. It’s about watching the newest season of whatever decadent TV show is on while children are being murdered daily. All the songs are different, yet similar. This time, there’s an affirmation for you, who might need it, a story telling, a short grindy track, something with a blast beat, but of course also heavy sludgy doom. Welcome to the house of pain.”

CRAWLING CHAOS: Italian melodic death metal act unveils “Veiled in Secrets” single, third album “Wyrd” out in March

CRAWLING CHAOS have just released a brand new single, “Veiled in Secrets”, taken from their upcoming album, “Wyrd”. The track offers a glimpse into the band’s evolving sound, blending death metal with intricate and haunting melodies.“Wyrd” is set for release on March 28th, 2025, via Time To Kill Records, and promises to be a pivotal moment in the band’s journey, strengthening their presence within the melodic death metal scene.

The band commented: 

“’Veiled in Secrets’ focuses on the enigmatic fictional figures known as Bene Gesserit. Described by Frank Herbert in his masterpiece ‘Dune’, the Bene Gesserit have the power to affect the course of history via their profound knowledge and mystical skills. Much like the Norns of Norse mythology, the members of this esoteric sisterhood weave the tapestry of destiny – guided by the visions granted by the Spice. Keepers of ancient secrets, the Bene Gesserit work in the shadows, shaping the future, crafting prophecies, and synthesizing religions.
‘Veiled in Secrets’ pays homage to these extraordinary figures, whose Voice echoes through desert sands in a universe where every action is just a tile of a vast and intricate mosaic.”

“Wyrd”, the third studio album by CRAWLING CHAOS, is an anthology-based work centered around a series of archetypes connected to the concepts of destiny, fate, and becoming. In Northern European culture, these ideas are encapsulated in the term wyrd, contrasting with notions of free will and self-determination.

The central theme is developed across the album’s ten tracks, following a narrative thread that weaves together some of the most fascinating female figures from classical mythology, European folklore, and history. These include the Norse Norns, the witches from Macbeth serving Hecate, the Greco-Roman Furies, and the fearsome Thessalian necromancers. As in the band’s previous works, “Wyrd” is filled with literary references and Easter eggs, offering subtle nods to the most curious listeners.

Musically, CRAWLING CHAOS achieves further evolution with “Wyrd”, crafting a blend of groovy and melodic death metal that balances intricate technical flourishes with a strong focus on the classic concept of riff and song. The sound is polished yet retains raw power, showcasing the band’s roots while pushing their sonic boundaries. This refined approach highlights their attention to songwriting, creating a powerful and authentic experience that bridges their older background with a modern and dynamic edge. 

Tracklist:

01 – The Garden of the Earthly Delights (Part I)
02 – Three Times Three
03 – Nails of Fate
04 – Veiled in Secrets
05 – Torches Ablaze
06 – Necromancer
07 – Nomen Omen
08 – To the Furies
09 – Witch-Hunt
10 – The Garden of the Earthly Delights (Part II)

CRAWLING CHAOS is a death metal band formed in Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. In January 2009, the band released its first EP of original songs, “Goatsuckers”. Although the EP received numerous positive reviews from the underground metal press, it was mainly intended as a promotional appetizer.
In the following years, the band immersed itself in writing new material. In December 2012, they recorded their first full-length album, “Repellent Gastronomy”, at Domination Studio. Produced and mixed by Simone Mularoni, the album was released in November 2013 via Memorial Records.

In November 2020, CRAWLING CHAOS released their second full-length album, “XLIX”, a concept album inspired by Machiavelli’s notorious treatise The Prince. The album, once again produced by Simone Mularoni, was released via Time to Kill Records. Following the great reception of “XLIX”, praised by numerous international metal webzines and magazines, the band joined the roster of K2 Music Management.

Between 2013 and 2023, CRAWLING CHAOS performed dozens of gigs across Italy and Europe, sharing the stage with international acts such as Suffocation, The Monolith Deathcult, Havok, Skeletonwitch, Imperial Triumphant, Hideous Divinity, Nero di Marte, Dark Lunacy, and more.

In December 2023, the band returned to the studio to record their third full-length album, “Wyrd”, an anthology inspired by the role of feminine figures in European mythology and their connection to the concepts of fate and free will.

Damon Systema unleash myth and metal with their debut Album “Ate”, Out March 21 via Theogonia Records

Greek melodic dark metal band Damon Systema are set to release their debut album, Ate, on March 21 via Theogonia Records. Drawing from the ancient Greek cycle of Hybris, Ate, Nemesis, and Tisis, the album delves into themes of arrogance, divine wrath, and inevitable retribution.

The title track Ate is now available, offering a first glimpse into Damon Systema’s dark and powerful debut album:

Dive headfirst into the dark depths of human arrogance, divine wrath, and the crushing weight of retribution with Ate, the debut album from Greece’s Damon Systema. This blistering concept record, inspired by the ancient Greek cycle of Hybris, Ate, Nemesis, and Tisis, explores the timeless themes of pride, calamity, divine punishment, and ultimate reckoning.

From the opening moments, Ate weaves a vivid tapestry of mythological allegory and sonic devastation. The threads of fate are pulled taut in “Moirae,” where unearthly melodies draw listeners into the inescapable grip of destiny. The chaos of “Lady Discordia” erupts with crushing guitars and serpentine vocals, mirroring the strife and turmoil sown by the goddess of discord. As the seeds of hubris bear bitter fruit, “Harvest of Tears” channels the lament of Aeschylus’ The Persians, with devastating crescendos capturing the weight of loss.

The album’s title track, “Ate”, strikes with unrelenting fury and sorrow, embodying the blinding madness inflicted by the goddess herself. The march of relentless justice arrives in “Adrasteia”, an epic journey into Nemesis’ unyielding grip, blending doom-laden heaviness with majestic melodies. Finally, “Poenas Dare” delivers the crushing reckoning of Tisis, a punishing yet cathartic conclusion that resonates with the eternal struggle for atonement.

Produced, recorded, and mixed by Akis Pastras (Dexter Ward, Nightfall) at 3rDi Lab-Station, and mastered by George Nerantzis (Abbath, Pain of Salvation, Rotting Christ), Ate is as precise as it is emotionally raw. The vivid artwork by Okim Tulal captures the album’s narrative essence, while the layout by Nick Gazetas completes this dark vision. With its powerful blend of myth and metal, Ate stands as a profound meditation on humanity’s internal battles and its inevitable downfall.

Brace yourself for an odyssey of crushing riffs, haunting melodies, and timeless allegory. Damon Systema’s Ate bridges the ancient and the modern, the mythological and the visceral, creating a sonic experience that lingers long after the final note fades.

Out March 21, 2025, on Theogonia Records. Available on all major streaming platforms and as a Digipak CD with a colorful 12-page booklet including lyrics.

Irish death metallers Void Revenant unleash their debut EP “Celestial Procession” on February 28

Void Revenant emerges from the Irish underground with Celestial Procession, a three-track EP that delivers a crushing blend of dissonant death metal infused with cosmic horror. Drawing influence from bands like Immolation, Gorguts, and Morbid Angel, the EP reflects the vast and unforgiving nature of the abyss, channeling chaos through intricate compositions and suffocating atmospheres.

Recorded and mixed at Last Light Recordings by Shaun Cadogan, known for his work with Abaddon Incarnate, Unyielding Love, Coscradh, and Malthusian, the EP captures the raw intensity and depth required for such a relentless sonic assault. Final mastering was handled by Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves, ensuring the EP’s dense sound and crushing weight were preserved.

With its thematic focus on cosmic dread and the insignificance of humankind in the face of the unknown, Celestial Procession is a statement of intent. Void Revenant blends the brutality of classic death metal with the avant-garde approach of Gorguts and the ominous atmospheres of Blood Incantation, forging a sound that is as eerie as it is destructive. Fans of Artificial Brain, Replicant, and Dead Congregation will find much to explore within these three tracks.