Tag Archives: heavy metal

Listenable Records – King Witch Returns with III !

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KING WITCH are releasing their much awaited brand new full length album ‘III’ on June 27,2025. The album displays a phenomenal leap forward in terms of songwriting and a massive production.    

Formed in late 2015 on the streets of old Edinburgh, King Witch play a lead-heavy brew of rock and doom that draws comparisons ranging from Black Sabbath and Candlemass to Soundgraden and Alice In Chains. The band quickly earned themselves a reputation as a formidable live act and have toured the UK and Europe extensively with the likes of Green Lung as well as playing festivals such as Sweden Rock, Desertfest and Bloodstock.. 

After self releasing their extremely well received “Shoulder of Giants” ep, the band were picked up by Listenable Records through which they released their debut album “Under The Mountain” in 2018 followed by “Body Of Light” in 2020.

2025 sees the band return with their third and most accomplished full length album, ‘III’, featuring Andrew Scott on drums. Produced and mixed by guitarist Jamie Gilchrist in his own studio, Nameless City Sound, ‘III’ retains the doom and heavy rock elements that characterise their earlier releases while ramping up the energy and focusing on more concise songwriting. The album focuses on where the human race is right now, our apparent desire to destroy ourselves, and the mental struggle to deal with it and carry on living a positive life..

Debut single ‘Swarming Flies’ is scheduled on Friday the 2nd of May, 2025, don’t miss out on this crushing new track!

Produced and mixed by Jamie Gilchrist at Nameless City Sound 
Mastered by Grant Berry at Fader Mastering 
Cover art by Blasted Heathen 
Graphic design by Laura Donnelly 
Band photo by Simon Anger 
 
Tracklisting:
1. Suffer In Life 4:14
2. Deal With The Devil 5:49
3. Swarming Flies 4:49
4. Sea Of Lies 6:48
5. Behind The Veil 6:03
6. Diggin In The Dirt 4:25
7. Little Witch 3:24
8. Last Great Wilderness 8:00
 
King Witch are:
Laura Donnelly – Vocals
Jamie Gilchrist – Guitar
Rory Lee – Bass
Drums performed by Andrew Scott

MIDNIGHT To Release Steel, Rust And Disgust Covers Album

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Cleveland‘s favorite filth metal practitioners, MIDNIGHT, will unleash Steel, Rust And Disgust on May 23rd via Metal Blade Records.
 
One-man-army, Athenar, has been spewing out an ungodly racket, dropping countless demos, splits, EPs, and LPs and ultimately slaying the metal/punk underground with his own addictive brand of lust, grime, and sleaze for over two decades. The Steel, Rust And Disgust collective follows last year‘s chart topping Hellish Expectations full-length and features ten unique cover tracks alongside two new cuts.

Athenar comments, “The idea to record an album of all cover jams with a certain theme is nothing quite new. The original title for this album was gonna be Throw Ups as an homage to the David Bowie‘s Pin Ups album, also of covers. Although Throw Ups is only two syllables and I need six. I guess I could’ve called it Throw Downs Throw Outs Throw Ups, but that would be just fucking stupid.
 
“I just wanted to record some songs by bands who shared the same sights, sounds, and sewage of my region of birth,” he continues. “Some of these tunes you may have heard, some you may have not. So please, do yourself a favor and check out the original versions… if you want to transform into a total fucking slimebag that is!”
 
In advance of the record‘s official release, today MIDNIGHT presents the original track, “Cleveland Metal.” Notes Athenar, “’Cleveland‘ and ’metal.‘ Those two words flow together like molten steel. This title was directly taken from a compilation album of the same name released in 1983 on Clubside Records, pre Auburn Records. The song was written as an erotic love letter to the cursed city whence I was thrusted upon and its fellow inhabitants of subhumans.”
 
Watch MIDNIGHT‘s video for “Cleveland Metal,” directed by My Good Eye Visuals, HERE:

Steel, Rust And Disgust Track Listing:
1. Cleveland Metal
2. Iron Beast (Kratos cover)
3. I’m Insane (Synastryche cover)
4. Final Solution (Rocket From The Tombs cover)
5. Frenzy (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cover)
6. Child Eaters (Rubber City Rebels cover)
7. 3rd Generation Nation (Dead Boys cover)
8. Rock N’ Roll Fever (David Allan Coe cover)
9. Carrions Keep (False Hope cover)
10. Black Leather Rock (Electric Eels cover)
11. Steel, Rust And Disgust
12. Agitated (Electric Eels cover)

Heavy Metal Project Ampicore Signs with Wormholedeath Records

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Wormholedeath Records proudly announces its latest signing: Ampicore, a heavy metal revelation with a passion for history and storytelling. The project, spearheaded by multi-talented composer Frederic Frees, is set to release its ambitious concept album, March Up Country – The Rock Opera, on May 16, 2025.

This monumental work chronicles the real-life tale of Xenophon’s March of the Ten Thousand, a perilous journey of Greek mercenaries through hostile territory in 401 B.C. With sweeping melodies, blistering riffs, and heartfelt storytelling, the album fuses heavy metal with historical depth, delivering an unforgettable sonic experience
“Signing with Wormholedeath is an overwhelming privilege for me. Carlo’s review of March Up Country – The Rock Opera was nothing short of inspirational. It was that same type of inspiration that motivated me to create the album in the first place. Fusing history with my favorite genre, Heavy Metal, was something I always wanted to do. I bow humbly in the shadow of the greats, especially Iron Maiden, whose footsteps I follow to March Up Country.” -Frederic Frees

An Epic Tale of Survival and Brotherhood

March Up Country – The Rock Opera takes listeners on an emotional and harrowing journey, detailing the highs and lows of Xenophon’s mercenaries. From the triumph of battle to the despair of isolation, this heavy metal opera captures the indomitable spirit of survival, camaraderie, and the relentless will to return home.

Immerse yourself in the first epic chronicle through the lyric video for “The Broken Busts of Hermes”:

Ampicore unites an extraordinary lineup of vocalists and musicians to bring this historic narrative to life:

Singers: Rob Lundgren, Charlie Griffith, Mauro Elias, Jamie Jordan, Eric Castiglia
Guitarists: Mauricio Mirapalheta, Miguel Esparzapro, Vini Assis, Axe Japan, Skogarheim, Lucas Shred
Bass: Marco Toba,  Miguel Esparzapro, Charlie Griffith, Mladen Jovanovic, Frederic Frees
Drums: Maikon Queiroz, Brian Henry, Chris Bouchard
Keyboards: Frederic Frees, Charlie Griffith   
Bouzouki: Marlos Georglou  

About Frederic Frees

Frederic Frees’ musical journey began at the age of 5 on the piano, evolving into a lifelong passion for bass guitar and composition. After decades of creating music and performing in rock bands during the 70s and 80s, Frederic took a break to explore other avenues, including a potential career as a history teacher. Thirty years later, his love for history and music merged to create March Up Country – The Rock Opera, a labor of passion that bridges his two great loves.

CIRITH UNGOL To Release Live At The Roxy

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One of the world‘s most iconic music venues – the Sunset Strip‘s Roxy Theatre – hosted a legendary 2024 gig by one of the world‘s most iconic metal bands, CIRITH UNGOL. The one-night-only performance was an album release show for the band‘s 2023 Dark Parade LP. It captured the lineup at the height of its considerable powers, performing Dark Parade in its entirety, along with a set of classic songs including “Join The Legion,” “Frost And Fire,” “Black Machine,” and “Atom Smasher.” The end result is a stellar live album and DVD.

There was no choice other than the Roxy for CIRITH UNGOL to record this momentous live collection. “It‘s owned by a Hollywood music legend, Lou Adler,” notes cofounding drummer Rob Garven, “and is next door to the famous Rainbow Bar and Grill. It‘s a landmark Hollywood club, which includes the Whisky and The Starwood [now gone] so every time we played one of these historic venues, it was a special occasion. It was great to see many of our friends and fans from all over the world at the show.”

Adds bassist Jarvis Leatherby, “For years, there has been a live bootleg record famous in the underground from their last appearance there in1984 titled Cirith Ungol, Live At The Roxy. I felt it fitting for the band to return there 40 years later to officially document a live performance in a way the guys would be proud of. Metal Blade Records, The Adlers, Nanotear, and Goldenvoice all came together in support to actually make it happen.”

CIRITH UNGOL‘s Live At The Roxy holds its own against other legendary live records. “The Who made an extremely powerful album with Live At Leeds, my favorite band of all time, Mountain, had several pretty spectacular live albums, and 1993‘s Uriah Heep Live is another outstanding live album! It‘s hard to accurately capture all the sound and feeling of a live concert. I think these bands achieved that, and I think our Live At The Roxy does also.”

Live At The Roxy will be released on April 25th via Metal Blade Records. In advance of its official unveiling, today the band presents a taste of the monumental event with video footage of “Down Below,”

Comments Garven, “This song strung together by the haunting acoustic guitar is a gift to all of you on this Doomed Planet! It was, and is, the culmination of all the pain and suffering absorbed into our being from the pandemic, the lost lives, cancelled shows, isolation, and stimuli deprivation. It features some of my best drumming and one of [guitarist] Jimmy [Barraza]‘s best solos. As the song rises to the ultimate crescendo, all this pent-up emotion is unleashed on the listener with our final gasping breath. Truly a churning maelstrom of metal chaos descending!”

Watch CIRITH UNGOL‘s “Down Below” video HERE:

Live At The Roxy Track Listing:
1. Velocity (S.E.P.)
2. Relentless
3. Sailor On The Seas Of Fate
4. Sacrifice
5. Looking Glass
6. Dark Parade
7. Distant Shadows
8. Down Below
9. Atom Smasher
10. I’m Alive
11. Frost And Fire
12. Black Machine
13. Blood And Iron
14. Chaos Descends
15. The Frost Monstreme
16. Fire
17. Death Of The Sun
18. Master Of The Pit
19. King Of The Dead
20. Join The Legion

NINTH CIRCLE sign with Fighter Rec.; 1st song, cover art & tracklist for 5th album revealed!

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Veteran US Heavy Metal band NINTH CIRCLE has just signed a deal with Fighter Records for the release of their 5th album entitled “Anthem of the Immortal” which will be released in June 3rd, 2025 on CD and Digital formats.

Listen to the first advance single here:

NINTH CIRCLE formed in 1996 in Los Angeles, California, and has since released four albums: “Ninth Circle” (2000), “The Power of One” (2008), “Legions of the Brave” (2014), and “Echo Black” (2020), building an excellent reputation in the melodic Heavy Metal scene. In 2024, the band wrote the material for their 5th album, titled “Anthem of the Immortal“, and for worldwide distribution and promotion, signed with Fighter Records.

“Anthem of the Immortal” is the much anticipated follow up to the band’s muti award winning album “Echo Black“, released in the summer of 2020. NINTH CIRCLE‘s new album enters an exciting sonic soundscape as it brings together a heavier and more aggressive sound to the already established melodic and harmony driven style fans have to come know and expect. It is also the first to feature the current established touring line up; lead guitarist and vocalist, Dennis Brown, bassist, Frank Forray and drummer, Richie “Captain Black” Brooks. The album is also produced by longtime producer, Jeff Prentice (PREDATOR/ OUTLAND/ THE SEEDS).

“Anthem of the Immortal” is the next level record fans have been waiting for NINTH CIRCLE to deliver. The record is packed with pure melodic Metal anthems, song after song after song.

Tracklist for “Anthem of the Immortal” is as follows:

01. I, the Radical
02. Archangel
03. Devil of Manchester
04. First Strike
05. 25 or 6 to 4 (Chicago cover)
06. Don’t Back Down
07. Never Die
08. Futuresonic
09. Stand and Fight
10. Pleasures of the Heart
11. The Road Paved With Souls
12. Move the Mountain
13. Burn Like the Sun

Release date for NINTH CIRCLE “Anthem of the Immortal” will be 3rd of June 2025 through Fighter Records on CD & Digital formats.

VOID KING UNVEILS NEW SINGLE”A UNION OF EXPIRED SOULS”FROM HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ALBUM”THE HIDDEN HYMNAL – CHAPTER II”

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Indianapolis-based stoner doom luminaries Void King return with their latest sonic monolith, “A Union of Expired Souls,” the first single from their upcoming full-length album, “The Hidden Hymnal – Chapter II,” set for release on April 25th via Argonauta Records. The album will be available in CD, Deluxe Color Vinyl and Digital formats.

After a decade of forging their name in the heavy underground, Void King continues their cosmic pilgrimage, crafting soundscapes that transcend the boundaries of stoner rock and doom metal. This next chapter in their discography follows up the 2023 release of “The Hidden Hymnal”, complementing its themes with a deeply cohesive and immersive listening experience.

“A Union of Expired Souls” exemplifies the band’s signature blend of massive riffs, ethereal melodies, and evocative storytelling, channelling raw emotion and otherworldly energy through the commanding presence of Jason Kindred (vocals), Tommy Miller (guitar), Chris Carroll (bass), and Derek Felix (drums). The track, clocking in at 9 minutes and 33 seconds, is a journey through atmospheric doom and dynamic intensity, setting the stage for what promises to be Void King’s most profound and expansive release yet.

Speaking on the new album, Void King shares:
“This new batch of songs is not a departure for us, but an evolution. The songs are cohesive and share an origin story. Each one of them has its own universe, as well as a symbiotic relationship with the others. We are excited for people to experience this album in its entirety—it should be consumed from start to finish for maximum impact.”

“The Hidden Hymnal – Chapter II” Tracklist:
The Birth of All Things (8:48)
A Union of Expired Souls (9:33)
Prologue (2:00)
Attrition (5:07)
Convalescence (7:44)
Expiration (6:58)
Epilogue (1:09)

In addition to this monumental release, Void King is preparing for a series of live performances this summer. Fans can expect nothing short of a transcendental experience, where the air vibrates with primal energy, the volume compels, and the faithful gather for communion in heavy sound.

Prepare for the arrival of “The Hidden Hymnal – Chapter II” on April 25th, a record designed to be felt as much as it is heard.

UNDECAYED: Swedish death metallers to release “In Death’s Image” debut album in May

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wedish death metal force UNDECAYED will unleash their long-awaited debut album, “In Death’s Image”, on May 21st, 2025, via Lethal Scissor Records.

Despite their origins, the band eschews the traditional HM-2-driven Swedish sound in favor of a raw and relentless approach deeply rooted in the ferocity of ’90s American death metal, recalling the percussive onslaught of Suffocation and the unholy aggression of Deicide. However, the album does not shy away from the merciless intensity of certain European acts, channeling the sheer force of early Sinister, Aeon and Severe Torture into a blistering assault of unfiltered death worship.

Likely the first album ever released with the word ‘death’ in the title of every song, “In Death’s Image” takes its thematic obsession to another level: in one track, the word for ‘death’ is even sung in 19 different languages. The album’s lyrics paint a grim and absolute vision of annihilation—”Death” arrives on Earth in a physical form, surpassing any concept of a god, to extinguish all existence. No one and nothing is spared: humans, animals, vegetation, water, air—everything dies. There is NO hope for life.

The first single “Death’s Only Demand” is now streaming:

Tracklist:

1 – The World Shall Know Only Death
2 – Death’s Only Demand
3 – The Descendants Of Death
4 – In Death’s Image
5 – Death Shall Come (Death Shall Prevail)
6 – Death’s Pallid Coat
7 – World At Death’s Door
8 – Entreating Death In Vain
9 – The Greatest Death

All music composed by Mikael Bergman
All lyrics written by Tony Richter
Cover artwork by renowned artist Jon Zig

Biography:

UNDECAYED was formed in August 2008 by Tony Richter (vocals) and Mikael Bergman (guitars) as a result of lineup issues in their respective bands, 9th Plague and Disromance. The two had played together in several bands throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, most notably Gardens of Obscurity and The Darksend. Initially, Richter and Bergman were joined by Disromance drummer Johnny Augustsson. Bassist Christoffer Svensson joined in 2009, and in 2014, drummer Jesper Leidbring replaced Augustsson.

The idea that every song should include the word “death” in its title emerged in 2010, both to emphasize that this was true DEATH metal and because such a concept had never been done before. The demo “The Triumph of Death” was recorded in late 2010 and released in January 2011. It was then decided that no further demos would be released before the debut album.

Over the years, family matters, work commitments, health issues, the loss of two rehearsal spaces, and lineup changes all contributed to periods of forced inactivity and delays. It wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that the band was finally able to complete their album “In Death’s Image”.

Line-up:

Tony Richter – vocals
Mikael Bergman – guitars
Christoffer Svensson – bass
Jesper Leidbring – drums

Master Charger Unleash Second Single & Video “Mass Produced, Mass Destroyed” – Full Album Details Revealed!

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Hailing from the blackest heart of the Midlands, UK-based heavy rock/doom/sludge metal trio MASTER CHARGER return with a brand-new single and music video, “Mass Produced, Mass Destroyed,” giving fans another explosive taste of their forthcoming album, “Posthumous Resurrection”!

Watch the video here:

Set for release on May 2, 2025, via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records, “Posthumous Resurrection” will be available in CD and digital streaming formats. This record marks a new milestone for the band, solidifying their signature blend of blues-infused, groove-heavy, doom-laden rock ‘n’ roll sludge, often described as a “SATANIC BLUES RUMBLE.”

Tracklist:

  1. Thy Kingdom Polluted
  2. Only My Eyes See, Empires Rust
  3. Posthumous Resurrection
  4. Fallen Angel, Painted Doll
  5. When Hell Rode In
  6. Head into the Sun
  7. The Awakening
  8. Mass Produced, Mass Destroyed
  9. Upon Roads Less Travelled

Formed in 2006, MASTER CHARGER have carved a distinctive path in the underground heavy scene, refining their sound across previous releases, including “Unity in Black” (2011), “Eroding Empires” (2016), and “Origin of the Lugubrious” (2020). Their crushing live performances have seen them share the stage with acts such as Monolord, Orange Goblin, Black Rainbows, Conan, Raging Speedhorn, Fireball Ministry, Dead Witches, Overkill, Alunah and Paradise Lost, along with appearances at major festivals like HRH Doom vs Stoner, HRH Metal Chapter III and Hammerfest XI.

Drawing influence from the titans of heavy music, including Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Motörhead, Slayer, Venom, Celtic Frost, Black Flag, Trouble, Saint Vitus and Pentagram, MASTER CHARGER deliver a relentless fusion of vintage doom, raw sludge, and unfiltered rock energy.

With “Mass Produced, Mass Destroyed”, the band sets the stage for the impending release of “Posthumous Resurrection,” promising an unrelenting sonic assault that will leave no stone unturned. Stay tuned for more updates and prepare to witness the next chapter of MASTER CHARGER’s unstoppable rise!

Deathgoat unleash Dragged Into Realms Below – death metal supreme on Xtreem Music!

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Emerging from the fetid depths of the Finnish underground in 2015, Deathgoat’s first scream against the light came in the form of the Rotten Salvation demo in 2018. However, it was with their full length debut album, 2021s Regurgitated Into Existence, that the full power and potential of this gathering of devils became apparent – their mastery of old school death metal was unquestionable. Now, at long last, the Finns have returned with a new album that utterly epitomises everything that their chosen genre represents. This is the absolute essence of death metal, pure rot and decay, this is Dragged Into Realms Below!

The chilling notes of intro ‘Alkulima’ sink their claws into your flesh and tear you from your safe, secure existence, casting you into the cold earth of the midnight cemetery. Before you can orientate yourself ‘Pestilent Retribution’ is upon you, a rampaging assault of Scandinavian death metal that severs every tendon and shatters every bone. Devastating heaviness and machine gun intensity rage beneath twisting occult solos, while a voice from the pit intones the many ways in which to die. There is not a song on this magnificent collection that fails to deliver skin crawling atmosphere and utterly addictive, snarling riffs and rhythms. From the imperious chainsaw slaughter of ‘Monoxide’ to the magnificent conclusion of ‘Dragged Into Realms Below’ itself – a track that dominates and towers over your broken body like a king amongst the tombstones – this is an album you will not soon forget.

Dragged Into Realms Below will be released by Xtreem Music, champions of old school death metal, on June 10th and it will be essential listening for anyone dedicated to the music of the grave. With a sound carved from dry bone and putrefaction and a cover created by Bram Bruyneel (Officium Triste, Hideous Divinity etc) that invokes ancient ceremony and inherited nightmares, Deathgoat have delivered a work of immaculate decomposition.

FRONT ROW WARRIORS – announce new studio album, “Running Out Of Time”, for a summer releaseFirst video single + pre-orders now online!

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For the second time, Stuttgart, Germany-based FRONT ROW WARRIORS are taking up the cudgels for their very own melodic metal on their new album “Running Out Of Time”, that has just been announced for a release on July 11, 2025 via ROAR! Coming on CD, Vinyl and Digital formats, the album pre-sale has just started at https://frontrowwarriors.rpm.link/rootalbumPR 

Founded in 2019, the melodic metal band has already caused quite a stir in 2023 with their debut “Wheel Of Fortune” and was showered with praise by critics. The German Rock and Pop Musicians Association even named the debut album „Hard Rock Album of the Year 2023“. The 80s hard rock, with a pinch of AOR and melodic metal from the 90s, went down fantastically straight away, which is not only due to singer Elkie Gee, who has a remarkable range and stands out from the crowd with her vocal color.

Today, FRONT ROW WARRIORS enthrall fans and listeners with a first single from their forthcoming offering, the album opening track “Turn The Tide”! 

The band comments:
“Conspirators and false prophets, brainwashing through fake news and an
insane arms race paint a bleak picture of the future. While some cowardly look away and resign themselves, others try to make a profit and pay homage to the infantile rulers of this world.  Shouldn’t we finally face the truth with courage? We can still turn the tide, we owe it to our daughters and sons!”

The music video for “Turn The Tide” is now premiering:

All of the band members in FRONT ROW WARRIORS are no strangers in the scene. Sorin Badin and Stef Binnig-Gollub on guitars are former musicians from Samsara and Septagon, while Richie Seibel, who is also a member of Ivanhoe and Them, plays the keys. The bass is played by Timo Michels (ex-Pump) and the drums by Jay G. (ex-Sharon). The band played a number of concerts and festivals in 2024 and performed on stage with the likes of Treat, Vicious Rumors, Riot V, Victory, Axxis and Shakra. Since March 2024, guitarist Dominik Barth (ex-Illusoria) has replaced Sorin Badin, who had to step back for family reasons, but has been working in the background on the studio and fine-tuning the songs.
 
Their new album “Running Out Of Time”, once again with none other than Achim Köhler (Primal Fear, Brainstorm a.o.) at the controls and co-produced by Michael Bormann, features some real bangers and impressively proves that the band also feels at home in metal. Lovers of delicate guitar and keyboard work as well as melodic hooks will get their money‘s worth, as will fans of the heavier genre. FRONT ROW WARRIORS once again skilfully play with the genres to produce a colorful bouquet of fabulous songs with guaranteed catchy tunes and surprising moments!
 
The band states: “Running Out Of Time” was created during a time when we were on the road a lot, soaking up this energy and packing it into our new songs. This has made our music a little harder, but we‘ve definitely stayed true to ourselves when it comes to catchy choruses and can‘t wait to present our new songs and bring them to the stage.”