VANISHMENT SIGN WITH M-THEORY AUDIO; Present First Single/Music Video “Scarred In Fate”

VANISHMENT are the latest signings to M-Theory Audio. The Seattle-based band has a lot of band member experience and are readying the release of their second album for January 2026.

“For our second album, Vanishment wanted to partner up with a like-minded label with an outstanding roster, so naturally M-Theory was one of the first labels we reached out to. Little did we know that our metal brothers from Seattle, Lacabra, had just inked a deal with M-Theory at that time. When Marco hit us back with that news, we were absolutely certain this was the right fit. Fast forward a few months, and we’re very stoked for the future of this partnership!”

VANISHMENT take pride in delivering a combination of DIY attitude, relentlessly heavy songs and a face-melting live experience that leaves an indelible mark upon all in its path. Consisting of members who participated in past bands like Himsa, Lair Of The Minotaur, Hell Promise, Trial, Earthen Grave and more the group brings a maturity and understanding without losing its primal edge that mixed with their melodic values concocts an infectious combination sure to appeal to a variety of metalheads young and old.

To give you that impression check VANISHMENT out on today’s premiere of first single “Scarred In Fate” on any and all streaming/download music platforms or better its accompanying music video HERE:

“The first single from our second album “…And Now We Die” is also the first song on the album. Entitled “Scarred in Fate,” we believe the song is representative of the new album, and offers a glimpse into the band’s evolving sound and intensity. It was written while watching romantic comedies and drinking copious amounts of red wine. NOT! This is fucking METAL. This song is a banger. Enjoy!”

VANISHMENT began in 2019 taking inspiration from classic thrash and heavy metal bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth and Judas Priest, the group spent several months between 2020-2021 writing, rehearsing and eventually recording their debut effort, ‘No More Torture,’ which was self-released in 2023. The album displayed the band’s raw energy and aggressive sound, and was met with a tsunami of critical praise. Playing numerous shows through the Pacific Northwest, performing alongside Warbringer, Flotsam & Jetsam, Mutoid Man, Accused A.D., Haunt, Anthares, Solicitor, and Blighted Eye as well as their new label-mates in Silver Talon and Lacabra. In between shows, VANISHMENT continued to write what would become their second album recording with Nicholas Wilbur (Sumac, Mamiffer) at Anacortes Unknown, mixed by drummer Chris Wozniak and mastered by Alan Douches (Three Inches of Blood, Baroness, Darkest Hour).

Ukrainian Blackened Death Metal Force 1914 Announce New Album, “Viribus Unitis”, out November 14, 2025 via Napalm Records!

Ukrainian blackened death/doom metal unit 1914 return with unrelenting power on their fourth studio album, Viribus Unitis, Latin for “With United Forces.” More than just the personal motto of Franz Joseph I, the former emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this title directly speaks to the band’s resilience through war, loss, and upheaval – a powerful symbol of survival and solidarity. Out on November 14, 2025 via Napalm Records, Viribus Unitis builds on the band’s acclaimed conceptual approach, reaching new emotional depths and musical intensity.
 
Continuing their chronicle of World War I, 1914 shifts their focus from the raw portrayal of death and destruction, to exploring themes of camaraderie, endurance, and the emotional landscapes of those who endured the horrors of trench warfare. While previous releases like The Blind Leading the Blind (2018) and Where Fear and Weapons Meet (2021) centered on the futility and finality of war, Viribus Unitis exemplifies the interpersonal bonds forged under fire and the strength of those warriors who made it home: broken, changed, yet still alive.
                                                                                                              
Alongside the album announcement, they reveal their first single: “1916 (The Südtirol Offensive)”, a despairing blackened doom anthem of defiance, recounting the brutal Battle of Asiago in grim, poetic detail. With thunderous riffs and crushing walls of sound, 1914 make the Austro-Hungarian attack on Italy tangible, bringing another piece of history to life through sound, relentlessly and uncompromisingly.
 
k.u.k. Galizisches IR Nr.15, Gefreiter, Ditmar Kumarberg about “1916 (The Südtirol Offensive)”:
“From May 15 to June 10, 1916, the Italian Front saw one of its most intense clashes: the Battle of Asiago, also known as the Trentino Offensive. The Austro-Hungarian army launched a massive surprise attack, hoping to crush Italian forces and break into the Venetian plains. Nearly 200 battalions and 2000 guns, including 280 heavy artillery pieces, were amassed in Trentino. The Italians, caught off guard, were pushed back – but held the line with fierce resistance. The combined toll of 230,000 casualties on both sides underscores the staggering human cost of the campaign. A brutal reminder of the mountain warfare that defined this front.”
Watch the Official Music Video for “1916 (The Südtirol Offensive)”:

Musically, 1914 remain true to their identity – a brutal mixture of blackened death metal, slow-burning doom, and ambient war soundscapes. This time, however, their sound gains a broader dynamic range, with soaring melodic leads, orchestral textures, and haunting clean vocals that provide dramatic contrast to the crushing heaviness.
 
1914 about Viribus Unitis:
Viribus Unitis is about shared strength and the idea that true power lies in unity. Alone, one may fall – together, we can prevail and achieve our goals: Defeat the enemy, escape captivity, survive, and return to your family. We return with a new story. A story of life and military valor of a soldier who encountered the Great War in his native city of Lviv and went through it all. Side by side, with joint efforts of Ukrainians, Poles, Hungarians, Slovenes, Czechs, Slovaks, Jews, Croats, Bosniaks, Germans – all the peoples who made up the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire. Empires did not count people – they threw them into meat grinders where survival was only possible through unity. By helping one another. By sacrificing yourself for the sake of your loved ones and comrades.
 
This is a story of being blinded by war and the grandeur of the empire, of the heat of battle, realization and acceptance of reality, awakening, changing values, captivity, and liberation. It is a story of unbreakable will to live and hope amidst a terrifying and bloody war. It is a story of a new little life that changes all the rules and forces one to see the familiar from a different perspective. It is a story of love. It is a story of loss and death. Viribus Unitis is when pain, death, loss, loneliness, and fear encircle you. But you’re still unbroken!”

THE PROPHECY 23 new album OUT NOW!

Thrash-death-punk pioneers THE PROPHECY 23 are ready to dominate the mosh pit with their new album “Mosh O’Clock”, officially released on August 15, 2025, via Massacre Records. Available in limited edition colored vinyl, CD mediabook, a deluxe box set, and digital, it can be ordered HERE: http://www.theprophecy23.com/
 
To mark the album release, the band unleashed a fiery lyric video for the title track, “Mosh O’ Clock”. The video showcases their signature energetic style and sets the tone for a nostalgic yet fresh mosh-pit anthem.
 
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: 

With Mosh O’ClockTHE PROPHECY 23 further cements their very own style: Fresh Metal – a wild mix of thrash, death and punk, first introduced on the last album and now taken to the next level.
 
Their last album Fresh Metal unexpectedly entered the Official German Album Charts (#67) – a milestone that energized the band. But instead of softening their sound, the German band took it as a challenge to push even harder. Mosh O’Clock is their heaviest, fastest, and most aggressive record yet — still packed with the humor and attitude that makes them unique.
 
Though it’s not a concept album, there’s a clear theme running through it: living without limits, standing up against injustice, and embracing chaos and community. From sharp calls against fascism to wild celebrations of friendship, the lyrics hit hard and true.
 
The band wrote over 20 songs for this album. At a special demo listening event, the fans chose which 13 songs would be on the final record. During the event, fans even joined in the studio to record choir vocals for the title track.
 
The songwriting is tighter, the riffs more brutal, and the production crisp and powerful. It’s not overproduced — Mosh O’Clock keeps a raw edge and harshness, but remains extremely tight and clear. Recorded, co-produced, mixed, and mastered by Kai Stahlenberg at Kohlekeller Studios — known for top albums by Powerwolf, Electric Callboy, Kanonenfieber, and more — this album sounds massive and fresh.
 
Anyone into thrash, death, punk and party knows what time it is: it’s Mosh O’Clock.

PARADOX NEW SINGLE & LYRIC VIDEO FOR “Fragrance Of Violence”

“Mysterium” is the ninth studio album by German thrash metal institution Paradox and marks a special milestone in the band’s 44-year history, as founder and mastermind Charly Steinhauer not only played all the instruments and sang, but also handled the production entirely on his own.

“I worked on it day and night until everything was perfect.” Only the mastering was left to Patrick W. Engels competent hands.  The songs on “Mysterium” are thematically linked, without it being a classic concept work. The lyrics – which, as on ‘Tales of the Weird’ (2012) and ‘Pangea’ (2016), were written by Achim “Daxx” Hömerlein (ex-Vendetta) – revolve around mystical stories and world events that have personally moved Steinhauer. Songs like ‘Abyss of Pain and Fear’ (inspired by the movie “Midnight Express”), the instrumental ‘Grief’ (a tribute to co-founder Axel Blaha, who died in 2023) or the title track (about dream interpretation) thus form a common thread.
The cover art, created by Travis Smith (Opeth Death, et al.), picks up on the theme of the title track and shows a sleepwalking woman. “I didn’t want any skulls or other clichéd things,” says Steinhauer. “It’s more reminiscent of a horror film.” In his own estimation, “Mysterium” is the strongest Paradox album to date: “It became my favourite alongside ‘Heresy’ from 1989. The songs all have their own identity, are catchy, and when the album is over, I want to listen to it again straight away.”

The bandleader strongly keeps his focus on studio productions. In fact, he is already thinking about a follow-up album. “I’m a fan of music myself, and CDs or LPs are what I remember, of course in connection with some of the concerts I’ve attended. That is why I need new music, also from myself. And eventually, I want to not have released one single album that has been poorly rated.”
The chances of that happening are good, Charly! “Mysterium” is available digitally as well as on CD (with bonus track), music cassette and vinyl.

TRACKLIST:
01 Kholat
02 Abyss of Pain and Fear
03 Grief
04 Those Who Resist
05 One Way Ticket to Die
06 Pile of Shame
07 Tunguska
08 Fragrance of Violence
09 Mysterium
10 The Demon God
11 Within the Realms of Gray

Watch Lyric Video “Fragrance Of Violence”

Ukrainian Folk Metal Band BANDERSTADT Releases New Single “Poppies”

Following the announcement of their new full-length album Red (out on September 26 via Archivist Records) and the release of its first single, “The Boat,” Ukrainian folk metal band BANDERSTADT returns with the second track from the upcoming record. The new single, titled “Poppies,” is now available on all streaming platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/banderstadt/–poppies

“Poppies in Ukrainian tradition hold deep symbolic significance that runs throughout the nation’s history, reflected in mythology and art. The most well-known and contemporary meaning of the poppy is as a symbol of remembrance for fallen warriors. It was believed that poppies grow on battlefields where blood was shed – an enduring memory of the people’s heroic struggle.
This is a story about difficult choices, about military valor on the path to achieving Freedom. It has long been understood that the enemy does not want our land, but seeks total subjugation of both body and, especially, spirit! And that will never happen! That is what this song is about!”
 – says the band.

Stoner/Doom Metallers, THORNDALE, Release “Twenty Thousand Souls” Video!

Haarlem (NL) – Thorndale, the Netherlands-based stoner/doom metal powerhouse, have released the official video for new single, “Twenty Thousand Souls.” Experience it at:

The song is taken from the band’s forthcoming sophomore album, Spiritual Chains

This highly anticipated follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2024 debut, Lightning Spawn, promises a darker and more mature sound, showcasing the band’s evolving artistry and the addition of a second guitar player to their lineup.

Comprised of seasoned musicians from notable acts such as Adarrak, Killing Darlings, Embers of Oblivion, Epinikion, and Primal Charge, their unique blend of heavy, stoner, and doom metal has resonated with fans worldwide, setting the stage for Spiritual Chains to be a significant release.

Spiritual Chains was recorded across various studios in North America and Europe, a testament to Thorndale’s commitment to sonic excellence. Jeff Henson (Duel) lends his talent to the album, featuring a guest solo on the track “Exiles and Masters”. The album was mixed and mastered by Rickard Bengtsson and Stafan Karlsson at Sweetspot Studios in Halmstad, Sweden (Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars).

“If you hear a touch of the familiar here and there, that’s exactly what it is. Hints, reminders that there were Giants of Metal long ago, and that the fire of those forebears continues to burn bright in talented musicians today from the scene.” – Billy Goate (Doomed & Stoned)

Thorndale will release Spiritual Chains, on September 12

Heavy Metal Trio WILLFIRE Unleashes “Action Road Mayhem” Music Video

Finnish heavy metal stalwarts WILLFIRE roar back into the spotlight with their latest music video, “Action Road Mayhem,” a track from the album Homebrewed Recordings, out September 19, 2025, via Wormholedeath.“Action Road Mayhem” is a no-holds-barred anthem about living wild on the edge of society. It doesn’t preach, it just throws you into the chaos and lets you enjoy the burn. Pure rock n’ roll mayhem with a tongue-in-cheek grin.
Watch the video:

The upcoming album, Homebrewed Recordings, captures the band’s signature blend of 80s rock, modern metal, and blues—all self-recorded, mixed, and mastered by the band. Across 11 tracks, it moves from fast and heavy to slow and moody, reflecting real-life emotion and experience.

Founded in 1998 by a group of close friends, Willfire has always focused on writing original material. Over the years, the band went through several line-up changes, eventually solidifying into a power trio of founding members. In 2024, they completed Homebrewed Recordings, their first full-length release, built entirely DIY.

Known for their energetic live shows and genre-blending sound, Willfire continues to write and record, with an extensive back catalogue and new music always in progress.

Prepare For A 260 BPM Descent into Chaos w/ ANCIENT THRONES New Music Video “Melancholia” Off Upcoming Album “Melancholia” Out Sept 2025

Set to unleash their sophomore album “Melancholia” on September 19, 2025, to follow their 2020 breakout debut “The Veil”, Halifax, Canada’s progressive death metal titans Ancient Thrones are sharing their second single and title track, accompanied by a new music video.

At 260 beats per minute, Ancient Thrones introduce the protagonist of their concept record, his condition, and how he describes feeling out of place, plunging listeners headfirst into his psyche.

“With unrelenting intensity from the opening second, the title track Melancholia is simply a demonstration of what we set out to do with this album. Not one instrument stands out more than the other on this track, as it storms through a plethora of chaotic riffs, rapid blast beats, and lightning-quick vocals at 260 beats per minute, before reaching a breaking point where we flip the script to welcome change both musically and lyrically. If you like to invite some emotion to go with your extreme metal, then this is the song for you,” adds bassist Matt LeBlanc.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Melancholia” via Slam Worldwide:

Formed in 2011 and reborn in 2018 with the arrival of guitarist and composer Dylan Wallace, Ancient Thrones carved out a new identity rooted in fast, extreme, progressive, cinematic, and existential soundscapes. With “Melancholia”, the band introduces a 42-minute descent into existential exhaustion, delivering an unapologetic extreme metal concept album that fuses blistering speed, cinematic storytelling, and emotional brutality.

From the chaotic opener “A Moon Fused Key” to the doom-laden closer “Vacant,” the band exposes raw intensity and jagged vulnerability. The narrative follows a colorblind protagonist navigating hallucinogenic visions in search of meaning, an unsettling journey through idealism, dread, and transformation. After five years of creation, Ancient Thrones proudly bring to light this new chapter, inviting listeners to embrace the chaos and feel something truly unnatural.

“For this album, a big focus for us was on the production. We meticulously, painstakingly spent several hours dialing every tone, note, layer, vocal, etc. We were fortunate to have time and a slower world on our side during production. Everything on this album was thought out and brought to life in a fully fleshed-out way. It took us 5 years to make this album, with 1 of those years used just levelling up our musicianship and techniques in order to play the material. We’re faster, more technical, and have a singular focus to make sure this album was beating you down from head to toe,” says Leblanc.

Drawing from the raw ferocity of black metal, the brutal edge of 2000s death metal, and the precision of modern tech death, “Melancholia” is a must-listen for fans of Archspire, The Red Chord, Deafheaven, and The Faceless.

A Metal Odyssey of Self and Survival – NIGHT’S EDGE Unveils New Video “Shapes in Grey Space II : Soaring” Ahead of New Album Out Aug 21st

With their fourth full-length album, “The World That Never Was,” set to drop on August 21st, 2025, Baltimore-based trio NIGHT’S EDGE is unveiling one last visual offering ahead of release day. In collaboration with Ghost Cult Magazine, the band premieres the music video for “Shapes in Grey Space II: Soaring”, the second installment in a three-part suite that closes the album. The two-and-a-half-minute ballad of symphonic alternative metal track unfolds a Twilight Zone-inspired narrative, exploring themes of isolation and the transformative journey of self-discovery it can spark.

“Soaring is a hardcore banger in ¾, as fancy as it is intense. The sudden pauses and shifts in direction of the music catch you off guard, while the vocals make you feel like you are ascending into the chorus, with mixed feelings of freedom while remaining tethered to reality. The words reflect our inner turmoil of free will versus the outside forces that control us. When writing Soaring, Damian constantly referred to the movie “Chronicle,” a found-footage thriller about teenagers who get superpowers. Not sure how that connects, that is for you to figure out!” adds Brian Haran – Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming.

Since forming in 2018, Night’s Edge has undergone several lineup shifts and sonic evolutions, making notable strides since their 2019 debut. Rooted in the Alternative Metal realm yet defying easy classification, their sound blends gothic metal, progressive rock, and nu-metal influences into a heady mix of heaviness and pop sensibility, wrapped in layers of synths and theatrical flair. Their upcoming album, “The World That Never Was,” delves into themes of lost identity and the voids we fall into—obsession, rage, and uncertainty. In its closing arc, the album tells a parable: the protagonist wakes in a world where humanity has vanished and is forced to confront their reflection in the silence… or so it appears.

“We are immensely proud of this album. The World That Never Was has the strongest songwriting that Night’s Edge has ever brought forward, and these powerful songs elevate the three of us as musicians and as a band. It has presented challenges to all of us, as Performers and as writers, and has resulted in a genuine expression of music that is uniquely us. The album flows dramatically from piece to piece, with each song offering something different and contributing a different part from which the whole is built. No two songs sound the same, but every second of the album is unmistakably Night’s Edge. The recording and production process challenged all of us but allowed us to become even more intimate with each song. The lyrical themes that wrap through the album have become hooks in each of our brains, and we feel like each of us left a part of ourselves in this record. The World That Never Was is dense but digestible, complex but immediate, grim but beautiful. It is an album of contrasts, an album of ambition, and Night’s Edge’s most definitive musical statement,” says Haran

“The World That Never Was” follows releases Strangers – LP (2023), Night’s Edge – EP (2022), The Darkest Side of Dreams – LP (2020), and Shades of Dusk – LP (2019) and is recommended for fans of Coheed and Cambria, Avantasia, System of a Down, HIM, and Deftones.

Album Artwork by Eden Wormwood

DARKER HALF unveil the video for the second single ‘Another Day Another Nightmare’

Australian melodic metal four-piece DARKER HALF recently announced the upcoming release of their brand-new album, “Book Of Fate,” scheduled for August 29, 2025 via Massacre Records.
 
Today the band unveil the second single ‘Another Day Another Nightmare.’ The song is a powerful exploration of existential dread and the struggle to find meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.
 
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

Drawing inspiration from timeless folklore — particularly the stories of the Pied Piper of Hamelin and the Wizard — “Book Of Fate” promises to deliver an epic narrative set to the band’s trademark heavy and melodic soundscapes.
 
While not being a concept album, these were themes the band came back to regularly during writing sessions.
The new lineup infused the album with a newfound energy, resulting in a faster paced release that harks back to earlier days of the bands roots. Meanwhile the anthemic choruses the band has become known for remain prominent.
 
Produced by DARKER HALF’s drummer Dom Simpson at Elephant Sounds Studio, Australia, the album was mixed by Chris Themelco at Monolith Studios and mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson at The Panic Room. The stunning cover artwork was created by Karim Konig.
 
This epic odyssey in sound and story called “Book Of Fate” will be released as Ltd. Vinyl LP, CD Digipak, and Digital.

Formed in Sydney in 2005, DARKER HALF has earned a reputation for electrifying performances and an unapologetically heavy sound that blends power metal ferocity with thrash metal precision. Their lyrical and instrumental depth has propelled them to tour extensively across Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Europe. Over the years, they’ve shared stages with metal titans such as Queensrÿche, Edguy, Sonata Arctica, Accept, Helloween, and many more, solidifying their place in the global metal community.