BROKEN ARROW
The band Broken Arrow first performed in the spring of 2005 as a glam rock project (Bor Marolt, Rok Marolt, Matjaž Predanič, Janko Predanič). Due to the great audience response, the project soon evolved into a full-fledged band, which recorded its first demo album titled Hit the Streets the following year. After a year of performing, the band joined the Lipstikk and Leathur Conspiracy Tour in early 2007, and later that autumn recorded two successful songs (Polet v nebo / Flight to the Sky and Zdaj ko si sama / Now That You’re Alone) at the Podmornica Studio in Samobor, Croatia.In 2008, bassist Rok Piltaver joined the group. Just a month after expanding the lineup, the band recorded an EP titled Glam ’Till The End—a prize for winning a music contest. Toward the end of 2009, Broken Arrow was invited by the legendary guitarist of Divlje jagode to participate in the Bosnian TV show Rat bandova (Battle of the Bands) on OBN television, where they reached the finals among more than 60 competing bands. In December 2013, they released their first full-length album Feel The Arrow and filmed a music video for the song Have a Little Love. The band ceased activity in 2015 due to differing interests among its members. Now, in the spirit of nostalgia and the fact that 20 years have passed since their formation, Broken Arrow has decided to reunite and play a few more shows. For this occasion, the guys have also recorded an entirely new single. At the concert “Še smo tu” (We’re Still Here)—named after the new single and performed live at the Brežice Youth Center on October 3, 2025—the band also played a selection of their original songs such as Have a Little Love, Glam ’Till The End, and Zdaj ko si sama. You can find all these tracks on their YouTube, Spotify, and iTunes channels. With the concert and the single Še smo tu, the band sends a clear message: rock’n’roll is very much alive—and they’re still dreaming, at least a little. Broken Arrow @ SoundCloud Broken Arrow @ Spotify Broken Arrow @ YouTube |
TOMCAT
Tomcat is a modern hard rock band, hailing from Slovenias capital city Ljubljana. The initial line-up has emerged from the ashes of the prevoius band in January 2015 and a few years later the boys released an album, entitled Something's coming on wrong. The sound of Tomcat is an exciting mixture of classic hard rock with modern metal, spiced up with elements of grunge, glam, funk and blues. After a few years' hiatus, Tomcat are back in action in 2025.Tomcat @ Bandcamp Tomcat @ Facebook Tomcat @ Instagram Tomcat @ YouTube |
GUTALAX
Do you like dancing? In that case gore grind GUTALAX are here for you. Come to have a dance in the moshpit, because this Czech band know very well how to pump it up on the stage.The Shitty River boys will tour South America before our anniversary to improve their movements in the samba rhythm which they will then, in a brownish connection with their disco, release into your bodies. Band members: Martin MATY Matousek - vox Tomas KOJAS Anderle - guitar Petr FREE Svoboda - drums Pavel KEBAB Troup - bass Gutalax @ Bandcamp Gutalax @ Deezer Gutalax @ Facebook Gutalax @ Instagram Gutalax @ Spotify Gutalax @ X Gutalax @ YouTube |
SPASM
The Epoch of Spasm started at the beginning of winter month January in 2000. At that time the band was intended as a side-project of the hordes Psychopathia and Romantic Love, but everything completely changed. When Psychopathia (up to that time a regular and running band) was laid to rest, nothing prevented us from leading the band as a full featured group. Our aim was evident – we wanted to play extreme music with an extraordinary concept. The first line-up was formed with the help of another member of Psychopathia – Mira - guitar, but after a short engagement, the line – up slowly crystallized to the three – members’ band. At that point in time line – up was: Sam – bass grind inferno, Lukáš – drums and cymbals and Máňa- vocals. During the next year, Spasm composed and rehearsed songs for the debut demo CD - “ Spasmatic Secretion”, which was released in May 2001, but it wasn’t released nor spread among audience. Then Spasm made a progression, we tried to form our original style of playing (the band refuses using guitars) and participated in various actions and gigs. In 2004 Spasm experienced the turning point in its career – we recorded a promo CD for an eventual label release, what finally happened.Copremesis prod. released the debut album of Spasm in May 2005. Later on, when ideal and conceptual disputes appeared, Máňa left the band and his post was taken by owner of the releasing label Copremesis- Radim (Copretina). So, the line – up was: Sam – bass guitar, Lukáš – drums and Radim – vocals. After releasing our debut album “Lust For Feculent Orgasm”, the band started playing in different fests and gigs, Obscene extreme 2006 was the most important performance in our career. In next tree years our horde intensively played dozens of shows in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Germany and Austria, we participated in several compilations and we were hardly working on another CD. As a result of our effort, we met with growing warm reception of fans and with growing interest and popularity as well. At the beginning of 2008 Spasm entered the studio to record new material for the second full – length CD. We succeed in realizing it, recorded a big amount of songs, so some of them were put on Split EP with our grinding Slovakian friends Mizar. This Split Ep was released by a friend of our band - Bohdan and his Rarach Katus rec. in March 2008. In October 2008 another glorious period of our history was started, when our second CD called “Paraphilic Elegies“ was released on German label Rotten Roll Rex. after some major technical inconveniences. Firstly, we unobtrusively had a few shows supporting our actual release, but we decided to play intense and maximal shows all around for the next year 2009. Between 2009 - 2010 the band participated in many gigs and festivals throughout Europe (Ukraine, Portugal, The Netherlands) and also in their homeland. Moreover, Spasm filmed their first music video. That was the time for preparing another CD as well. In summer 2011 Spasm released the third full-lenght album "Taboo Tales" and the whole crazy carousel starts up again. In the same year Spasm shot another official video, which awarded amazing 4th place in Czech music survey Břitva in "Video of the year". The year of 2012 brings the first real European tour with friends Gutalax. We played 10 gigs in 10 days in 5 countries. The whole venue was really successful and also the new merchandise has been maximally promoting the band. We appeared on great summer festivals – awesome Obscene Extreme and also Extreme Fest in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Afterwards we played gigs in the Netherlands, Poland or Switzerland and Germany again. In 2013 we experienced playing in Russia for the first time and we took part in some great small Czech festivals like Antitrend Fest and also in famous Rape The Escape Fest in Austria. January 2014 brought us the golden opportunity to play headlining and successful tour which took place in different parts of Mexico. In May we played twice in the Netherlands, two awesome fests like Grindhoven and the biggest European indoor extreme festival Neurotic Death Fest. March 2014 Luke decided to leave the band but promised us that he played all booked gigs. Sam and Radim looked around the scene and after great gig on Brutal Assault they found new drummer Rudy from Slovak republic. After that we fixed new drummer Sam and Rudy Worked on live play list and practise for gigs. 2015 after some rehealsals we entered the studio in April and recorded new CD called PUSSY –DE LUXE- With the new concept of new cd helped us our old friend David and his girlfriend Romca. They found for us pretty model girl Pavla and we made small photosession and we recorded new videoclip. Cd + LP and other merch were out in November under Rotten Roll Rex again. This year we are hard working for promote our new album and spread our beauty bodies… Spasm @ Facebook Spasm @ Instagram Spasm @ Spotify Spasm @ YouTube |
GUINEAPIG
Guineapig is an Italian Goregrind unit formed in 2013, fascinated by splatter movies, medical experiments and rare diseases, fueled by ultra-massive riffs and guttural vocals.Conceived by an idea of guitarist/vocalist Fra, soon after composing 2 demo tracks he involved drummer Cristiano and bassist/vocalist Alessio. Right after the release of their debut album, Gina joins the band as drummer. Their 2014 debut album ‘Bacteria’ was a clear statement, a Goregrind ensemble built to destroy, an operation that led the three-piece to be recognized as one of the most interesting and original names in the over-saturated extreme music world. With this release alone, along with a split with Rompeprop in 2017 – both via Rotten Roll Rex – the band has treaded the stages of some of the most important European festivals around, including Brutal Assault, Party.San and Obscene Extreme, and also shared the Gorecrusher European Tour with fellows Gutalax and Spasm on multiple occasions. Eight long years after ‘Bacteria’, Guineapig finally make their comeback in June 2022 via Spikerot Records with the crisp and blistering sophomore work ‘Parasite’, praised all around the globe by fans and critics alike. An album that redefines the very concept of Goregrind with a cutting-edge and forward-thinking vision, without ever losing sight of the roots, with a songwriting fluctuating between abysmal tunings, Death Metal mid-tempos and ripping breakdowns. Expect nothing but The Heaviest Goregrind. Guineapig Website Guineapig @ Bandcamp Guineapig @ Facebook Guineapig @ Instagram Guineapig @ ReverbNation Guineapig @ Spotify Guineapig @ X Guineapig @ YouTube |
EXHORDER
Formed in 1986, Exhorder’s journey has proven exciting, yet tumultuous. Fraught with euphoric peaks and crippling valleys throughout its existence, the band debuted that summer with the do-it-yourself demo recording, “Get Rude”. Swiftly building a strong local following in the New Orleans punk rock scene, Exhorder entered a legitimate 24 track studio in 1987 and crafted their controversial classic demo, “Slaughter In The Vatican”. From there, the international attention the band drew via the world of underground tape-trading was indisputable. However, as fate would have it, the band broke up for the first time in early 1988 due to internal struggles. A reformation ensued later that year, and Exhorder set out once again to pursue its vision.The band soon signed with Mean Machine Records, but the label dissolved before the band’s debut could be completed. The contract was subsequently purchased by R/C Records, a subsidiary of Roadracer/Roadrunner Records. With a small recording budget and repairs to previous sessions, the album version of Slaughter In The Vatican was finally completed in 1990. With the assistance of legendary producer Scott Burns in 1990, Slaughter in the Vatican was finally completed nearly five years after much of the material was written. Following a series of lineup shifts, a second full-length entitled “The Law”, and multiple hiatuses, the band finally relaunched itself in 2017. Legends grow over time, and new generations emerge to keep them alive. With the demand of Exhorder at an all-time high, the band set out once again to finish the job they had not yet completed. The band played a series of club shows and festivals to immense interest. Subsequently, a deal with the Nuclear Blast label was quickly inked, and in 2019 Exhorder released their third offering, “Mourn The Southern Skies”. Rave reviews from critics and fans saw the band’s popularity increase yet again, so Exhorder set out on the road to packed venues and large festivals. In the years that followed the relaunch of the band, Exhorder has toured extensively in both the United States and Europe. The reputation the band has carried as a force onstage continues to grow. With a new release in association with Nuclear Blast completed and set for release in 2024, Exhorder are plotting another busy year performing worldwide. Exhorder Website Exhorder @ Bandcamp Exhorder @ Deezer Exhorder @ Facebook Exhorder @ Instagram Exhorder @ SoundCloud Exhorder @ Spotify Exhorder @ X Exhorder @ YouTube |
PERTURBATOR
James “Perturbator” Kent has never been one for half measures. From the moment he emerged, he embodied the raw, visceral spirit of a resurrected retro-electronic sound, reconfiguring its codes with the ferocity of a revolutionary. But where others wallowed in the sugar-coated nostalgia of synthwave, Kent obliterated those clichés, leaving a scorched-earth legacy in his wake.Perturbator’s genesis dates back to 2012, when releases like “Night Driving Avenger”, “TERROR 404”, and “I Am the Night”propelled him to the forefront of the retro- electronic scene. Critics eagerly likened him to giants such as John Carpenter, Tangerine Dream, and Goblin, but Kent already had a vision that went beyond easy comparisons. His restless ambition led to a pivotal moment in 2014 with “Dangerous Days”, a magnetic and shadow-drenched masterpiece. By 2016, “The Uncanny Valley” had cemented his status, climbing the Billboard charts while plunging into even darker sonic depths. But for Kent, it still wasn’t enough. In 2017, “New Model” signaled a bold shift. Gone were the pop culture references and neon nostalgia. In their place, Kent channeled the icy austerity of Kraftwerk, the visceral intensity of Nine Inch Nails, and the claustrophobic textures of Lorn, determined to defy the expectations of a fanbase hungry for retro comfort. With “Lustful Sacraments”, Perturbator further solidifies his reputation as a visionary artist, unflinchingly exploring humanity’s inevitable decline. “This album is about bad habits, chronic dissatisfaction, and addiction,” Kent explains. “It’s an overall look at how we, as a species, lean toward self-destruction.” Musically, the album delves into the shadowy aesthetics of the 1980s and 1990s, blending gothic atmospheres with suffocating electronic textures and precision-cut production. After two years of relentless touring across the globe – sharing stages with HEALTH in the U.S. and joining forces with Carpenter Brut in Europe – Perturbator is poised to make 2025 a year to remember. He's joining forces for the first time with the well-known metal label Nuclear Blast Records, and as good news never comes alone, he's also announcing a European headline tour for November 2025, featuring Gost and Kaelan Mikla as support acts. 2025 won’t just be a year where you hear about Perturbator. It will be the year he once again redefines what it means to push the boundaries of music. Perturbator Website Perturbator @ Bandcamp Perturbator @ Facebook Perturbator @ Instagram Perturbator @ Spotify Perturbator @ X |
KÆLAN MIKLA
Kælan Mikla soars through the worlds of legends, fairy tales, magic and mysticism. Extraordinary soundscapes conjured by synths, dreamy vocals, screams and droning bass lines dominate and pull the listener ever deeper into their mythical world.The band, consisting of Sólveig Matthildur, Margrét Rósa, and Laufey Soffía, lets the complex interplay of musical and visual experience play a key role in their stagings, captivating audiences with a unique blend of post-punk, goth, and dream-pop influences, evoking a moody, otherworldly atmosphere inspired by the darkened landscapes of their native Reykjavík. The band first gained attention after winning a poetry slam competition, which led to them transforming their literary explorations into music. Their debut album, "Mánadans" (2014), introduced their signature atmospheric sound, and their subsequent albums, “Kælan Mikla” (2016), "Nótt eftir nótt" (2018), and "Undir Köldum Norðurljósum" (2021), showcased their progression into a darker, more refined sonic space. Kælan Mikla’s ethereal live performances have earned them a dedicated international following, and they have embarked on several major tours with artists such as Ville Valo, Alcest, and Chelsea Wolfe, whose audiences resonated deeply with Kælan Mikla's atmospheric and intense stage presence. Their tour with Ville Valo was particularly significant, as it introduced them to a wider audience of gothic and rock enthusiasts whilst touring with Chelsea Wolfe also aligned them with similarly dark, evocative acts, creating a synergy that made for unforgettable live experiences. A key milestone in their career was the BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale session in 2023, which served to showcase their evocative sound to a broader audience and highlighted their growing international appeal. This milestone underscored their position as a key force in the darkwave movement, bringing Icelandic gothic soundscapes to the global stage. On their upcoming album, the forces of nature will play a key role and the personification of their powers will shine through, “We look at Iceland's nature in the form of female figures who dominate the rugged landscape of lava, fog and cliffs. A powerful feminine energy ties the stories together in a balanced yet provocative way”. The elegant lyricism of their poetry builds mountain peaks shrouded in mist and mystery. Kælan Mikla’s otherworldly force continues to profoundly inspire audiences through a cathartic realm of emotional exploration. Kælan Mikla Website Kælan Mikla @ Bandcamp Kælan Mikla @ Facebook Kælan Mikla @ Instagram Kælan Mikla @ Spotify Kælan Mikla @ X Kælan Mikla @ YouTube |
GOST
Gost exist in the dark crack between black metal and the most shadowy end of electronic music. Since the release of the Radio Macabre EP at the start of 2013, and the remorseless digital nightmare of their Skull debut album six months later, Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and main-brain James Lollar has become an increasingly singular force in music. Far more aggressive and sinister than the synthwave he’s often grouped with, Gost is a harsh and unique digital nightmare that takes the listener right into the heart of the abyss.Now Gost return with their sixth album, and their most exhilarating and dangerous-sounding work to date, Prophecy. It’s a record that perfectly reflects the horror and grim anxieties of a world beset with religious and political overreach, and progress “being rolled back to the fucking 1950s“. “It’s about an imaginative fall of the Western civilization, the biblical end of the world – the rise of Satan and Armageddon,” says James. “In America, there’s been a big rise of scared, reactive Christianity again, and almost like a re-emergence of the Satanic Panic. So it felt like an appropriate time to bring Satan back into things.“ Recorded alone in Texas during a burst of creativity at the end of 2022 (“I can’t put a song down once I start it, I’m too OCD, I have to finish it“), Prophecy is the perfect vessel for such things. Following the experimentation and more melodic touches of 2019′s Valediction, James says it also acts as something of a return to older roots, to recapture the spirit of Gost. “When Valediction came out, COVID hit, and I guess people weren’t so into art while the world was on its knees,” he says. “I also wanted to reconnect with some of my older fans who maybe didn’t feel that album so much. I wanted to go back in time and bring some of the older shit back, some of the older sounds.“ Indeed, on tracks like the industrial scrape of Death In Bloom, the doomy Decadent Decay and Golgotha‘s demonic pulse, it’s clear what he means. Throughout, he welds together elements of pulsing synthwave, the otherworldly nastiness of black metal, and the pound and snarl of Ministry at their most unhinged to create a whole that sounds genuinely dangerous, somewhere between metal and a rave in Hell. “If people listened to my music at a rave they would have a bad fucking trip,” laughs James. “But it’s a fun challenge to try to make metal with digital noises. I love processing on a computer and electronic equipment, and trying to make it sound raw. It’s a unique challenge, because everything in there is clean, and you’re using plug in distortion and things like that. It’s just a whole different realm than using pedals and amps and shit.” For an artist who drinks so heavily from the world of electronic and dance music – albeit at its most extreme edges – James says Gost hasn’t been taken in by that world at all. Instead, he’s built a home in metal, as seen when he was invited to tour with black metal legends Mayhem. “On the Mayhem tour, I ended up one night in a hotel bar talking to [bassist] Necrobutcher. I was thanking them for having me on the tour, and he’s like, ‘That was me, I wanted you on this tour.’ That’s fucking bizarre. But it’s cool, man,” says James. “It’s weird to be accepted by the metal community, it’s humbling, it’s honourable. It’s where I come from.” Whatever you call it, Gost have made something intense, cathartic, creatively rich and not quite like anything else out there. Watch them fulfil their Prophecy… Gost Website Gost @ Facebook Gost @ Instagram |
BATTLE BEAST
Famous for their energetic shows, incredibly catchy choruses and odd sense of humour, Battle Beast are destined for glory. Topping the Finnish charts for the fourth consecutive time and hitting #tt in Germany with their 2022 album “Circus of Doom”, the Helsinki-based sextet is looking and sounding stronger than ever.Ever since winning two major band competitons in 2010, Battle Beast have been busy on the road. Throughout the years, fans around the globe have grown to love the explosive combinating of shredding guitars, symphonic keyboards and the unique voice of frontwoman Noora Louhimo. Battle Beast were awarded the “Metal Album of the Year” award at Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammys) for both “Bringer of Pain” (2017) and “No More Hollywood Endings” (2019). Battle Beast Website Battle Beast @ Deezer Battle Beast @ Facebook Battle Beast @ Instagram Battle Beast @ SoundCloud Battle Beast @ Spotify Battle Beast @ X Battle Beast @ YouTube |
DOMINUM
And just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it always can. The living dead are ready to emerge. Emerging seemingly out of nowhere, they give us a taste of what we all fear: a redefinition of what it means to be alive. But to be honest, with DOMINUM, that new life has already begun.DOMINUM deliver an epic metal show that takes the living on a journey into a world of the undead. The band combines the energy of metal with the drama and intensity of a horror movie, creating an intense and captivating reality. With songs that tell stories of zombies, survival, and an insatiable hunger for more, they bring their undead characters to life and provide a live experience that couldn't be more alive. Frankenstein is yesterday. Dominum Website Dominum @ Bandcamp Dominum @ Deezer Dominum @ Facebook Dominum @ Instagram Dominum @ Spotify Dominum @ TikTok Dominum @ YouTube |
MAJESTICA
MAJESTICA, the symphonic and power metal band from Sweden, is set to embark on an exciting new journey with their upcoming album Power Train, scheduled for release in February 2025. This spellbinding experience awakens sleeping dreams with powerful riffs and epic choruses in singles such as "Power Train," "Battle Cry," and "A Story in the Night." The enchantment rises like a breath of stars, propelling listeners into the heart of a fairytale world.Back in 2019, MAJESTICA made a significant impact in the metal community with their debut album, Above The Sky. This album showcased their signature blend of soaring melodies and powerful instrumentation, quickly gaining acclaim and amassing over 17 million streams. It established them as prominent players in the power metal scene, setting high expectations for their future work. In 2020 then, the band delighted fans with a unique release: a Christmas musical power metal album titled A Christmas Carol. This project beautifully intertwines the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge with their symphonic power metal style, drawing inspiration from artists like RHAPSODY and film composers such as Alan Silvestri and Danny Elfman. The album not only highlighted their musical versatility but also offered listeners a captivating retelling of the beloved story, complete with orchestral elements and theatrical storytelling. Musically, fans can expect real power metal with an even more symphonic and epic sound in Power Train. Tommy Johansson describes: "You can expect to hear an explosive and very melodic Power Metal album with alot of catchy melodies, epic guitars solos, strong power metal vocals with fast, but also heavy drums!”. The album features ten brand new tracks, which showcase especially musically a natural evolution and growth in style and skill compared to the previous albums, giving their fanbase exactly what MAJESTICA are known for and doing the logical next step in their career. "We’ve taken the melodies and the Power Metal elements from our first album and mixed it with some of the choir and orchestral arrangements from the last one - perfect mix!” adds Tommy. When it came to the process of recording and putting all the pieces together, the band did not change a lot compared to the last projects. Again the music was written, recorded, and produced by MAJESTICA themselves. "Like our previous albums this one is also produced by ourselves, and we recorded most parts in our new place ”Majestic Studios”. For mixing we went back to Jonas Kjellgren as we have been very happy with the sound of ’A Christmas Carol’ and ’Metal United’“ says bassist Chris Davidsson. Regarding the amazing artwork for Power Train, Chris explains: "For the artwork we teamed up with Jan Yrlund / Darkgrove design. It invites you to join this majepic ride of the Power Train, imagine standing there on the platform eagerly waiting, and you hear ”all aboard”!“. With Power Train launching on February 7th 2025, MAJESTICA continues to evolve their sound and connect with their ever-growing fanbase. Fans can catch MAJESTICA on tour in Europe in December 2024, and look forward to appearances at notable festivals in 2025, including Epic Fest, Metalfest and Time to Rock. They will also perform in the USA at 70,000 Tons of Metal and ProgPower, where fans can have legitimate hopes that MAJESTICA will also play a few new tracks live from Power Train. Majestica Website Majestica @ Deezer Majestica @ Facebook Majestica @ Instagram Majestica @ Spotify Majestica @ X Majestica @ YouTube |
SINISTER
Starting in 1989, Sinister was a band arising in the middle of the Death-Metal hype. Mike, André, Aad en Ron were joining forces and the Sinister sound was born. After releasing a demo, which sold about 1500 copies, a promo tape followed. Sending out the promo to various labels resulted in signing up at Nuclear Blast Records, Germany 1991. Their debut CD 'Cross the Styx' saw the light in early 1992, and sold many copies worldwide. Many live shows all over Europe followed. Touring with bands like Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse and Deicide increased the number of people knowing Sinister.In the years after that, Sinister succeeded in maintaining their popularity by releasing their second and third album 'Diabolical Summoning' (1993) and 'Hate' (1995) and doing many live shows all over Europe and a very successful 55 show-tour through all the USA. At the end of this period, Death-Metal got less popular, lots of Death-Metal fans switched over to Black-Metal, Gothic and other atmospherically music. Sinister never thought about playing other music than their favorite; Death-Metal. Some years passed and the band released their mini-CD 'Bastard Saints' (1996), and played a few live-shows. Several line-up changes followed, and led Sinister to write their most aggressive brutal and intense album so far 'Aggressive Measures' (1998). These time their presence in Death-Metal paid off. Death-Metal is back, where for Sinister it never left. The response from fans and critics where good. Sinister sold lots of albums and played lots of good shows, of which a short US-tour and good festivals like Wacken open air, Milwaukee Metal fest and Czech Dynamo blessed their way. Yet the cooperation between Sinister and vocalist Eric didn't work out very well, which lead to Eric's departure in August 1999. Sinister was searching for a new singer. After some serious tryouts with different singers, Rachel came out best and the band started concentrating on the next record. 'Creative Killings' was released at Hammerheart Records, September 2001. Shortly, after the release guitarist Bart decided to quit the band. A replacement was found in Pascal. The album was promoted with shows in Russia, Belarus and a 26 show tour across the rest of Europe. In 2002 Sinister decided to join forces again with Nuclear Blast records. The result is the release of their album 'Savage or Grace'. The album was massively promoted through shows in Mexico, Columbia and a two week tour with Cannibal Corpse across Europe. After a short split Sinister reformed in March/April 2005 due to letters from the fans around the world. A slight position change though. Former bassist Alex Paul moved to guitar, drummer Aad moved to vocals and newcomer Paul on drums. After the recordings of 'Afterburner', several promotional gigs, and after launching there DVD 'Prophecies Denied', which was taken in Poland, Paul left the band in late 2007 to pursue other interests. A new record deal was signed with Massacre Records for an album to be recorded in May 2008 titled 'The Silent Howling' with Edwin van den Eeden on drums.The 'Legacy of Ashes' album, recorded in 2010, would be the last with Edwin and Alex. After some shows in South-Africa and Russia the band parted ways because of different opinions in the band. Aad didn't hesitate and immediately he called his mates from project band Absurd Universe; Toep, Bastiaan, Mathijs and Dennis. Bastiaan, Aad and Toep knew each other already from the band Supreme pain. With this band they recorded 'Nemesis Enforcer'. Toep and Dennis knew each-other also from their cooperation in former bands, like Putrefied. Bastiaan and Mathijs are brothers ? So, putting this band together again with these guys, was just as logical as it could probably be. In 2011 they started with recordings of 'The Carnage Ending' in Soundlodge with Jorg Uken. The band had to prove itself more than ever, after a serious lineup change. But the reactions were amazingly good and positive. With this record the band was back on track. Fans were even referring to Cross the Styx and the beginning of Sinister. Also with bookings agency D19, Sinister was able to play big shows and festivals like; 70.000 tons of metal cruise, Hell fest, Extreme Hate Festival Brazil and Eindhoven Metal Meeting. After touring the Balkans and many festival shows in Italy and Germany, Sinister did not rest but started writing songs for the monster album 'The Post-Apocalyptic Servant', a CD which can be considered as the fastest and hardest work ever from Sinister. In 2014 recordings in Soundlodge were completed and Sinister started to promote this CD with a tour in Australia and many club shows in Europe. The critics were again amazingly good!! After launching the 7 "EP 'The Unborn Dead', containing two cover songs of Novembers Doom and Grotesque in 2014, Sinister recorded a complete cover CD to celebrate the existence of the band for 25 years, not counting the breakup for two years. This CD was entitled 'Dark Memorials' and came out in 2015 and got great responses! Heading for a new CD in 2017, Mathijs was forced to stop the band due to personal conditions and not much later the same applies for Bastiaan. Luckily Alesa (Aad's wife) was able to help the band with their mini tour in Brazil and some other great festivals in 2016 as Summer Dying Loud in Poland, gigs in Portugal and Spain, and so on. With Ricardo Falcon on guitar Sinister was on full strength again, for the live and shows and to work on the new songs for 'Syncretism', as Bastiaan stayed on the bands side to take responsibility for the 2/3 of the guitar parts on 'Syncretism'. In November 2016 recordings were done at Soundlodge with Jorg Uken again !! A majestic dark album with 100% pure Death metal will be released in 2017. In 2017 Sinister played at some great festivals as Netherlands Death Fest, In Flammen, Steelfest, Rockstad, Metal Days, Obscene Extreme and many others! Meanwhile Ghislain van der Stel was recruited on bass-guitar to join the squad!! Touring South America with Pestilence, again the 70000tons of Metal and Maryland Deathfest were just few highlights that followed. Unfortunately Sinister and Ricardo parted ways in 2018. Both parties had different opinions and therefor it was better to split up. It was decided with full respect of each other. The good part is that Sinister really quick came in contact with Michal Grall. This great guy just played his first gig at Otero Brutal Fest after just a few weeks of study and two rehearsals! Killer!! Heading for some great summer festivals Sinister is already busy writing new stuff for their new album to be released in 2019. Meanwhile a 7"split EP with Profanity sees daylight in 2018. Sinister Website Sinister @ Facebook Sinister @ Instagram Sinister @ SoundCloud Sinister @ Spotify |
PESSIMIST
Originally conceived in Los Angeles, 1989 with the "Tunnel Vision" demo, then later became one of the premiere bands to emerge out of the early Baltimore, MD death metal scene, with their 1993 demo Dark Reality, PESSIMIST played their first shows opening for national acts Incantation, Deicide, and Malevolent Creation. In 1995, the band self-released the EP Absence of Light on cassette and landed gigs opening for Testament, Forbidden, Suffocation, and Napalm Death.In 1997 PESSIMIST signed to Lost Disciple Records and released their debut CD Cult of the Initiated, which charted on CMJ Top 40 Loud Rock Charts, and received acclaim from around the world. The band continued to play shows in the Mid-Atlantic region, opening for Cryptopsy, Nile, Gorguts, Dying Fetus, Vader, Monstrosity, and festival appearances at Milwaukee Metalfest XII, New England Metal and Hardcore Fest – and the band’s first European tour with Fleshless (Cz) in 1999. PESSIMIST released their second CD, Blood For the Gods, in 1999, which soared into the CMJ Top 30 and received the prestigious “Pick of the Issue.. 10 Fucking Skulls” in SOD Magazine. PESSIMIST became recognized for their unique brand of brutal and technical Black/Death Metal, with old-school thrash influences, an emphasis on quality songwriting, powerful live shows and a dark, evil sound. In 2001, the band traveled to Tampa, FL to record with producer Erik Rutan, for their third CD, Slaughtering the Faithful, which featured a re-vamped lineup and a faster, more extreme musical direction. More shows followed with Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, Krisiun, Immolation, Cannibal Corpse, Dark Funeral, festival appearances at March Metal Meltdown, New England Metal and Hardcore Fest, and November to Dismember. PESSIMIST returned in 2008 with the Evolution Unto Evil CD, a compilation of rare/live demo recordings and tributes to Kreator, Megadeth, and Possessed, which was co-released on Pathos Prod and Deathgasm Recs. This was followed by appearances at New England Deathfest and Hostile City Deathfest. In 2009, the band returned to Europe for their second European tour with label-mates Pandemia (Cz). In between downtime with the band, founder/guitarist Kelly McLauchlin had also been a member of bands such as UNHOLY GHOST, DIABOLIC, filled in live with ANGELCORPSE, and had later joined Death Metal legends POSSESSED, touring with the band from 2011-2013. In 2018, PESSIMIST returned to the stage at Maryland Deathfest, headlining Las Vegas Deathfest, Rage of Armageddon Fest (NY), and Ruinfest (CA), and in 2019 released a new single, Keys to the Underworld, which featured studio drummer Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Suffocation) and bassist Kelly Conlon (Monstrosity, Death). Now, in their latest incarnation, the current PESSIMIST lineup includes founder/guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (I Am Morbid, Possessed, etc.), new bassist recruit Andrew Bowen (Carnal Necrosis), and vocalist Ivan Alison aka “The Evil One” (Black Mass). The band recently welcomed drummer Tim Yeung (I Am Morbid, former Morbid Angel, Divine Heresy, etc.) to the recording lineup. PESSIMIST is currently in the studio recording "Keys to the Underworld", for release on Season of Mist. Pessimist Website Pessimist @ Bandcamp Pessimist @ Facebook Pessimist @ Instagram Pessimist @ SoundCloud Pessimist @ Spotify Pessimist @ X Pessimist @ YouTube |
GRACELESS
Graceless (NL) play Death Metal. Founded in 2016 the four piece quickly gained a respectable reputation, releasing 3 albums, 2 splits and playing countless memorable live performances, including Ruhrpott Metal Meeting, Party.San Metal Open Air, Eindhoven Metal Meeting, Stonehenge, Into the Grave and many more.The latest milestone in the rise of Graceless is the inking of a worldwide deal with Listenable Records in 2023: including LP, CD and MC reissues of their first three albums as well as the release of the bands fourth full-length, being the follow up to their critically acclaimed third record Chants from Purgatory (2022). Graceless @ Bandcamp Graceless @ Deezer Graceless @ Facebook Graceless @ Instagram Graceless @ Spotify Graceless @ YouTube |
DOPELORD
DOPELORD released their debut Magick Rites in 2012, a record that flaunted their love of vintage heavy rock and proto-metal, which The Sludgelord noted for its "huge unstoppable riffing in every song." 2014’s Black Arts, Riff Worship & Weed Cult was a leap forward in songcraft, and as the band got serious, they began touring abroad in Western Europe. Critically-acclaimed 2017 album "Children of the Haze" found their formula for drawn-out psych-sludge behemoths perfected, as confirmed by The Heavy Chronicles, which proclaimed, “Nothing will be the same again. There used to be doom, now there is Dopelord.”As if heralding the actual end times, fourth LP "Sign of the Devil" arrived on March 10, 2020, just as the covid-19 pandemic took terrifying hold of the planet and called the knowable future of humanity into question. Supremely confident in their infectious bludgeon and thematic overtness, DOPELORD presented a record that stepped more fully than ever into both melody and rebellious iconoclasm. Naming "Sign of the Devil" their album of the week, Worship Metal cheered it as, “a torrent of ear-pleasingly suffocating riffs which crush all in their path," adding, "Satan would be pleased." Derailed from their aggressive live schedule for two years, DOPELORD blasted out the “Reality Dagger" EP in 2021 before setting to work on their boldest statement yet. On October 6th, 2023, their fifth album "Songs for Satan" will induct the mighty foursome as one of Europe's heaviest and most faithful doom purveyors of the new era, crushing everything on their path under the Blues Funeral Recordings banner. Dopelord @ Bandcamp Dopelord @ Deezer Dopelord @ Facebook Dopelord @ Instagram Dopelord @ Spotify Dopelord @ YouTube |
INTEGRITY
Integrity is an American hardcore punk band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1988, but based in Belgium since 2003. A pioneer of the metalcore genre, the band's merger of influences from hardcore punk and heavy metal music, as well as gothic rock, industrial, noise, doomsday cults and western esotericism, was widely influential on the subsequent development of hardcore and metal. The band was a defining part of the 1990s hardcore scene, influencing similarly influential bands such as Converge, Hatebreed and Killswitch Engage.During the 1980s, Dwid Hellion had enjoyed creating "fake bands", whom he would devise backstories and print merchandise for, spreading stories of these bands through word of mouth and calling in to radio shows. One of these fake bands was a supposedly twisted and violent straight edge band named Integrity. Following the disbandment of Hellion's legitimate straight edge youth crew band Die Hard, he morphed this vision into a real band, forming Integrity in 1988 with guitarist Aaron Melnick, who was also in Die Hard, as well as drummer Tony "Chubby Fresh" Pines and bassist Tom Front. The band's classic lineup consisted of Hellion and brothers Aaron and Leon Melnick, who were accompanied by various drummers during this time, releasing the band's first four studio albums. In 1999, Hellion recruited brothers Dave and Steve Felton of Mushroomhead, as well as bassist Craig Martini, renaming the group Integ2000. By 2001, the band had returned to simply Integrity, releasing an additional five studio albums. Integrity @ Bandcamp Integrity @ Facebook Integrity @ Instagram Integrity @ Spotify Integrity @ X |
IRON MEDIAN
Considered the best Iron Maiden tribute band on the Balkans and one of the best in Europe.Jan Leščanec – vocals (SkyEye) Rock Tomšič – guitar (Metalsteel) Matjaž Tozon – guitar (Iron Median) Alen Steržaj – bass (Big Foot Mama) Tine Horvat – drums (Dekadent) Iron Median @ Facebook Iron Median @ Instagram Iron Median @ X Iron Median @ YouTube |
COWBOYS FROM HELL
Cowboys From Hell is a five-piece band from the Slovenian coastal area, formed in 2014. We play metal hits from legendary bands such as Pantera, Metallica, Machine Head and many others. United by the love for good music, passionate playing and having a blast, the band consists of experienced musicians from various different Slovene bands.Our motto is »LEGS IN V SHAPE AND FRONT TO THE GROUND!« Come to our show and find out what that means! Cowboys from Hell @ Facebook Cowboys from Hell @ YouTube |
METRÖPOLIS
Metröpolis WebsiteMetröpolis @ Facebook Metröpolis @ Instagram Metröpolis @ YouTube |
MARCUS & MARTINUS
Norwegian pop duo Marcus & Martinus are coming back in 2026!Following their sold-out 'We Are Not The Same' Tour, the twin brothers return with a brand new show. Fans can look forward to an energetic show featuring their recognisable pop sound, dynamic presence and new music. At a young age, Marcus & Martinus broke through and have since scored big hits like Elektrisk, Girls and Heartbeat. In 2024, they represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest with Unforgettable. Marcus & Martinus Website Marcus & Martinus @ Facebook Marcus & Martinus @ Instagram Marcus & Martinus @ Spotify Marcus & Martinus @ TikTok Marcus & Martinus @ X Marcus & Martinus @ YouTube |
SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL
Kostolom is the epic second LP from the duo Alex Terrible and Jack Simmons’ band Slaughter to Prevail. The album expands on the dynamic extremes of their 2017 debut, Misery Sermon — pairing Alex’s dark, cathartic lyrics with Simmons’ pummeling riffs and tense, cinematic solos. “We wanted to make each song for us stand out in a different way,” the guitarist says. “On some of the songs, we focused on wanting to keep it uptempo, building to a breakdown as the focal point. Other songs it was about groove or the chorus — ‘how can we make this melodic?’ The albums we love the most have those dynamics, and we want to use them to make each part hit harder.”The songs evolved over several years, the first demos constructed shortly before the release of Misery Sermon. And they finally finished the material in late 2020, with everyone (Alex, Simmons, bassist Mikhail Petrov, guitarist Dmitry Mamedov) having tracked their respective parts at home. (Evgeny Novikov recorded his drums at a nearby studio in Moscow.) Tracks like “Made in Russia” and “Head on a Plate” pile-drive their detuned riffs straight into your skull, offering a platform for Alex at his most menacing. But the frontman also stretches out across the record, adding clean choruses to anthems like “Baba Yaga” and “Your Only.” Alex’s words — largely sung in Russian, with occasional bursts of English — are also more balanced than the bleak song titles may suggest. “The lyrics,” Simmons says, “are quite personal to anyone who listens, I think — of personal struggle, keeping a positive mental attitude and going through the shit to have a better life and achieve your goals.” As always, Slaughter to Prevail aim to provoke you, even as they empower you. “We want something that causes an emotion — whether it’s good or bad, disappointment or excitement or whatever,” Simmons says. “We don’t want something that’s stereotypical.” Slaughter to Prevail Website Slaughter to Prevail @ Facebook Slaughter to Prevail @ Instagram Slaughter to Prevail @ Spotify Slaughter to Prevail @ Twitter Slaughter to Prevail @ YouTube |
DYING FETUS
DYING FETUS established a reputation for uncompromising integrity with a slew of classic albums and today rides a resurgence of respect and esteem with a new generation. As Revolver Magazine wrote upon the release of their first new material since 2017’s Wrong One To Fuck With: “Their unique sound has always straddled the line between extreme metal instrumentation and heavy hardcore chugginess, and right now, they’re extremely well-regarded by many of today’s heavy-hitting hardcore acts, as well as their fair share of death metal and deathcore up-and-comers.”Recorded in Baltimore with longtime producer Steve Wright (Future Islands) and mixed by Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse), Make Them Beg For Death contains every Dying Fetus hallmark. The veteran death metal band’s ninth album is fast, intense, and brimming with unstoppable grooves. Monstrous riffs, blast beats, unstoppable hooks, and earth-moving grooves define their catalog. The Black Dahlia Murder, Suicide Silence, and Whitechapel co-headlined tours with Dying Fetus in recent years, a testament to the veteran band’s continued relevance and respect in the genre. Decibel Magazine inducted the band’s zeitgeist third album, Destroy the Opposition (2000), into their prestigious Hall Of Fame, next to genre-defining classics from the likes of Metallica and Slayer. Metal Injection hailed Wrong One to Fuck With as a “menacing motherfucker.” The band continually refines its unique take on death, grind, and hardcore with a combination of virtuosity and ferocity, inescapably catchy hooks and punishing breakdowns, and a lack of pretension. “We put our own twist on death metal,” explains co-vocalist/guitarist John Gallagher, who co-founded the group in 1991. “We were like most bands, starting in the garage, drinking beer, having a little fun on the weekend, finding the right amps through trial and error. We blended aspects of bands we liked – Suffocation, Obituary, Deicide, and Cannibal Corpse, among others; the dual vocal approach of Carcass – and made them our own. ‘Let’s make it moshy, let’s make it slammy.’” Surprisingly, the band took a few cues from early Agnostic Front and Madball and even a bit of Rage Against The Machine, whose debut album arrived in 1992. “I wanted to take some of that groove and put it into death metal,” Gallagher says. Internal Bleeding, arguably the first band to do “all slam, all the time,” was another influence; their native New York was just a few hours away from the Dying Fetus home base in Maryland. “That whole New York scene really inspired us. It was a big part of our development, as all of our bands were continually influenced by each other.” Eschewing leather and spikes in favor of t-shirts, and shorts, the “street level” look of Dying Fetus ruffled some feathers in elitist metal circles but helped the music crossover to other scenes. That no-frills approach is the norm today; some death metal bands even sell branded basketball shorts. Early demos and a pair of albums on smaller labels led to the landmark release of Destroy the Opposition. The high-speed Stop At Nothing (2003) introduced bassist Sean Beasley, who began sharing vocal duties with Gallagher on the excessively brutal War of Attrition (2007). Drummer Trey Williams rounded out the modern, definitive Dying Fetus lineup beginning with the tech-metal masterpiece, Descend into Depravity (2009). “Outstanding technical bands like Necrophagist were out at that time,” Beasley remembers. “I wrote songs with like 25 riffs in them.” While no less technically proficient, Reign Supreme (2012) pushed the band’s groovier side back to the forefront. (“Second Skin” even appeared in an episode of South Park.) Five years later, “Dying Fetus hit the mark again” (Exclaim!) with the ruthless and crushing Wrong One To Fuck With. Hatebreed, As I Lay Dying, Knocked Loose, GWAR, Morbid Angel, and Six Feet Under are just a few bands who’ve taken Dying Fetus on tour over the years. In 2014, the fan-driven and tongue-in-cheek “What About Dying Fetus?” hashtag campaign earned them a mainstage spot at the UK’s Download Festival, playing before the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, Fall Out Boy, and Linkin Park. Make Them Beg For Death, set for release in 2023, delivers savage beatdowns equally designed to pulverize and mesmerize. “It follows on from where Wrong One To Fuck With left off,” Williams promises. “We don’t need to participate in the technical death metal arms race. We’ve got the big guns, and we’ve proven that. It’s all about pointing them in the right direction, so to speak.” To the men of Dying Fetus, the mission is straightforward. “The philosophy is the same now as it was when the band started,” Gallagher confirms. “To write catchy riffs and to make it memorable. Whatever style of music you’re doing, make it something people want to hear repeatedly.” Dying Fetus Website Dying Fetus @ Bandcamp Dying Fetus @ Deezer Dying Fetus @ Facebook Dying Fetus @ Instagram Dying Fetus @ ReverbNation Dying Fetus @ SoundCloud Dying Fetus @ Spotify Dying Fetus @ TikTok Dying Fetus @ Twitter Dying Fetus @ YouTube |
SUICIDE SILENCE
Suicide Silence is an American deathcore band from Riverside, California, formed in 2002. Emerging during the early 2000s wave of extreme metalcore and death metal hybrids, the band quickly became one of the defining names of the deathcore genre. Their sound blends blistering blast beats, crushing breakdowns, and guttural vocals with moments of atmospheric experimentation, helping to shape the sound of modern extreme metal.The original lineup featured vocalist Mitch Lucker, guitarists Chris Garza and Rick Ash, bassist Mike Bodkins, and drummer Josh Goddard. After early demos gained attention in the underground scene, the band released their debut full-length album, The Cleansing, in 2007 through Century Media Records. The album was a breakthrough, debuting at number 94 on the Billboard 200—a remarkable feat for such an aggressive and uncompromising release. With tracks like “Unanswered” and “No Pity for a Coward,” The Cleansing set a new standard for deathcore’s intensity and precision. Suicide Silence continued their rise with No Time to Bleed (2009) and The Black Crown (2011), both of which displayed increased musical maturity and lyrical depth, tackling themes of personal struggle, social issues, and human weakness. However, tragedy struck in November 2012 when frontman Mitch Lucker was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 28. His death sent shockwaves through the metal community, and the band’s future seemed uncertain. In 2013, Suicide Silence announced that they would continue, recruiting Eddie Hermida (formerly of All Shall Perish) as their new vocalist. The band’s fourth album, You Can’t Stop Me (2014), was both a tribute to Lucker and a statement of perseverance, featuring lyrics drawn from ideas Mitch had written before his death. Subsequent releases, including the self-titled Suicide Silence (2017) and Remember… You Must Die (2023), showcased the band’s willingness to evolve, at times courting controversy for experimenting with clean vocals and alternative metal influences. Despite divided reactions, Suicide Silence have maintained their position as one of deathcore’s most influential and enduring acts, known for their relentless live energy, loyalty to fans, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of heavy music. Suicide Silence @ Facebook Suicide Silence @ Instagram Suicide Silence @ Last.fm Suicide Silence @ Spotify Suicide Silence @ X Suicide Silence @ YouTube |
IGORRR
Initially influenced by the likes of Meshuggah, Chopin, Cannibal Corpse, Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Taraf de Haidouks and Aphex Twin, traces of these artists can be found littered across Igorrr’s discography, but Serre has never been interested in remaining static or merely recycling ideas, and his work has dramatically evolved accordingly. It deeply explains how Igorrr’s music is such an explosion of creativity while keeping a cohesive universe records after records.In recent years, Igorrr has also become a collective, rather than the work of one man alone, which has brought a new level of intensity into the group live representations. Igorrr Website Igorrr @ Facebook Igorrr @ Instagram Igorrr @ Twitter Igorrr @ YouTube |
DVNE
DVNE is a 5 piece progressive metal band from Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 2013, the band was then called dune in reference to Frank Herbert's masterpiece of the same name; a statement of the band's mutual obsession for Sci-fi and fantasy of all forms, the inspiration of which has continued to influence their music to this day.Breaking in the scene with their first album Asheran in 2017, Dvne secured tours in the UK, Europe and US with Eyehategod, Elder, Inter Arma and performed at prestigious festivals such as Psycho Las Vegas 2018, Desertfest London 2019 and Inferno Festival 2019. Dvne’s sophomore album Etemen Ænka (March 19, 2021, Metal Blade Records) garnered critical acclaim, earning spots on numerous year-end lists and winning 'Best Metal Act' at the 2021 Scottish Alternative Music Awards. Following its release, the band embarked on extensive tours across the UK and Europe, sharing stages with High On Fire, Villagers of Ioannina City, and Bossk, while performing at major festivals including Hellfest, Resurrection Festival, ArcTanGent, Desertfest London, Desertfest Berlin, and Damnation Festival. Dvne released their third studio album, Voidkind, via Metal Blade Records on April 19, 2024. The album further solidified their unique sound, seamlessly merging influences from post-metal and progressive rock into an expansive and dynamic work. Voidkind received critical acclaim, propelling the band into two headlining tours across the UK and Europe, marked by many sold-out shows and standout festival appearances, including Desertfest London, Dunk Festival, Mystic Festival, Into the Grave, and Copenhell. DVNE Website DVNE @ Bandcamp DVNE @ Deezer DVNE @ Facebook DVNE @ Instagram DVNE @ Spotify DVNE @ X DVNE @ YouTube |
THOUGHTCRIMES
Formed around 2019 on Long Island, New York, Thoughtcrimes is a chaotic hardcore outfit built upon the formidable experience of drummer and co-songwriter Billy Rymer (formerly of The Dillinger Escape Plan), alongside vocalist Rick Pepa, guitarists Russ Savarese and Brian Sullivan, and bassist Cody Hosza.From their earliest recordings the band embraced a style rooted in frenetic rhythms, dissonant riffs and an urgent hardcore ethos — a continuation and evolution of their members’ past work. Their debut EP, Tap Night, originally released and then reissued in 2021 by Pure Noise Records, introduced tracks such as “Wedlock Waltz” and “Misery’s A Muse” alongside hand-drawn animated video art. In August 2022, Thoughtcrimes unveiled their first full-length album Altered Pasts, produced by Mike Watts. The record was described by the band as “a reflection and synthesis of our cognitive, emotional and spiritual processes, as well as a catharsis.” The opening single “Panopticon” drew attention for its blitzkrieg intensity and lyrical preoccupation with dystopian themes and modern malaise. In interviews, Rymer emphasises that despite the ferocity of their sound the project is fundamentally rooted in friendship and collaboration: “It’s like this inner circle of friendship where you feel safe, you can be vulnerable.” The band’s output has been lauded for bringing dissonant math-core intensity and an emotionally raw edge to the modern hardcore scene. With a sonic identity defined by adrenaline-fuelled riffs, unpredictable rhythmic shifts and lyrical weight grounded in the anxieties of contemporary life, Thoughtcrimes represents a compelling evolution of hardcore tradition — grounded in legacy, yet unafraid to push into new territory. Thoughtcrimes @ Bandcamp Thoughtcrimes @ Facebook Thoughtcrimes @ Instagram Thoughtcrimes @ Spotify Thoughtcrimes @ X |
KREATOR
Back in 1975, AC/DC’s Bon Scott sung “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”, five decades later, German metal titans KREATOR might like to change this into “It’s an even Longer Way to the Top (If You Wanna Thrash)” if they were to pen an equally autobiographical track.Synonymous with all the heaviness, speed, energy, violence and sheer volume one associates with heavy metal, KREATOR’s ongoing story is a classic tale: the wondrous adventure of teenagers coming from rags to riches, from the proverbial gutter to literally every stage you can imagine. They went from No. 99 (1986’s “Pleasure To Kill”, the title track was part of Netflix series Dark’s soundtrack) to No. 1 (2017’s “Gods Of Violence”) in their home country’s official album charts, and traveled the world from Tokyo to Santiago, from Bangalore to Los Angeles. In 2025, KREATOR celebrated two outstanding achievements by releasing vocalist/guitarist Miland “Mille” Petrozza’s book “Your Heaven, My Hell” with co-writer Torsten Gross and hitting German cinemas with “Hate & Hope”, the first proper movie about a really loud - to the very day - really extreme metal band not only melting your face with firestorms of pyrotechnics but also music equivalent to searing bursts of hellfire. Starring guests such as Scott Ian (Anthrax), Chuck Billy (Testament), Bela B. (Die Ärzte), Phil Demmel (Kerry King, ex Machine Head), and many more, “Hate & Hope” proves that in a career like KREATOR’s you should always expect the unexpected. Now, it is time to continue this tale of humble beginnings, ambitious visions and unbreakable will, and start its much-anticipated 16th chapter! Entitled “Krushers Of The World”, the new KREATOR album, will be out on Nuclear Blast Records on January 16th, 2026. “Krushers Of The World” is not a shy title, it is a statement, an expression of pride and self-awareness knowing how long and hard the band’s path has been and knowing what they still have to say and share with their ever growing following. After the buzz around the movie and book, it is time for KREATOR to let the riffs, the roaring vocals, and thunderous drums do the talking. Kreator Website Kreator @ Bandcamp Kreator @ Deezer Kreator @ Facebook Kreator @ Instagram Kreator @ SoundCloud Kreator @ Spotify Kreator @ X Kreator @ YouTube |
CARCASS
Ferocious and uncompromising in their execution, CARCASS’s ability to intricately dissect the innards of death metal, and display them for us to sonically understand has been their point of excellence for over three decades. On December 2019 the band released their first single in over 5 years “Under The Scalpel Blade,” followed by a 4 song EP entitled Despicable (October 2020), setting a potent precedent for the full length album to come in 2021: TORN ARTERIES. With the album title itself referencing an old demo created by original drummer Ken Owen back in the 80’s, TORN ARTERIES sits as a bookend on the modern side of the CARCASS discography, connecting directly back to where everything began over 30 years ago.The album artwork also rings reminiscent of the grotesque photography that appears on classic CARCASS album covers like Reek Of Putrefaction or Symphonies of Sickness. Artist Zbigniew Bielak traveled outside his normal wheelhouse to bring forth a time lapsed set of photos showing vegetables shaped like a heart, rotting over time upon a white plate. This form of artwork was influenced by Japanese Kusôzu, meaning: ‘painting of the nine stages of a decaying corpse.’ With TORN ARTERIES, each track stands unique from the rest in its approach to guitar, bass, vocals and drumming, along with all the finer details. Filthy and dominating guitar work creates thick layers of tone and melody, piling on top of each other like the weight of dead flesh in tracks like “Kelly’s Meat Emporium.” Curious about the lyrics? CARCASS bets you are, but don’t expect them to be an easy puzzle to solve. Over the years metalheads the world over have referenced CARCASS’s complex, bizarre, and gore filled lyrics with affection, humor, and fascination. This time around will require fans to actually purchase the physical album, and closely examine the artwork in order to place the lyrics in their proper order. Most will find that the only real struggle when indulging in TORN ARTERIES is fighting the desire to start it over the second it finishes. It covers substantial new ground for a band with such a reputation, while still retaining that addictive, time honoured CARCASS sound that has come to represent the face of true death metal. Carcass @ Bandcamp Carcass @ Deezer Carcass @ Facebook Carcass @ Instagram Carcass @ ReverbNation Carcass @ SoundCloud Carcass @ Spotify Carcass @ X Carcass @ YouTube |
EXODUS
When we think of the phrase Bonded By Blood, we think of two things: a brotherhood that is meant to outlast the trials of war, pain, and time... and the almighty EXODUS. With a bond forged in youth and decades-old friendship, the undisputed masters of thrash metal return with their eleventh studio album: PERSONA NON GRATA due to be released early fall 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. Literally translating to “an unwelcome” or “unacceptable” person, PERSONA NON GRATA touches on themes of modern societal disgust and degradation. “The people that disgust you - cut ‘em out like cancer,” explains guitarist Gary Holt. “Who is that person? It could be anybody. That’s up to the listener. Who is ‘Persona Non Grata’ to them?”The underlying irony for many of these songs is the need for unity. “As we were working on these songs, things started happening around the world that ended up tying into it all, and we didn’t even know it! With the general divisiveness in the country today, and everyone being entitled to their opinions; I don’t agree with a lot of them, but I’m not here to be a preacher, either. We want people to listen to the lyrics and come up with their own meanings.” For decades, EXODUS has impressed us with the ability to attract opposing factions to their music because of its intensity and versatility. A track like “The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves” was inspired by the riots both in theme, and sound. “Without seeming insensitive to the riots, the song is tongue in cheek about what the people beating on the rioters were expecting to happen. Did you think you would beat a smile onto their face? At 3 minutes in length, it’s probably the shortest EXODUS song we’ve ever done. It gets in, gets out, and is just crushing,” describes Holt. While most of the songs do run on the shorter side, this album also comes equipped with crushing, epic tracks. Whether it’s the music industry gossip sites, or the big players like CNN and FOX, we’re all aware of how news outlets love to set little rat traps; “Clickbait” discusses their methods of picking things out of context to grab your attention, add to their page views, and increase their revenue all while riling up your emotions. “It’s all journalistic dishonesty,” explains Holt, “it’s a modern-day version of Al Capone’s vault, everyone tunes in, and then there’s NOTHING.“ Evenly balanced with extraordinary speed and tremendous, catchy choruses, “Clickbait” is a song that explodes with vigorous energy. “As heavy as this album is, and it’s heavy as fuck, if times were different and there was still metal radio, this song, and probably over half the album, has single capabilities.” Sitting as the second to last song on the album, “The Fires of Division” keeps PERSONA NON GRATA strong all the way through. “This album doesn’t operate on the normal parameters,” describes Holt, “we didn’t frontload this one, it’s strong right through to the end. It’s supposed to be a musical journey as the songs segway together.” For the third time in the band’s history, EXODUS returned to Swedish artist Par Olofsson to create the album artwork PERSONA NON GRATA. “After this album, I feel like we probably won’t work with anyone else again, Par just gets it,” states Holt. A three-faced, winged creature sits atop a bloody pile of diseased and rotting humans as they scream in pain and reach their hands up desperately towards the beast. Undead riot cops beat mercilessly, and senselessly upon this pile of the dying and the world is red with fresh, sopping blood. “Is it an angel, a demon? Is the world being created or destroyed,” asks Holt, “you don’t really know.” EXODUS don’t fall into the usual recording slump that most bands get stuck in. Gathering at Tom Hunting’s house up in the mountains, they avoided the need to book studio time or adhere to a certain schedule. “At first it was just Tom, myself, a half stack, and a drum kit; we call it jam camp. We lived there. We built the studio, we immersed ourselves in it. Number one, because we still enjoy each other’s company enough to do it. When we’re not actively rehearsing or recording, we’re still sitting there talking about the songs, working on them, plucking on acoustics until things really work,” explains Holt, “we’re not settling.” Working from three home-built studios, the band recorded PERSONA NON GRATA themselves with the help of Andy Sneap on mixing and mastering and with Steve Lagudi at the helm of engineering. “As a band, I’m super grateful. I’ve seen a lot of things around the world and we’re still a band that loves each other, have each other’s back, and we genuinely like to hang out with each other,” explains Holt. “Take it how you will, but I’m this band’s biggest fan. We write songs that are designed to make us feel fired up - that’s why it’s still heavy.” Exodus Website Exodus @ Deezer Exodus @ Facebook Exodus @ Instagram Exodus @ ReverbNation Exodus @ SoundCloud Exodus @ Spotify Exodus @ X Exodus @ YouTube |
NAILS
For the first time in over 8 years, the blistering assault on our nervous system that can only be described as the sound of NAILS, has reemerged. With Carlos Cruz on drums, Andrew Solis on Bass, Shelby Lermo on Guitars, and Todd Jones on guitar & vocals, the upcoming studio album, EVERY BRIDGE BURNING, will be revealed August 30th, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.For this 4th full length album, NAILS have channeled raw emotion into tracks like “Imposing Will”, a seismic event in the realm of sonic aggression; igniting the pulse, and fueling a fire of hostility. “[This track is] special to the record in that I knew we wanted it to be the opener,” explains founder Todd Jones. “We wanted it to have the effect of an urgency; an immediacy in the music itself. When you push play, you get smacked in the face.” Similarly, “Give Me the Painkiller” hints at an intricate groove while simultaneously causing the urge to peel your skin off. There exists a wild energy that according to Jones is the band’s “most expressive guitar playing” in their history. Plunge into “Punishment Map”, and confront the decades of misery brought about by Golden State serial killer Joe D'Angelo—a relentless descent into the abyss of human suffering. The guitar work on EVERY BRIDGE BURNING is an expansive force in its own right, epitomized in tracks like, No More Rivers to Cross. Here, NAILS masterfully navigates a spectrum of moods, showcasing fluidity and intensity that is quintessentially NAILS yet profoundly evolved. The album artwork, a creation by Jeff Whitehead, serves as a visual prelude to the auditory chaos—a stark representation of the aural brutality that NAILS delivers. “I really wanted to work with Whitehead again,” explains Jones. “I wanted the artwork to represent the sound of NAILS visually, and to reference the same figure from our last album cover.” The writing process for this album was no different than in record cycles of the past. The foundations of songs are born from riffs, and it is around these riffs that entire tracks are eventually composed. “Our writing process is about building songs,” explains Jones, “not just sitting down and writing them straight through all at once.” Recording for the album commenced in Massachusetts at God City Studio with Kurt Ballou (of CONVERGE), whose contribution is integral to the NAILS sound, as elucidated by Jones: “we’ve recorded every album with Kurt. He’s such an important ingredient as to how we present our music. When our fans want to hear NAILS, they want to hear something that is through the filter of Kurt’s engineering.” Most importantly, EVERY BRIDGE BURNING was born out of unwavering dedication to NAILS fans and the underground music scene. It echoes their commitment to authenticity and raw power. NAILS remains a beacon of rebellion and resilience in a world hungry for genuine expression. With no shortage of effort or meticulous song arrangement, the time has arrived to become engulfed in the ferocity of NAILS once again as EVERY BRIDGE BURNING unveils a new, but familiar chapter in extreme music. “This band was modeled after some of my favorite bands; the type of bands where, when they put out an album, you know what it’s going to sound like,” describes Jones, “it’s the delivery of the expectation.” The sensory destroying musical onslaught that we’ve all been missing is back. Nails @ Bandcamp Nails @ Deezer Nails @ Facebook Nails @ Instagram Nails @ Spotify Nails @ X Nails @ YouTube |
STAHLZEIT
The German band Stahlzeit formed in 2004 and has since made a name for itself as one of the most spectacular tribute-acts in Europe. They specialise in covering the hit songs of the influential Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein, replicating not just the sound but also the visual excess of the original: heavy riffs, industrial grooves, flaming stage effects, and dramatic choreography.Although the group’s roots go back to 2004, their tribute-project became fully active around 2005. Their frontman, Hefried “Heli” Reißenweber, became central to the band’s identity thanks to a voice and on-stage presence that strongly evoke Rammstein’s singer, Till Lindemann. Over the years, Stahlzeit have honed their craft, offering shows with up to 2½ hours of performance, dozens of trucks and a large crew travelling across Europe. The key to Stahlzeit’s success lies in the faithfulness of their tribute: they don’t merely play the songs, they recreate the spectacle—pyrotechnics, costumes, staging, lighting—everything evocative of the original band’s live theatrics. For example, at the song “Mein Teil” the band uses butcher-costumes and even a large cauldron, mimicking one of the iconic moments from Rammstein’s shows. Reviewers and fans frequently note that the experience of attending a Stahlzeit show is nearly on par (in terms of theatricality) with that of the original band. Today, Stahlzeit perform up to 70-80 shows a year and tour major venues across Europe. In 2025/26 they launched a special “20 Plus” anniversary tour, marking two decades of the project. Their prominence is such that many refer to them as the number-one Rammstein tribute band—especially for fans who may not have the opportunity to see the original act live. Their shows provide both a faithful homage to Rammstein’s legacy and a stand-alone live event with its own energy and intensity. In short, Stahlzeit stand at the intersection of homage and theatrical rock spectacle—balancing deep respect for their muse with their own commitment to live show excellence. If you enjoy heavy-industrial music, dramatic staging and immersive concert experiences, they’re a compelling band to check out. Stahlzeit Website Stahlzeits @ Facebook Stahlzeit @ Instagram Stahlzeit @ YouTube |
