Metallian Heavy

KONKHRA has an album called Sad Plight Of Lucifer through Hammerheart Records this autumn.

UK-based death metal band DEATHFIEND has a lyric video for the song Relive The Torment. It features Mark “Barney” Greenway from NAPALM DEATH and is taken from the Dark Rising EP which is available through Gruesome Records. The band was formed by John Pickering of DOOM, SORE THROAT, etc. in 2019.

Denmark-based PANZERCHRIST has an album called Maleficium 1 through Emanzipation on 06.12.2024. A single called Sister Death is available now.

Romania-based death metal band SADDAYAH’s Lila EP is out through Loud Rage Music soon.

Horror Pain Gore Death will release the grinding band FUPA GODDESS’ debut full-length Fuckyourface on October 11th 2024. The band is compared to FULCI and VISCERA TRAIL.

MASSACRE has a new album, entitled Necrolution, through Agonia Records on November 8th. There is a lyric video for the song The Colour Out Of Space. The band has a US mini-tour with PESSIMIST.

Sweden-based VANANIDR’s In Silence Descent and Italy-based AVTOTHEISM’s Reflections Of Execrable Stillness albums are available through Unorthodox Emanations/Avantgarde this month.

Finland-based PESTILENT SCARS will release its debut album, Meadows Of Misfortune, through Inverse Records in January 2025. The band was founded in the winter of 2023.

Gore House Productions releases HEINOUS EXSANGUINATION’s debut EP, The Stench Of Decaying Flesh. Like all new releases there are half a dozen guest appearances.

MEMBRANCE will release a demo, called Undead Remains, on October 11th. The song Corpse For Sale is against tourists visiting Venice while Vengeance’s Price is inspired by Shakespeare’s play The Merchant Of Venice and, like every release nowadays, has a guest musician. There are also two live tracks and a cover version.

Denmark-based death metal band NECKBREAKKER has signed to Nuclear Blast Records. The band has already played at Hellfest, Bloodstock, Summer Breeze, Resurrection Fest and Inferno Festival and has a single called Horizon Of Spikes.

USA-based DECAYED EXISTENCE has a video for the song Escape The Dead, which is taken from the forthcoming album, The Beginning Of Sorrows, through Rottweiler Records on October 11th, 2024.

THE CONVALESCENCE and VORAATH will be hitting the road in North America for their last series of dates for 2024. Dubbed No Survivors Tour Part 2 and taking place between October 5th to October 14th, GREEN JELLO, CASKET ROBBERY and IGNOMINIOUS will o[pen select dates.

Poland-based BATUSHKA will change its name to PATRIARKH following a December concert in Melbourne, Australia. Two versions of the band had been in litigation and this version, featuring singer Bartłomiej “Варфоломей” Krysiuk, will use the new name and tour using the Prophecy as the trek’s name.

White metal act SYMPHONY OF HEAVEN has a single, called Portent Of Flame, from its Ordo Aurum Archeia album. The group features bassist Turadh now. The publicity calls the group a “melodic blackened death metal act.” The concept revolves around an organisation called The Golden Order Of The Almighty.

UK-based black metal band ANTE-INFERNO has an album called Death’s Soliloquy through Vendetta Records on 22.11.2024. There is a video for the song The Cavernous Blackness Of Night. ANTE-INFERNO is on tour with WORM in Europe on the Full Moon Haiku Tour 2024.

BEHEMOTH will release its anniversary concert, XXX Years Ov Blasphemy, which originally streamed online in 2021 as an album and blu-ray through Nuclear Blast. The performance was divided into three different acts.

BLASPHEMOUS has a full-length called To Lay Siege And Conquer, which will be released through Adirondack Black Mass on October 25, 2024..

Germany and Brazil-based thrash metal band BREAKDOWN has a video for the song Rise From The Dead from its Divide And Konquer demo, which was produced by Andy Classen.

Insisting on playing and calling its style “metal thrashing death’n’roll,” Finland-based MUTANT BLAST has an album called Soulsteeler through Rockshots Records.

BLACK CURSE, featuring members of SPECTRAL VOICE, PRIMITIVE MAN, KHEMMIS, etc., has announced an album called Burning In Celestial Poison through Sepulchral Voice for 25.10.2024. The band is booked for Maryland Deathfest 2025.

CONTRITION has an EP called Pariahs through Disorder Recordings.The recording and release was delayed because of a hand injury sustained by guitarist Jeff Wilson and everyone being in a dozen side-projects.

Personal Records will release Constellation Of Endless Blight by FESTERGORE and CRYPTORIUM’s Descent Into Lunacy in November.

ROTPIT will release an album called Long Live The Rot through War Anthem Records on 29.11.2024. The cassette is coming through Selfmadegod. It features drummer Erik Barthold (LEFT HAND SOLUTION).

More self-cover versions: A mere five years after its original release, LITOST has rerecorded the drums with a new musician and had singer and guitarist Manri redo the rest for its Ethos demo. Ethos, its follow-up Pathos and Logos, the last of which is still to come, will form a trilogy inspired by the three means of persuasion explained in Aristotle’s Rhetoric. Moreover, the band promises to mix flamenco into metal.

Groovy death band MAGNACULT has a video for the song Eternity’s Gate, which is taken from a forthcoming 2025 album called Lucis.

THANATOS will release an anniversary album, called Four Decades Of Death, to celebrate the 40th year through Agonia Records on 15.11.2024. The album consists of previously unreleased songs, self-cover versions and a bonus DVD,from the band’s last show from 2022. The band’s latest break up came in 2022.

MAMMOTH GRINDER returns with an EP, entitled Undying Spectral Resonance, through Relapse this November. The line-up includes guitarist Sebastian Phillips (Noisem/Exhumed) and bassist Andy Horn (Loud Night) now. Chris Ulsh has switched from bass back to guitar. The band is touring North America with GENOCIDE PACT and NAILS alternately and appearing at New England Metal & Hardcore Fest.

Monumental Rex will issue EVERTO SIGNUM’s second full-length album, Beastiary, on November 1st. The side-project is based in Portugal and operated by Nekruss and Æminus.

NIGHT IN GALES will release a new album, entitled Shadowreaper, through Apostasy Records on December 6th. After four albums with Dan Swanö, the production was handled by Fredrik Nordström this time.

Time To Kill Records had added extreme and folk-influenced band ADE to its roster. The Italy-based band, which focuses on Roman civilization, will release an album in the coming months.

MÖRK GRYNING has uploaded a song called Tornet, which is taken from the Fasornas Tid album that is out through Season Of Mist.

Thrash metal band BELTFED WEAPON has uploaded a song and video called Tortured Within. Joining guitarist Frank Hetzel are “special guest collaborators” Stu Block (ex-ICED EARTH), Mike Lepond (SYMPHONY X), Kragen Lum (HEATHEN and EXODUS) and Bryan Newbury (INTO ETERNITY).

INJECTOR has an upcoming album, entitled Endless Scorn, through Art Gates Records on December 13th 2024.

Relapse has signed crossover band WALKING WOUNDED. The band reissues its debut, Bestial Condemnation, originally self-released earlier in 2024. Guitarist Steve Perrino began writing and recording songs alone in his studio before recruiting vocalist Noah Hardesty in 2022.

Selvajaria Records is distributing the demo tape debut by “the Portuguese old school thrash” band SADISTIK WARFARE. The band was conceived by Nuno Santos, who is the guitarist in AMPUTATE. Also in the band is former AMPUTATE drummer Phillip Stengele, bassist Hugo Conim (DAWNRIDER, DRAGON’S KISS, THE LIMIT, etc.) and vocalist Roberto Raposo (SORTILEGE).

Veteran thrash metal band ANIALATOR will release its first full-length album, Death Is Calling, through Xtreem Music on October 22nd 2024. The band was founded in 1986 and reformed in 2015. Bassist Alex Dominguez is the sole original member in ANIALATOR.

Poland-based OBSIDIAN MANTRA has released an album called As We All Will through Via Nocturna.

Following the death of BRUJERIA singer and keyboardist Pinche Peach earlier this year, lead singer Juan Brujo suffered a heart attack and died in the midst of the act’s Mexorcita Tour in the USA on September 16th.

Metalcore act AS I LAY DYING is back with a full-length album, entitled Through Storms Ahead, through Napalm Records on 15.11.2024. It was recorded by guitarist Phil Sgrosso and Hiram Hernandez and mixed by Aaron Chaparian. Like all albums nowadays there are a couple of guest appearances.

Speed metal band WORMWITCH, as well as WINTERFYLLETH and BIZARREKULT are touring the UK in November. WORMWITCH issued an eponymous album through Profound Lore Records in July.

BÜTCHER will have a full-length, entitled On Fowl Of Tyrant Wing, through Osmose Productions in October. The cover artwork was created by Kris Verwimp.

Greece-based black metal group SØRGELIG will release an album, entitled Φθορά , through Tragedy Productions on October 4th 2024.

Black Hole District by France-based MONOLITHE is out in November. The doomy band incorporates synthesisers and reports the story is inspired by movies like Blade Runner. One synthesiser used is the same as Blade Runner’s main composer VANGELIS’ CS-80.

HORNA has a new album called Nyx (Hymnejä Yölle) through World Terror Committee. The album contains a self-cover version of the song Kuoleva Lupaus from 2005. The band is booked for Montreal, Canada’s Messe De Morts XII.

Russia-based GRIMA has signed with Napalm Records. The band was founded by twins Vilhelm and Morbius as a studio-only act before becoming a quartet. The press release entirely avoids mentioning the word ‘Russia’ and attributes the band solely to Siberia. GRIMA toured Europe this spring.

India-based groove band ZYGNEMA has a demo called Iconic.

Poland-based ambient and noise band (a.k.a. synthesiser-damaged) THAW has an album called Fading Backwards through Agonia Records on 25.10.2024. The act will tour Poland to coincide with the release.

Austria-based “post-black metal” act ANOMALIE will release a full-length album, called Riverchild, through AOP Records on November 1st.

Auric Records has released Switzerland-based EXCRUCIATION’s [P]ain album on September 20th. The band has videos for each song on the album.

Hypnotic Dirge Records has issued a new EP by Italy-based dark metal act NOTTURNO. The publicity warns listeners that the group has added classical instruments to this recording.

Self-cover versions are the fashion du jour and so RECURRENCE will release a remix demo, called ReExit (The Mixtape) on September 23, 2024, which is the one year anniversary of The Exit debut. The band toured with DEICIDE recently and is working on a release called Art Of Survival.

Selfmadegod Records will release Apophenia, the full-length album by Poland-based death metal band DEIVOS on 18.11.2024.

Pan-European death metal band DREADMASK has signed with WormHoleDeath to release its debut EP, Thy Prime Dread, which was originally planned to be a demo for October 1st. The release date has been changed to November 1st now.

AGAINST THE PLAGUES is back “stronger and healthier than ever before” after nine years. There is a new singer called Zion Meagher (known from NACHTMYSTIUM, etc.). There is a new video for the song Calculated Treason and an album is coming soon.

Germany-based thrash metal group ACCUSER will release a full-length called Rebirthless through MDD Records in November.

LIVING GATE will release its debut album, Suffer As One, through Relapse Records on October 25. There is a music video for the song To Cut Off The Head Of The Snake. The band is touring Europe this month and next.

The USA-based act deems itself “black metal,” but fans should approach it with caution given the presence of “synths” and “piano.” TRYBLITH has a demo called Draconis Maleficium on October 31st 2024. DIMMU BORGIR is an obvious influence.

PK/Peter Kubik, the founding member of ABIGOR, committed suicide last month.

Canada’s Trois-Rivières MetalFest’s 17th edition will take place November 22nd and 23rd. Bands appearing include IMMOLATION, UNEARTH, BEYOND CREATION, GOROD, GHOULUNATICS and AUGURY.

New Canada-based black/death metal band GRAVEMASS, featuring veterans from bands such as ZIMMERS HOLE, WEST OF HELL, THE GOLERS, PUNCH DRUNK, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and REVOCATION, is looking to release a demo later this year. The band has a video for the song Slave To Pain currently.


Metallian Hard

Toronto, Canada-based SCARLET SINS has reunited and had a fan event and new video in September.

Commemorating the act’s 50th anniversary, and as a follow-up to the Ride Of The Iron Horse album, THOR has now released a new video called No Time For Games.

The new line-up of PRIMAL FEAR has announced it is completing its next album, which is entitled Domination, for Reigning Phoenix Music. The album is set for release on September 5, 2025 and will coincide with the start of the band’s European tour.

Golden Core has rereleased VIRON’s NWOGHM of 2006 on vinyl. It includes the demos of the predecessor band SEDUCTION as a bonus.The band had played at Headbangers Open Air and United Metalheads. The band faded away with the success of the members’ other band, ROXXCALIBUR.

Power metal band WITHIN SILENCE will release a new album, The Eclipse Of Worlds, through Ulterium Records on December 6 2024. The band enlisted Matt Smith from THEOCRACY, a band they had toured with, to mix the record.

SABATON is heading to Argentina (Wars And Wolves Metal Fest), Brazil and Colombia in May 2025.

HAMMERFALL will tour Australia for the first time in January 2025. The band has folk rock act VALHALORE and SILENT NIGHT as support.

STEEL INFERNO has an album, called Rush Of Power, through From The Vaults in November.

BMG is releasing We Take No Prisoners, a compilation of MOTÖRHEAD's singles spanning 1995 to 2006, in October. It is available as a nine 7” single box set and expanded double CD and digital editions. Songs include Sacrifice and a cover version of SEX PISTOLS’ God Save The Queen.

GRAVE DIGGER will release a new album, entitled Bone Collector, through RPM-ROAR in January. The first single, Kingdom Of Skulls, will be released on October 11 2024.

Florida, USA-based SEVEN KINGDOMS has signed with Reigning Phoenix Music. This is a part of the label’s partnership with DMG (Distortion Music Group) and Maurizio Iacono of KATAKLYSM. The band has an EP, called The Square, on November 8th, 2024. The band is touring North America with STRIKER, LUTHARO and OSYRON. Following that, they will support UNLEASH THE ARCHERS (which is managed by Iacono) on a European tour in February and March 2025.

W.A.S.P. has dropped UNTO OTHERS from its North American tour this autumn. According to the latter band this was due to W.A.S.P. claiming the openers had not submitted a marketing plan. UNTO OTHERS claims this to be false.

White metal band HALO THEORY has a lyric video for the song Devil You Know off its The Awakening demo of 2023. The video is in association with Rottweiler Records, which the band is working with now.

ATTRACTIVE CHAOS is supporting its Tame & Conquer demo through concerts with VICTORY in Germany and Switzerland. VICTORY has a new album called Circle Of Life through AFM Records. It was recorded by guitarist Herman Frank. There is a lyric video for the songTonight We Rock.

Peaceville has signed NEW SKELETAL FACES and will be releasing the Until The Night album later this year. The band has several US West Coast gigs lined up.

Following the departure of bassist Born and guitarists Aerendir and Lynd earlier in 2024, Keyboard and violin-damaged TWILIGHT FORCE has added two guitarists, a bassist and an additional singer. They are Galyn - High Elf Noble (Galen Stapley, guitar), Bramley Underhall - Halfling Herbalist (Bradley Hall, guitara), Xandor - Dwarven Lorewarden Knight (Alex Miles, bass) and Krysthara - Faun Seer (Kristin Starkey, vocals). Like everyone else, the band has a self-cover version of Battle Of Arcane Might, which originally appeared on 2016’s Heroes Of Mighty Magic.

Chile-based CUERVO has a self-cover version upload and lyric video for the song Dimensión Sin Realidad. The current line-up opened for RIOT V last month.

USA-based WITHERFALL is supporting its Sounds Of The Forgotten demo with an appearance at Mexico’s Candelabrum Fest and a tour of Europe in support of ANGRA and another with MYSTERY BLUE opening.

Progressive guitarist and composer MANUEL BARBARÁ has a demo called Whisper In A Storm. It “combines the aggression and technical mastery of heavy metal with the formal and harmonic concepts learned from the great composers of the 19th and 20th centuries.” Whisper In A Storm is about Blade Runner.

Sweden-based THE STORYTELLER has signed a new record deal with The Circle Music. The band will release an as yet-untitled full-length album soon.

SALEM UK, which is an offshoot of the NWOBHM and SALEM, has signed with Rude Awakening Records and will release a concept album in December 2024. Joining original members Adrian Jenkinson and Simon Saxby are Jonny Hirons and Dan Ellis.

STARCHASER, featuring former TAD MOROSE guitarist Kenneth Jonsson, has an album called Into The Great Unknown through Frontiers Music on November 15th 2024.

Italy-based DGM has a video for the song Final Call, which is taken from the new album, Endless, out through Frontiers on 31.10.2024.

Sweden-based LOCH VOSTOK has a new video for the track Children Of Science, which is taken from the Opus Ferox II - Mark Of The Beast album.

VOIVOD and the Orchestre Symphonique De Montreal will perform the band’s songs together in January. For around $50 to $200 people can hear metal and psychedelic songs played by the band and an orchestra with a conductor.

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD has more 50th Anniversary concerts in the USA this autumn. The band is “celebrating” the #1 hit single, The Loco-Motion, which was a cover version released by the act in 1974.

SCORPIONS is returning to Las Vegas with a ‘residency’ show to coincide with the band’s 60th anniversary in the winter of 2025. BUCKCHERRY will open.

The famous final tour it is: URIAH HEEP is conducting its final major tour over the next few years. The Magician’s Farewell starts in the UK in February 2025. The tour will feature guests APRIL WINE and TYKETTO.

Metalville Records will release TRAPEZE's Lost Tapes Vol. 2. on November 15th. The collection of rarities was assembled by Tom Galley, the brother of guitarist Mel Galley, band manager Tony Perry and Mel’s son Marcus Galley who designed the collection including photos by Carl Dunn.

BraveWords Records has signed JACK STARR for a new solo album entitled Out of the Darkness Pt 2, which is due to be released in 2025. Out Of The Darkness was the man's debut album and released in 1984.

Finland-based keyboard and growls act CHAMPIONS OF SORROW has released its debut demo, The Night Makes Us. There is a video for the title track featuring headbanging to the sound of a synthesiser.

Gothic rock band SCHEITAN releases a self-cover version of the song Fury Flow from the 1999 Nemesis album. Says the man, “I am personally no huge fan of "re-recordings". But I felt that doing this one had something different to offer.”

NANOWAR OF STEEL has a live album, entitled XX Years Of Steel, through Napalm Records on 06.12.2024. It was recorded at Alcatraz, in Milan, Italy in October 2023.

A Toronto-based right-winger called Andrew Marshall wearing a MEGADETH T-shirt was arrested and charged with uttering death threats against the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada.


Metallian Demos

ARGE - EYE OF ETERNITY
Have you heard of Arge before? They are a new name to me. Famous or not, and this girl promises you this group is pretty underground, the 2024 independent single from the band is one hell of an energetic and fiery five minutes. Let’s go through the elements that make Eye Of Eternity shine and stand out. Tight band, with the velocity of a speed metal group, creative bass guitar, thrashing drums, uplifting solo and heck of a cover. Helloween would steal the singer if Arge is not careful. They just need some long metal manes like the bassist and would become even better.
Has this band been this good since formation twenty years ago? Don’t know, but probably not. Can they come up with more tunes like this one? The commonweal of metal would benefit. Power metallers would like an album’s worth of similar material. Here is the website: https://argepowermetal.cl/ - Sheila Wes Det