Metallian Heavy

Canada-based death metal band LAST RETCH has signed with Time To Kill Records and is expected to release a full-length this year. The band is a quintet.

Japan-based veteran thrash metal band VALKYRIE ZERO has issued a self-titled EP through Slumber Records. There is a video for the song Amakusa Riot.

PANZERFAUST and GROZA are touring Canada and the USA this autumn. The tour is dubbed All Grounds Zeroed.

Canada-based death metal quartet HARVESTED has a new demo and it is called Dysthymia. It will be available on August 1, 2025. There is a video for the song Harvested. The band’s live line-up features Nick Rodgers of MISSHAPEN and its follow up SONS OF THE NETHER.

Avantgarde Music ‘s death metal division Unorthodox Emanations is releasing CRONOS COMPULSION’s Lawgiver (death metal from the USA) album.

Germany-based BEGGING FOR INCEST has a full-length demo called Going Postal. It is the band’s first release in 9 years and scheduled for August 22, 2025.

UK-based slam metal band PARTY CANNON has a video for a new song called Thirst Trap. The band is on Unique Leader Records.

USA-based CYTOLYSIS will release the Surge Of Cruelty album through Comatose Music on August 8th 2025. The act is the solo project of drummer Darren Cesca (HIDEOUS DEFORMITY, GORATORY, etc.).

Germany-based KHNVM has an album called Cosmocrator through Testimony Records. The act is run by Bangladesh born singer and guitarist Obliterator.

Finland and Italy-based black metal band MARGANTHA has uploaded a song called Wolves At The Door from its debut EP Blood Moon Sacrifice, which is available through Rockshots Records now. Wolves At The Door was mixed and mastered by Andy LaRocque at Sonic Train Studio.

Rottweiler Records and Broken Curfew Records will release the debut album by PULPIT VOMIT, which is entitled Hospital Lens on July 27th. The labels work with main man Seth Moyer’s MANGLED CARPENTER as well.

Concert guitarist Andrea Mirandola has transitioned to a full member of Italy-based death metal band SONUM.

Pride strikes again: Black Lion Records is “proud” to sign Poland-based DECONSTRUCTING SEQUENCE for the release of its sophomore full-length due in the autumn.

UK deathly duo CULT BURIAL has a demo entitled Collapse Of Pattern, Reverence Of Dust. It will be released on September 5th, 2025.

Adaptation is the name of the new album by ABYSSALIS. The release is available through Transcending Obscurity Records on 15.09.2025. The record also includes material from the act’s 2023 EP, The Mountain.

Spain-based death metal group FERMENTO will issue a demo called Acts Of Blood on 28.07.2025.

UPON STONE has a video for the song Fury My Master, which is taken from the band’s End Time Lightning EP. It is released through Century Media.

USA-based solo act EMBERS OF OUROBOROS will issue The Autumnal Decline And Hermetic Maturation album through Horror Pain Gore Death on July 11th 2025. The act is compared to EMPEROR and DARKTHRONE.

California, USA-based solo black metal project DEVOURING FAMINE has a new full-length demo called Chains Slavery Filth.

Poland-based thrash metal band MROME has a video for the song Aristocrat off the band’s latest demo, Boneyard Twist.

In advance of a new album, VERMINGOD has returned after an absence of ten years with a new music video, called The Fundamental Scorn, as of June 27, 2025.

UK-based PHOBETOR has a new demo, entitled A Solitary Vigil, on July 25th. The release was mixed by Ollie Roberts at Kettle Brew Studio and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory at Rory Sound Studio.

Death/doom band PILGRIMAGE has signed with Meuse Music Records.

Costa Rica-based death doom band PERISHING has signed a deal with Transcending Obscurity Records. A debut full-length, entitled Malicious Acropolis Unveiled, is due soon.

Denmark-based SUNKEN has a new album through Eisenwald on 24.10.2025. Lykke (‘Happiness’) was produced, mixed and mastered by Johan Emanuel Jørgensen. SUNKEN will embark on a tour of Europe with IFFERNET, FRIISK, ULTIMA NECAT, NYRST and LOTH at the end of the year.

Ukraine-based black metal purveyors ESKAPISM has signed with Naturmacht Productions and will release a full-length on August 1, 2025.

A Canada-based offshoot of ETERNAL DRAK, originally based in Colombia, has a demo called The Warrior Order. It contains a self-cover version of the entire 2002 demo, La Resurreccion De La Orden Guerrera. Confusingly, the publicity states, “… with Latin rhythms adding a unique touch of cultural depth. The band’s steadfast commitment to black thrash metal serves as a constant…”

Solitary Forest Necromancy is the name for the newest AZATHOTH’S DREAM album. Iron Bonehead Productions is issuing it this July.

Inspired by KEEL? The Brazil-based deathrash band VERTEBRA has reformed after 30 years and will release The Same album through Xtreem Music on July 29th 2025. The sole returning member is singer and guitarist Arildo Leal who has included four old songs on the album.

Hideous Aftermath is the title for the new album by SANGUISUGABOGG. The album will be released through Century Media on October 10, 2025.

Veteran Australia-based band MONOLIYTH has an album called He Who Kills through Wormhole Death Records as of 22 August 2025. The album looks through the eyes of a serial killer. There is a video for the song Excised Unborn.

USA-based death metal band INNUMERABLE FORMS has an album called Pain Effulgence through Profound Lore Records in August. It was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk.

Former HIRAX brothers Lance (guitar) and Steve (bass) Harrison return with a new San Diego-based band called HARXSON, which was founded in 2024. The band (cheekily pronounced “hair-ex-son”) has a video called Mata Al Diablo from the debut demo, Can’t Kill Us. The duo is joined by another HIRAX alum, drummer Mike Veg.

TONIC BREED, the metal project led by Norwegian musician Patrik K. Svendsen, has a single, called Anew, since June 19th, 2025. This track features Chris Adler known from LAMB OF GOD.

Because everyone has to be in six bands and loyalty and dedication are so 1999: VISITANT’s debut album Rubidium is available through Exitus Stratagem Records on 22.09.2025. The band’s line-up features Anthony Lusk-Simone (drums/synthesiser) from ABIOTIC and LATTERMATH, Kilian Duarte (bass) from ABIOTIC and SCALE THE SUMMIT, Taylor Tidwell from UNALIGNED and Chelsea Marrow from VORAATH. The band was founded by Chelsea Marrow (vocals) and Taylor Tidwell (guitar). The band is compared to GOJIRA and OPETH.

India-based TETRAGRAMMACIDE has an EP, entitled Cyber-Tantric Paradigm Of Radical Sri-Vidya, through Iron Bonehead Productions in September.

USA-based deathcore band SPITE has completed its upcoming album, which follows 2022’s Dedication To Flesh.

Australia-based metalcore act FALL & RESIST has a demo called Dissolved In Misery. Dissolved In Misery marks the debut of guitarist Luke Murnane, allowing frontman Liam “Frosty” Frost-Camilleri to focus on the vocal duties.

Chile-based thrash metal act MAWIZA’s next record is called Ül and out on July 18th 2025.

Germany-based thrash metal band MOUTH OF MADNESS has a debut full-length called Event Horizon. It is available through Darkness Shall Rise Productions.

Greece-based techno-thrash band VENUS has a new song called Uploaded Brains, which is an appetizer to its upcoming second album.

Finland-based thrash metal band INDEMON has released its debut full-length Reclaiming Chaos through Inverse Records.

Former VENGEANCE RISING singer, guitarist and bassist Roger Martinez has died due to cancer.

Time To Kill Records has signed Finland-based sludge band TRYPANON. Formed in 2017, the band features members of local outfits such as HAAPOJA, DART and RENATE/CORDATE.

Horror Pain Gore Death has signed sludge act RED BRICK and will issue the Thrown album of the USA-based act in July 2025. The band is, according to the label, for fans of DYSTOPIA, SECRET CUTTER, KEN MODE, PRINCE and Michael Douglas. The song The Price is presented as a queer resistance anthem.

UK-based TIGGUO COBAUC has recruited bassist Dan Rees (BONESTRIDER) to the fold. Former member Renato Ramos left in 2024.

Doom and sludge band ZATOKREV has a full-length album called …Bring Mirrors To The Surface through Pelagic Records on August 29th, 2025. It is the band’s first in ten years.

Japan-based speed metal band VERDALACK has a debut full-length, called Force From The Grave, which will be released through Hells Headbangers Records this month.

Belgium-based speed metal band SPEED QUEEN has a debut album called …With A Bang through High Roller Records in September. It was recorded and mixed by Koen Keijers and mastered by Thibault Chaumont.

France-based brutal crossover and fusion band KAMIZOL-K has a new full-length demo called Diary.

Folksy, melodic and ambient, Canada-based FINNR’S CANE returns with an album called Finnr’s Cane. It will be released through Nordvis on 29.08.2025.

France-based NARAKA, described as “modern metal” with electronica, has signed to Art Gates Records.


Metallian Hard

Germany-based heavy metal band REINFORCER has a new album, entitled Ice And Death, through Scarlet Records on 22.09.2025.

Italy-based heavy metal act CRYSTAL SKULL has an album called Arcane Tales through Underground Symphony Records.

Belgium-based heavy metal band FIREFORCE has a video called The Battle Of Ramadi. It is issued through ROAR.

USA-based WINGS OF STEEL has signed with High Roller Records and will release an album called Winds Of Time. The label will also re-release the Wings Of Steel and Gates Of Twilight demos.

VICIOUS RUMORS is touring the USA in August and September of this year. The US Asylum Tour will alternate Texas-based LABYRINTH, PROJECT LEO and WICKED as openers.

Germany-based TERRA ATLANTICA has signed a multi-album deal with Scarlet Records. An album is scheduled for a September release.

Sweden-based metalcore and metal band LIV SIN has an album called Close Your Eyes through Seek & Strike on August 8th, 2025. The rule of the scene requires guests to be present and LIV SIN has hired Lars Palmqvist from SCAR SYMMETRY.

Kscope has signed The Netherlands-based progressive band TEXTURES and issued a single called Closer To The Unknown. The group is working on a full-length release.

Brazil-based progressive metal band JACK THE JOKER has a music video for the song Between The Sky Lines. It is taken from The Devil To Pay In The Backlands album. It is in stores on August 22nd, 2025.

WATCHTOWER, featuring singer Jason McMaster, is working on new music. The veteran band was reactivated again in 2022.

Chile-based IRON SPELL has an album, called From The Grave, through Dying Victims Productions on 25.07.2025.

Hungary-based heavy metal band BURNING SUN has an album, called Retribution, through Metalizer Records (LP and CD) and Eternal Fire Records (cassette) on 22.08.2025.

Doom metal band ANCHORITE has signed with Personal Records and shall release a full-length, called Realm Of Ruin, on August 1st, 2025.

USA-based doom act PROFESSOR EMERITUS is back eight years after the release of its debut record, Take Me To The Gallows. The group has an album called A Land Long Gone through No Remorse Records on June 13, 2025.

USA-based heavy and doom metal band WOLFTOOTH has signed a record deal with Ripple Music. A new record is due later this year.

IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS full-length demo A Crack In Everything is available as of July 11, 2025.

Poland-based Neoclassical band BOGUSLAW BALCERAK’S CRYLORD has an album called Lost Bloody Heroes through Rock Company. Göran Edman is on guest vocals here.

Attack of the sets continues: TROUBLE is booked for the Keep it True XXVI with an "exclusive" set with heavy focus on the first two records, Psalm 9 and The Skull. Hammerheart Records has rereleased the Revelations Of The Insane compilation covering 1980 to 1994.

Sweden-based SPARZANZA has an album called From Dust To Darkness which will be out through Despotz Records this summer.

Sweden-based hard rock band BLACK MOON JUNE has a new single as of the 27th of June. Army Of The Dead reflects on the horrors and futility of war.

Sweden-based hard rock band CROWNE will release a third full-length, dubbed Wonderland, on 22.08.2025. The band remains on Frontiers.

The first DRAGONBORN demo, Riddle Of Steel Beyond Ultima Thule, features scene session drummer Kevin Talley (DYING FETUS, MISERY INDEX, SIX FEET UNDER, etc) and keyboard player Jonny Maudling (BAL SAGOTH, MY DYING BRIDE, KEEP OF KALESSIN, etc).

Formed by musicians Eimel Trejo and Joel Marco (both from DAERIA), ETJM is an instrumental progressive metal act that has been signed by Art Gates Records.

DAVID REECE's new BANGALORE CHOIR album will be released on BraveWords Records in late 2025. The new album is titled Rapid Fire Succession: On Target Part II. It was produced by the label's Giles Lavery who also sings for ALCATRAZZ. The two bands, and GIRLSCHOOL, will tour later this year.

Rock and hard rock band FURY has a digital single called Interceptor through Mighty Music. The band is touring the UK all summer.

Nick Jonas, who is one of the siblings in the pop act the JONAS BROTHERS, has been recruited to be KISS frontman Paul Stanley in the upcoming KISS biopic Shout It Out Loud.

Taking their name from a cemetery in Wilton, New Hampshire, USA, VALE END has signed with Extreme Management Group.

AIRBOURNE is completing work on an album called Gutsy, which is due for release in Q4 this year. The Gutsy single is available now.

THIN LIZZY is among 100 artists who signed a letter in support of Ireland-based hip hop group KNEECAP to play the Glastonbury Festival. KNEECAP's support for Palestine and condemnation of Israeli genocide had earnt the trio a demand by the Prime Minister of UK Starmer and 30 music executives signing a secret letter demanding the act be banned. The performance went on despite the pressure.

All metalcore hates metalcore. They all call themselves 'modern metal' or 'contemporary metal' because the truth sucks.


Metallian Demos

EMPTY CHALICE - VIOLATED OATHS
Violated Oaths is the 2025 demo by the West Coast Canucks Empty Chalice, whose art is noisy and primitive speed metal with vocals from beneath the abyss of death. It is speedy brutal metal which pays no heed to trends, production, commercial appeal or much else really. It goes for the jugular with all the speed, zeal and abandon of a 1986 underground demo. If very early Destruction, Bathory, Exodus and Living Death means something to you, then it's time to violate all the useless oaths that inhibit your life and pick this up. The only other thing worth commenting on is how a 10-minute demo should probably have skipped the two-minute-long intro. Head over to https://emptychalicebm.bandcamp.com/. - Ali "The Metallian"

HARVESTED - DYSTHYMIA
Hold on! Aren't modern bands supposed to feature a trumpet, an accordion, some, er, synth, erm I mean orchestration, incorporate half a dozen guest musicians, have at least one 1980s' pop cover version and… still call themselves 'death metal' or heck even 'metal'? Harvested didn't get the memo apparently. Thank dog!
The Ottawa, Canada-based death metal band's full-length demo of 2025 does the job. As evidenced by the cover artwork and title - Dysthymia refers to a persistent depression - the theme here is mental illness. Songs like Repressed Neurosis, Unending Madness and Synaptic Confusion tell the tale. One thing remains steadfast: the band's sound comes across as Cannibal Corpse meets Cryptopsy meets Suffocation. The lyrics mention "human waste" at one point. The aforementioned Synaptic Confusion is a highlight with a gigantic chord and a loud bass. Gathered And Deluded is another good one. It has nifty speed riffing. Designed Dilemma delivers a delicious solo. This is meat and potatoes death metal that is tight and accomplished. A couple of songs do sound similar, Harvested and Voices Of The Void for example, which is something the band needs to work on, but this is the type of release death metal fans would cherish. This is why the band will never get its own feature in The Guardian, sign to Poserurism Records or appear on any wimpy website's Top 10 of the year list. Or maybe the real reason is all the bugs flying around in the band's very sexy video for the song Harvested, making it very likely it was shot at a McDonald's? - Ali "The Metallian"