Metallian Heavy

Sweden-based death metal band GAST has an EP called Förbannelser through Horror Pain Gore Death. The band is compared to GRÁ, NECROPHOBIC and HATE.

France-based death metal band ROTTEN has an album, called Planets Are Only There To Host Our Cemeteries, through Eclectic Productions.

Portugal-based SARDONIC WITCHERY has an album called Hell’s Thorns Attack through Firecum Records on September 1st, 2026. Drummer T.E. is back after an absence of four years. The band also features new member G. Lucis Ruina.

Nuclear Winter Records will release DECONSEKRATED’s album, The Inexorable Transcendence Of Death, on October 2, 2026. The band is based in Chile.

SUFFOCATION, INGESTED, ETERNAL and UNDEATH are touring Europe in October of 2026.

There are only a dozen ETERNALs out there so a new Greece-based band called ETERNAL will release its debut full-length, Conspiracy Of Warheads, through Floga Records on 28.09.2026. ETERNAL is compared to VOIVID and SUICIDAL ANGELS.

Quebec City, Canada-based ETERNAL DRAK has a full‑length album called The Violence Of Time. The band is Andres Martinez Torres – vocals, lead guitar and bass and Michel Amyot – rhythm guitar.

BRAT has an album, called Manslayer, through Prosthetic Records on 25.09.2026. A music video is available for the song Manslayer (Hell Hath No Fury).

Finland-based grindcore duo GOATBURNER and Brazil-based “experimental grindcore” outfit TEST have formed a collaboration called Goatest, which will release its self-titled debut album through Time To Kill Records on September 23rd, 2026. GOATEST features Keijo “Kaos” Niinimaa, best known as the vocalist of ROTTEN SOUND and Jaakko “Spider” Forsman of RATFACE, alongside Thiago “Barata” and João Kombi of TEST. Following the release, GOATEST will hit the road across Europe as part of the Campaign For Musical Destruction Tour 2026, joining NAPALM DEATH alongside MASTER, BRAT and Delinquentes.

SUICIDE SILENCE will embark on the Reminders Of Hell Tour of North America this autumn. Support will come from EMMURE, SYNESTIA and ANGELMAKER.

Italy-based deathcore act DROWN IN SULPHUR has signed with Noble Demon and has a music video for the song New Moon Rising On Florence. The track is taken from an upcoming EP, Strix, out on September 11, 2026.

NOIRE SIRE is a new solo death/black project by Efnys Yersina, a former member of HINDVIR. The act has a self-titled demo.

Montreal, Canada-based CONFLUX COLLECTIVE (previously CONFLUX) has a full‑length demo, called In The Wake Of Saturn, as of June 19th 2026. The act, which is conceived as a collective of different singers and members, features former members of AUGURY, DECREPIT BIRTH, DERELICT, CRYPTOPSY, etc.

Montreal, Canada-based techno-death band VOLUBILIS has a lyric video for Unukhalai Supernova, which is taken from the full‑length demo, Theasterion. Founded in 2020 by “Afro‑Canadian multi‑instrumentalist Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina”, VOLUBILIS evolved from a pandemic‑era one‑man project. Theasterion is a sci‑fi concept chronicling humanity’s desperate attempt to survive after Earth becomes uninhabitable.

Canada-based CEREMONIAL BLOODBATH will tour the United Kingdom and Ireland this autumn. CRYPTWORM will open in the UK.

New Zealand-based death metal band UTILIZE THE REMAINS has a full-length demo called Meaningless Existence. The band was founded in 2021 and climbed the stage of Obscene Extreme in 2024.

Sweden-based death metal band FILTH has its sophomore album Death Exhibition available through Me Saco Un Ojo Records on September 11th, 2026.

Ireland-based death metal band ZEALOT CULT will release a full-length, called Psalms Of Filth, through Awakening Records on 25.09.2026.

Death metal band GRAVECRAWLER will issue a full-length demo called Nidus on August 7th, 2026. According to the publicity, “The album is the culmination of their determination to honour the Swedish death metal scene.”

End Whispers is the title for DYSGNOSTIC’s 2026 album. The death metal band’s album is out through Transcending Obscurity Records.

Spain-based CAULDRON has signed with Odium Records and will release a studio album called AnteInferno.

France-based VIANDE has an album called Monument Aux Morts through Transcending Obscurity Records.

Thrash metal band SARCATOR has an album entitled The Ones We Follow through Reigning Phoenix Music on 30.10.2026. There is a video for the song The Ones We Follow.

Sweden-based solo act FEBRUUS, which is unrelated to the singer for EXTERMINAS, has an album called Construction Of Conflict through Transcending Obscurity Records in September.

Bulgaria-based CARCEROUS issued a debut full-length, called Doomsday Factory, in the spring of 2026. The band has signed with Art Gates Records. The label will reissue the release and is planning on a 2027 album.

MORBID STENCH will release a full-length album, Doom Metástasis, through Nuclear Winter Records and Putrid Cult on October 2nd, 2026. Members live in three countries including El Salvador and Costa Rica.

Greece-based death metal group ABYSSUS has signed with Fireflash Records and uploaded a song called The Meaning Of Pain as of July 31st, 2026. A record called The Reign is available on 23.10.2026.

Austria-based thrash metal band LUDGAR has a debut album called Violent Visions through Dying Victims Productions on 25.09.2026.

Chile-based death and thrash metal band RIPPER has an album called Towards Rebirth through Dark Descent Records.

Portugal-based death and thrash metal band SHADOWMARE has a demo called Transfiguration. The band’s style has shifted and it has become a quartet. The band is compared to THE HAUNTED and DEW-SCENTED.

Australia-based melodic death metal band BESOMORA has a 5-track demo called Devotion To The Fear on September 18. There are several guests on the recording as well.

After a hiatus following the 2017 release Lawless Age on 20 Buck Spin, WEAPÖNIZER has uploaded a song called Victory. It comes in advance of an album called The Steel Beast, which will be released through Ale Wülf Tapes (but on vinyl) in October of 2026.

Norway-based black metal band DEATHCULT will issue a full-length, entitled Cult Of The Dog, through Soulseller Records on October 2nd, 2026.

XASTHUR has an album, called Open To Misinterpretation, through Prophecy Productions on 02.10.2026.

EXUMER‘s new album Death Mask Messiah is slated through Metal Blade Records for 28.08.2026. This album features a new rhythm section.

USA-based MALEFIC has a video for the song Blood Of The Throne, which is taken from the Impermanence album that was released through Terminus Hate City in February. The track “explores the crushing realities of capitalism and modern power structures.”

Germany-based OLD RUINS has an album called Mount Arreat through Sick Taste Music in September of 2026. There is a video for the song Once There Was Light.

INSOMNIUM has uploaded a song called Gleam In The Black through Century Media Records. The song is taken from the Netherworlds album available on October 16th, 2026.

Pagan band KALT VINDUR will release an album called The Void Of Time through The Circle Music in November of 2026.

Germany-based black metal band NARGAROTH has a 14-date long headlining tour of Asia in September of 2026.

Norway-based black metal band ISKALD has an album called Curse Of The Mind, which is a concept record. It is available through Dusktone on 25.09.2026. According to the band, “Built as a conceptual journey, Curse Of The Mind unfolds through four interconnected chapters linked by ritualistic invocations, exploring themes of psychological torment, inner conflict, fragile hope and ultimate sacrifice. Framed within a stark, Norse-inspired vision of Helheim.”

Italy-based black metal band JANVS has returned and has a full-length called Fatum Est through Avantgarde Music in October of 2026.

Groovy band IRONY OF FATE has lost three members, gained two and will forge ahead as a quartet. New members are singer Jessica and drummer Sandro Kernen.

Finland-based speed metal band RAPID will release its debut full-length, Enter The Realm Of Fire, through Dying Victims Productions on 21.08.2026.

Berlin, Germany-based speed metal group SPACE CHASER has an album called Razorblade Bay through Testimony Records in September of 2026.

XENTRIX has an album called Allied With The Enemy through Listenable Records on 30.10.2026. The band has announced a UK and Ireland tour, called Cross-Atlantic Carnage, with NERVOSA for November.

Thrash metal band TORANAGA has signed with Fireflash Records and is working on a full-length album. The band will be touring Europe with ONSLAUGHT and THE PROPHECY²³.

SICK OF IT ALL singer LOU KOLLER died of esophageal cancer on July 24, 2026. He was 59.

Rivers Of Blood is the title for CRITICAL DEFIANCE’s album, which will be issued through Dying Victims Productions on 25.09.2026.

Sweden-based crossover band RAZORVOID has a debut album called Into The Void through Jawbreaker Records on 02.10.2026. Aside from the album’s title being a Black Sabbath song, there are as many metal albums with that title as there are bands called NEMESIS, OBLIVION or TORMENT.

Italy-based crossover band SLUG GORE has a new EP, Pillars Of Eco-Terror Saga, through Time To Kill Records on 25.09.2026.

Canada-based sludge band DESTROY MY BRAINS will issue a demo called Wilt on August 14th, 2026. It is the final chapter in a five‑release saga that spells “wilt.” Beginning with Worthless (2018), followed by InsignifiCan’t (2020), Lifeless (2020), Tormented (2022), the band has executed a concept with each release covering themes of self‑destruction, trauma and sonic decay.

Finland-based metalcore act ENEMIES EVERYWHERE has uploaded a song called My Vengeance through Ranka Kustannus.

SIGH has a record called Goh-Ka through Peaceville Records on September 4th, 2026. It features a guest appearance by OPETH‘s Mikael Åkerfeldt.

Funeral doom metal band WHEN NOTHING REMAINS has lost Mattias Jaselius (guitar) and Gunnar Hård Af Segerstad (bass). Singer Jan Sallander will be handling the rhythm guitars live going forward.

MORBID ANGEL co-founder and subsequently founder of NOCTURNUS Mike Browning has died at the age of 62.

Spain-based mallcore act VENDETTA FM (previously VENDETTA FUCKING METAL) has a single called Faith through Art Gates Records.

Finland-based K&F band Noumena has an album called Maanääri through its own imprint, Haunted Zoo Productions. There is a video for the song Tyhjyys.

Greece-based I SEE RED has won the national Greek contest for Wacken and is playing at the show this year. The group has uploaded two new songs, We, The Void and Pestilent Breed following years of inactivity. The band was previously metalcore, but is now being advertised as melodic death metal. I SEE RED has a song called Pestilent Breed. The track marks the band’s first new music in six years. The band’s line-up has also changed.

TOWARDS THE SINISTER, named after the early MY DYING BRIDE demo, is a new act with former singer Aaron Stainthorpe as of 2026. The sound was to lean on early MY DYING BRIDE. Joining Aaron are former MY DYING BRIDE members Calvin Robertshaw on guitars, Ade Jackson on bass and Rick Miah on drums.

Inspired by KEEL? A reformed LIVING DEATH is playing a show called Speed Metal Party in Finland with ANGELUS APATRIDA, PRESTIGE, DETHRONE, OBJECTOR and CATALEPSY in August of 2026. The band played live in Germany in March.


Metallian Hard

CLOVEN HOOF has a full-length album called Never A Prophet In Your Own Land. It will be released through High Roller Records in September of 2026.

Belgium-based KILLER has a full-length called The Grand Finale through High Roller Records on September 11, 2026.

In a surprise move, KING DIAMOND has replaced Andy LaRocque with guitarist Gus G. who had formerly played with OZZY OSBOURNE and ARCH ENEMY. Gus G. will continue his other projects.

BRAINSTORM has announced a 2027 album called Nightfall. The album is scheduled through Reigning Phoenix Music for the spring of 2027. Following Plague Of Rats, BRAINSTORM continues to expand on lyrics inspired by Indian mythology. This album features a new rhythm section.

UK-based THE SPECTRE BENEATH returns with a demo called The Devil’s Whisper. It follows The Ashen Child of 2023. The new release features one Metallian Towers' serf on its cover.

Germany-based SERIOUS BLACK has a record called Keeper Of The Light through Perception/RPM as of 29.01.2027.

Greece-based heavy metal band ACHELOUS has signed with Cruz Del Sur Music and will release a new album, called Sons Of Uppsala, in March of 2027.

France-based heavy metal veteran act ADX has an album entitled 13ème Choc through Verycords on September 25, 2026.

SAVAGE MASTER and HIGH SPIRITS will tour Europe in March of 2027.

Japan-based ALLEGIANCE REIGN has an album called Sake Battle through Radtone Music.

Spain-based heavy metal veteran act CRUZADA has signed with Art Gates Records. The band was founded in the mid-1980s.

Italy-based power metal band ALETHEYA has a demo called Chance To Reborn on September 18th, 2026. The band features members from CONCEPT, KALEDON, RISEN CROW, LAST PROTOTYPE, etc.

Germany-based MIDNIGHT PREY has an album called Jenseitsritt through Dying Victims Productions on 25.09.2026.

They raped, murdered, pillaged and supported imperialism (a.k.a. We HEART agent orange on civilians): USA-based DISTANCE OF THOUGHT has a 2026 remastered self-cover version of the song Touch My Name, "complete with updated sound and new visuals." Moreover, the song is a "...tribute to Vietnam War veterans, exploring the deeply personal scars of war, loss, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The song stands as a profound tribute to the veterans of the Vietnam War, those who sacrificed their lives, and the families who continue to carry their memory."

Greece-based TRIUMPHER, which released the Piercing The Heart Of The World album in March, has lost guitarists Christopher Tsakiropoulos and Marios Petropoulos have resigned from live work. Bassist Stelios Zoumis will take over the guitar, while Dustin Smith from RIOT CITY will be the act's bassist. A second guitarist is being sought.

Four years after the release of the Chasing A Dream full-length and three years after the Nightmare Opus EP, Sweden-based keyboard-laden act PALANTÍR is at the studio recording again.

Former W.A.S.P. guitarist and current solo artist CHRIS HOLMES has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He suffered throat and neck cancer in 2022. He has begun radiotherapy in France where he, and his wife, have lived since 2014. GoFundMe was activated. He is 68.

Two cliches at the same time. RAGE and SONATA ARCTICA are conducting a co-headlining tour of Europe in the spring of 2027. The former is commemorating the 30th anniversary of its Lingua Mortis album. The latter, being Finnish, will be accompanied by an orchestra.

Wimp-out? AMON AMARTH has a video for an acoustic song called Uppha. A new album called The Allfather Awakens will arrive through Metal Blade Records on October 2nd, 2026.

THE OBSESSED has signed a new contract with Heavy Psych Sounds and will release a studio record in 2027.

SOLITUDE AETURNUS has recruited James-Paul Luna (INTRANCED) as its new singer. He is the replacement for Robert Lowe who departed from the group in April of 2026.

Germany-based doom metal duo NOEKK will return with a new album, called Vergessenes, through House Of Inkantation on 28.08.2026.

Spain-based stoner act KVERNA has had its Chiflodocus album of 2025 rereleased by Selvajaria Records.

Edmonton, Canada-based band FAMOUS STRANGERS has a music video for the song As Your Leader, which is taken from a forthcoming self‑titled release. The song comments on the gap between what political leaders say they will do and what they actually do. The band has several Western Canadian gigs lined up for August of 2026.

Toronto, Canada-based heavy rock band OL' TIME MOONSHINE has a full-length album, called Now I Bleed, through Black Throne Productions as of June 12th, 2026. It was produced by Scott Middleton (SACRIFICE, CANCER BATS, etc.). The band has a video for the song Royal Queen.

Czech Republic-based progressive metal act MINDWORK has a demo called Adrift on August 27th, 2026. The band has appeared four times at Brutal Assault.

BraveWords Records has acquired the SNOWY SHAW (which includes the band NOTRE DAME) catalogue for digital release on Bandcamp. All of the SNOWY SHAW releases are now available to stream or download.

Spain-based hard rock band SONS OF CULT has an album called Revenge through Black Night Productions.

"Cinematic" strikes again! Keyboard-based fantasy band SIEGE PERILOUS has a "cinematic" video in support of its Becoming The Dragon demo. Guest appearances are by Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY and ANGRA) as the dragon in As The Dragon Falls and Kristin Starkey (TWILIGHT FORCE and TEMPERANCE) as the Mystic in Echoes Of Home.

"Cinematic" strikes again and again! France-based "cinematic progressive" band SPHERES has an album called Dyson through Art Gates Records on the 16th of October, 2026. The band was founded in 2018. ALLEGAEON had a song called Dyson Sphere in 2014. In science fiction, a Dyson sphere is a theoretical structure that encompasses a star and captures its power output.

The Netherlands-based PROPHETS OF THWAITES has an EP called Vulnerant Omnes Ultima Necat i through Pest Records. The band mixed pop with doom.

Former CETI bassist Maciej "Maciuperski" Przybylski has died of a heart attack. He was 54.

Japan-based all-girl hard rockers HAGANE are booked to return to Epic Fest 2027 in Denmark. The band played the 2026 edition amidst a tour of Europe.

Ex-NEMOPHILA and current solo artist SAKI has announced the release of a solo instrumental album, entitled Pluvia, featuring guest appearances by Gus G., Frédéric Leclercq and Kawaguchi Senri. The last name is a drummer who has been playing live for Saki since 2025. It will be released in Japan through King Records and JPU Records in Europe on 26 August, 2026. The JPU version comes with translated content.

Adrian Vandenberg has come down with a bacterial infection and been forced to cancel his summer US tour. The guitarist's agent is rebooking the dates.

Slowly We Rot fanzine #27 is available now. Bands featured include FOETOREM, FOSSILIZATION, HANGING GARDEN, HKSPK, INFERNAL FLAME, LAST RETCH, LLOTH and ASTARTE. https://slowlywerot.limitedrun.com/

Capital Punishment Festival has opened band submissions for its 2026 edition, taking place November 26–29 in Ottawa, Canada. Information can be found at https://www.chordproductions.com/capital-punishment.html.

Every single band nowadays is either "black metal," "black/death metal" or "blackened." The catch is that almost none of them are.


Metallian Demos

NOIR SIRE - Same
Noir Sire is a new solo project by Efnys Yersina, former member of an act called Hindvir. This black metal band was active until 2013, but the bassist had left the group before then.
Initially, it was logical to dislike the act without even having hitting play on the demo. Another solo act. A song called Upon The Svlfvr Path (with the correct scene spelling) and, generally speaking, someone who doesn't know when it's time to throw in the towel. Yet, this material is quite good. Despite the hints, and the bio, though, this is more Carcass than some silly little black metal band even if the man insists on being influenced by Scandinavian black metal. The guitar tone is sharp, the riffs' quality is high and the sound is sharp and concise. The aforementioned 'Svlfvr' track is actually crushing and swift. The bass appears in the middle of the song and is complementary. No Horizon has a godly sustain and is heavy. A couple of vocal and sound effects are done just right to make things richer. Indeed, the tremolo-picked evil metal is all over this, but, as mentioned, this is more. Find the band at https://www.instagram.com/noir.sire/ - Anna Tergel