Metallian Heavy

Poland-based black/death metal trio MASSTERON will release a full-length album, Second In The Spheres, through ATMF on 24.09.2026.

Sweden-based death metal veteran band SORCERY has an album called The Immaculate Sin through Xtreem Music on 01.10.2026.

Chile-based ATOMIC AGGRESSOR and USA-based ECTOVOID have announced a 14-date European tour for September of 2026. This includes a stop at Killtown Deathfest.

Techdeath metal band VICTIMS OF CONTAGION will release a demo called Egregore on 25.09.2026.

Nuclear Winter Records will release the River Of Slumber debut album by Greece-based death metal band CASKET DWELLER on October 22nd, 2026. The trio was founded in 2022.

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions has issued MUCOSAL’s debut EP Amalgamated States. The death metal band features members of TO VIOLENTLY VOMIT, ROTTENNESS, MANIACAL FORCE, APOTHIC and DISSIDENT CLONE.

Venezuela-based BURIAL RUTHLESS has an album called Held by Evil through Great Dane Records. The band described as having connections to Venezuela, Ecuador and Spain has a video for the song Demons Within.

Solo gore band VOMITORIAL CORPULENCE, now featuring only Paul Green, has returned after twenty years and has a release called Martyrdomical Symphonanthem through Rottweiler Records.

VOMITORY has lost guitarist Christian Fredriksson to the famous “personal reasons.” Upcoming concerts will be performed with Jonas Kjellgren (WORLD BELOW, ex-CENTINEX, etc.) who has helped the band previously.

Scotland-based DEATH COMMANDER has an EP called The Great Offensive through F.D.A. Records.

Iceland-based death metal band MANNVEIRA and Germany-based GLEICHMACHER are touring Europe in September.

Death metal band ACAUSAL INTRUSION has a full-length called Vomit Meditation through I, Voidhanger Records.

Crawling Chaos Records has issued a demo cassette by DESEASED called Torrential Hellfire b/w Moloch. The tape is limited to 100 copies.

Poland-based NEOLITH has an album called Inbir through Deformeathing Production on September 12th, 2026.

The Netherlands-based black metal band ASGRAUW has a studio album called Solips. The album will be released through Void Wanderer Productions on November 14th, 2026.

Death metal band ELDFÖDD has an album called The Night Belongs To The Dead through Edged Circle Productions. The group was founded in 2025 and is another side-project of the likes of Victor Brandt (WITCHERY, ex-ENTOMBED, ex-ENTOMBED A.D., etc.) and Perra Karlsson (IN AETERNUM, NOMINON, etc.).

Norway-based thrash metal band VINGULMORK has an album called Barmhjertighetens Fallitt through Crime Records. It follows the Avgrunn EP, which was issued in 2019.

Italy-based deathcore/death metal band DROWN IN SULPHUR has signed with Noble Demon and has a music video, New Moon Rising On Florence. The track is taken from the upcoming EP, Strix, which is out on September 11th, 2026.

Singer Greg Kennedy who sang for WASTEFORM and GOATMASS died on August 17th, 2026. He was 50 years old.

Ireland-based deathgrind band ANCIENT MALICE will release a demo, entitled Worm Tongue, on September 4th, 2026. The band is compared to ENTOMBED and NAPALM DEATH.

Grindscene Records will issue THE CRAWLING’s What We Leave Behind EP in October.

Brazil-based solo death metal act DIVULSOR has a demo called Abysm.

Greece-based melodic death metal band AETHERIAN has a nine-date tour of Europe booked for this November.

More “cinematic” stuff: Montreal, Canada-based OMBRA will release its Night Terror demo on September 14th, 2026. The song Hysteria “features explosive energy, fusing cinematic atmosphere, thrash‑driven aggression…” Formed by lifelong friends Giuseppe “G” Criniti (vocals/guitar), Marco Sisti (guitar/bass) and Nico‑Angelo Sisti (drums), OMBRA emerged in late 2020 after G and Marco departed their hard‑rock project NRTH.

Montreal, Canada-based progressive metal/metalcore band WOODEN returns with a song called Veil Of Mankind, a song from the band’s forthcoming demo, which will be released at a later date. The song is inspired by Plato’s allegory of the cave, which was also deployed by Dysgnostic on a track called Into Salvation’s Night.

The saxophone can’t be far behind. Formed in early 2024, The Netherlands-based band MYSTICAL DEATH has a full-length called Across through Rottweiler Records. The band is billed as “death metal,” but has “programming” and “clean female vocals.” The main man asserts that while he is a Christian and his lyrics reflect it, MYSTICAL DEATH is not a white metal band.

Doom/death project THŪN returns with its newest album, Changeling, which will be released through Eat Lead and Die Music in November. The band is an international virtual collaboration.

Oregon, USA-based death/doom metal band BESOTTEN has an album, called Eye Of The Monolithicrypt, through Transcending Obscurity Records on November 6th, 2026.

Germany-based black/death metal band CH’AHOM will issue a new record, called Anthropic Rites Of Sublimation, through 20 Buck Spin on 18.09.2026.

DEVANGELIC has been confirmed for the 2027 edition of Maryland Deathfest. In the meantime, the band is in the studio recording a new album.

Sweden-based SKUGGOR’s upcoming album The Expanse is available through Nordvis.

Italy-based funeral doom metal band URNA will release a new album, called The Great Jihad, through ATMF on 16.10.2026. The band has reverted to English with this album, which expands on singer RM’s personal spiritual journey through Hermetism.

Funeral doom project UMUS will release its debut album, Voidlit, through Ksenza Records/Aesthetic Death as a CD and double LP on 13.10.2026. The three members report living remote to one another.

USA-based black metal band DUMAL has an album called The Trials Of Existence through Alte Seelen in October of 2026.

Seven years after any significant activity, Finland-based PAARA returns with a full-length album, Laulut Tulen Ja Jään, through Dusktone on 30.10.2026.

Philosophical USA-based duo IAPETUS has a full-length called The Mother Void through Willowtip Records on 16.10.2026.

VENOMOUS ECHOES has a music video for the song Mater, which is taken from the Ŋvęŧş: Violator Of Mater album. The album is available through I, Voidhanger Records.

Italy-based post-black metal quartet DIE SÜNDE has signed with Time To Kill Records and will release its debut full-length album, Effemeridi, before the end of 2026.

USA-based SPIRIT POSSESSION will issue its Cathedral Speech album through Profound Lore Records/Sepulchral Voice Records on October 2nd, 2026.

Canada-based solo black metal band ENCASEMENT will release a self-titled debut full-length through I, Voidhanger Records and Hypaethral Records on September 4th, 2026.

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM will issue an album, called Estuary, through Century Media Records and Relapse Records on 23.10.2026. “The record is set 1000 years in the future. Survivors of a cataclysm wander the haunted ruins and post-apocalyptic religion takes form in a wild landscape.”

Greece-based ZEMIAL performed at the Drums Of War Festival in Spain with an exclusive old-school setlist on August 27, 2026.

Belgium-based BLOEDMAAN will release its new album, Circle Of The Moon, through Immortal Frost Productions on 30.10.2026.

Sweden-based DET EVIGA LEENDET has signed with Debemur Morti Productions for the release of an album called Vehemence later in 2026.

Italy-based thrash/folk band HELLMETALL has a video for the song Mgła (‘Fog’), the title track for the forthcoming album, which is slated through Rockshots Records on September 4th, 2026. The band’s most recognizable trait is the use of Resian – the ancient Slavic language spoken in Val Resia – as the exclusive language for its lyrics.

Lloydminster, Canada-based sludge quartet DESTROY MY BRAINS has a demo called Wilt on August 14th, 2026.

TOMBSTALKER’s new album, Chaos Monolith, will be available through Shadow Kingdom Records on 25.09.2026.

UK-based THE BLEEDING has an album called Godless Communion through Redefining Darkness Records as of September 18th, 2026.

UK-based thrash metal band SOLITARY has announced a 12-date tour of the UK in support of Hatred xXx, a free compilation album of the band’s material, for this autumn. The group will play the entirety of the tracks. Advance ticket purchases include freebies.

WHIPLASH‘s Thrashquake demo, which was available on the band’s 2026 European tour with NAPALM DEATH is being rereleased by Time To Kill Records as Roar. As well as a new title, the record offers new artwork as well.

UK-based thrash metal band STRUCK A NERVE has a video for the song Execution Protocol, which is the title track for a new EP on Listenable Records.

San Francisco Bay Area thrashers ABSOLUTE DARKNESS have a full-length demo called Witness To A Dying World in October of 2026. The band emphasizes that the music was written by all the current members and the group intentionally avoided a click track.

SAVAGE GRACE returns with Underworld, a new studio album and first new full-length since 2023’s Sign Of The Cross. Led by founding guitarist Christian Logue and featuring a new line-up of Sebastian Hauser (vocals), Cristian Blade (bass) and Marcus Dotta (drums), Underworld is available through Back On Black Records on 23.10.2026.

France-based metal/metalcore band LETHERNAL UTOPIA has a video for a new song called The Halo Of God.

Crossover band JUDICIARY has a music video for the song Death Knell, which is taken from the Stalagmite Angels EP. The EP is available through Closed Casket Activities.

Progressive thrash band ODIOUS SPIRIT will release a full-length album, called The Sourceless Scourge, through I, Voidhanger Records on October 9th, 2026.

Chile-based metal/metalcore act DECESSUS, which is fronted by Ignacia Fernández, a model who was crowned Miss Mundo Chile 2025, has signed with BLKIIBLK. The band is working on an album.

Montreal, Canada-based metalcore band KILLED BY SORROW has a full‑length demo called Empire Of Excess.

ATAVISTIA, OMNIESIA and TROLLWAR are touring Canada this autumn.

The attack of cinematic everything gathers steam! This one has “cinematic production”: The Netherlands-based groove act TERRADOWN has uploaded a song called The Deceiver, which serves as the first glimpse into the band’s forthcoming concept release, The Crowned Fool, which is scheduled for release in 2027.

Milan, Italy-based post-metal band RISE ABOVE DEAD has signed with Argonauta Records and will release a new full-length album, called Voidmass, this autumn. The band reports a new line-up.

Germany-based “doom punk” band KAVRILA has an album called Transcend through Supreme Chaos Records available on November 6th 2026. There is a video for the song Exhume.

Solo progressive electronica and metal act ORBITAL SOUL SYSTEM has a demo called Nightwing. The band’s previous release Eternal Voyage was recorded in 2017, but issued in 2021.

White metal band SYMPHONY OF HEAVEN has uploaded a song called The Ballad Of Nicolaus Farel. The song “premieres the story of Grandmaster Nicolaus Farel, a tale long known amongst the brethren of The Ordo Aurum…” The band’s last full-length was called Ordo Aurum Archeia.

Chaos Control is the title for Japan-based metalcore band CHAOS CONTROL‘s 2026 album. Chaos Control is slated for 21.10.2026. The band’s Brazilian singer Dan Figueiredo is replaced by South Korean singer Jinn. Miho, formerly of LOVEBITES and DESTROSE, is the live bassist and Hibiki (摩天楼オペラ, etc.) is on drums for concerts.


Metallian Hard

WOLF will release an album called Hour Of The Wolf through Fireflash Records on 15.11.2026. It's comprised of 9 songs and was produced by Pontus Egberg and co-produced by Niklas Stålvind. There is a video for the song Death Satellite.

IRON SAVIOR has announced a new studio album, called Deathbringer, through its new label Frontiers Music for 13.11.2026. Patrick Opitz is on bass now.

Canada-based heavy metal band TURBO will be touring the EU this October. Dubbed the Canadian Invasion Euro Tour, the quartet will perform dates in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Germany.

Italy-based heavy metal band IBRIDOMA has issued a full-length called Sangue Innocente. The title track is also a video featuring Giacomo Voli of RHAPSODY OF FIRE. The video clip was directed by Alessandro Moglie.

Germany-based heavy metal band NECK CEMETERY has a video for the song Midnight, which is taken from The Curse Of Neck Cemetery album. It is available through Ripple Music.

The USA-based hard rock and heavy metal band JUPITER CYCLOPS will release an album called One Eye Opens through Rockshots Records on 20.11.2026.

France-based hard and heavy band HOT HELL ROOM has a demo called Blood Red Sand available on October 2nd, 2026.

Fifteen years after the project's debut, Needs Must When The Devil Drives is the title for ABSOLUTE POWER's new album, which will be released through Time To Kill Records on October 30th, 2026. ABSOLUTE POWER is the brainchild of vocalist and producer Simon Efemey and NAPALM DEATH bass player Shane Embury.

Germany-based DAWN OF DESTINY has an album called Ashes Over Tomorrow through El Puerto Records on October 30th, 2026.

Thunder God is the title for the next CRYSTAL EYES album. It will be issued through Massacre Records on 30.10.2026.

AVRAK is a side-project by Nocturno Culto of DARKTHRONE. Due through Peaceville on October 9th, 2026, Avrak was recorded, mixed and mastered in Mølla Studio by Knut Magne Valle in February 2026.

Finland-based heavy/doom metal band SMOULDER has a new album, Witch Wife In An Alien World, through Cruz Del Sur Music on 30.10.2026.

USA-based heavy/doom metal band SILVERTOMB has an album, entitled The Interpretation Of Nightmares, through Steamhammer on 13.11.2026. There is a video for the song No Way To Live.

Spain-based STREAMER has a video clip for the song Rock All Around, which is taken from the forthcoming Into The Void album. The band's label is High Roller.

Stoner/doom act TEMPLE WITCH has a forthcoming full-length release called Veiling The Void. TEMPLE WITCH traveled to Pittsburgh in the USA to record at The Vault with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Hillis (grunge bands like ALICE IN CHAINS and PEARL JAM) to record in an intense three-day session in October of 2025. There is a video for the song Maker's Breath.

The doom metal band THRONEHAMMER has an album, called Slay | Kill | Erase, through Supreme Chaos Records on October 9th, 2026. The album has a playing time of 73:31. The band is touring Germany in October as well.

Sweden-based doom metal band VOID MOON has released The Runes That Bind album through Obelisk Polaris Productions as of 28.08.2026.

Doom metal band ORBITA has an album called Farewell To All We’ve Lost through Aural Music on the 9th of October, 2026.

Finland-based doom metal band CIMINERO has signed a contract with Italian label Argonauta Records. The band is working on a studio album currently.

Doom act SLEEP has an album called Hempispheres through Third Man Records. The band has announced a North American tour for this autumn featuring a headlining slot at Levitation Fest on Sept 13th.

I - The Forge is the debut album of Spain-based CRIMSON COVEN. It will be issued through Cruz Del Sur Music on October 9th, 2026.

To promote its Atropa album, Switzerland-based E-L-R has a European tour with ABRAHAM and ISKANDR on select dates.

Switzerland-based hard rock band REBEL ROSE has a demo called In The Dark She Grows, which will see a digital release on October 2nd, 2026. The demo was produced by Swiss producer Reto Burrell, with Barend Courbois, known for his work as bass player for Michael Schenker Group, also contributing to the recording.

The lemming rides again! More "cinematic" stuff: "Cinematic" NYC "Progsters" ENSTRIFE have a music video for the song Stupor.

Canada-based keyboard-drenched ALTERSOUL is the follow-up band to OMINOUS ECLIPSE, which officially split up in 2022. The new band has a cover version of an OMINOUS ECLIPSE song called Abandoned.

SHAKRA has a record called Just Live Loud on September 4th, 2026.

Travelling Around The World is the title for the new PIRATE QUEEN album. It will be released through Despotz Records on 04.09.2026. The band is booked for the female-fronted Violence Fest in Belgium this month.

VICTORY has cancelled its Temple Of The Fallen Culture tour, which was slated for April of 2027. This was attributed to, "to completely unforeseen scheduling conflicts."

ZZ TOP drummer Frank Lee Beard has died at the age of 77. There is no question of stopping even if an original member is no longer there so the band canceled a couple of gigs, but resumed activities right after for its The Big One! tour that weekend including travelling to the Austin City Limits show.

GLENN HUGHES has stated that, based on medical advice, he is pausing live performances. He also noted that he is going to have an open-heart surgery. Hughes is 75.

Finland-based keyboard-laden act AFTER INFINITY has uploaded a song called Everlasting Mark, featuring guest vocalist Sara Strömmer of SHEREIGN. The track comes in advance of the upcoming Beyond Eternity album which is scheduled for release through Rockshots Records on 23.10.2026.

Joining the bandwagon of pop cover albums in recent years (IRON SAVIOR, EXIT EDEN, MYSTIC PROPHECY, GHOST, ATROCITY, JORN, THE LAST REIGN, REINXEED, NORTHERN KINGS, etc.), is TRISKELYON 's Metalmorphosis album containing cover versions of BRYAN ADAMS, DURAN DURAN, TEARS FOR FEARS, etc.

TRIUMPH has announced the second part of its Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded USA tour, continuing the celebration of the band's 50th anniversary, for November of 2026. Opening is fellow Canadians APRIL WINE.

Even metalcore bands, managers, publicists and labels hate metalcore. They call it "modern metal" or "contemporary metal" instead. Funny how their metalcore/modern metal/contemporary metal is devoid of the metal part.


Metallian Demos

THE SPECTRE BENEATH - THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
The Sanctuary/Nevermore-ish music is more than competent: speedy, tight and sounding both promising and superlative… until the vocals kick in. To the listener's dismay, the female singer, who admittedly can hit the high notes, does her best Eurovision/pop/soft rock/Evanescence/The Gathering impression, dampening - actually destroying - the (metal) mood. Too bad, because the band knows its way around tight rhythms, solos and power. If only I could EQ her vocals (and constant laughter) out. - Ali "The Metallian"