Metallian Heavy

Canada-based SACCAGE will release its fourth full-length, Chronophage, through Caligari Records on November 20, 2026. It features nine tracks of death metal, grindcore and dark crust. The album pushes the band toward a more aggressive OSDM/grind sound while retaining their raw approach; first single “Terreur Diurne” is out now.

Conrad “Cronos” Lant, singer and bassist of the original black metal band VENOM, has died at 63 with the band confirming his death on October 1st without disclosing a cause. Lant was central to VENOM’s early recordings, including Welcome To Hell, Black Metal, At War With Satan and Possessed and remained active in recent years. Lant filed a lawsuit against former VENOM member Abaddon (Antony Bray) and Plastic Head Music Distribution over alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted VENOM designs in merchandise in June of 2024.

Italy-based INTERCORPSE’s self-titled debut EP is available through Everlasting Spew Records/Unholy Domain Records since the 25th of September 2026. The band is compared to GRAVE.

Indonesia-based death metal act GEROGOT has an album called Eidoloklas through Comatose Music on November 20th, 2026.

USA-based death metal group WORM ALTAR will release its debut full-length album, Pillars Of Eternal Dusk, through Dawnbreed Records and Gurgling Gore, on LP and CD formats limited to 300 and 400 copies respectively, on October 16th, 2026. The cassette edition will be a co-release between Gurgling Gore and Contemn Light.

Montreal, Canada-based SHROUD is supporting Scotland-based speed‑metal band HELLRIPPER in Canada this November. The announcement followed the release of SHROUD’s debut full‑length demo, Pax Nocturna. SHROUD has released a cover of the song Storm Of The Reaper by NIFELHEIM.

CULTIST is touring Western Canada. AUGURIUM, MARES OF THRACE and YEGG are opening different dates.

Germany-based APEP has its 2020 demo, The Invocation Of The Deathless One, reissued on CD by Awakening Records.

Art Gates Records’ THE CURSE MADE FLESH, a new death metal band founded by bassist Joost Van Der Graaf (PESTILENCE, SINISTER, DEW-SCENTED, CREEPMIME and I CHAOS) who is joined by Spanish guitarist Javier Valdi, drummer Fons van Dijk, and final inductee vocalist Morrison De Boer (INFERUM), has a full-length called To Each Their Hell later this year. The album was recorded in 2025.

USA-based death metal band TRAUMATOMY has a full‑length album, called Ascension Of The Ineffable, through Gore House Productions on 30.10.2026.

USA-based death metal band VIOLENCE ONLY, featuring members from BETWEEN THE KILLINGS, STABBING, FLESH HOARDER, HORRIFIC VISIONS, EMBODIED TORMENT and ENFRENZIED, has a self-titled EP through Comatose Records on 06.11.2026.

Finland-based death metal band HEKATOXEN has a debut full-length, Obsidian Majesty, through Nuclear Winter Records on October 2nd, 2026.

MORTUAL (Costa Rica) and NOROTH (USA) will release a split album on 12″ vinyl through Night Terrors Records (Netherlands) and CD/MC through Goat Throne Records (USA) arriving October 30th, 2026. Coinciding with the release, NOROTH will embark on a European tour alongside DRAWN AND QUARTERED running from October 29th through November 13th.

Chile-based deathrash band STRIGOI has a CD repress of its 2024 debut album, Black Magic Fumes, released by Dawnbreed Records on September 11th, 2026.

THE BERZERKER appeared at Brisbane’s Necrosonic Festival on August 22, but the set was halted when a fan was knocked unconscious in the pit. The band resumed after medical assistance. The act’s upcoming shows include Melbourne on October 13 and Damnation Festival in Manchester on November 7, while the ‘lost album’ The Reawakening will be released on limited-edition vinyl, CD and cassette on October 30th, 2026.

Heirloom is the name of a new album by doom/death band SOMNENT, which will be released through Ardua Music on 30.10.206.

Barcelona, Spain-based death thrashers ESTERTOR will release an album, called Evil Black Church, through Black Lion Records on October 23rd, 2026. Joining the likes of KREATOR, FULCI, SADIST, VHS, ARCANA 13, ZEPTER, TENEBRO and OUTREBURST in recent years, the album is a tribute to the works of the Italian masters of horror including Lucio Fulci, Lamberto Bava, Mario Bava and Michele Soavi.

Germany-based deathrash band HERETICS has an upcoming demo called Of Poets And Prophets, which takes inspiration from the Half-Life video game series.

Canada-based melodic black metal band ARCTOS will release an album, called A Path Apart, through Northern Silence Productions on November 6th, 2026. A Path Apart was recorded across several countries over two years. Drums were recorded in Iceland by Helgi Durhuus at Stúdíó Helvíti in spring of 2024. Bass and vocals were recorded between 2024 and 2025 at Oracle Studios with Diego Fernandez in Canada, while guitars and additional vocals were recorded at the Frostbitten Basement Cave in Canada. Mixing and mastering were handled by Juho Räihä at Soundspiral Audio in Finland in 2026.

Japan strikes again on the metal scene. AMTHRYA is back with a new album, Onnen, through Ad Noctem Records out October 11th, 2026. The record takes its name from the Japanese concept of Onnen (怨念), “referring to deep-seated rancour or persistent hatred, and turns that idea into a five-act story of hatred.” There is a video for the song Shūdan Bōrei.

Could the “cinematic” experience, video, scope, concept, music, script or whatever be far behind? Athens, Greece-based former black/death metal band WARHAMMER had a video for the song Hermitage since September 25, 2026. It is taken from the forthcoming studio album, Algos. Like every band out there, the trend followers have picked up a saxophone. A partial list of ‘metal’ bands with saxophone or trumpet now includes COLOSSEUM, GOLD SPIRE, PALLBEARER, RIVERS OF NIHIL, OSUKARU, DAMNATION AEON, FRACTAL UNIVERSE, INFAUST, IN VAIN, DIE ENTWEIHUNG, EPITAPHE, MINNERIKET, PAINKILLER, SAILLE, AKEM MANAH, GREY AURA, etc. etc.

Black metal band FUNERAL WITCHERY has released an album called Beyond The Light through InViMa Records. It is the band’s debut. The USA-based band has a touring line-up that is different from its recording line-up.

Italy-based black metal band COLD RAVEN has uploaded a song and video called My Dark Passenger through Ad Noctem Records. According to the band, “The Dark Passenger becomes a metaphor for a spiritual rebirth through the acceptance of the shadow. The track merges pain and sacredness to transform the dissolution of the self into a declaration of absolute and definitive inner mastery.”

Germany-based atmospheric band URISK has an album entitled Call through Vendetta Records on October 2nd, 2026. The album deals with the loss of wilderness, Gaelic culture and the mythical in Scotland and more. The title carries two meanings: the Scottish Gaelic call, meaning ‘loss’ and the English call meaning reaching out to remember.

Portugal-based black metal band AZZAYA has uploaded the songs Ira and Glory Upon Thee. Ira is taken from the band’s upcoming full-length The Apostasy Of Michael. Glory Upon Thee is a self-cover version with a tat model called Mónica Coelho on guest vocals.

Compared to the band BLAZE OF PERDITION, CHANTS has an album called Echoes through Everlasting Spew Records on the 20th of November 2026.

Germany-based deathcore band CALL OF CHARON has released Tales Of Tragedy (Deluxe Edition) digitally through Massacre Records, combining the original 10-track album with newly released instrumental versions of every song. The edition also features updated artwork and tracklisting, marking the first time the band have issued a complete album’s worth of instrumental versions.

Drummer Pete “Commando” Sandoval has left I AM MORBID and will not appear on the band’s upcoming European tour, saying he no longer felt the same connection to its material. He also confirmed that singer David Vincent will no longer be involved with TERRORIZER, which Sandoval says will continue with changes. The two have been feuding.

Belgium-based death/thrash metal band CARNAL DESECRATION has a new album, Ancient Malediction, through Thrash Records on October 15th, 2026.

Sweden-based melodic death metal band SERPENT SKIES has a video for the song The Colors Of My Truth, which is taken from the band’s upcoming second full-length album. The song marks a return for the band after thirteen years.

Inspired by KEEL? Montreal, Canada-based FORESHADOW has reformed and is issuing a self-cover version release. FORESHADOW, featuring members Patrick Loisel (AUGURY), Kurt Clifford (VANTABLACK WARSHIP), Pierre Pitre (ARSENIQ33) and Patrick Knup (CLEARWATER DEATHBLOW), has emerged after 30 years of silence with a lyric video for the song This Harvest That You’ve Sown. The Here Down On Earth demo, slated for October 2nd, 2026, was to be followed by dates across Quebec, Canada.

São Paulo, Brazil-based THE DAMNNATION has signed with a label called Combat Records. The all-girl trio was founded in 2019.

Ten labels! Italy-based thrashcore band TASTE THE FLOOR’s new album, Aimless Bound, is available through Selvajaria Records on CD. Nine other labels are collaborating on the vinyl version.

Italy-based crossover thrash metal band METHEDRINE has a video for the song Time To Wake Up, from its upcoming demo, Death Punk. It is available on October 10, 2026.

St. John’s, Canada-based thrash metal band WITHIN THE REALM has a demo called …Of Systemic Decay on 30.10.2026. The line-up includes Rick White on bass (FESTERED CORPSE, SACRAMENT A.D., OBERON, RAPID BURIAL, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, INCIDIUM, etc.), Geoff Waye on guitar (CATEGORY VI, TRISKELYON, ARTACH and OBERON), Mike Small on drums/production (JADED TRUTH and WINTERHEARTH) and vocalist Richard Squires (formerly of LAST SOUL DOWN).

Following its appearance at the Rock Hard Festival 2026, Germany-based thrash metal band SMORRAH has released a video for the song Age Of Decay, which was taped live at the show. The song is taken from the band’s 2024 demo, Welcome To Your Nightmare.

UK-based groove band VEIL PIERCER will release its debut EP, This Will Not Be Painless…, through Prog On! Recordings on October 6th, 2026. The group recorded the five-track release with Joe Clayton at No Studio in Manchester only seven months after forming.

Bulgaria-based solo funeral doom act DESTRUCTION OF ORION has its 2025 demo States Of Horror reissued by Aesthetic Death on CD on September 30th, 2026.

UK-based solo techno-death band A DISTORTED UTOPIA has a demo called An Heir To All The Ills Of Flesh. The band member Richard Allsopp is in half a dozen projects.

Ancient Greece inspired band SPARTAN, which is based in The Netherlands, has a five-track concept EP inspired by the Peloponnesian War. The song Critias has a sampled bouzouki woven into the full version of the song and a chorus inspired by ROTTING CHRIST’s Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy.

Since every band is “blackened” the publicist calls this “blackened” too. Deathcore band WINTEROT has a demo called Darkest Day. The band members call Wales and the USA home.

Since every band is “blackened” the publicist calls these “blackened” too. XAON and VORTEX are conducting the Symphony For The Dead: The Last Symphony Europe Tour 2026.

UK-based SEA BASTARD Cyclopean has an album called Cyclopean through Road To Masochist Records. The four tracks in roughly 75 minutes are released digitally.

It’s “cinematic” lol: Hamilton, Canada-based METALADIAN has released a full‑album lyric video for its Deaditation demo, which is described as “a 20‑year culmination of composer, vocalist and drummer Andrew Brophy’s darkest creative visions.” The quartet mixes extreme metal with the standard-issue mandatory “cinematic experience” and Classical music.

It’s “cinematic” lol: Italy-based melodic death metal band JUMPSCARE has a song and video called Call Of The Wild through Sepulchral Silence Distribution on 20.10.2026.

Italy-based URNA has a full-length, called The Great Jihad, through ATMF on 16.10.2026. The album features sides Create and Created. The band mixes funeral doom with electronica.

Italy-based atmospheric black metal project MAREA has an upcoming album, A Caress Of Autumn For All The Lost, through Hypnotic Dirge Records and Masked Dead Records since 09.10.2026.

Hungary-based solo sludge project EMBERTEARS will release an album, called Songs For The Rain God Pt. 2, through Bitume Prods on November 20th, 2026. The act is a project built around concept releases. Lyrically, the album continues a personal interpretation of the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica led by Hernán Cortés.

France-based sludge trio SYCOMORE has released Chat-Loup, a video from its Dégradé, which is scheduled through Araki Records on November 6, 2026. The 10-track album features French-language vocals and shorter songs with SYCOMORE continuing its blend of sludge, post-hardcore and noise rock.

Greece-based heavy/crossover project APÖCALYPSE A.D. will release a demo called Prototype: Zero Hour on September 25th, 2026. Hailing from Northern Greece, APÖCALYPSE A.D. is the act of multi-instrumentalist Chris Gkioursanis.

USA-based STRICKEN has an album called From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens through Horror Pain Gore Death on November 6th, 2026. The band is compared to CONAN and CELTIC FROST.

Black metal band ABHORIA and folkish band VELNIA are touring Southwestern USA in October of 2026. ABHORIA will perform songs from its upcoming album.

The heavy speed band based in Italy, HOUNDS OF DEVIL has a video for the song Peace For My Brothers, War For All The Others from 2025’s Awful Path Of Victory. The band has signed to LA Riot Survivor Records and a new album is scheduled for release in 2027. The band has a third guitarist added to the original line-up now.

After 3 years in the band, as well as producing the group’s comeback albums, guitarist V.O. Pulver has left MESSIAH and been replaced by Oli Stübi (STILL SLAYER, REQUIEM, DEATH KOMMANDER and formerly of SILENT DEATH).


Metallian Hard

U.D.O. will release an album called Voodoo Ranger through Reigning Phoenix Music on January 8, 2027. The album coincides with singer Udo Dirkschneider turning 75 in 2027.

Crawling Chaos Records has signed Germany-based heavy metal band ZUNDER BLITZ. The band, which sings in German, has already issued its Scharlachrot demo. The label will repress the material in different formats.

Following the departure of singer Jacques Bélanger, POWERRAGE, featuring former EXCITER guitarist John Ricci, is looking for a frontman.

FIREWIND will release an album, Gods, Myths & Titans, through BLKIIBLK on 19.02.2027. There is a lyric video for the song The Legend Of Achilles. The album is described as a concept album about Greek mythology.

Heavy metal band DETHONATOR will release The Last Realm Of Magic album digitally through The Orchard distribution on 27.11.2026. The group has a London show at Camden Town’s Devonshire Arms with support from SOLDIERS OF RAGE and KARNIVROUS on October 3rd.

Tales Of The Witchburner is the debut album by Portugal-based DANGER MACHINE. It is issued through Maledict Records.

Spain-based metalcore act RISE OF THE SHADOWS joins Art Gates Records following its victory at the Wacken Metal Battle Spain and a recent appearance at Wacken Open Air. The band is working on an album.

After undertaking a move from the San Francisco Bay Area to Central Ohio, USA in 2021, guitarist Mark Lamb (ACID KING and SCORCHED EARTH POLICY) started jamming with his friend, drummer Scott Sprague. The two had played together in thrash band DIE HARD. The project became WHY SHOULD I, an instrumental band that draws on progressive and thrash metal. The act has a demo called Turn It Off.

GRAVE DIGGER will release a new studio album, entitled Faces Of Pain, through Reaper Entertainment on 15.01.2027. The album was produced by Chris Boltendahl at Graveyard Studios in Senden, Germany. The cover artwork is by Uwe Jarling. The Legends Never Die Tour will feature MOTORJESUS and WARWOLF.

Italy-based power metal band FLAMESTRIKE has a debut album, entitled The Unholy March, through Rockshots Records on 29.01.2027. The band was founded in 2008.

Slovakia-based BALLSQUEEZER has a new demo called Wall Of Death through its own Balls s.r.o. imprint. The "Ball and Roll" band has over 20 releases in the 13 years it has been around.

BOGUSLAW BALCERAK'S CRYLORD returns with another chapter in the story of the band. Birds Of Steel is scheduled for release through Rock Company on October 14th, 2026.

GWAMBA TURMOIL has uploaded a song called Goddess Of Mercy through Red Seed Records. It is from an upcoming 10-track full-length called Overdrive scheduled for release mid-December. The band features namesakes singer and guitarist Brian “Gwamba” Wenzel and Brent “Turmoil” Turner (MAD REIGN), as well as DJ Nicholson (THE MIMES) playing bass. Gwamba has played lead guitar for DEFIANCE and is featured in the current line-up of BLACK OAK ARKANSAS.

Japan-based all-girl hard rock band HAGANE has signed a worldwide physical deal with Napalm Records, excluding Japan, for its upcoming album Through The Night. The album is scheduled for physical release outside Japan on January 15, 2027. The label noticed the band's appearance at Germany's Rockharz Festival this summer. HAGANE is booked to return to Epic Fest 2027 in Denmark. The band played the 2026 edition amidst a tour of Europe. Napalm Records had signed another Japanese all-girl band, namely Lovebites, earlier as well. The word 'Hagane' means 'steel' in Japanese.

Spain-based hard rock and heavy metal band SONS OF CULT has an album called Revenge through Black Night Productions as of 25.09.2026. The song Never Too Late, "is about someone who, despite already being at a certain age, still has a dream that has been inside them for many years: to be part of a heavy metal band…"

Heavy metal/crossover band DAEDRIC SHRYNE will issue an album called Galactic Pain through Cold Knife Records on 20.11.2026.

Following their departure from PRIMAL FEAR in 2024, guitarists Tom Naumann and Alex Beyrodt, bassist Alex Jansen and drummer Michael Ehré return with a new band called FEARLESS V. They are joined by Italian vocalist Gianbattista "Jan" Manenti (THE UNITY). FEARLESS V's debut album, Circus Life, is scheduled through Lucky Bob Records for February 26, 2027.

BraveWords Records has announced the Bandcamp digital release of Australia-based band ILIUM's 2026 album, Scythe Ballet. The album was issued through Arkeyn Steel Records on CD. The band features the label's Giles Lavery on vocals.

LILLIAN AXE has recruited bassist Keith Long. The band is in the studio mixing its next album, which is slated for release through BraveWords Records.

QUIET RIOT has announced a new singer called John Torra. The 23-year old, and the band, have many tour dates booked for the coming months and into 2027 for North and South America. Jizzy Pearl had been singing for the band live.

Japanese-Italian hard rock band VIOLET ETERNAL has a new album, Azure Stardust, through Rockshots Records in January of 2027. Formed in 2023 around Japanese guitarist Jien Takahashi (MAJUSTICE and MICHAEL VESCERA PROJECT) and Italian vocalist Ivan Giannini (DERDIAN, THE 7TH GUILD and ex-VISION DIVINE), VIOLET ETERNAL debuted with Reload The Violet in 2024 and has since evolved into a five-piece.

Italian guitarist Gianmaria "Jommy" Puledda is now a part of SPREAD EAGLE and appears on the new album, The Brutal Divine (Frontiers Records). SPREAD EAGLE is on a 14-country European tour.

Sweden-based AERODYNE has returned to Street Symphonies Records with a new album, Savage Saints. After exploring a heavier direction on the last two releases, the band returns to Street Symphonies with a renewed focus on the hard rock spirit that defined the 2017 debut Breaking Free. Savage Saints will be released on January 22, 2027.

Compared to TYGERS OF PAN TANG and IRON MAIDEN, Portuguese multi-instrumentalist and composer Luis Amaro's L.A. PROJECT has a new release called The Throne.

Spain-based hard rock band ARS NOVA has joined Art Gates Records and is working on an album.

Calgary, Canada's "power groove" band THE ASTRAL PROPHETS has a full‑length demo called Invasion on October 30th, 2026. The band has a gig in Calgary with VICTORIA LIES, CABRAAKAN and KYLE PULLAN on 30.10.2026.

Canada-based BONEYARD will release a demo, called Black Static, on October 23rd, 2026. Beyond the music, BONEYARD stands out for its representation: a Métis drummer, a female LGBTQ+ bassist and a video for the song Before The Fall that is explicit in its messaging.

SABATON has a new version of its song Templars featuring Leigh Kakaty of pop/rock act POP EVIL. The song is available through Better Noise Music. SABATON and POP EVIL singer Leigh Kakaty debuted the version at Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky, USA in September.

Canada's Armstrong festival 2027 is accepting band submissions for 2027. AMF will begin taking band applications for its 2027 line-up from October 1st to 15th.

GoFundMe Nation: Under swampy billionaire Trump et al, money flows for tax cuts for those who need them least, a White House ballroom, an algae pool, a Christmas gift to the super-slim Secretary and war on Iran and its schoolgirls, while the United States remains the only wealthy nation without health coverage. GoFundMe campaigns apparently auto-launch the moment illness strikes. And how is that $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded slush fund to pay the January 6 rioting mob going?


Metallian Demos

APÖCALYPSE A.D. - PROTOTYPE: ZERO HOUR
Greece-based solo act Apöcalypse A.D. is described as a heavy/thrash metal band that is comparable to Trivium, Powerman 5000, etc. It is true that the band is not something to write home about, but surely the act is not that bad. Cliche monicker aside, the sound, which also veers into crossover, suffers from so-so riffs, a drum machine and accentuated vocals that are an acquired taste. On the flip side, there is plenty of power and a good distortion on the guitar.
Song-wise, Little Angel (She Fades Away) is the track with a harder tone and changes the vocals to a harsher tone for a little while. Manchild Syndrome has a good heavy metal riff, a touch of crossover and a rumbling bass, but, and the 'but' is going to be used and overused in this review, boy is the drum machine conspicuous. A short rhythm is reminiscent of Trust's Antisocial. The boring drum machine beat is overly… boring. Big Bang (Heart Attack) is a funny title. Heart attacks are no laughing matter (unless they happen to Ilias Kasidiaris, Mussolini, Hitler, Bibi or Stormy's stud of course), but the title makes me laugh. The accentuated chant of Big Bang (Heart Attack) drifts into more music and vocals that reveal the punk side of the act. Blink Of An Eye comes with an electronic start that is New Wave! Good riffs and distortion somewhat cut through the drum machine, but the simplistic and easily disposable riffs do nothing for the love (lust) song. Out Of Control is punkish and has a fine bass sound, but suffers from being repetitive and possibly out of tune. Second To None is tepid and the annoying drum machine detracts. The riffs are not bad. It is not a chore to listen to them, but the vocals sound like the man is rapping. The song's start is wimpy as hell.
The scene is overcrowded because bands like this, that don't really do anything for anyone, are kicking around. Before someone says, 'Well, he is doing it for himself and his own enjoyment' then let me suggest he does it for himself and his own enjoyment. - Ali "The Metallian"