FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE
"OPERA"
Symphonic Death Metal
Year:23.08.2024
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

Formed in 2007, Italian Symphonic Death Metal maestros FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are finally back with their fifth and brand new album titled Opera, a gut-wrenching musical journey inspired by the tragic mountain climbing accident that occurred to their frontman and mastermind Francesco Paoli, in 2021.“The best stories always come from pain, it's a bitter truth yet undeniable,” says Francesco. “That's why human struggles have always been an unending source of inspiration for artists throughout history. But one thing is creating art that gives voice to someone else’s tribulations, another is accepting to bare your soul to the world and reveal your weaknesses and frailties, while attempting to turn them into new resources for your own creativity. It's a dange...

NAILS
"EVERY BRIDGE BURNING"
Death Metal
Year:30.08.2024
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

For the first time in over 8 years, the blistering assault on our nervous system that can only be described as the sound of NAILS, has reemerged. With Carlos Cruz on drums, Andrew Solis on Bass, Shelby Lermo on Guitars, and Todd Jones on guitar & vocals, the upcoming studio album, EVERY BRIDGE BURNING, will be revealed August 30th, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.For this 4th full length album, NAILS have channeled raw emotion into tracks like “Imposing Will”, a seismic event in the realm of sonic aggression; igniting the pulse, and fueling a fire of hostility. “[This track is] special to the record in that I knew we wanted it to be the opener,” explains founder Todd Jones. “We wanted it to have the effect of an urgency; an immediacy in the music itself. Wh...

DEFILED
"HORROR BEYOND HORROR"
Death Metal
Year:20.09.2024
(SEASON OF MIST)

•    Pioneering the death metal genre since 1992, DEFILED returns with their latest album, Horror Beyond Horror, showcasing a brutal fusion of old school death metal, technical thrash, and progressive elements.•    Featuring singles such as "To See behind the Wall," "Smoke and Mirrors," and the title track "Horror beyond Horror," this album promises a relentless riff avalanche and grotesque explorations into the depths of human depravity, with a total running time of 41:08 minutes.•    Horror Beyond Horror is further distinguished by its high-quality production and refined artistry, making it a must-have for fans of the genre and admirers of bands like Cryptopsy, Hate Eternal, and Dying Fetus. This release strengthens DEFILED&apos...

HAMMERFALL
"AVENGE THE FALLEN"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:09.08.2024
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

That’s right, less than a year after taking the final bow of the “United Forces” tour, the quintet of guitarist Oscar Dronjak, singer Joacim Cans, bass player Fredrik Larsson, guitarist Pontus Norgen, and drummer David Wallin are back with ten brand new solid pieces of classic heavy metal.“This is our 13th album”, Joacim Cans says with pride. “How do you still stay relevant after 13 albums? It’s very much like the opening line to the song ´Avenge The Fallen´: “What is the worst, be the one who died, or be the one who survived.”“Think about it, because it is a tough question”.He continues, “Do we want to be a band who releases new music just for the sole reason of getting out on the road again or do we want ...

BLIND GUARDIAN
"SOMEWHERE FAR BEYOND REVISITED"
Power Progressive Heavy Metal
Year:02.08.2024
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

Right on time with their show at 2024’s edition of Wacken Open Air, BLIND GUARDIAN proudly announce the release of Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited on August 2nd which includes a complete re-recording of this classic as well as a live celebration of 1992’s Somewhere Far Beyond, a landmark record for Germany’s heavy metal titans. After three albums on No Remorse Records, it was the band’s major label debut via Virgin Records and opened threm doors to the Japanese market resulting in a wider availability and presence on the global metal scene. After finding the right balance of speed, heaviness, melodies, drama and irresistible choruses on 1990’s Tales From The Twilight World, Somewhere Far Beyond honed this approach to perfection, evolving further on a conceptual...

BLUES PILLS
"BIRTHDAY"
Blues/ Classic Rock
Year:02.08.2024
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

Blues Pills unveils their fourth studio album, 'Birthday'. Marked by the lead singer Elin Larsson's discovery of her pregnancy during the recordings and journey to motherhood, infusing the music with profound emotion. Written in just a few weeks in Sweden's serene countryside and produced by Grammy-nominated Freddy Alexander, the album captures Blues Pills' raw energy and magnetic charisma in its purest and most honest form. 'Birthday' symbolizes not just musical evolution but also the deep bond between bandmates, evident in their unwavering support for Elin during this transformative time.CD/ LP:        1. Birthday        2. Don't You Love It     &...

DIMBILD
"DUNKELGLOD"
Dark Progressive Metal
Year:23.08.2024
(HAMMERHEART RECORDS)

Dimbild: A Semi Acoustic Journey from Vintersorg!Dimbild emerged as an semi acoustic side project of the renowned musician Vintersorg in 2022, embracing the folky side of his journey in its full context and keeping the intense metal compositions associated with the main act outside. It’s something that has been growming for years but in 2022 it came into its own shape. Departing from the relentless energy of metal, Dimbild has a more subdued and introspective approach to music-making. The project allow Vintersorg to explore a different facet of his artistic expression, delving further deeper into the realms of folk and acoustic music with a hint of melancholy woven into its fabric.Drawing inspiration from nature, mythology, and existential themes, Dimbild’s music tra...

CASTLE
"EVIL REMAINS"
Doom Heavy Metal
Year:06.09.2024
(HAMMERHEART RECORDS)

The high priests of sinister doom return with “Evil Remains”, their sixth album and first for Hammerheart Records!“Evil Remains” is a hook-laden Heavy Metal thrill-ride into Nosferatu nights! Back after a six year break with the black magic fully recharged, Castle has delivered a juggernaut of riffery in a hook laden mix of doom and psychedelictinged classic metal. Adding to the atmosphere of majestic doom, Elizabeth Blackwell’s haunted, full-blooded vocals are electric witch hymns of death and madness; ‘Hear my warning, heed my call’ indeed.Recorded at Raincity Recorders in Vancouver B.C. by producer Jesse Gander (Anciients, 3 Inches Of Blood, Brutus) “Evil Remains” sonically balances the warm and fuzzy with the bombastic powe...

MISTER MISERY
"MISTER MISERY"
Horror Heavy Metal
Year:02.08.2024
(AFM RECORDS)

- Availabel as CD Jewelcase and TRANSPARENT RED/BLACK MARBLED Vinyl- Sweden’s favourite Horror Metal ghouls MISTER MISERY with their 3rd album!Blending clean and gritty vocals with high-voltage riffs and anthemic choruses, MISTER MISERY have developed a unique sound and style, and one that captures the essence of all the sub-genres in modern heavy music. The upcoming self-titled third album is more refined and mature while still retaining their unique energy. MISTER MISERY are getting ready to take over 2024!Sweden’s favourite Horror Metal ghouls MISTER MISERY return in 2024 with a new epos; their self-titled third album, “Mister Misery”.Be prepared to enter a dark and twisted world inhabited by peculiar creatures like “the Crooked Man” or the countess &...

CATEGORY 7
"CATEGORY 7"
Heavy Metal
Year:26.07.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

CATEGORY 7, the new heavy metal outfit boasting the all-star lineup of John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob, Sonic Universe, Noturnall), Phil Demmel (Machine Head, Kerry King, Vio-Lence), Jack Gibson (Exodus), and Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Overkill), will release their self-titled debut full-length on July 26th through Metal Blade Records.With veteran musicians from so many legendary bands, it's hard not to think of CATEGORY 7 as a supergroup. "I think we're pretty super," jokes guitarist Phil Demmel, who has earned mega-metal cred over the decades as a member of Machine Head, Vio-Lence, Kerry King, and has also played as a fill-in road guitarist for Slayer, Lamb of God, Overkill, and others. "Really, I feel like this is a band, not a side project. ...

POWERWOLF
"WAKE UP THE WICKED"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:26.07.2024
(NAPALM RECORDS)

POWERWOLF – a band that fills the hearts of every heavy metal fan with joy – will release their highly-anticipated new studio album,  Wake Up The Wicked, on July 26, 2024 via Napalm Records! With several #1 chart entries and multiple gold and platinum records, POWERWOLF is undoubtedly one of  the most successful current heavy metal bands worldwide. Headline and premium slots at premier rock and metal festivals like Wacken, Hellfest or Graspop, as well as massive sold-out arena shows have further solidified the Wolfpack’s standing at the very top of the scene. POWERWOLF’s high quality  releases are steadily praised by critics and fans alike, building upon the successful reach of their songs and  impressive  official  music  videos,&...

SACRED REICH
"HEAL REISSUE"
Thrash Metal
Year:26.07.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

Arizona Thrashers have announced that they will reissue the hidden gem "Heal" from their rich history on July 26th on CD and vinyl in Europe!"Heal" is the 4th studio album by the Thrash Metal legends, originally released in 1996 via Metal Blade Records and produced, engineered and mixed by Bill Metoyer."We are happy to re-issue the Heal record. It has some heavy tunes and I think was a bit overlooked at the time. You be the judge. Turn it up and play it loud," comments SACRED REICH bassist/singer Phil Rind.CD and vinyl track listings include the bonus track "Beef Bologna" (Fear cover, originally released as a bonus track on the 1996 Japanese release). The CD digipak features a 12 page booklet. Vinyl is available in 180g black, light red orange marbled, transparent steel blue marbled, clear...

KVAEN
"THE FORMLESS FIRE"
Melodic Black Metal
Year:21.06.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

There have been many great extreme metal bands from Sweden, but only one from Kalix. This remote beauty spot near the Finnish border, on the northernmost shores of the Baltic, is home to Jacob Björnfot, creative mastermind behind Kvaen (named after the folk who populated the area in the Viking era). Kvaen’s third album The Formless Fires - their first for those world-renowned headhunters at Metal Blade Records – is a sumptuous but bitingly intense exploration of beauty and violence, a melodic black metal masterwork radiating an inspirational sense of place. Even more than 2020’s folky, speed metal-infused debut The Funeral Pyre or 2022’s compelling, expansive follow-up The Great Below, the vast pine woods and icy lakes are powerfully evoked in the elemental glo...

PORTRAIT
"THE HOST"
Dark Heavy Metal
Year:21.06.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

For almost 20 years, Portrait from Sweden have delivered their ‘heavy metal darkness’ to the world. The bands’ development since the debut demo in 2006 is remarkable. Ever since then, Portrait has managed to develop and stretch their sound into several territories, without losing touch with their original core. Their current day live shows are testimony enough of this, in which songs from the first album or even the Welcome to my funeral demo can be thrown into the set and blend in perfectly with songs from later releases, even though the songwriting and musicianship have developed greatly since the early days of the band.According to the band themselves, their evolution is a result of the goal of finding their own identity as a band. Musical influences will always be par...

HELLBUTCHER
"HELLBUTCHER"
Black Metal
Year:31.05.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

From the depths of the black metal underground, comes one of its most elite figures with a new band and an even more evil attitude. As frontman of legendary Swedish maniacs Nifelheim, Hellbutcher upheld the bad name of real black metal with an iron fist. Now, with this eponymous new band, the frenzied mission continues: nothing less than total metal mania will do. Teaming up with old compadres in evil, guitarists Necrophiliac (also of Mordant) and Iron Beast, bassist Eld, and drummer Devastator (ex-Nifelheim), HELLBUTCHER quickly set about bringing this vision to life. Recording in various locations around Sweden, such as Devastator’s own Red And Black Hall Drum Studio and Iron Beast’s Chrome Studios, and producing and mastering everything themselves, it is a record ...