Mad About Rock

  XENITH continue their rapid rise with new single and video Killer Instinct, out now. The track is the first to be lifted from their debut album 'To No Avail', due Friday 28th August, and showcases the band’s fierce energy and intent. Watch the video for 'Killer Instinct' here: Check out the band on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6JlB8LJTRgdQTgOtO8XVb8 Hailing from Manchester, UK, and comprised of vocalist and guitarist Billy Hourigan, drummer Karim Treifi, bassist Jamo Morris, and guitarist Casey Dennis, XENITH emerged in 2024 with their fiery self-titled debut EP, which blended razor-sharp thrash with bludgeoning melodic death metal. The release introduced a band defined by relentless musicianship and a clear sense of identity. They followed swiftly with the faster and more aggressive single, Swim, before closing the year by sharing the stage with thrash legends, Evile, proving themselves to be a formidable live act. Their debut album, To No Avail, conti...

  Following the release of their crushing 2024 demo, ‘Temples Of Pestilence, ’ the Saint-Petersburg quartet has crafted their anticipated debut album, and it doesn’t disappoint! After an atmospheric intro we land at the ‘Epitome Of Fear’ which showcases their sinister, raw and no nonsense death metal, which leaves a lasting impression and leaves you eager to dive further into the dark abyss with the likes of the savage doom-esque offering ‘Devilish Prophecies’ and be hit with the unrelenting groove of ‘Decapitate The Saints’ which is armed with menacing riffs. ‘Ascent to the Crucifixion’ will consume you as you get lost amidst its overpowering, gloomy rhythms and melodies, while ‘Invocation’ will alarm you with its ominous and skilled guitarwork. The final blow, ‘Father Of Sin’, is foreboding, untamed, and powerful, a great way to end. They deliver an impressive, crushing debut album with their authentic old-school death metal infused with thrash, leaving a deep, brutal mark in a s...

  Humanihility, the brand new EP by Polish death metal veterans Vader has been unleashed upon the world today. Please scroll down to purchase your physical copy or to stream the release in full. Five years after the much-lauded 12th studio album Solitude In Madness, Vader return with 3 brand-new tracks once again produced by Scott Atkins at Grindstone Studio, UK. Featuring excellent artwork by Marcelo Vasco (Slayer, Testament, Dark Funeral), this EP marks the first recording as a quintet with guitarist Mauser returning to the group and new drummer Michael alongside vocalist/guitarist Peter, bassist Hal and and another long-time member of the band - guitarist Spider. Humanihility offers scorching new songs that prove to be vicious, thrash-laden anthems perfectly blending old-school thrash with Vader's unique straight-forward fury and neck-breaking tempos. Each of the songs was created by a different band member, giving them a more personal style. The only physical edition will be a ...

  British death metal legends, BENEDICTION, have unleashed the first single from their their upcoming new studio album, Ravage Of Empires, which is due to be released on April 4, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records. The new song is called 'Engines Of War' and it connects well with BENEDICTION's monumental comback record Scriptures (2020) and their classic album Transcend The Rubicon from 1993, offering titanic growls by Dave Ingram towering over a barrage of riffs and unrelenting grooves. As of today, Ravage Of Empires is available for pre-order on CD, LP and as digital album. More info on the physical formats below. Alongside the single, BENEDICTION have premiered a music video today, which was shot by Martin Goltermann. PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE RAVAGE OF EMPIRES: https://benediction.bfan.link/ravage-of-empires STREAM 'ENGINES OF WAR': https://benediction.bfan.link/engines-of-war WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR 'ENGINES OF WAR': https://youtu.be/X32lPrjt0Vw BENEDICTION ...

  The pioneers of melodic death metal are back, and they’re ready to redefine the genre they helped create. THE HALO EFFECT, a band formed by some of the most iconic names in the Gothenburg metal scene, today proudly announces the release of their highly anticipated new album, March Of The Unheard. More than just a nod to their iconic roots, March Of The Unheard boldly announces that melodic death metal is still evolving. Thirty years after their members first propelled the Gothenburg sound to global prominence, THE HALO EFFECT proves there’s no shortage of fresh ideas and electrifying energy in the genre. As a testemony of the album’s ferocity, THE HALO EFFECT has released a stunning video for the lead single 'What We Become'. A quintessential display of the Gothenburg sound, the track is a masterclass in melodic aggression, featuring razor-sharp guitar leads, driving percussion, and shout-along hooks that have kept metalheads enthralled for generations. The video perfectly ca...

  Cult Of Alcaeus has signed with Nova Era Records and joined forces with Necro Algorithm to present "Doomed Algorithms", the split album by Cult Of Alcaeus and Necro Algorithm , released through Nova Era Records. "Doomed Algorithms" is a sonic apocalypse, blending "Doomed Cycles" by Cult of Alcaeus and "Synthetic Souls" by Necro Algorithm, renowned for their crushing soundscapes and futuristic aesthetic. More than just an album, this is a manifesto against humanity's obsolescence under machine dominance, a celebration of chaos where societal collapse meets the algorithm. What to Expect? Devastating riffs, ferocious vocals, and profound lyrics tackling human violence, apocalyptic visions, technological dominance, and the clash between man and machine—all delivered through top-tier production. This album promises to be a milestone in the extreme Death, Thrash, and Groove Metal scene.  Follow Nova Era Records, Cult Of Alcaeus and Necro Algorith...

  French melodic death metal outfit Apocryphal have unveiled their third single “My Hero Inside” taken off their upcoming album “Facing The End”, which is scheduled for release on 12 November 2024 via The Circle Music. The new single, as well as the full album, features Soilwork and The Night Flight Orchestra vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid on vocals. Watch the video to “My Hero Inside” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoCHU2fW7k4 The single is also available via all major streaming services. Pre-order the “Facing The End” album now via The Circle Music: https://thecirclemusic.gr/product-category/the-circle-releases/?filter_artist-name=apocryphal Pre-save the album on digital platforms: https://thecirclemusic.lnk.to/FacingTheEnd “The song ‘My Hero Inside’ delves into the dependencies and the lies we tell ourselves when we fall prey to these afflictions,” said the band. “It perfectly reflects the various states generated by addiction, alternating between dark, violent pas...

  The wait is over. Italian Symphonic Death Metal maestros FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE have returned with their massively anticipated album, Opera, today! Available for stream and purchase now from Nuclear Blast Records, the baroque operatic band’s 6th record is a ferocious collection of intense, volatile tracks directly inspired by frontman Francesco Paoli’s 2021 near fatal mountain climbing accident. Today, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE unveils the turbulent video for the opus ‘Morphine Waltz’; a turbulent glimpse at the band’s raging stage show. Commenting on the track Paoli says: “‘Morphine Waltz’, THE visionary song par excellence, has a much deeper meaning, which goes beyond its lysergic atmosphere. It’s actually a true anthem to science, which once again has proved itself to be the only reality that counts. But this track is also a perfect demonstration that our new line-up is on a whole new level, showcasing Veronica’s amazing versatility besides Eugene’s and Fabio’s insane technical skills...

  Cosmic Jaguar from Ukraine recently unleashed their new album 'El Era del Jaguar', exhibiting their unique sound of technical thrash with avant-garde elements and death with Aztec themes! You can stream the album in full here: You can order/ listen to here:  https://cosmicjaguar.bandcamp.com/album/el-era-del-jaguar For more information on Cosmic Jaguar visit: https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Cosmic_Jaguar/3540518403 https://www.facebook.com/cosmicjaguarthrash https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_Jaguar https://cosmicjaguar.bandcamp.com

  Italian Symphonic Death Metal maestros FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE have released the latest single, ‘I Can Never Die’, from the band’s long-awaited 6th studio album, Opera, that’s due out August 23rd from Nuclear Blast Records. Accompanied by the stunning music video by visionary director Martina L. McLean , ‘I Can Never Die’ is a crushing sonic tribute to artists and their enduring works. Commenting on the song, frontman Francesco Paoli states: "Memory is the strongest force in the universe, as it’s the one and only that can give us immortality. It can’t be deceived or shaped to our liking as, in the end, we are what we do and what we leave to posterity faithfully reflects what kind of men and women we’ve been. Some people don’t give the right value to their actions, focusing on immediate profit, and forgetting that our choices have a decisive impact on our and other people’s existence. Especially when you are an artist. It's essential to remember that everything we create outlives...

  PAINFUL introduce a third and final single from the dark abysses of humanity before the imminent release of their concept album Nefarious Monarchy. As we are used to from the black/death metallers, the record, which will be released in the 20th year of the band's own history (more precisely: on May 25, 2024), provides a closed narrative framework. The four take on the role of observers without the filter of religious or political ideology, and this time present us with the gruesome events in between the lines of the French Revolution chapters in our history books. The new single Reign of Terror is dedicated to La Terreur, the period from fall 1793 to spring 1794, during which the Jacobins around Robespierre were able to torture and execute up to 40,000 people by decree of the Convention. In the song, PAINFUL deal with a revolutionary phase in which bloody cruelty clashed so blindly and destructively with the zeitgeist of the Enlightenment that to this day we meet fundamental chan...

  The new album by black/death metallers PAINFUL, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2024, is due to be released this spring. To shorten the waiting time for fans until Nefarious Monarchy will reign on May 25th, another album single is now available in advance – this time with a lyric video. While the first single Liberty (Dies), the fastest song on the album, was a throwback to the band's roots, PAINFUL now present themselves once again in a black metal vein, albeit with a more sustained, opulent tone: Remaining Shadows is a powerful mid-tempo roller that is occasionally reminiscent of one of PAINFUL's great early influences – SATYRICON: The song is firmly embedded in the context of the concept album, which is dedicated to the dark side of the French Revolution and the human abysses that became evident within it. In the immediate aftermath of the Revolution, France was engaged in armed conflicts with several neighboring states. What went down in the history books...

  Good things take time – more so if you want to create something timeless. This undoubtedly applies to German black/death metallers PAINFUL. After an extended period of tinkering, the band, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, have announced the release date of their upcoming album Nefarious Monarchy – May 25th. The somber foursome have now come up with something special for their fans: On February 9 (Osnabrück, Bastard Club) and February 10 (Oberhausen, Helvete), the entire album will be performed live by the band for the first time as part of two "sneak prelistening" shows, revealing the complete tracklist on stage. A Nefarious Monarchy shirt, limited to 300 pieces, will also be available at the shows. Anyone who is curious can now get an impression of what the ever evolving PAINFUL – including their new singer Latura – will stand for in 2024 with the brand new video single Liberty (Dies): The song is the fastest track on Nefarious Monarchy, drawing heav...

  Guitarist Jorg August of Colombian melodic death metal quartet Eshtadur is unlocking the wisdom of his latest guitar playthrough for the band’s newest single “Fire Above Mountain Below”. Jorg comments: “Fire Above Mountain Below” conjures the ancient wisdom of the pre-Colombian tribes, phrasing 6/8 as a bambuco (Colombian folk rhythm) counterparts both guitars as the mystical connection that the mountain and the fire emerge in powerful magical forces.” “Fire Above Mountain Below,” also incorporates traditional Colombian folk instruments like the Tiple, adding a distinctive cultural layer to Eshtadur’s music. The song tells the tale of a time long past when ancient mountain tribes lived in harmony with nature until Christianized settlers brought forth a dark chapter, displacing and even annihilating these tribes in pursuit of wealth and power. Check out the playthrough video below: And music video for the track can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Ft6AbiHlf_A Along with it be ava...

  After an eight-year hiatus, Birmingham's very own Blackened Death Metal powerhouse, Under Blackened Skies, is rising from the shadows with a vengeance. The band, known for their intense and captivating performances, is thrilled to announce their return to the metal scene, accompanied by a new member on bass, Dan Carter. Dan Carter, formerly of Left For Red, joins Under Blackened Skies with a wealth of experience and a shared passion for the band's unique sound. Carter expressed his excitement about joining the fold, stating, "I was thrilled to be asked to join Under Blackened Skies, they were a band that I admired when my old band used to perform with them. I love playing their songs, and I am excited to share the stage with them in 2024 and write new music." The band's blend of blackened atmospheres and death metal brutality has always set them apart, and their return promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Fans can expect an unforgettable live experience ...

  Re-Armed, the melodic death metal outfit announces the release of their new single, 'Lost and Cast Off'. With relentless energy and an apocalyptic narrative, the Finnish metal act takes listeners on a sonic journey through the depths of despair and mankind's undying quest for survival - without forgetting visual story telling with lyric video. The so-called AI behind this single is bands own written and integrated system called, 'Re-Armed = ATHNTC INDVDLS'. BAND COMMENTS ON: "Behold, our magnificent new song and creation 'Lost and Cast Off' made via our very own 'ATHNTC INDVDLS' - the Mozart of data mastication. We shoveled endless streams of data into our five cores and five processors. Including melodies, chords, and lyrical nuances - like a musical buffet for our algorithmic brains. We learned, adapted, and now spit out tunes with an artistic flair that leaves us wondering, did we even contribute? Can you spot the elusive line between man a...

  Following their recently released and first video single The Seeds Of Greed, which mopped the floor with the perps of religious corruption, PARADOGMATA continue to reveal harsh realities about our society with their very own frantic take on thrash and death metal. And so their video single Seven Curses For The Deathly Pale is born to lash out with a blend of bloodthirsty furiosity and groovy heavy metal riffs. Starting from a calm place and leading with a soft clean intro, the song soon progresses into savage spheres while maintaining its melodic choruses, topped off with frontman's Bøkseth’s bright vocals and a passionate guitar solo. Bøkseth himself tells the tale of this outstanding and diverse track: “This was the song which marked a change in our songwriting, towards more brutal and aggressive soundscapes. To me, it's kinda resemblant to that Edge of Sanity-combo with heavy death metal riffing that's still melodic, you know?” Explore the new music video of Seven Curs...

  Potent Brit death tech metallers, SEMPRUS, throw down their ferocious new EP, A Fractured Reality, on Friday 29th September. The colossal heavyweights have also delivered their striking new single, Insanity, via all major stores. Watch the video, here or below  https://youtu.be/t6YW_J7EEsc Attacking your senses from Guildford, Surrey, UK metal crew SEMPRUS set loose a barrage of gut-wrenching heavy and hefty riffs, framed by technical astuteness and ruthless aggression. With a long list of influences ranging from NiN, Loathe and Slipknot, through to Tool and Thy Art Is Murder, SEMPRUS thrive on crafting music that is challenging, unique, and above all, deeply engrossing. SEMPRUS solidified their line-up in 2021 and are comprised of Travis Beckett (vocalist and songwriter), Aidan Lucas (Guitar), Fabian Pilinski (Bass), Stavros Tagios (Guitar), and Harry Cook (Drums). Last year, the impressive five-piece unleashed their towering debut EP, Desolation , which marked the band...