MORRATH‘s story begins in 2017 when teenage maniacs founded a thrash metal band Prowler in their small hometown in western Poland. After few years of local gigs, loads of lineup changes, leaving Maslakowski and Jankowski as the only original members and finding a drummer capable of playing blastbeats, they changed their name to Morrath, following their musical shift into heavier and faster playing, improvement in skills and to simply get a fresh start.
Within 5 years they released: “Inhumanity Enthroned” (2021, EP), “Centuries of Blindness” (2023, album), “Przegnity Konglomerat” (2025, split) and now they are preparing to put out brand new EP titled “Obscure Abominations“. They also played numerous amount of live shows and shared the stage with bands like Incantation, Nocturnal, Arkona, Vomitory, Anima Damnata, Stillborn, Baalzagoth and Gallower.
Music for “Obscure Abominaion” EP was recorded during fall in 2024:
guitars, bass and vocals recorded in Świniarnia Studio Trzcinica by Damian Duda
drums recorded in Poznan by Mateusz Wrobel
All was mixed and mastered by Michał Grabowski (Christ Agony, Towards Hellfire, Feto In Fetus). Cover artwork was done by Mieszko Jankowski (Coffinwood, Leprozorium, Night Lord). On the upcoming record few guests performed:
Eryk Jakubczyk (Frightful): guitar solo in “Gospel of Heretics“,
Szymon Plewa (Night Lord): guitar solo in “Human Eradication“,
Damian Duda (Vishurddha): synth & keyboard in “Where the Obscure Dwells“,
Krzysiek Śniadecki (Godslut): guest solo in “Blasphemy Reigns“.
EP will be released digitally and as limited CD up to 300 pcs by Polish underground label Necroscope Blasphemia. Physical release will consist live tracks from split “Przegnity konglomerat” released in 2025 on strictly limited edition to 80 tapes. Pre-order of the upcoming EP is available on Bandcamp (link here).
TRACKLIST:
01. Gospel of Heretics 02. Human Eradication 03. Where The Obscure Dwells 04. Blasphemy Reigns 05. Where Salvation Meets The Rot (live, CD bonus track) 06. Crimson Demons (live, CD bonus track) 07. New God Exalted (live, CD bonus track)
Band comments new EP: “We decided to make our music more dark, moody, transcendental and even psychedelic or ‘acidic’, while still making sure we deliver the right amount of aggression and brutality. Guitars, bass and vocals were recorded in less professional space than those of the album, which gave us more control over the sound, more time to work etc., so “Obscure Abominations” finally have the sound we think works the best for our music“.
Watch video to the song “Gospel of Heretics” at Death Metal Promotion:
Since 2018, NITE have proudly carried the torch for Bay Area metal. But the San Francisco natives are catching fire behind their white-hot new album. Cult of the Serpent Sun was named one of the best albums of 2025 by Decibel, New Noise, Invisible Oranges and other major publications, as well as Nate Garrett from Spirit Adrift. Now, as they prepare to ignite Inferno Festival, the blackened heavy metal band are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their latest critically-acclaimed LP with Bandcamp.
Today, NITE are thrilled to announce that Cult of the Serpent Sun was selected as February’s record of the month by Bandcamp’s heavy metal club. Curated by veteran metal writer J. Bennett, The Hard Stuff spotlights notable releases from across the world of heavy music.
“As 2026 gets underway, we here at The Hard Stuff would like to spotlight one more of our personal favorites from last year”, Bennett says. “Cult of the Serpent Sun sees the San Francisco-based NITE sharpening their melodic brand of blackened heavy metal into something undeniable. They’ve taken the strongest elements of their two previous records and distilled them into an all-killer, no-filler collection of songs steeped in traditional heavy metal, black metal and rock ‘n’ roll. Don’t blow it!”
“We are excited to be featured on this month’s The Hard Stuff”, NITE vocalist and guitarist Van Labrakis says. “We are very proud of what we did in Cult of the Serpent Sun. It’s a solid heavy metal album. We are glad that more people will discover it through this feature”.
Subscribers to The Hard Stuff receive a high-quality digital download of Cult of the Serpent Sun, plus an exclusive interview with NITE and a subscribers-only listening party where they can chat with the band.
1. Cult of the Serpent Sun (4:56) 2. Skull (4:31) 3. Crow (Fear The Night) (4:11) [WATCH] 4. The Mystic (4:55) 5. The Last Blade (4:32) 6. Carry On (4:29) 7. Tarmut (5:14) 8. Winds of Sokar (3:52)
When darkness engulfs the world, NITE sets the sky ablaze with white-hot, blackened heavy metal.
Having journeyed to the stars on their last venture, NITE now faces the abyssal and shadowy mythology that has long laid dormant beneath society. Each of the eight epic battles on Cult of the Serpent Sun tests their mettle. But amidst the album’s blackened perils, the band emerges victorious.
“NITE strives to be a light,” says vocalist and guitarist Van Labrakis. “Cult of the Serpent Sun is about how we persevere in times of immense darkness.”
Ever since banding together in 2018, NITE has carried the torch for Bay Area metal. Darkness Silence Mirror Flame debuted their blackened twist on NWOBHM. “…raucous, Marshall-fueled heavy metal that would be the envy of many a British band in the 1980s,” wrote Invisible Oranges. Follow-up Voices of the Kronian Moon upped the ante with more strutting tempos and windblown shredding, much to Stereogum’s delight. “It’s like speeding down a freeway at night in a Corvette with the top down, but everyone is wearing velvet capes.”
On Cult of the Serpent Sun, NITE wisely triples down on their trusty arsenal. Instead of scaling back, their third album adds more heft to the band’s armor. Labrakis and fellow guitarist Scott Hoffman’s molten leads duel with heightened showmanship. Drummer Patrick Crawford pummels and gallops while Avinash Mittur rattles the chest with his Rickenbacker bass. The title track charges with newfound urgency, slithery and venomous in its attack.
The album’s “more is more” philosophy is guided by what NITE have learned from the road. Since their last studio stint, the band have stormed the stage at Northwest Terror Fest, toured with fellow statesmen Persekutor and Haunt and marched across the Southwest on the road to Hell’s Heroes VI. “Fans really responded to older songs like ‘Acheron’ and ‘Genesis’,” Labrakis says. “Cult of the Serpent Sun has more songs that are fast and upbeat and help lift people’s spirits.” Galvanized by a foundation-shaking groove, “Skull” defiantly crushes. “Crow (Fear the Night)” is a rallying cry, calling for fists to rise with power and might.
NITE’s classic weaponry shows no signs of rust on their third album. “The Last Blade” draws first blood amidst an acoustic flurry before thrusting onto the offensive. “The aim here is not to replicate that era but to explore and evolve,” Labrakis told Decibel when asked about the band’s influences. Cult of the Serpent Sun honors the trailblazing spirits of old by honing what separates this band’s particular alchemy from mere imitation brew. “The Mystic” expands their sonic palette, featuring a slow-burning bass line that stretches time and space into a hypnotic portal. With its whirling and enchanted melody, “Tarmut” glimmers like a desert mirage.
“We play a traditional style of heavy metal, but the blackened element takes us in a different direction,” Labrakis says. His road-hardened voice stands resolute in “Carry On,” denouncing the perils of war. “Dream on and find who you are,” he beckons on the album’s triumphant closer “Winds of Sokar.”
On Cult of the Serpent Sun, NITE guards the altar of blackened heavy metal with sharpened blades and axes raised.
Lineup: Van Labrakis: Guitar / Vocals Scott Hoffman: Guitar Avinash Mittur: Bass Patrick Crawford: Drums
Recording studio 210 Studios San Francisco and The Hoagie Container
Production credits Recorded by Van Labrakis Produced by Van Labrakis and Nite Mixed and mastered by Van Labrakis at 210 Studios San Francisco
SCHATTENMANN strike back with the release of the official music video for their new single ‘Kamikaze’. The track is taken from the upcoming studio album “Endgegner”, set for release on March 13 via PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music!Sonically aggressive yet emotionally uplifting, the band once again proves they are not here to play it safe.
“Instead of destruction, this is about joy, energy, and freedom,” says vocalist Frank Herzig. “’Kamikaze’ translates to ‘divine wind.’ Our song captures the feeling of being carried by the moment, uplifted, full of energy, enjoying every second to the fullest while leaving all rules and conventions behind.”
Driven by pounding rhythms, sharp-edged guitars, and an instantly infectious chorus, ‘Kamikaze’ shows SCHATTENMANN at their most explosive and life-affirming. Herzig adds: “It’s a positive, high-energy metal track where the ‘divine wind’ carries you, turning risk into euphoria. It’s about living the moment to the max. KAMIKAZE MODE ON!”
The song signals a decisive next step for the band and sets the tone for a new chapter in their musical journey. With “Endgegner” [German for“Final Boss”], SCHATTENMANN present themselves sharper and more focused than ever.
Produced by Henning Verlage, the album represents a clear cut and a deliberate evolution of the band’s sound. Following four studio albums and their first Top 10 chart entry with “Día de Muertos”, SCHATTENMANN continue to prove that change and progression remain at the core of their identity. Heavier, more aggressive, and unapologetically metal, “Endgegner” sees the band reborn in steel and fire, poised to claim their place in today’s heavy music landscape!
Endgegner Track-List: 1. Endgegner 2. Besser als der Rest 3. Kamikaze 4. Einen Scheiß muss ich 5. Wir sind das Ende der Welt 6. Kein Kommando 7. Schna-na-naps 8. Unmensch 9. Echo 10. Auf die Zunge (Schattenmann Version) 11. Alter Ego 12. Gelegenheit macht Liebe
“Endgegner” Tour 2026 w/ special guests Böse Fuchs:
12.03.2026 DE Frankfurt – Das Bett 13.03.2026 DE Oberhausen – Kulttempel 14.03.2026 DE Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn 15.03.2026 DE Saarbrücken – Garage 19.03.2026 DE Hamburg – Knust 20.03.2026 DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 21.03.2026 DE Erfurt – From Hell 26.03.2026 DE Munich – Backstage (Halle) 27.03.2026 DE Cologne – Luxor 28.03.2026 DE Hanover – MusikZentrum 04.04.2026 DE Berlin – Hole 44 05.04.2026 DE Magdeburg – Factory 13.11.2026 AT Dornbirn – Conrad Sohm 14.11.2026 AT Vienna – Szene
Founded in 2016, Nuremberg-based band SCHATTENMANN have entered the metal world by storm! Pinnacling with their top 10 album “Día de muertos” in 2023, the quartet – singer Frank Herzig, guitarist Jan Shook, bass player Luke Shook & drummer Rorschach – paved their way with impactful songwriting but also with energising live shows. A thrilling combination which has resonated with a wide range of range (mostly) European metalheads so far. Sheer metal and continuous touring are the keys of why SCHATTENMANN have become one of the leading German ambassadors in the hard ‘n’ heavy universe within less than 10 years.
SCHATTENMANN are: Frank Herzig | vocals Jan Shook | guitars Luke Shook | bass Rorschach | drums
From protégé to torchbearer, Joe Bonamassa honours his hero B.B. King with today’s release of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100. The expansive 32-song tribute starring 40+ special guests was curated and produced by Joe Bonamassa in celebration of B.B. King’s 100th birthday. Released via Bonamassa’s KTBA Records, the album arrives as the culmination of a months-long rollout before revealing the full scope of King’s enduring influence.
The idea for the project emerged when Bonamassa realized that, despite King’s towering stature, no definitive musical tribute was taking shape around the centennial. “What we figured out was that nobody was really doing a tribute record to him,” Bonamassa explains. “It wasn’t really on anyone’s radar. So in January of 2025, we decided to start the B.B. King Blues Summit 100 album.”
At the center of the completed album is the long-anticipated recording of “The Thrill Is Gone,” featuring Eric Clapton and Chaka Khan. One of the most iconic recordings in the blues canon, the song represented both an opportunity and a responsibility. From the outset, Bonamassa and co-producer Josh Smith approached the track with a singular focus: honor the weight of the original by giving the artists the space, support, and trust to deliver it honestly.
Photo Credit: Robert Sebree / Nick Nelson
“You can’t do a B.B. King tribute record and not do ‘The Thrill Is Gone,’” Bonamassa says. “It’s such an iconic song, and it’s a big ask.” When it came time to record it, there was no room for compromise. “For Eric Clapton and Chaka Khan doing ‘The Thrill Is Gone,’ we used real strings, real horns. The budget was whatever it cost, because you only get one chance to do this correctly. And I think we nailed it.”
That philosophy guided the project as a whole. With more than 50 artists contributing across 32 tracks, the production process could easily have become unwieldy. Instead, Bonamassa found the opposite to be true. “Everybody showed up and brought their A-game,” he says. “Dealing with 32 songs and all those artists, to have little to no resistance on anything, you go, ‘Okay, we’re doing this right.’”
Rather than assembling a traditional compilation, Bonamassa and Smith built the album from the ground up, recording core tracks first and then inviting artists to step into songs that carried personal meaning for them. “We weren’t making sound-alikes,” Bonamassa notes. “We played it in the spirit of B.B. King, but we did our own versions.”
Produced with the full support of the Estate of B.B. King and The B.B. King Music Company, Blues Summit 100 brings together an intergenerational group of artists spanning blues, rock, soul, and beyond. Across its 32 tracks, the album features performances from Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Keb’ Mo’, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, George Benson, Christone“Kingfish” Ingram, Marcus King, Warren Haynes, Dion, Larkin Poe, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Bobby Rush, Michael McDonald, Slash, Aloe Blacc, Trombone Shorty, and many others.
Bonamassa describes the line-up as intentional, not exhaustive. “We wanted a good cross-section,” he says. “Artists who are icons, and artists who maybe aren’t as well known yet.” The result, he believes, is something rare. “In my opinion, this is the greatest gathering of blues artists in the last 50 years for a bespoke album that started from scratch. And it came together because of B.B. King himself. No other person could have made this happen.”
The project was first announced on September 16, 2025 – B.B. King’s 100th birthday – with the release of its opening tracks and a commitment to a slow, intentional rollout. Over the following months, Blues Summit 100 unfolded in stages, allowing individual performances to stand on their own before revealing the album’s full arc. Along the way, the project drew national attention, including a CBS Mornings feature exploring Bonamassa’s early relationship with King and the deeper motivation behind the album, as well as recognition from Esquire, which named it among the Most Anticipated Albums of 2026.
At its core, Blues Summit 100 is rooted in Bonamassa’s own history with King, who first invited him on tour at age 12. That early mentorship shaped not only Bonamassa’s musical path, but his understanding of responsibility, generosity, and stewardship within the blues community. Those values guide the project throughout – from the way artists were approached to the care taken in honoring the material.
B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 is available now on all digital platforms, as well as in physical formats including a double CD and a 180-gram triple LP vinyl edition. Proceeds from the project support the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, extending King’s legacy through education, preservation, and direct support for musicians.
As the album arrives in full, Bonamassa continues to bring its spirit to the stage throughout 2026, with select performances featuring artists connected to the project and tributes woven into his live shows. Together, the album and its ongoing life onstage reflect the central idea behind Blues Summit 100: that the blues endure through care, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing the music right.
B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 – Full Tracklist
Disc 1: 1. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss feat. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram 2. Don’t Answer The Door feat. Marcus King 3. To Know You Is To Love You feat. Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks 4. Let The Good Times Roll feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Noah Hunt 5. Sweet Little Angel feat. Buddy Guy 6. When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around) feat. Larry McCray 7. When Love Comes To Town feat. Slash, Shemekia Copeland & Myles Kennedy 8. The Thrill Is Gone feat. Chaka Kahn &Eric Clapton 9. Watch Yourself feat. Jimmie Vaughan 10. Why I Sing The Blues feat. Bobby Rush 11. Sweet Sixteen feat. Jimmy Hall & Larry Carlton 12. Don’t You Want A Man Like Me feat. Larkin Poe 13. I’ll Survive feat. Keb’ Mo’ 14. Heartbreaker feat. Trombone Shorty & Eric Gales 15. There Must Be A Better World Somewhere feat. George Benson 16. Chains And Things feat. Gary Clark Jr.
Disc 2: 1. How Blue Can You Get feat. Warren Haynes 2.. You Upset Me Baby feat. Chris Cain 3. Ghetto Woman feat. Ivan Neville 4. Night Life feat. Paul Rodgers 5. Ain’t Nobody Home feat. Jade MacRae & Robben Ford 6. Bad Case Of Love feat. Joanne Shaw Taylor 7. Never Make A Move Too Soon feat. Dion 8. Three O’Clock Blues feat. Marc Broussard 9. Think It Over feat. Train & Chris Buck 10. It’s My Own Fault feat. Kim Wilson 11. Every Day I Have The Blues feat. D.K. Harrell 12. Please Accept My Love feat. John Nemeth 13. So Excited feat. Aloe Blacc 14. When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer feat. Dannielle De Andrea 15. Playin’ With My Friends 16. Better Not Look Down feat. Kirk Fletcher
ABOUT JOE BONAMASSA
Blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performing musicians of today. As a five-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and 15x Blues Music Award Nominee (4-time winner), he achieved his 29th No.1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart with his highly acclaimed 17th studio album Breakthrough, which has been described as his most adventurous and genre-defying album to date. Only in his 40s, Bonamassa has become a living legend with an astounding multi-genre catalog. He has released more than 50 albums, including studio and live recordings, as well as collaborative albums with his adventurous side projects: Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party.
A prolific writer who is always on the hunt to expand his eclectic musical horizons, Bonamassa has a limitless work ethic whether it’s in the studio, on the road, or working with other artists to spur new music. In recent years, he has produced an immense number of albums including Joanne Shaw Taylor, Marc Broussard, Larry McCray, Jimmy Hall, Robert Jon & The Wreck and others for his independent labels Journeyman Records and KTBA Records, and has also launched Journeyman LLC, a full-service artist management, record label, concert promotion, and marketing company that builds awareness for independent artists worldwide. Visit www.jbonamassa.com for more information.
UK heavy rock band TOYS THAT BÏTE have announced their debut album ‘You Have Been Warned’, is set for release on 6th March 2026 via Scare Bear Records. The announcement coincides with the release of their new single ‘Gentlemen’s Club’, out today (6 February), and confirmation of the hard rocker’s band debut Bristol headline show at the Exchange.
Rooted in classic heavy rock but driven by modern bite, ‘You Have Been Warned’ is built on twin guitars, punchy tempos and choruses designed for crowd participation. While the band nod to the influence of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith and Dio, the focus is firmly on momentum and songcraft rather than nostalgia.
Watch ‘Toys That Bïte’ (official music video):
Recording for the album took place at Axe & Trap Studios in Wells, Somerset, with producer Ben Turner (Part Chimp, Hey Colossus, Mark Lanegan) capturing a tight, direct and riff-led sound. The finished recordings were then mastered by Grammy-nominated producer and mixer Romesh Dodangoda (Motörhead, Bring Me The Horizon, Funeral For A Friend, Bullet For My Valentine) at Long Wave Studios in Wales, giving the album its weight, clarity and impact.
Toys That Bïte deliver a razor-sharp twin-guitar attack locked to galloping rhythms and melody-forward hooks. The rhythm section leans into groove and swing rather than blunt force, giving even the heaviest moments a sense of swagger, while the vocals strike a balance between grit and theatrical punch that leans into legacy but with AJ’s (lead vocals) own take.
With a growing fanbase already rallying behind them, ‘You Have Been Warned’ presents Toys That Bïte as a band arriving fully formed, focused on riffs, stories and giving audiences something real to shout back.
‘You Have Been Warned’ is released via Scare Bear Records 6th March 2026.
Album Tracklist:
1 Toys That Bïte 2 Genius Level Stupid 3 The Devil Took My Heart 4 Last Train To Hell 5 Ladies Of The Night 6 Tits (Makes Him An Animal) 7 Little Black Book 8 Hit That Like 9 Gentlemen’s Club 10 Psychopath 11 Pour Me A Whiskey
Album Credits:
Recorded by Terry Anderson, Karl Bauers, Dave Rivett, Jason Sheppard, Adam Stanley Written by Adam Stanley Performed by Toys That Bïte Engineered and Mixed by Ben Turner at Axe and Trap Studios Mastered by Romesh Dodangoda at Long Wave Studios
Toys That Bïte are:
Adam “AJ” Stanley – Vocals Karl Bauers – Guitars and Backing Vocals Dave Rivett – Guitars and Backing Vocals Jason “Shep” Sheppard – Bass Terry “Tezza” Anderson – Drums
SABATON are excited to announce that their explosive concert film “Sabaton – The Tour To End All Tours” has officially landed on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV andYouTubein a wide range of territories.
This means fans can now experience The Tour To End All Tours – which travelled across Europe in 2023 and hit cinemas worldwide in 2024 – from the comfort of their sofas, bringing the SABATON energy straight into their living rooms.
‘Sabaton – The Tour To End All Tours’ means a great deal to the band. This show was recorded at a completely sold-out Ziggo Dome in 2023 in Amsterdam, where thousands of fans came together to share an unforgettable night.
For those who know SABATON’s story, this concert carried special significance. When they first played in the Netherlands six years after they formed, it was in front of a handful of people. Looking back at that moment and comparing it to the packed arena of Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome is truly mind-blowing.
For more detailed information on this project visit www.sabaton.film.
NEW “LEGENDS” ALBUM On October 17, 2025, SABATON entered an exciting new chapter with the release of their 11th studio album, “Legends”. “Legends” marks a bold evolution in SABATON’s storytelling, as they plunge headfirst into the heart of some of history’s most formidable and enigmatic figures, including the Knights Templar, Genghis Khan, Lü Bu, Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Joan of Arc, Vlad The Impaler, Hannibal, Miyamoto Musashi, Senusret III and Gustavus Adolphus.
Listen to “Legends” here or get your hands on a physical copy of the album here.
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Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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