The latest edition of the monthly Pest Records Online Compilation features 31 tracks taken exclusively from demos and EPs released during September 2026, all included with the direct permission of the bands themselves.
This month’s selection features:
Acid Fog, Adversaria, Amanuensis, Ancient Malice, antididact, Aovum, Aphotic Paths, Apocryphes, Augurium, Black Jaguara, Blasphegenocidic Sadowar, Born With Worms Inside, Caduceus, Cursed to Occult, Dungeons, Dwayyo, Elda’S RequieM, Gargor, Gathering, Hellebore, Invult, Les Misérables, Lifeswallower, Maorte, Sysi, Tungsind, Vallananastaja, Vargr Nocthyrr, Vordossa, Wintering Grounds, Zvindiyar
From frostbitten Black Metal and devastating Death Metal to crushing Doom, savage Grind and darker experimental territories, Vol. 31 brings together another dose of raw, unfiltered Metal from the farthest corners of the underground.
Available as a digipak CD and on all major digital streaming platforms, with a vinyl edition also planned, the ten-track album marks another chapter in the band’s uncompromising artistic journey, bringing together world-weariness, despair, overwhelming rage and dreamlike melancholy within an ambitious musical and conceptual framework.
ORDER SPHÄRENSCHÄNDER: ECHOES OF AN OLD BELIEF – PART I:
To introduce the album, HEIMDALLS WACHT previously unveiled two singles, both accompanied by official lyric videos.
The first single, “Schwarze Wacht Westfalia”, offered an initial glimpse into the album’s dark and atmospheric world, showcasing the band’s distinctive combination of raw black metal, melancholic melodies and intense musical expression.
The second single, “Runes To Heal – Weapons To Cure”, further explored the musical diversity of the record, reflecting the band’s ability to incorporate elements of folk, doom, progressive and melodic metal into their black metal foundations.
With Sphärenschänder: Echoes Of An Old Belief – Part I, HEIMDALLS WACHT continue to develop a musical identity that defies conventional genre boundaries. While remaining firmly rooted in raw, melancholic and melodic black metal, the album incorporates influences ranging from traditional folk and doom metal to progressive, thrash and death metal, creating a distinctive and emotionally charged atmosphere.
At the heart of the album lies the image of Heimdall awakening from a long and troubled slumber. Cast into a world he no longer recognises, the ragged guardian observes his surroundings with incomprehension, melancholy and fury. His journey becomes a confrontation with the spiritual emptiness of contemporary society and a search for the surviving traces of an older wisdom.
Nature, lost cultures, paganism, cross-cultural spirituality and the conflict between individuality and a modern world dominated by materialism and intellectual conformity remain central to the band’s artistic vision.
The album also reflects HEIMDALLS WACHT‘s neo-Romantic approach, drawing inspiration from German Romanticism, including the philosophy of nature found in Ludwig Tieck’s writings, the darker aspects of human existence explored by E.T.A. Hoffmann and the literary nihilism of Ernst August Friedrich Klingemann.
Rather than merely looking back at the past, the band transforms these influences into an artistic statement that is simultaneously contemporary, anachronistic and timeless.
All concepts, music and lyrics were created by Saruman, with pre-production recordings completed by Teja and Saruman. The album was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by Mario at Liquid Aether Studio together with Saruman. Guest vocalist Córka appears on “Echo Eines Alten Glaubens”.
TRACKLIST
01 Urgrund 02 Flight Eternal – Der Flug über das Nirgendmeer 03 Schwarze Wacht Westfalia 04 Flames Of Awakening 05 In der Seelenmühle 06 Runes To Heal – Weapons To Cure 07 Widukind – Thema 08 Echo eines alten Glaubens 09 Das Horn – Gebrochen 10 Forlorn
ALBUM LINE-UP Sarolf – Vocals Wiborg – Vocals Saruman – Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Keyboards Teja – Guitar Winterheart – Drums Córka – Guest vocals on “Echo Eines Alten Glaubens”
ABOUT HEIMDALLS WACHT
Throughout their career, German black metal band HEIMDALLS WACHT have developed an artistic identity that resists easy classification. Beginning with raw, melancholic and melodic black metal, they have gradually incorporated influences from folk, doom, progressive, melodic, thrash and death metal, establishing a distinctive sound and attracting a loyal international following.
Their music, lyrics and visual concepts reflect a profound sense of alienation from contemporary society, questioning cultural decline, materialism, conformity and the pursuit of superficial satisfaction.
Considering themselves a neo-Romantic art project, HEIMDALLS WACHT remain committed to their underground principles and maintain a deliberate distance from the mechanisms of modern media culture.
Art for art’s sake – not for attention or success.
STRYPER is proud to share the new lyric video for “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” from last year’s Christmas album, ‘The Greatest Gift of All,’ now available via Frontiers Music Srl. Since the album’s release, it has only been available for physical purchase. Now, for the first time, the single “Go Tell It On The Mountain” will be available for streaming and download.
Speaking about the single, Michael Sweet comments:
“’Go Tell It On The Mountain’ is a traditional hymn that tells the story of the birth of Jesus. Not many people have covered this song, so it seemed like a perfect opportunity to heavy it up and do our own version. Merry Christmas and God Bless you all.”
With ‘The Greatest Gift of All,’ STRYPER answered decades of fan requests crafting a holiday record that blends festive classics, brand-new compositions, and their unmistakable mix of faith, power, and metal energy.
In a move that made the release even more special, ‘The Greatest Gift of All’ is available exclusively in physical formats.
STRYPER’s lineup remains as strong as ever, with founding members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox joined by bassist Perry Richardson. Together, the band continues to deliver at the highest level both in the studio and on stage.
With over 10 million albums sold worldwide, multiple Billboard Top 40 hits, and a legacy spanning four decades, STRYPER continue to inspire generations of fans. ‘The Greatest Gift of All’ marked a powerful new chapter in that legacy, a heartfelt and celebratory album that channels the band’s hard rock fire into the timeless spirit of Christmas.
On the album, Michael Sweet shares: “We have wanted to record a Christmas album for many years. Ever since we released our first single (‘Reason for the Season’) back in 1985, the fans have been asking for a full-length Christmas album. Well, the time has finally come. We wanted to make an album of five traditional songs and five original songs. To put our own spin on our own Christmas album and not follow the pack, so to speak. We could not be more pleased with how it turned out!”
‘The Greatest Gift of All’ Track List: 1. The Greatest Gift Of All 2. Go Tell It On The Mountain 3. Heaven Came (On Christmas Day) 4. Little Drummer Boy 5. Still The Light 6. Silent Night 7. On This Holy Night 8. Joy To The World 9. Reason For The Season 10. Winter Wonderland
Produced by: Michael Sweet
STRYPER are: Michael Sweet – Lead Vocals/Lead & Rhythm Guitar Robert Sweet – Drums & Percussion Oz Fox – Vocals/Lead and Rhythm Guitar Perry Richardson – Vocals/Bass
Washington, D.C. metal veterans DARKEST HOUR have unleashed their latest full-length album, Suffer Divine, marking another milestone in the band’s decades-long career. Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse) produced the album, which distills everything Darkest Hour loves about heavy music, from force to spirit.
Guitarist Mike Schleibaum says, “‘Suffer Divine is a love letter to melodic death metal. While it stays true to our core sound, it also pushes the sound of our band forward with precision focus. It has so many dense layers; we’re very excited for listeners to get to know it and really dig into it. It’s a guitar-focused record for sure, and you really hear the heightened guitar approach Nico and I have been developing over the past few records. But I also love the lyrics, John’s vocal performance, Deal’s thunderous sound, and the insanity that is Travis Orbin’s drumming. Can’t believe it is finally out, jam it now, and make sure you crank it up loud!”
“Salvation” serves as the record’s focus track and latest music video, highlighting the band’s continued commitment to their signature blend of melodic aggression and hardcore intensity.
Emerging from Washington, D.C.’s underground punk and hardcore scene in the mid-’90s, DARKEST HOUR forged a distinctive identity by combining the raw energy of hardcore with the speed and ferocity of thrash and melodic death metal. Their pioneering approach helped shape modern metalcore and established them as a key force in the New Wave of American Metal.
Over the years, DARKEST HOUR have continued to push forward while retaining the intensity that first defined their music. Their catalog has earned both critical recognition and a dedicated fan base, with Deliver Us (2007), Eternal Return (2009), and Godless Prophets & the Migrant Flora (2017) all appearing on the Billboard charts. The band released its tenth studio album, Perpetual Terminal, in 2024.
That relentless approach remains central to the band’s identity. New Noise Magazine has praised DARKEST HOUR for maneuvering “with an unrivaled level of dedication” as they continue developing their distinctive melodic fusion of heavy metal and hardcore. The publication also noted that, while remaining true to their punk-rock mentality, the band continues to embrace new methods of expression with each album.
For vocalist John Henry, that longevity is rooted in something deeper than simply making music.
“This has been such a constant in my life that I can’t live without,” Henry told New Noise. “Any time we ever felt dragged down, something would happen where we would write a song, or we would do a tour, and it’d be, like, okay, we can’t stop. This is what we know. This is what we love, and we love doing it too much.”
With Suffer Divine, DARKEST HOUR continue their decades-long journey, delivering a new chapter in a career built on intensity, perseverance, and an unwillingness to stand still. “Salvation,” the album’s focus track, offers listeners a point of entry into the band’s latest full-length effort, which continues their commitment to the uncompromising blend of melody, aggression, and hardcore intensity that has defined their sound.
SUFFER DIVINE TRACKLISTING:
1 All Cruelty Springs from Weakness 2 Gods of Decay 3 No Conquered Hearts 4 Salvation 5 Suffer Divine 6 Warrior 7 Vile Angel 8 The Unforgiving Hand 9 Tribalist 10 Everyday Horrors 11 A Story of Redemption
November 10th at No Class in Cleveland, OH November 11th at Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, IN
Darkest Hour & Fear Factory Tour:
November 12th at The Regency Live in Springfield, MO November 13th at Wave in Wichita, KS November 14th at Oriental Theater in Denver, CO November 15th at Black Sheep in Co. Springs, CO November 17th at Pub Station in Billings, MT November 18th at The Newberry in Great Falls, MT November 20th at El Corazon in Seattle, WA November 21st at The Hawthorne Theatre in Portland, OR November 22nd at Shrine Social Club in Boise, ID November 24th at Strummers in Fresno, CA November 25th at House of Blues in San Diego, CA November 27th at The Glass House in Pomona, CA November 28th at The Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles, CA November 29th at The Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles, CA
Darkest Hour W Judiciary, & Eternal:
December 1st in Austin TX @ Come And Take It Live December 2nd in Dallas TX @ Trees December 3rd in Lawrence KS @ Bottleneck December 4th in Chicago, IL @ Reggies Rock Club December 5th in Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room December 6th in Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground December 7th in Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace December 8th in Montreal, QC @ Foufounes
Darkest Hour W Judiciary, Nehemiah, Justifications:
December 9th in Albany, NY @ Empire Underground December 10th in Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (Upstairs) December 11th in Brooklyn, NY @ St. Vitus December 12th in Millersville, PA @ Phantom Power December 13th in Washington, DC @ Atlantis
DARKEST HOUR is:
John Henry – vocals Mike Schleibaum – guitar Nico Santora – guitar Aaron Deal – bass Travis Orbin – drums
ENEMY INSIDE have unveiled the official music video for their new single “Rag Doll”, teaming up with AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS and LAKE MALICE for a standout collaboration between three of modern metal core’s most exciting emerging female-fronted acts. The track is taken from the German band’s forthcoming fourth studio album “R.I.P.”, set for release on January 15, 2027 via Reigning Phoenix Music.
With “Rag Doll”, ENEMY INSIDE deliver a fierce and emotionally charged anthem about breaking free from manipulation and reclaiming control. Catchy pop-driven melodies collide with aggressive energy, while guest appearances by AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS and LAKE MALICE amplify the song’s defiant spirit and raw intensity. Combining infectious hooks, hard-hitting riffs and powerful vocals, the track showcases the band’s unmistakable blend of heaviness, melody and atmosphere.
Produced by Jonas Sommer, the accompanying high-quality music video brings the song’s intensity to life through haunting visuals and commanding performances, perfectly capturing its dark atmosphere and empowering message.
The band comments:
“Rag Doll” tells the story of breaking free from someone who only loved the version of you they could control. It’s about reclaiming your voice, your identity and your strength after being treated as something disposable.”
“Rag Doll” offers another glimpse into “R.I.P.”, ENEMY INSIDE’s most uncompromising album to date. The band pushed every element further: heavier riffs, more aggressive screams, sharper rap-driven moments, bigger choruses and their widest emotional spectrum yet. Featuring guest appearances by FROM FALL TO SPRING, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS and LAKE MALICE, the album expands the band’s sonic landscape while staying true to their unmistakable identity.
At its core, “R.I.P.” isn’t about death. It’s about what we choose to lay to rest: the versions of ourselves shaped by fear, guilt, manipulation and loss. From anger and revenge to desire, grief, self-doubt and acceptance, the record reflects the emotional chaos of healing. It’s about taking back control, carrying the scars without letting them define you, making peace with what can’t be changed and finally laying the past to rest.
Album Tracklist: 01. Welcome To The Anarchy 02. Bad Karma 03. Monster 04. R.I.P. 05. Changes 06. Dopamine 07. Rag Doll 08. Claws 09. All I Am* 10. Devil’s Work 11. Plastic Heart 12. Into The Dark
*track exclusively available on physical formats
Hailing from Aschaffenburg, Germany, ENEMY INSIDE have established themselves as a rising force in modern metal, building an international following with their distinctive blend of heavy riffs, dark atmospheres and infectious melodies. With nearly 40 million streams to their name, the band continues to reach audiences across Europe and beyond, including the UK and the USA.
Founded in 2017 by vocalist Nastassja Giulia and guitarist Evan K, ENEMY INSIDE made their mark with their debut album “Phoenix” (2018), followed by “Seven” (2021) and “Venom” (2025). Across these releases, the band has developed a sound that brings together metalcore and alternative metal influences, combining crushing guitars, electronic textures and memorable hooks with Giulia’s versatile vocals.
Beyond the studio, ENEMY INSIDE have built a reputation for their energetic live performances, including appearances at Wacken Open Air, M’era Luna, Masters of Rock, John Smith Rock Festival and Rock Castle Festival. In spring 2026, the band joined SMASH INTO PIECES as special guests on their European tour, bringing their music to audiences across the continent and the UK.
With their upcoming album “R.I.P.” and a European headline tour scheduled for 2027, ENEMY INSIDE continue to expand their international presence while pushing their distinctive modern metal sound into darker, heavier and more uncompromising territory.
R.I.P. European Tour 2027 Special Guest: HALFLIVES Support: MAZ UNIVERZE
14.01.27 DE – Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 15.01.27 DE – Stuttgart – Wizemann Studio 16.01.27 DE – Saarbrücken – Garage / Club 17.01.27 DE – München – Backstage Club 20.01.27 DE – Dortmund – FZW (Club) 21.01.27 DE – Köln – Club Volta 22.01.27 NL – Tilburg – Little Devil 23.01.27 BE – Kortrijk – DVG Club 10.02.27 CZ – Prague – Rock Cafe 11.02.27 DE – Leipzig – Moritzbastei 12.02.27 DE – Berlin – Frannz-Club 13.02.27 DE – Hamburg – Bahnhof Pauli
ENEMY INSIDE is: Nastassja Giulia | Vocals Evan K | Lead Guitar Dave Hadarik | Rhythm Guitar Dominik Stotzem | Bass Hanno Kerstan | Drums
Italian Heavy Rock trio HERBA MATE has unveiled the second single from their upcoming studio album “Bolide I & II”, which is set to be released on November 20 via Go Down Records. Following the release of the first track “Poppy”, the band now presents “David vs. Goliath”.
The song is coming along with a brand new music video, which you can watch here:
The band says: “In ‘David vs Goliath’, we follow a journey from safety to freedom – one shaped by conflicting emotions: disorientation and loss, yet also hope, sustained by the natural rhythm of time and the cyclical nature of life. Today, this reflection carries even deeper meaning. The lyric was written and performed by Claudio Colaianni – pioneer of Italy’s Stoner Rock scene and known for his work with Anuseye, That’s All Folks!, and Colt.38 – who passed away a year and a half ago. The music video captures the song’s expansive, visionary sound, weaving together rock, psychedelia, and cinematic atmospheres.“
Tracklist:
1. Gully Island 2. Boogie Mouse 3. Sawdust 4. Milky Way Lungfish 5. David vs Goliath 6. Daisy 7. Juli 8. Poppy 9. Desert Inn III
Formed in 2000, HERBA MATE‘s comeback album is rooted in the band’s everyday life: family, friendship, work, the streets, and their beloved Romagna – a homeland stretching from clay canyons to the sea. The record title evokes a fascination with what races forward: technology, progress, speed, and efficiency. This tension defines our time, shaped by the pursuit of perfection. Yet acceleration also risks disconnecting us from the tangible simplicity of the world around us, made up of water, air, earth, and fire: the elements that bring us back to our essence. This contrast lies at the heart of the album’s concept and sound. The project unfolds across two consecutive releases: “Bolide I & II”, exploring Earth and Air, followed by “Bolide III & IV”, which will turn to Fire and Water.
HERBA MATE‘s music draws inspiration from the vast California deserts – the birthplace of Desert Rock and Stoner Rock, and home to influential bands such as Kyuss, Fatso Jetson, Queens of the Stone Age, Yawning Man, and Fu Manchu. From their base in Italy, the three friends reinterpret these lysergic sounds through psychedelic dynamics, deep low frequencies, and hypnotic riffs, adding a distinctly Romagna-flavored edge.
“Bolide I & II” will be out on November 20 via Go Down Records and is available for pre-order HERE
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Acid Fog, 
Adversaria, 
Ancient Malice, 
antididact, 
Aovum, 
Aphotic Paths, 
Black Jaguara, 
Blasphegenocidic Sadowar, 
Born With Worms Inside, 
Caduceus, 
Cursed to Occult, 
Elda’S RequieM, 
Gargor, 
Les Misérables, 
Tungsind, 
Vordossa, 
Zvindiyar
