Danish melodic heavy metal outfit MERIDIAN return with a vengeance on their new single and official video “Uprising”, an upbeat, hard-rocking anthem of rebellion. The track serves as a call to arms against dictatorship and oppression, reminding us that the fight for freedom is far from over in today’s chaotic world.
With sharp riffing, powerful hooks, and raw energy, “Uprising” showcases the band’s renewed focus and attitude, marking the studio debut of new frontman Søren Adamsen (ex-Artillery). His commanding vocals bring a harder edge to the band’s sound, perfectly suited for this back-to-the-roots approach.
The song is taken from Meridian’s upcoming fifth album, set for release later this year via From The Vaults / Target Group. Produced, mixed, and mastered by guitarist Marco Angioni at Angioni Studios, the album will be a celebration of classic heavy metal spirit – no gimmicks, just pure songwriting, grit and passion.
Join the premiering here:
Lineup: Søren Adamsen – vocals Martin Jepsen Andersen – lead & rhythm guitars Marco Angioni – lead & rhythm guitars Klaus Agerbo – drums Peter Bruun – bass
The ultimate Heavy Metal museum features artifacts from Slayer, Metallica, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Thin Lizzy and many more!
Starting tomorrow, Friday the 13th, the Metal Blade Records Museum will be open every day (excluding Sunday) from 12pm-3pm. Tickets HERE!
The ultimate heavy metal museum is located in Las Vegas, NV and features items collected throughout the life and career of Metal Blade‘s founder and Chairman/CEO, Brian Slagel. You’ll see items like old promo materials, old show flyers from the Sunset Strip and beyond, plaques, props from tours and music videos, original promotional photos from bands’ album releases, original artwork from bands’ cover art, merch, gear, and so, so much more.
In addition to the new museum hours, Metal Blade‘s brick and mortar store has moved locations and can now be found at the museum. The Metal Blade Store is full of Metal Blade collectibles and out-of-print items that can’t be found anywhere else, fans can visit the location to get their fix of rare vinyl, t-shirts, CDs and more.
Get a look at what’s in the Metal Blade Records Museum by watching the videos below.
About Metal Blade Records: Founded upon owner Brian Slagel‘s enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalog, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it celebrates its fourth decade.
Metal Blade Records launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and dozens more genre giants, shaping four decades and counting of hard rock, metal, and extreme music culture. Brian Slagel worked as a record store clerk when he founded Metal Blade in 1982, reserving a spot for a young Lars Ulrich on his Metal Massacre compilation series. Metal Blade grew from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to become an international powerhouse, selling millions of albums while remaining fiercely independent. In 2017, Slayer‘s Kerry King inducted the label into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. Slagel‘s For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records arrived the same year.
In 2022 Metal Blade Records celebrated its 40th Anniversary by way of two live shows in Las Vegas – one featuring Killswitch Engage and another featuring Sacred Reich. In addition to these two packed live shows/parties, the label reissued its first release, the compilation album Metal Massacre, plus specially branded 40th Anniversary small batch vodka and rum, and a West Coast style IPA beer. Brian Slagel also saw the release of his second book, Swing of the Blade: More Stories from Metal Blade Records that was released on May 9th and was met with rave reviews from fans and press alike. One fan on Good Reads called the book “a sentimental journey through Brian’s metal origin-story recollections from his deep and wide perspective as founder of Metal Blade that I enjoyed very much” while MetalTalk.net wrote that “Swing Of The Blade is an endearing, honest, and enjoyable journey into the deeper world of Brian Slagel, the main man behind the legendary Metal Blade Records…this is very much Brian in his own words, recounting tales from the early days of Metal Blade through to a brief post-pandemic epilogue, where he expresses his regret that the book hasn’t coincided with the 40th anniversary of the label.” To round out the celebration, Brian Slagel opened up the label’s collection of heavy metal memorabilia to fans in Las Vegas, NV, marking the opening of the official Metal Blade Records Museum that is open every Saturday.
The celebrating rolled over into 2023 and in October AXS TV picked up and premiered the Denise Korycki documentary of Metal Massacre: The Story Behind the Legendary Album. Packed with all-star interviews, rare photos, the film tells the story of the groundbreaking 1982 Metal Massacre vinyl compilation-a sonic celebration of the burgeoning Los Angeles Metal scene, which helped launch the careers of iconic acts Metallica and Ratt, and ultimately led to the birth of the legendary independent record label Metal Blade Records. The film boasts priceless commentary and anecdotes from Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel and his friend and collaborator John Kornarens, two metalheads with a dream who made Metal Massacre a reality; as well as Metallica members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield; Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy; and Black N’ Blue singer Jamie St. James, among many others.
In 2024, Metal Blade Records and Pantheon Media launched the “100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” Podcast to the excitement of metalheads everywhere. The successful podcast, which is loved by fans, industry, and artists alike, is hosted by Brian Slagel, CEO of Metal Blade Records. Each episode of the series will spotlight one of the most defining songs in metal, blending artist interviews, expert analysis, and behind-the-scenes insights. Listeners are taken on a deep dive into the production, cultural impact, and legacy of each track, with insights from prominent voices like music historian Martin Popoff and producer Jay Ruston.
The podcast features exclusive appearances from musicians who either influenced or were influenced by these legendary tracks, ensuring fans a unique, all-encompassing exploration of metal music. From Metallica and Slayer to Cannibal Corpse and Alice Cooper, “100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” covers the songs that have defined generations, blending narrative storytelling with in-depth analyses. This podcast also serves as a tribute to the fans whose passion fuels the genre and keeps it alive for future generations.
“100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” is now available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
WANTED announces blistering new single & music video “Armed for Action”, out now, and upcoming album ‘Cutting Edge’.
Detroit-based hard rock & metal band WANTED is proud to announce the release of their blistering new single & music video, “Armed for Action,” as a preview of their highly anticipated full-length album, ‘Cutting Edge‘. The album will be released worldwide on Friday, June 27th via acclaimed U.S. hard rock label Eonian Records, available on CD and limited pressing GREEN Vinyl, with pre-orders OPEN now and selling like firecrackers!
Formed in 2021, WANTED set out with a mission: to reignite the loud, melodic fire of the classic metal and hard rock that once dominated the airwaves. Drawing influence from titans like Van Halen, Ratt, and Dokken, WANTED fuses their vintage inspiration with modern energy and youthful intensity.
The lineup features Sterling Primeau (vocals), Alan Mares (lead guitar), Christian Shonts (guitar), Paul Slezak (bass), and Chris Rajt (drums). Now all in their twenties, the band has evolved rapidly since their 2023 release, bringing a sharpened edge and broader sonic palette to ‘Cutting Edge‘. Listeners can expect nods to the precision of’84 Judas Priest, the grit of Armored Saint, the anthemic power of Scorpions, and the finesse of Queensryche, Great White, and Icon. “This album defines our ability to write hard-hitting music with melodic and powerful vocals. We’ve gone through major changes this year, and they’ve pushed us to make our best work yet” said lead guitarist Alan Mares
“Cutting Edge marks, a new beginning for WANTED and sets a new bar for our sound and performance,” added guitarist Christian Shonts. “It’s an honest look at who we are as a band. We’re proud of where we came from, but this album exceeds anything we thought we were capable of. This is a new era for WANTED,” said bassist Paul Slezak. Sterling Primeau, the band’s dynamic frontman, described the project as, “a true testament to the work we’ve put in. Every riff, every harmony, every groove-we poured everything into this, and it shows.” New drummer Chris Rajt reflected, “The timing of me joining the band couldn’t have been better. The recording process was a blast, and you can feel that energy in every track.”
Eonian Records is equally enthusiastic about the release: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to unleash this powerhouse of a band, young, fearless, and armed with chops that’ll melt your speakers,” said Ryan Northrop of Eonian Records. “Their sound hits like a lightning bolt, and we’re proud to bring it to the world.” Stephen Craig added, “This is one of the biggest surprises of the year. The minute I heard the final masters; I had them on repeat. If you love the high-octane metal that ruled the‘80s, think Ratt, Dokken, Van Halen, you’re about to be blown away.”
With ‘Cutting Edge’, WANTED not only pays tribute to their heroes but blazes a trail of their own, breathing new life into a genre that never truly dies. A regional U.S. tour is in the works for late 2025, with more music to follow.
Album tracklisting: Cutting Edge Override. Power Wasted Heart Chained To Your Love Armed for Action Take Me Away Feel Your Rhythm Knock It Down Prowl Alive
The Metal Voice‘s Jimmy Kay recently spoke to BON JOVI, TRIUMPH guitarist Phil X.
In the chat, Phil X dives into the details of the Triumph reunion that took place during the pre-game 2 show in Edmonton as part of the hockey playoffs. He also shares his favorite Bon Jovi songs, reflects on growing up Greek, talks about his new album PHIL X & THE DRILLS – Pow Right in the Kisser, released in March 2025, and much more.
When asked about the Triumph Reunion show ‘We rehearsed the day before. I wish we would have more time even though it was just three songs. We kept changing endings and arrangements and stuff like that, it would have been good to have two days to plow through everything and then jump on stage. But I’m still happy with how it came out. The next day it exploded, everything’s on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram. When it was done I spoke with Gil (Moore) on Monday and I’m like “Man are you guys still buzzing like we are?” And he was like even more. I got to say what was really endearing to me after rehearsal Gil was like “Hey we’re all going to have dinner at the restaurant at the hotel So join us. So we all walked in and out of 20 people family, friends and boyfriends and girlfriends and Gil and Rick (Emmett) were sitting together and just like little kids cracking up and stuff like that, it was really endearing to see that. Also their smiles man, the whole time we were on stage the smiles were unbelievable it was just It was really cool to be a part of that it really was.’
When asked about how much advance notice they got prior to the performance ‘It all happened boom boom boom like that. I can let you in the little behind the scenes thing .Gil (Moore) says hey we’re going to play a song and then it’s hey we’re going to play three songs and I’m like I need to know if this is confirmed and it wasn’t. On Monday, on the Monday preceding the Friday that we played he was like “It’s not 100% yet but we’re going to do three songs. (Gil Said) I want to do ‘Allied Forces’, ‘Fight the Good Fight’ and Lay it on the line and I’m like “Okay cool.” So I call Brent (Fitz) and and Todd (Kerns) and I say “These are the three songs that we’re doing and everybody can get into prep mode and we can prepare those three songs.”
And then Gill said “Okay so I think you guys should just play ‘Allied Forces’ and ‘Fight The Good Fight’ and then me and Rick will jump on stage when we do ‘Lay it on the Line’ cuz it’s the playoff song.” And we’re like “Okay we we can do that sure.” So Brent, Todd and I can get it together where it’s we feel like it’s presentable to the O.G. guys as we wanted to blow their minds. Then somebody walks in and says “Uh oh by the way they’re (Gil and Rik) are playing on all songs.” Okay now we know arrangements are going to change that’s why I wish we had two days so arrangements are gonna change okay I’m I’m ready for that. Then Gil walks in and he goes “Philly baby.” He always calls me Philly baby there’s never just a Phil or even Philly there’s always a ‘baby’. Philly baby and I give him a big hug and he goes “So hey when we go into Magic Power,” I’m like “Wait what?” Nobody said anything about Magic Power he goes “Well the management wants us to do it instead of ‘Fight the Good Fight’ they think it’s a better it’s a bigger song.” I’m like “We’re not doing Magic Power.” And and Todd and Brent are even more Canadian than me they want to make everybody happy and Todd’s like “No we can.” I’m like “Shut up no (laughs).” No we’re not doing ‘Magic Power’ we are doing these three songs that’s what we’re doing and Gil goes “You’re the boss let’s go. And that’s how it went down. It went like berserk on the internet the next day right it would have been nice to have Mike (Levine) too but he just couldn’t back out of that (Doctor’s) appointment that he had because of how it takes forever to get a second appointment. Just to appease everybody’s curiosity there’s all kinds of talk going on, so we’ll see what happens. If he (Rik Emmett) doesn’t have the bug after that I don’t know what it would take.
When asked if he would do it again ‘Obviously, schedule is of importance you know um cuz I have other stuff going on everybody has, Todd and Brent have other stuff going on. We’re all busy musicians. But I would do it again for sure yeah it’s a no-brainer. ‘
Inimitable synth rock enigma ZETRA have released an ethereal video for their recent single ‘So‘. The dreamy, anthemic track is the duo’s first new music since the release of their self-titled debut album in September of last year. The video was directed and edited by Billy Howard Price.
ZETRA have also today released two new B-side tracks, cinematic synth piecestitled‘Shards Of Power‘ and ‘A Queen Ascends‘.
ZETRA comment: “Can we believe the lie? The membrane shudders to the touch Alive within the mind, a barrier between two worlds. Will there be peace beyond the veil? Or is chaos ever raging? It is so. Zetra are reborn.”
ZETRA were recently awarded The Great Escape‘s Steve Strange Award for 2025 following their performance at the festival last month. The award celebrates boundary-breaking new talent and the legacy of the iconic music agent Steve Strange.
This past weekend saw ZETRA perform at Rock Am Ring/Rock Im Park in Germany, before returning to the UK for a slot at this years Download Festival this weekend. The pair are also set to support mysterious new act PRESIDENT in London at the end of July.
ZETRA LIVE 2025 14th June – Donington, UK – Download Festival 30th July – London, UK – The Garage (supporting PRESIDENT)
NAILED TO OBSCURITY are delighted to unveil another single from their upcoming fifth studio album, Generation Of The Void, which will be out on September 5th, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. With its captivating chorus, ‘Spirit Corrosion‘ might be the band’s most accessible song to date and perfectly underlines the record’s nuanced and cinematic approach.
Alongside the single, a music video has been released, which you can watch below.
NAILED TO OBSCURITY commented: “‘Spirit Corrosion’ is one of those songs that hit us hard while writing — emotionally raw, yet powerful and strangely uplifting. We’re incredibly proud of how it turned out and can’t wait to finally share the song and video with you. It’s got one of the most captivating choruses we’ve ever written, layered with dynamic drumming and a deep sense of atmosphere.“
With Generation Of The Void, NAILED TO OBSCURITY have crafted their most mature and expansive album to date. The album reflects the turmoil of the post-pandemic era, the shadows of war in Europe, and the relentless changes affecting all of humanity. Beyond its political and social commentary, the album also dives deep into personal struggles, confronting themes of dark emotions, depression, and fear. Every note, every lyric carries the weight of uncertainty and disillusionment, while no one knows what one will find within the void or beyond.
NAILED TO OBSCURITY will embark on their first extensive European headline tour in autumn 2025, with guests YOTH IRIA (GR) and OAK, ASH & THORN (US). This tour will be a celebration of the band’s 20th anniversary, which is due this year.
NAILED TO OBSCURITY – EUROPEAN TOUR 2025 W/ GUESTS: YOTH IRIA + OAK, ASH & THORN
11.09.2025 GR KYTTARO Athens * 12.09.2025 GR Eightball Club Thessaloniki * 14.09.2025 TR IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş ** 19.11.2025 DE Club Puschkin Dresden 20.11.2025 DE 7er Club Mannheim 21.11.2025 CH Werkk Kulturlokal Baden 22.11.2025 IT Alchemica Club Bologna 23.11.2025 IT Slaughter Club Milan 24.11.2025 DE Backstage Munich 25.11.2025 DE Schwarzer Keiler Stuttgart 26.11.2025 FR Backstage By The Mill Paris 27.11.2025 NL Muziekgieterij Maastricht 28.11.2025 DE Kubana Siegburg 29.11.2025 DE Kulturwerk Herford 30.11.2025 DE Urban Spree Berlin 01.12.2025 DK Stengade Copenhagen 02.12.2025 SE Kollektivet Livet Stockholm 03.12.2025 SE Fängelset Gothenburg 04.12.2025 DE Logo Hamburg 05.12.2025 DE Turock Essen 06.12.2025 DE Live Music Center Emden
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 