American black metal band ABIGAIL WILLIAMS has begun recording its seventh studio album & successor to “A Void Within Existence” from 2025.
The band comments: “Recording has begun on our 7th full-length album. Drums are done, once again handled by Mike Heller, and the rest of the work is now underway at Ken’s home studio. We began before our European tour, which was a great success, and after a couple of weeks to recover, the work has resumed in earnest. Thanks to Fortress Fest UK and Zappenduster for having us, and to our support bands in Ireland and Shagor across mainland Europe. No shortcuts are being taken; the goal is to match the intensity of our last two albums, and push it further. Another update will follow once recording is complete and we move into mixing. Release is set for early next year.”
ABIGAIL WILLIAMS is Ken Sorceron (ex-Aborted, ex-The Faceless, Vale Of Pnath, Nachtmystium) on vocals and guitars, Vance Valenzuela (Vale Of Pnath) on guitars, John Porada (ex-Nachtmystium, ex-Wolvhammer) on bass and Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) on drums. With Sorceron retaining his leading role, the band expands on its unique and intensive sound, forged throughout six studio albums, and anchored in black metal with shades of death metal & symphonic metal.
Their last album, “A Void Within Existence” was released to critical acclaim in 2025. Produced by frontman Ken Sorceron and mixed by renowned engineer Dave Otero (Aborted, Akhlys), the album is a scorched offering of black metal transcendence: harrowing, cinematic, and utterly uncompromising. Lyrically, it dives deep into existential themes of loss, disintegration, and unreality. Tracks like “Still Nights” and “No Less Than Death” reflect on identity through surreal and fragmented images – distant lights, poisoned memories, dreams where “there is no pain”. Elsewhere, songs like “Embrace The Chasm” and “Life, Disconnected” summon visions of cosmic dread and personal oblivion, confronting the listener with raw emotion and esoteric vision.
Tour dates:
The band recently wrapped up a European/UK tour, which included stops at the Zappenduster Festival and Fortress Fest. Currently, there are no upcoming concerts or tour dates scheduled.
Line-up:
Ken Sorceron – vocals, guitars Vance Valenzuela – guitars John Porada – bass Mike Heller – drums
Durant, Oklahoma – Bubblegum alternative metal sensation Nova Riot has officially premiered their highly anticipated music video for “Midnight Coven Crush”, a visually striking risqué masterpiece directed by frontwoman Nova Ray that reclaims female power by absolute force. Merging crushing heavy riffs with candy-coated aesthetics, the captivating clip challenges societal stigmas and showcases a fierce narrative of autonomy. The band delivers an unforgettable performance that immediately hooks the viewer, establishing this release as a definitive milestone in their growing videography.
“Midnight Coven Crush” is the second of three music videos from the band’s debut full-length album Blood, Lies & Lullabies, which will be released on August 21, 2026 via rock and metal record label Eclipse Records.
At its core, Midnight Coven Crush serves as a profound reclamation of bodily autonomy and systemic subversion. Nova Ray expresses that the lyrical and visual concept addresses universal struggles that women endure daily, offering a therapeutic medium to rewrite traditional narratives and reclaim control. Instead of submitting to established social hierarchies, the video positions its characters as powerful agents of change who handle adversity with uncompromising strength. This unapologetic symbolism was carefully refined during editing to ensure the horror elements complemented the overarching message of empowerment rather than distracting from it.
“It’s important to connect visually in today’s ever-expanding world of social media,“ explains bassist Orion. “If you can reel them in with a hooky video, chances are you will connect with some new fans, so we hope we’ve accomplished that here!” Vocalist Nova Ray adds, “this video is about accepting your inner baddie while taking control of the narrative that surrounds the stigma of hierarchy, and how it relates to the typical worldview of women. Midnight Coven Crush takes that power back by force! I think just about every woman has a personal story similar to what inspired this video… Something that unfortunately gets experienced all too often. But that is what makes us incredibly fortunate… we get to write the ending. That’s a powerful experience!”
Coverart by Paris Pipkin
The heavy music landscape often feels like a choice between two extremes: the jagged, unpolished chaos of the underground or the sanitized, predictable shine of the mainstream. Every so often, a band emerges that refuses to acknowledge the boundary at all. Nova Riot, a trio operating out of Durant, Oklahoma, is that disruption. With their upcoming debut album, Blood, Lies & Lullabies, they have officially planted their flag in a territory they call bubblegum alternative metal. The album is a rare combination of commercial viability and uncompromising creative vision. It is a high-octane collision of grit and melody that feels both dangerously volatile and impeccably crafted. Produced by Braxton Henry and co-produced by Addison Ray and Paris Pipkin, the album boasts a cinematic depth that matches its conceptual ambition. The trio functions as a self-contained production powerhouse, prioritizing studio perfection and visual storytelling to create an immersive world for their listeners. Nova Riot is not just releasing a collection of songs; they are inviting the world into an immersive, rhythmic incantation. Altogether, the album contains seven tracks, including standouts like “The Altar (feat. The Bunny The Bear)”, “Midnight Coven Crush” and “Like I Meant It.” The album is set for release on August 21, 2026 via Eclipse Records.
Pre-Save or Pre-Order Blood, Lies & Lullabies at this location.
Blood, Lies & Lullabies track listing 01. Haunting Me 02. Midnight Coven Crush 03. Casket 04. The Altar (feat. The Bunny The Bear) 05. Like I Meant It 06. Through The Storm 07. Sorry Mom
About Nova Riot In an era of predictable formulas and recycled aesthetics, NOVA RIOT emerges from Durant, Oklahoma, as a formidable disruption to the heavy music status quo. Operating under the defiant mantra of “Music with No Apologies,” the trio has rapidly carved out a niche within a self-defined sonic territory they describe as bubblegum alternative metal. Nova Riot is Nova Ray (vocals), Orion (bass guitar), Ares (lead guitar).
John Jackson, co-manager of the Bon Scott Estate, music industry veteran, producer, and Director of Archives for Billy Joel.
On Tuesday, July 7th at 7PM Eastern time, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Bon Scott’s birth, TalkShopLive hosted music historian/estate curator and custodian, John Jackson for an in-depth discussion of Bon’s life and career from his birth in Scotland through his tenure with AC/DC.
In conjunction with official merch vendor Perryscope, fans will have the opportunity to purchase special 80th anniversary merchandise.
TalkShopLive is the leading media D2C in the music business, recognized by Fast Company magazine as one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies. Buyers can access unlimited channels and live product shows. TalkShopLive livestreams can be embedded on any website and can simultaneously provide shoppable simulcasts to an artist’s social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Left: Bon Scott, legendary AC/DC frontman, whose voice, lyrics, and stage presence helped define the band’s early era and lasting legacy. Right: The Bon Scott COPA Jersey, a limited commemorative piece celebrating Bon’s 80th birthday and enduring rock ‘n’ roll legacy.
German heavy metal legends ACCEPT release another single off of their upcoming new album masterpiece, Teutonic Titans 1976-2026, produced, mixed and mastered by the legendary Zeuss. They have teamed up with “Metal God” Rob Halford and guitar icon Matthias Jabs for an explosive new rendition of the genre classic, “Balls to the Wall.” Serving as the second single from their massive 50th-anniversary celebratory album, Teutonic Titans 1976-2026, this track perfectly illustrates the band’s half-century legacy. Dropping September 4, 2026, via Napalm Records, this tight and powerful release delivers a vital blow that proves ACCEPT are as relevant as ever. Featuring 19 timeless songs and no fewer than 50 legendary guest artists, the album culminates in an unforgettable moment as the Metal God himself joins the band on the iconic anthem “Balls to the Wall.” The all-star metal supergroup they gathered is another powerful look into the album celebrating both the band’s extraordinary 50-year legacy and the heavy metal genre they helped shape itself.
Wolf Hoffmann about “Balls to the Wall”: “Rob is the Metal God. I don’t need to say any more about him. Once we knew that he would do it, it was an obvious choice to give him ‘Balls to the Wall’ because it’s the best fit imaginable! I played all the rhythm guitars. Matthias Jabs from Scorpions played the solo, which is very cool and a huge honour, and it’s Rex Brown on bass and Jason Bowld on drums. So that’s a really cool package.”
German heavy metal legends ACCEPT celebrate 50 years of pure power, bringing together the scene’s A-list musicians for a landmark release. Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 stands as a definitive statement of the band’s legacy, forged in steel and driven by unmistakable riffs. Arriving September 4, 2026, via Napalm Records, the album delivers some of the most iconic songs ever written in heavy music.
Led by guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, the longtime architect of ACCEPT’s sound, the band is joined by a staggering 50 guests across 19 reimagined versions of their biggest tracks. Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 is ACCEPT’s most ambitious and star-studded release to date, reaching far beyond the borders of their country of origin. Featuring the biggest names in heavy music paying tribute to the German icons, the record cements the band’s standing on the global stage. This is more than an album; it is a manifesto of metal! Pre-orders are now available in various exclusive formats.
Wolf Hoffmann about Teutonic Titans 1976-2026: “There is no better way to celebrate this 50-year anniversary than to have our musical peers, friends, and inspirations come together with us to record these classic ACCEPT songs, which I am honored and proud to share with the World. I hope everyone enjoys this very special record as much as we all enjoyed making it.”
Progressing through albums from their formative years, from I’m a Rebel (1980) to Eat the Heat (1989), ACCEPT present their songs with an all-new, all-star lineup, alongside the signature voice of Mark Tornillo and Wolf Hoffmann’s unmistakable riffs. By enlisting a Who’s Who of metal, no two songs on Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 are the same. Every track features a different combination of vocals, guitars, bass, and drums, giving each classic a fresh edge.
Tobias Forge delivers a commanding performance on the track “Save Us” (I’m a Rebel, 1980), joined by Ray Luzier on drums. Phil Anselmo, Kirk Hammett, and Mikkey Dee tear through the speed metal classic “Fast as a Shark” (Restless and Wild, 1982), while the reimagined “Love Child” is elevated by Billy Corgan and David Ellefson (fromBalls to the Wall, 1983). Other guest stars on ACCEPT’s extraordinary release include Sebastian Bach, Gary Holt, Phil Demmel, Chuck Billy, Joe Lynn Turner, Jeff Scott Soto, John Bush, Frank Bello, John Norum, and Bumblefoot. The album also features a re-recording of “Hellhammer” (Eat the Heat, 1989), performed by ACCEPT’s current lineup: Wolf Hoffmann, bassist Martin Motnik, guitarist Philip Shouse and drummer Christopher Williams, joined by Jason McMaster on vocals.
Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 track listing:
Fast as a Shark
Balls to the Wall
Aiming High
Run If You Can
Hellhammer
Metal Heart
Losers and Winners
Save Us
Up to the Limit
Wrong Is Right
Starlight
Fight It Back
Love Child
Breaker
Demon’s Night
T.V. War
London Leatherboys
Monsterman
Restless and Wild
ACCEPT Live 2026
Festivals 10.07.26 DE – Nideggen / Tollrock Festival 12.07.26 DE – Herten / Zeche Ewald 25.07.26 TR – Istanbul / Maximum Uniq Open Air 27.07.26 BG – Sofia / National Palace of Culture 29.07.26 RO – Ghimbav-Brasov / Rockstad Extreme Fest 07.08.26 FI – Helsinki / Hellsinki Metalfest 29.08.26 UK – Newark / Stonedead Festival
Guests: TAILGUNNER 27.08.26 UK – Wolverhampton / KK’s Steel Mill 28.08.26 UK – London / Indigo at The O2
Guests: DYNAZTY & TAILGUNNER 19.11.26 DE – Leipzig / Haus Auensee 20.11.26 DE – Lingen / Emsland Arena 21.11.26 DE – Oberhausen / Turbinenhalle 22.11.26 FR – Paris / L’Olympia 24.11.26 DE – Balingen / Volksbankmesse 25.11.26 FR – Lyon / Transbordeur 27.11.26 ES – Valencia / Auditorio 28.11.26 ES – Madrid / La Cubierta 29.11.26 FR – Toulouse / Le Bikini 01.12.26 CH – Zurich / Komplex 457 02.12.26 IT – Milano / Alcatraz 04.12.26 AT – Vienna / Gasometer 05.12.26 CZ – Zlin / Sports Hall Datart 06.12.26 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra 08.12.26 DE – Berlin / Uber Eats Music Hall 09.12.26 PL – Gliwice / Arena Gliwice 11.12.26 DE – Hamburg / Inselpark Arena 12.12.26 DE – Offenbach / Stadthalle 13.12.26 BE – Brussels / AB 15.12.26 DE – Herford / Kulturwerk 16.12.26 NL – Tilburg / O13 18.12.26 DE – Neu-Ulm / Ratiopharm Arena 19.12.26 DE – Geiselwind / Eventhall 20.12.26 DE – Munich / Zenith
ACCEPT are: Wolf Hoffmann – Guitar Mark Tornillo – Vocals Philip Shouse – Guitar Christopher Williams – Drums Martin Motnik – Bass
Australian thrash titans will unleash their Exsequiis full-length on September 11th via Metal Blade Records!
It’s now 20 years since four teenagers from Melbourne assembled under the name HARLOTT – chosen largely because it would look good on a black T-shirt. After a scorching debut with Origin in 2013, the band carved their path through Proliferation (2015), Extinction (2017), and Detritus Of The Final Age (2020) sharpening their brand of breakneck, high-tension thrash with every release.
Now, after a six-year gap, Exsequiis marks the boldest leap forward in their career. Denser, harsher, and more confident than ever – a razor-sharp sound picture built on world-class guitar work, relentless momentum and lyrics that cast a jaundiced eye over our bitterly divided world. The death of the gods, delivered by thrash metal artisans in the prime of their lives.
“Detritus… was a great experience in digging out sounds and ideas that we would have been too trepidant to explore,” explains the band. “For Exsequiis, we went further into that, but with the confidence that it would work as it had done before.”
Examples of this confidence rain down from the outset, with intro “Incipiam” acting as a guitar fanfare of sumptuous melodies that would make Dave Murray green with envy, cueing the haywire carnage of “Void.” Blastbeats and trebly guitars add a black metallic intensity to “Messiah Simplex,” while the scampering riff patterns of “Vice Borne” give way to a mighty bouncing earworm of a chorus. This song, and many others, become a glittering showcase for the guitar solos of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Hudson and guitarist Leigh Bartley, another feature of the HARLOTT sound by now mastered to world class levels, a perfect blend of precision and spontaneity.
Lyrics remain in the depressingly real world, the band preferring not to embroider some supernatural phantasmagoria but instead casting a jaundiced eye over our bitterly divided current climate.
Comments the band on Exsequiis‘ lead single, “Trial by Liar,” “Truth doesn’t appear to matter anymore and there aren’t any consequences for anything. There is a war on information raging and we yearn for the day when judgement is met on these perpetrators.”
HARLOTT‘s Exsequiis will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants: “Coagulation” ASideBSide (EU – Ltd. 500)
Exsequiis Track Listing: 01. Incipiam 02. Void 03. Messiah Simplex 04. Trial by Liar 05. The God That Knows No Name 06. Kleptogenesis 07. A Still More Glorious Dawn Awaits 08. The Joyful Stain 09. Endling 10. Vice Borne 11. Exsequiis
HARLOTT Live: 9/11/2026 Juz – Burghausen, DE 9/12/2026 Nuclear Intervention Fest – Kadov u Blatné, CZ 9/13/2026 Garage Pub – Krakow, PL 9/15/2026 Music-House – Graz, AT 9/16/2026 Escape – Vienna, AT 9/18/2026 MK Bar – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU 9/23/2026 Bambi Galore – Hamburg, DE 9/24/2026 Mukkes – Leeuwarden, NL 9/25/2026 Musicon – The Hague,NL 9/26/2026 Hellfort – Bruges, BE
“Our mates keep pumping out some heavy fast riffs. Crushing grooves, some super tricky right hand speed picking, catchy melodies with ripping leads, and raw AF vocals. Thrash metal doesn’t get much better than this!” – Brian Hopp, Cephalic Carnage
HARLOTT: Andrew Hudson – guitar, vocals Tom Richards – bass, vocals Leigh Bartley – guitar Glen Trayhern – drums
Finnish black metallers BLOODMOTHER will release their debut album “Militant Black Magic” on September 25th, 2026, via Time To Kill Records.
A sharp and uncompromising record, it refuses shortcuts and avoids hiding behind pretentious structures or overly foggy atmospheric detours. Instead, it focuses on pure impact and precision, built entirely on riffs that cut deep and leave no room for distraction. The album stands as a severe statement of intent, stripping everything back to its essential violence and clarity, delivering a sound that is direct, punishing and relentlessly focused on damage rather than ornament.
“Liturgical decay, the meaningless ritualization of dead flesh. When Death calls and the pious decompose, the futility of their faith becomes evident. This is what Bloodmother is all about, a sonic war machine rolling over your graves in celebration of the end of life”.
Tracklist:
1. Bloodmother 2. Liturgical Decay 3. Stella Invictus 4. Traitor’s Tongue 5. Inhumanitarian 6. Iron Hound 7. You Are Nothing 8. Lusting For Demonic Filth 9. Angelic Scourge
Formed in 2021 by Kuolontuoja, BLOODMOTHER was conceived with a clear and uncompromising purpose: to channel the spirit of true Finnish black metal through a sound stripped of excess and focused entirely on aggression. Building upon the foundations laid by the demo “Death to All” and the EP “Soul Crusher”, the band has refined a style based on razor-sharp riffs, hostile atmospheres and a direct, no-frills approach. Yet beneath its relentless surface lies a constant rhythmic variety that prevents the music from falling into predictability, maintaining tension and momentum throughout.
With “Militant Black Magic”, BLOODMOTHER push their vision further, delivering a work rooted in themes of faith, war, death and Satanic defiance. The album stands as the band’s most complete statement to date and a concentrated display of the ferocity that has defined their mission from the very beginning.
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
