Swedish thrash and melodic death metal band VILT strives to take the Scandinavian sound to new heights. Through aggressive riffs, fast drums, and intense vocal performances they have already established a unique signature style. Following the success of their two-track single Adversary in 2022, which led to a performance at In Flames’ Dalhalla Brinner festival, VILT released the EP …To Mourn The Death Of A Stranger in 2024. Now, they’re gearing up for their debut album, with the first single Crown of Thorns as a powerful preview.
VILT’s upcoming album is a raw and relentless letter to a fractured past. Between guttural aggression and haunting melodies, the album is a battle cry to the younger self—a figure clinging to borrowed beliefs and fragile personas. Through towering riffs and soul-ripping growls, VILT tears down the illusions of what they once thought defined them. The upcoming album is personal yet universal, a tribute to the limitless potential within us all.
“‘Crown of Thorns’ is the opening track on our debut album and sets the tone for the entire journey ahead. The album is our love letter to life – a raw and reflective tribute to both the highs and lows, with a more mature, sharper attitude. The song is about how our experiences shape us and about breaking the chains of old patterns to grow and become something greater.” – VILT
Sailing from the pirate coves of Cape Fear, North Carolina’s BRONCO unleash their crushing debut single ‘Ride Eternal’, a heavy blend of doom metal and Southern sludge molasses. The premiered track is taken from the newly signed Americans’ forthcoming Magnetic Eye Recordsdebut full-length “Bronco”, which is set for release on February 28, 2024. The album pre-sale is now available at this location: https://lnk.spkr.media/bronco-bronco
Watch the visualizer ‘Ride Eternal’ here:
“The track ‘Ride Eternal’ came from a period of heavy rumination about going from living on tour to forced acceptance of that part of life being over”, vocalist and bass playerBronco writes. “It was inspired by classic baroque organ tales like Bach’s ‘Toccata and Fugue in D minor’ and also wanting to do some heavy drone riffing without falling over bored while playing it.”
Tracklist
Scourge Descent
Ride Eternal
Light of God
Night the Lights Went out in Georgia
Legion
Fades All
Damnation
T.O.N.S.
South of Wilmington, North Carolina at the estuary of the Cape Fear River, the prominent headland of Cape Fear stubbornly pushes back into the ever attacking waves of the ocean. Its treacherous waters, rugged rocks, massive undercurrents, and pirate coves are a part of the so-called Graveyard of the Atlantic and feared by sailors throughout the ages for the many ships and lives lost.
This is a fitting home for BRONCO. The sound of their self-titled debut full-length “Bronco” is deeply steeped in doom metal and Southern sludge. It is also as obstinate, rough and unpolished, yet also genuine, honest, forward-pushing and unfiltered as the rocky ground it grew from.
The musical confidence and audible experience in both execution and songwriting has not just fallen from the sky. BRONCO rose from the ashes of TOKE after guitarist Tim Bryan suffered a tragic motorcycle accident in 2021. Out of respect for his incapacitated band mate, vocalist and bass player Bronco along with drummer JP decided to continue with a newly formed trio. Joined by guitarist Vic, they picked Bronco’s artist’s alias for their name.
Crawling, heavy aggression, molasses riffs, and barbed wire vocals seem to come with the terroir of North Carolina. WEEDEATER, SOUR VEIN and others have been brewing the heaviest sludge there. Sharing stages with standard bearers such as BONGZILLA, ASG, and BLACK TASK quickly fermented BRONCO‘s sound into a sonic projection of ash and bone.
“Bronco” bleeds out a mix of grinding horror and beat-down resignation. It’s a soundtrack to grim self-reflection and forced acceptance of life’s letdowns. BRONCO pick up where TOKE left off, and carry forward through successfully experimenting with new elements and approaches. “Bronco” is massive and brutal, and stands out in its defiant, unrelenting individuality.
‘130 (Lost Children of Hamelin)’ is the first single of new Finnish prog rockers TAIVALLAKI. The song is based on the world-famous story of the Pied Piper and it represents the heavier side of their music. Niina Maar of Viper Arms is shining on lead vocals.
Taivallaki was formed in Finland in 2020, from the remnants of a heavy metal band. Our group set out on a new musical journey. Driven by a desire to explore different sounds, we embraced a progressive hard rock style. Initially, we started as a trio, focusing on instrumental tracks. However, it quickly became clear that our music needed a vocal element to truly shine.
Later that year, Niina joined us as our vocalist, and her arrival marked a turning point. Her powerful melodies and deep, story-rich lyrics brought our songs to life, steering us in the right direction.
Our debut release 130 (Lost Children of Hamelin) is based on the world-famous story of the Pied Piper. The song represents heavier side of our music. Many don’t know that the story is based on a true historical incident. Hamelin lost 130 residents – possibly children or young people – on 26th of June 1284. Their destiny still remains unknown.
Taivallaki’s take on the legend uses the viewpoint of a mesmerized child, who in a dancing mania follows the magical tune to an unknown destination. With its powerful and eerie melodies the song engages you to… follow.
Seminal brutal death metal pioneers CRYPTOPSY will once again redefine the boundaries of extreme music with their forthcoming Infernal Bloodshed Over Europe 2025 tour. Double-kick ferocity and complex, technical compositions continue to be the hallmarks of a band that has spent over three decades tearing through the fabric of the underground metal scene.
Fans across Europe will have the opportunity to witness the unparalleled aggression and blistering precision that CRYPTOPSY has consistently delivered. Since their initial tearing of the metal veil, the band has become synonymous with musical innovation and relentless brutality. Ready yourselves for a tour that promises to be nothing short of a seismic event.
CRYPTOPSY will be joining Decapitated across 35 dates in Mainland Europe & the UK, with support from Warbringer & Carnation.
Infernal Bloodshed Over Europe 2025: 01 May: Kopervik, NO @ Karmbygeddon* 03 May: London, UK @ Incineration Festival 04 May: Exeter, UK @ Phoenix 05 May: Cardiff, UK @ The Globe 06 May: Newcastle, UK @ Anarchy Brewery 07 May: Glasgow, UK @ Slay 08 May: Manchester, UK @ Academy 2 09 May: Birmingham, UK @ XOYO 10 May: Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms 11 May: Norwich, UK @ The Waterfront 13 May: Lille, FR @ The Black Lab 14 May: Enschede, NL @ Metropool 15 May: Munich, DE @ Backstage 16 May: Aarau, CH @ KiFF 17 May: Lindau, DE @ Vaudeville 18 May: Vienna, AT @ Szene 19 May: Budapest, HU @ Dürer Kert 20 May: Prague, CZ @ Fuchs2 21 May: Schweinfurt, DE @ Stattbahnhof 22 May: Dresden, DE @ Blauer Salon 23 May: Krakow, PL @ Hype Park 24 May: Warsaw, PL @ Proxima 26 May: Berlin, DE @ Hole44 27 May: Aarhus, DK @ Voxhall 28 May: Hamburg, DE @ Logo 29 May: Vechta, DE @ Gulfhaus 30 May: Dortmund, DE @ Junkyard 31 May: Sint-Niklaas, BE @ Casino 01 June: Paris, FR @ La Machine 03 June: Frankfurt, DE @ Das Bett 04 June: Karlsruhe, DE @ Substage 05 June: Milan, IT @ Legend Club 06 June: Bologna, IT @ Locomotiv 07 June: Lyon, FR @ Lions Metal Fest 08 June: Maastricht, NL @ South of Heaven*
*Decapitated Only
Tickets are available through Avocado Booking, here.
Relive the gut-wrenching tales from The Book of Suffering: Tome I & II as CRYPTOPSY revamps their setlist with these mid-2010s masterworks. Dubbed as the band’s finest material of the new century by Decibel and Angry Metal Guy, these EPs laid the groundwork for CRYPTOPSY’s staunch commitment to brutal innovation.
The Book of Suffering: Tome I 1. Detritus (The One They Kept) (4:33) 2. The Knife, The Head And What Remains (3:30) 3. Halothane Glow (4:21) 4. Framed By Blood (4:20) Total runtime: 16:47
The Book of Suffering: Tome II 1. The Wretched Living (4:51) 2. Sire of Sin (4:27) 3. Fear His Displeasure (3:55) 4. The Laws Of The Flesh (4:28) Total runtime: 17:41
Lineup: Flo Mounier – Drums Matt McGachy – Vocals Christian Donaldson – Guitar Oli Pinard – Bass
When CRYPTOPSY emerged from Montreal, Quebec in 1993, their groundbreaking blend of technical prowess and brutal intensity left an indelible mark on extreme metal.
Right away, Cryptopsy showcased their unparalleled musicianship with their debut album. Blasphemy Made Flesh (1994) set the stage for a career that’s been defined by innovation and boundary-pushing. Their next album solidified the band as pioneers of death metal. None So Vile (1996) earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase across the world.
“Brutal and beautifully chaotic…a must-have for any extreme metal fan’s collection”, wrote Metal Hammer, who named None So Vile one of the best death metal albums ever.
Cryptopsy has continued to evolve throughout their storied career. Their 30-year discography defies any one categorization, ranging from jazz fusion on Whisper Supremacy (1998) and the avant-garde rhythms of Once Was Not (2005) to the melodic experiments of The Unspoken King (2008).
In 2012, Cryptopsy released their self-titled album, which signaled a return to their brutal roots. Three years later, the band embarked on The Book of Suffering, an ambitious two-part EP that Decibelregarded as “an absolute fucking burner”.
Almost 30 years into their career, Cryptopsy won the JUNO Award for Best Metal/Hard Music Album for their latest album As Gomorrah Burns (2023). They followed that up by earning another prestigious honor: joining Death to All on a tour of North America.
Along with their celebrated discography, a relentless work ethic and reputation as blistering live performers has cemented Cryptopsy as one of metal’s most influential and respected bands. But while their legacy is safely established, the band remain committed to expanding the definitions of extreme music. Having now signed with Season of Mist, they’re preparing to release new music, along with definitive reissues from their classic catalogue, starting with The Book of Suffering: Tome I and Tome II.
Get ready to plunge into the depths of consciousness with “Zone Unknown,” the latest lyric video from Bulgarian melodic avant-garde metal band EMBRACE BY DARK. Taken from their stunning third studio album, Extrasensory, this track is a mesmerizing journey through the intersections of existence, spirituality, and the quest for higher consciousness.
“Zone Unknown” invites you to reflect on profound themes that explore the essence of consciousness. As you listen, you’ll be drawn into a world where the boundaries of reality blur, urging you to consider what lies beyond our physical existence.
Embrace By Dark masterfully combines aggressive guitars, powerful vocals, atmospheric synths, and memorable melodies, crafting a sound that is both invigorating and thought-provoking. Their latest album, Extrasensory, is a testament to their artistic evolution, presenting an immersive listening experience that beckons the seeker within us all.
Extrasensory is out now via Wormholedeath, and it’s a testament to the band’s evolution and creative prowess.
Whether you’re decking the halls, rocking around the Christmas tree, or headbanging to your favorite festive tracks, BETTER NOISE MUSIC delivers the perfect soundtrack for the holiday season with their “Hard Rock Christmas Classics” playlist. Streaming now across all digital platforms, Better Noise Music: Hard Rock Christmas Classics features an electrifying mix of holiday hits and festive originals from rock’s top acts as well as several current and past bands from the label’s roster.
Artists featured on the holiday playlist include (in alphabetical order): 3 One Oh, All Good Things, AMH, Bang Bang Romeo, Bad Wolves*, Bleeker, Bürner, ChuggaBoom, Classless Act*, Cory Marks*, DIAMANTE, Dokken, Escape The Fate*, Eva Under Fire*, FELICITY, Finish Ticket*, From Ashes To New*, Helix, Hinder, Ice Nine Kills, Kamakazi, Little Stranger, Matty Mullins, Our Last Night, Secondary Truth, SIXX:A.M.*, Tempt*, The Funeral Portrait*, The Letter Black, The Sinitrics, Tulip, Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts, Weezer, Wolves At The Gate. *denotes former/current Better Noise Music artist
Stream Better Noise Music: Hard Rock Christmas Classics HERE.
BETTER NOISE MUSIC continues the holiday cheer with Better Noise Music Presents: The 12 Days of Xmas highlighting the label’s biggest releases of the year. Beginning from Friday, December 13 until Christmas Eve, each day will pay homage to a different release along with offering it on a limited-time sale exclusively via iTunes. See the full list here:
Day 1: ASKING ALEXANDRIA – Where Do We Go From Here Day 2: BAD WOLVES – Die About It Day 3: CROSSBONE SKULLY – Evil World Machine Day 4: DIRTY HEADS – Midnight Control Day 5: FROM ASHES TO NEW – Blackout Day 6: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – Afterlife (Deluxe) Day 7: FINISH TICKET – Echo Afternoon Day 8: NOTHING MORE – CARNAL Day 9: THE RETALIATORS – The Retaliators Official Soundtrack Day 10: THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT – Greetings From Suffocate City Day 11: THE HU – THE HU Live At Glastonbury Day 12: THE HU – Rumble of Thunder
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
