DREAM DROP are set to release their fourth album “Blackcastle” on May 15th.
“Blackcastle is not a place that exists on any map. It is an ever-changing structure that appears in dreams. The album revolves around this imagined castle as a metaphor for a future so perfect it becomes addictive to dream about. A place built from longing, avoidance, and the comfort of fantasy. It represents the quiet pull of something familiar yet harmful, where hope and self-deception coexist.
Each song explores a different room, corridor, or collapse within and around the castle. Not as a linear story, but as fragments of recurring thoughts and emotional cycles. Moments repeat, distort, and resurface, mirroring the way dreams and obsessions refuse to resolve. Throughout the album, unseen entities linger and interfere. They interrupt, question, and pressure the listener to stop dreaming and face reality, acting as manifestations of reality and the people that care about you.
Sonically, Blackcastle balances aggression and vulnerability. Heavy, modern alternative and metal influences collide with melodic, intimate moments, often within the same track. The dynamics reflect the tension between escapism and confrontation, between wanting to disappear and being forced to stay present. The record leans into raw emotion rather than polish, allowing discomfort, tension, and honesty to remain intact. It is music meant to feel close, uneasy, and lived-in.
At its core, Blackcastle is about being stuck in your personal development and the strange comfort that can come with that. It captures the feeling of knowing you should leave, while still being drawn deeper inside. The album does not offer resolution or escape. Instead, it documents the experience of wandering the same halls again and again.”
The Metal Voice spoke METAL CHURCH founder Guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof about the bands up and coming album ‘DEAD TO THE RIGHTS’.
Watch the interview below.
When asked if Kurdt Vanderhoof would have ended the last lineup any differently
“Sure they (former band members) think I could have done it differently. That’s on them. We had a big discussion about it, There’s no point. Enough was said. I was clear. The Label lost interest. They (Label) weren’t interested in working with us anymore.” So, I was like, “Well, there’s no point in going on. I’m done. I’m shutting this down. Best of luck to you.” There you go.”
“We got back from Australia. Things got ugly. Things fell apart and a lot of nasty stuff was going on and the record company got done. They said, “No, we’re not doing this (Label).” And I’m like, “I’m not having any fun. I’m done.” So, I shut the band down. Let everybody know, “I’m done. I’m shutting this down. We’re done.” And I also made it very clear that I’m not going to say anything derogatory about anybody. And I hope you do the same because there’s one thing that I can’t stand in the world of social media, you know, he said, she said [ __ ] fight between former band members and blah blah blah. So obviously some people decided to go a different route. That’s on them. That’s fine. But I shut the band down. It (Metal Church) was done. So when it started back up again, um it wasn’t by me starting it up. It was Brian Allen suddenly showed up via Todd LaTorre from Queensryche and he said to (Brain Allan) you should send a couple of demos to Rat Pack (Records) and uh and he did and again this was going on without solicitation at all. So he (Brian Allan) sent it and then next thing I know I got a couple of MP3s of somebody singing a couple of old Metal Church songs and I was like, wow. Well, if I ever put the band together again or anything, this guy would be great. I didn’t know that I had known him before from his Judas Priest cover band from many, many years ago. So then I left it at that. And then because Dave Ellison was working with Rat Pack on the Ellefson/ Soto project, he extended to Rat Pack that well if Metal Church gets back together. I’d love to be involved in that. And I was like wow, cuz Dave and I have known each other forever. And then next, out of the blue, Jeff Plate said he’d come back if we put it back together. So here I’m sitting here going, well, this is awesome. You know, I really had no intentions. I didn’t want to go run auditions and and start looking. I was done. You know, it was like another lineup. Like another singer. Really? Come on. You know, this is stupid. but it just happened. So, I went with it and then as it turns out, we started with Jeff (Plate )and he couldn’t stay because of the Savatage reunion and that really took off, which is great for him. I’m really happy for those guys that they’re doing that. And then within a few days, I was in touch with Ken Mary. So, it just kept moving. So, I’m like, well, I think there’s something more going on then that I intended “I shut it down. .A year and a half, two years later, I put it back together.”
West Coast thrash metal legends Metal Church return with their 13th studio album, Dead To Rights, scheduled for release on April 10 via Rat Pak Records. The album marks the first release from the band’s latest lineup, featuring founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof alongside longtime guitarist Rick Van Zandt, joined by bass icon David Ellefson, powerhouse drummer Ken Mary, and dynamic new vocalist Brian Allen.
From the aggressive opening assault of “Brainwash Game” to the riff-driven finale “My Wrath,” Metal Church prove they still possess the same relentless drive that has earned them fans for over four decades. Tracks such as “Deep Cover Shakedown,” “The Show,” and “Wasted Time” deliver the signature sound the band has long been known for. The album’s first single, “F.A.F.O.,” was released last November, with its accompanying video surpassing 400,000 views to date. Dead To Rights was produced by Kurdt Vanderhoof and mixed and mastered by Zeuss at Planet Z.
Track Listing: “Brainwash Game, “F.A.F.O.” “Dead To Rights, “Deep Cover Shakedown,” “Feet To The Fire,” “The Show,” “Heaven Knows (Slip Away),” “No Memory,” “Wasted Time,” “My Wrath”.
–Release Date: April 10, 2026. –Label: Rat Pak Records. –Producer: Kurdt Vanderhoof, with mixing and mastering by Zeuss at Planet-Z Studios.
Oakland death metal trio, Necrot, have officially signed with Metal Blade Records, marking a powerful new chapter for one of the underground’s most distinguished death metal bands. The signing coincides with the band’s upcoming appearance on the 2026 Decibel Magazine Tour, the band comments:
“It is extremely exciting to announce that Necrot has signed with Metal Blade Records! We’ve been a band for 15 years making Death Metal the way we want to and Metal Blade has been here for almost 45 years supporting extreme metal bands from all over the world. We feel confident that this new chapter will be great for us and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on for our next album! We are looking forward to seeing you guys on our upcoming tour, 30 dates across the USA and Canada…and of course stay tuned for more announcements from Necrot and Metal Blade!“
Necrot will take part in the 2026 Decibel Magazine Tour, joining technical death metal pioneers Cryptopsy, Italy’s brutal death metallers, Fulci and new death/grinders, Blood Monolith, for a devastating run across North America.
See below for Necrot‘s spring and summer tour dates.
TOUR DATES: Decibel Magazine Tour 2026 w/ Cryptopsy, Fulci, and Blood Monolith 4/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ Backstage Bar & Billiards * 4/24 – Albuquerque, NM @ InsideOut * 4/25 – Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th St. * 4/26 – Memphis, TN @ The Hi Tone * 4/27 – Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle * 4/28 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups * 4/29 – Harrisburg, PA @ Capital City Music Hall * 4/30 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium Upstairs 5/01 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Monarch 5/02 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage 5/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Philly 2026 5/05 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell) 5/07 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall 5/08 – Dallas, TX @ The Studio 5/09 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live 5/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent 5/13 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 5/14 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone 5/16 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater 5/17 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon 5/19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Ace’s High Saloon * 5/20 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater 5/22 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe 5/23 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge 5/24 – Detroit, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom 5/25 – Cleveland, OH @ The Grog Shop 5/26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground 5/27 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s 5/28 – Montreal, QC @ Fairmount Theatre 5/29 – Portland, ME @ Geno’s * *Necrot Headline Dates – “Into the Labyrinth” Tour 2026
European 2026 Festival Dates: July 1st – 5th Obscene Extreme Festival Czech Republic August 6-8th Sonic Blast Festival Portugal August 13th – 15th Frantic Fest Italy August 15th Dynamo MetalFest Netherlands
Formed in 2011 in Oakland, CA, Necrot features former members of Bay Area acts Acephalix, Vastuma and Saviours. The band’s debut LP, Blood Offerings, reached #29 on the Billboard Hard Rock chart and #4 on Decibel Magazine‘s Top 40 Albums of 2017. They’ve toured the world with such acts as Cannibal Corpse, Carcass, Municipal Waste and many more, solidifying their place in the modern metal scene.
NECROT IS: Luca Indrio – Vocals/Bass Chad Gailey – Drums Sonny Reinhardt – Guitars
DOMINUM are back: the rising stars of modern metal offer the first taste of their upcoming album Night Is Calling, set for release on July 3 2026 via Napalm Records. “The Circus Is in Town” serves as both the lead single and the album opener, lifting the curtain on the thrilling and mad world of Dr. Dead’s band’s third offering.
Following their previous album The Dead Don’t Die (2024), which stormed into the top 10 of the German charts, “The Circus Is in Town” delivers once again with infectious riffs and catchy choruses. DOMINUM captures this gripping atmosphere in a spectacular music video—no one can escape this dark circus!
Dr. Dead comments on „The Circus is in Town“: “The Circus Is in Town. There’s no point in looking away. We’re coming—city by city. Unstoppable. Real people. Real monsters. Real nights. You’re part of it. Join us. Night Is Calling.”
DOMINUM, led by mastermind and singer Felix Heldt—better known as Dr. Dead—open the next chapter of their dark, theatrical universe with their new full-length Night Is Calling. With their bombastic sound and outstanding stage presence, the band continues its rapid ascent on the international metal scene, without losing sight of its strengths: theatrical, melodic, and uncompromising modern metal—driven by the dark charisma of Dr. Dead and his zombies. One thing is certain: the Living Dead Squad continues to grow.
Night Is Calling is now available for pre-order, with selected formats including the bonus album Live at Wacken 2025.
Dr. Dead on Night is Calling: “’They grow up so fast.’ – Ugh. It makes me sick. And now I feel it myself: my zombies have grown up. Our creation… has grown up too. But unlike the pitiful rest, we don’t mourn our childhood. No. We revel in who we are. Being a child, being an adult – what does that even mean? Anyway – the world lies at our feet, and we can do whatever we damn well please. Believe me from firsthand experience: an army of zombies makes everything a hell of a lot easier… and way more fun with every bit of trouble getting the punch it deserves. We have the power to reshape our world. And oh, we do. ‘Night is Calling’ – this is our outlet. Stronger melodies, heavier riffs, sharper, unflinching lyrics – honesty as our deadliest weapon. We are who we are. And you… you’re in this whether you like it or not. The undead are on the march, more relentless than ever. Join us – immediately, willingly… or a little later when we come to your neighborhood. Either way… we’ll be seeing you. Dr. Dead”
Led by Dr. Dead (vocals) and his Zombies – Tommy Kemp (guitars), Patient 0 (bass), and Victor Hilltop (drums) – DOMINUM have already taken their undead spectacle to major stages across Europe. Touring alongside icons such as Bruce Dickinson, Avantasia, Battle Beast and Peyton Parrish, the band has proven its strength both at major festivals and during their own headline shows.
Produced by Felix Heldt and mixed by renowned producer Jacob Hansen, Night is Calling expands the band’s sonic universe with even heavier riffs, bigger choruses and cinematic drama. The explosive opener “The Circus Is In Town” throws listeners straight into DOMINUM’s twisted carnival, while infectious anthems such as “Doctor Doctor” and “Dark Melodies” deliver massive hooks destined to echo across festival crowds. The powerful title track “Night is Calling” (feat. Battle Beast) further highlights the band’s growing presence on the international metal stage.
Night is Calling tracklisting:
The Circus is in Town
Doctor Doctor
Children Of The Night
Nosferatu
Dark Melodies
Night is Calling (feat. Battle Beast)
Jack The Ripper
Thriller (Michael-Jackson-Cover)
Devil’s Son
I Don’t Drink Wine
Endzeit
Don’t Get Bitten By The Wrong Ones (Acoustic)
Hey Living People (Acoustic)
DOMINUM Live
Night is Calling Tour 2026: w/ The Night Flight Orchestra 24.11.26 FR – Paris / La Machine du Moulin Rouge 25.11.26 DE – Frankfurt / Batschkapp 27.11.26 DE – Hamburg / Grosse Freiheit 36 28.11.26 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser 01.12.26 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra 02.12.26 AT – Vienna / Szene 04.12.26 CH – Pratteln / Z7 05.12.26 DE – Saarbrücken / Garage 06.12.26 BE – Sint Niklaas / De Casino 08.12.26 UK – Manchester / O2 Ritz 09.12.26 UK – Bristol / Bristol Electric 10.12.26 UK – London / Electric Brixton 12.12.26 DE – Oberhausen / Turbinenhalle 13.12.26 DE – Utrecht / Tivoli Vredenburg 15.12.26 DE – Berlin / SO36 16.12.26 DE – Hanover / Capitol 18.12.26 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn 19.12.26 DE – Munich / Backstage 20.12.26 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch
Festivals: 22.-23.05.26 CH – Cornaux / Corn’Rock Festival 05.-07.06.26 CZ – Pilsen / Metalfest Open Air 01.-04.07.26 DE – Ballenstedt / Rock Harz Festival 03.-06.07.26 SE – Knislinge / Time To Rock 24.-25.07.26 DE – Bissingen / Wisdom Tooth Festival 13.-15.07.26 DE – Sulingen / Reload Festival 23.08.26 DE – Sankt Goarshausen / Loreley Freilichtbühne (w/ Judas Priest, Thundermother) … more to be announced
DOMINUM are: Dr. Dead – Vocals Patient 0 – Bass Victor Hilltop – Drums Tommy Kemp – Guitars
Torture Squad announced the first dates of their extensive European tour. In this leg of the ‘Devilish European Tour’, the Brazilian band is the special guest opening for Venom Inc.
The ‘Devilish European Tour’ with Venom Inc. begins on June 13th in Erfurt, Germany, passing through Austria and the Netherlands, and concludes on June 29th in Vechta, also in Germany. Other dates will be announced soon, including special appearances at shows by major names in world metal.
Regarding the shows with Venom Inc., vocalist Mayara Puertas comments:
“It’s a collaborative project with Venom Inc. which is a band of a long-time friend of ours. I previously recorded a project with Tony Dolan in SABBATONERO, so we’d been talking for a long time about wanting to do this tour and, fortunately, in 2026 the bands’ schedules aligned and we were able to make this happen.”
Tony Dolan, of Venom Inc., comments:
“WE (Venom Inc) are VERY pleased and excited to have the incredible Torture Squad as our very special guests joining us on selected European dates! The band proudly flys the Brazilian flag around the globe.. brining their own style and brand of heaviest extremities to fans and finally (on a personal note) we get to help bring them to you directly… NOT to be missed…One helluva crushing and explosive night of music is coming right at you very soon!!!! We & they cannot wait!!! We will see you out there, somewhere!!! AVE OUR UNION BLACK!!”
Torture Squad continues with the final stage of the album ‘Devilish’, available on digital platforms and in physical version.
In parallel, the band is preparing for the release of their new album, scheduled for 2026 by the Italian label Time to Kill Records.
Torture Squad is seen by extreme music fans as one of the most visceral and powerful metal bands active today. With nearly three decades of experience, including excellent live performances at the most important metal festivals in the world, the Brazilian group has gathered legions of fans playing throughout the country, Latin America, and Europe – breaking the record after performing at Wacken Open Air 2025, becoming one of the only Brazilian bands to play four times at the festival.
In their second album with the new lineup, Mayara Puertas (Vocals), Rene Simionato (Guitar), Castor (Bass), and Amilcar Christófaro (Drums) maturely transcend the sound of extreme metal, incorporating progressive metal, influences from Brazilian music, and symphonic elements.
The album also pays homage to Brazilian heroes with the participation of Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) on the track “Buried Alive,” and a tribute to Rickson Gracie, the resilient Jiu-Jitsu fighter considered one of the sport’s greatest legends, the subject of the track “Warrior,” which also became a single featuring singer Leather Leone from Chastain, as well as Alex Nasser on Arabic percussion in “Hell is Coming.”
The band also mobilized several musicians linked to indigenous causes to collaborate on the song “Uatumã” – Suzane Hecate (Miasthenia), Victor Rodrigues (Tribal Scream), and João Luiz (Golpe de Estado) – making an appeal for the preservation of the Amazon in a song that flows powerfully with the words of indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire and tribal rhythms. The band released seven high-production music videos to promote the album: “Hell is Coming”, “Flukeman”, “Warrior”, “Sanctuary”, “Thoth”, “Mabus” e “Find My Way”“Magnum Chaos”.
As a first taste, the band released the first single, titled “Mabus,” accompanied by a lyric video made by Wanderley Perna. ‘Devilish’ was recorded and mixed by Diego Rocha at Bay Area Studios, and mastered by Martin Furia, guitarist of Destruction and famous for working with the bands The Damnnation, Invisible Control, and Eskrota.
As the curtain falls on an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades, SEPULTURA are preparing to close their final chapter at the end of this year. With over 40 years of band history, 14 gold records, and performances across more than 80 countries, SEPULTURA stand as Brazil’s uncompromising emissary to the global stage and one of today’s most influential metal bands.
Currently bringing their pioneering sound to audiences worldwide on the ‘Celebrating Life Through Death‘ farewell tour, the question has arisen: how should SEPULTURA mark the end of such a monumental journey? The answer came naturally: By capturing a final creative moment and preserving it for posterity.
Last month, SEPULTURA announced their final release, The Cloud of Unknowing EP, due to be released on April 24th.
Today, the band are proud to reveal the EP’s second single, the deeply resonant ‘Beyond the Dream‘.
SEPULTURA commented,
“Beyond the Dream” emerges as one of the most emblematic moments of Sepultura’s final chapter, serving as a poetic reflection of a journey shaped by decades of albums, tours, and life on the road.
This previously unreleased composition fulfills a long-standing desire of the band to explore the ballad format, blending Sepultura’s identity with the melodic sensitivity of renowned collaborators. To bring this project to life, Sepultura enlisted the essential collaboration of Sérgio Britto and Tony Bellotto of Titãs—musicians who share a long history with the band and are widely recognized as specialists in the genre, as well as composers of classics such as “Polícia.”
The result of a direct partnership between members of Sepultura and Titãs, the song celebrates the connection between artists who share the stage and a deep passion for creation. The outcome is a piece that brings great satisfaction to everyone involved, establishing itself as both an emotional and historical milestone featured on the band’s final EP, released in this very year that marks Sepultura’s official farewell.”
The Cloud of Unknowing EP is one of SEPULTURA’s most diverse and emotionally resonant releases. Across four tracks, the EP serves as a bittersweet farewell, showcasing the full spectrum of the band’s creativity, reflecting both the ferocity and depth that have defined SEPULTURA’s legacy.
The Cloud of Unknowing EP will be available in the following formats:
Oxblood
Transparent Petrol (NB exclusive)
Crystal clear (band exclusive)
Transparent red (band exclusive)
All LP variants come with a CD of the EP in a card wallet.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see SEPULTURA on their final ever tour! The dates are as follows:
SEPULTURA – CELEBRATING LIFE THROUGH DEATH
29. Apr – USA – Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater 01. May – CAN – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS 02. May – CAN – London, ON @ London Music Hall 04. May – USA – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre 05. May – USA – Louisville, KY @Old Forester’s Paristown Hall 06. May – USA – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl 07. May – USA – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 08. May – USA – New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre 10. May – USA – Welcome To Rockville, FL 11. May – USA – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm 12. May – USA – Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall 13. May – USA – Reading, PA @ Reverb 15. May – Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre 16. May – USA – Sonic Temple Festival, OH 17. May – USA – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave 19. May – USA – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom 21. May – USA – Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre 22. May – USA – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot 23. May – USA – Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club 25. May – USA – Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues 26. May – USA – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park 28. May – USA – Berkeley, CA @ The US Theatre 29. May – USA – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
06. Jun – NL – South Of Heaven 07. Jun – CZ – Metalfest 08. Jun – CR – Zagreb @ Tvornica Kulture 09. Jun – IT – Milan @ Circolo Magnolia 10. Jun – IT – Rome @ Eur social park 12. Jun – CH – Greenfield Festival 13. Jun – AT – Novarock 14. Jun – DE – Würzburg @ Pothalle 17. Jun – DE – Saarbruecken @ Garage 19. Jun – FR – Hellfest 20. Jun – BE – Graspop 21. Jun – PT – Rock in Rio Lisboa 23. Jun – DE – Oberhausen @ Turbinenhalle 24. Jun – DE – Potsdam @ Waschhaus Potsdam 25. Jun – DK – Copenhell 26. Jun – SE – Huskvarna @ Folkets Park 27. Jun – NO – Tons of Rock 30. Jun – GR – Release festival 31. Jul – DE – Wacken Open Air 01. Aug – FI – Helsinki @ Tavastia *SOLD OUT 02. Aug – EE – Tallinn Rock Festival 05. Aug – ES – Leyendas Del Rock 07. Aug – UK – Bloodstock Festival 09. Aug – IE – Dublin @ 3Arena
SEPULTURA are: Derrick Green – vocals Andreas Kisser – guitars Paulo Jr. – bass Greyson Nekrutman – drums
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 ) 