DISTANT’s new single and video, “Rat Torture”, is a critical reflection on our daily digital lives. “‘Rat Torture ’ is about a suffocating descend into a world where the illusion of freedom is maintained by the glowing screens and empty validation. The song paints humanity as willing prisoners, rats in a cage they worship. Every scroll is a mechanized ritual where identity is performed instead of lived. While there might be still human beneath the glow, it’s too numb to break free”, says the band.
DISTANT are keeping things busy and their grim, ultra-heavy Deathcore on the road. After already touring Europe with Sylosis they just finished another US run including several shows with In Flames and Thrown.
The band is also due to play multiple festivals this summer:
Jun. 18–21, 26 (BE) Dessel – Graspop Metal Meeting Jun. 24, 26 (CZ) Pilsen – Basinfire Festival Jun. 26–27, 26 (DE) Leipzig – Impericon Festival Jun. 27, 26 (NL) Ysselsteyn – Jera On Air Jul. 4, 26 (ES) Viveiro – Resurrection Fest Oct. 31, 26 (DE) Göppingen – Core Fest
Crimson Glory and BraveWords Records announce a free listening party on Bandcamp to celebrate the new album Chasing The Hydra on June 5th at 1pm EST. Come along to listen to the music with Ben Jackson and Travis Wills from the band and chat with them about the making of the album. Ben and Travis will be sharing stories and answer your questions about Chasing The Hydra.
“It’s been nice,” guitarist Ben Jackson tells BraveWords about the band’s continued success. “People have been very open to the band coming back and everybody’s very happy and enthusiastic about it. I’ve always wanted to keep the band going on a constant; music is in my blood, it’s my life. I want to play in a band that has respect and some notoriety and can get some live gigs. Crimson Glory, we have a legacy, we have a following, and when we bring the band back the doors automatically open. We can play big festivals and put out a record. We don’t want to sit idly by anymore.”
Alongside mainstay founding members Ben, Jeff and Dana, the band announced in 2023 the addition of amazing new vocalist Travis Wills and guitarist Mark Borgmeyer.
Track Listing:
Redden The Sun Chasing The Hydra Broken Together Angel In My Nightmare Indelible Ashes Beyond The Unknown Armor Against Fate Pearls Of Dust Triskaideka
Don’t miss Crimson Glory on the road in 2026:
JUN 12 ES SANTURTZI, Kabiefest JUN 13 NL LEEUWARDEN, Into The Grave Festival JUL 3 – ES CARTAGENA, Rock Imperium Festival JUL 4 – BG SOFIA, Live & Loud JUL 5 – GR VOLOS, Golden R Festival JUL 6 – SE KNISLINGE, Time To Rock JUL 18 – IT CREMONA, Luppolo In Rock AUG 1 – DE WACKEN, Wacken Open Air AUG 2 – GR CHANIA, Chania Rock Festival AUG 5 – DE ESSEN, Turock AUG 7 – BE KORTRIJK, Alcatraz Open Air AUG 8 – DE GEISELWIND, Keep It True Legions SEP 11 – US ATLANTA, GA, Progpower SEP 17 – US MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 7th St Entry SEP 18 – US MADISON, WI, Blades Of Steel
About Crimson Glory:
Crimson Glory, an American heavy metal institution that formed in 1983 in Sarasota, Florida, USA. The classic line-up featured vocalist Midnight, guitarists Jon Drenning and Ben Jackson, bass guitarist Jeff Lords, and drummer Dana Burnell. With this line-up, they rose to international fame in the mid-1980s and were considered one of the pioneers of the American progressive metal movement, alongside bands like Queensrÿche, Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Watchtower. With 3/5 of the classic line up still intact, and now joined by acclaimed new vocalist Travis Wills, the band have been touring heavily over the past year… making this album one of the most anticipated releases of 2026 within the Heavy Metal Scene!
Solo pagan black metal project SERPENT LORD will be releasing its debut album, ‘The Once Forgotten Ways of Old,’ on May 29, 2026 via Eisenwald Records. The project is now streaming the offering in its entirety ahead of Friday’s release via Black Metal Promotion, which can be found at THIS LOCATION.
SERPENT LORD first slithered into existence in 2003, emerging as a solitary pagan black metal vessel forged by Jake Superchi (UADA, Ceremonial Castings). Though the project’s first true album was recorded in 2005, the work was abruptly shelved and lay dormant for twenty years. Now, in the Year of the Snake, the ancient offering has been reborn and reimagined as ‘The Once Forgotten Ways of Old,’ preserving every note of its primordial conception.
The album was re-recorded in the cold heart of the Pacific Northwest between 2022 and 2025, engineered and mixed by Jake Superchi, and mastered by Arthur Rizk. The release features new artwork and the original logo created by Kris Verwimp, along with photography by Peter Beste.
Originally formed over two decades ago, SERPENT LORD existed largely in the shadows, issuing only a handful of demos before entering an extended period of dormancy. Yet, the creative force behind the project never faded. Ideas, fragments, and compositions endured across the years, shelved for the right moment, only fully taking shape and being realized in the Year of the Snake, when the vision was finally forged into its definitive form.
Early demo material already hinted at what SERPENT LORD would become: a severe balance between melodic grandeur and unrestrained aggression, with transitions between atmosphere and brutality, produced to enhance rather than obscure its intensity.
Founded by Jake Superchi (known for its creative force in UADA and CEREMONIAL CASTINGS), SERPENT LORD channels the spirit of ’90s pagan black metal. The album stands as a triumphant and immersive work – melodic, fierce, and steeped in ritualistic energy. Expansive riffing, evocative passages, and a dynamic interplay between harsh and atmospheric elements, both timeless and fully awakened.
The album was recorded and mixed by Jake Superchi, and mastered by Arthur Rizk, achieving a sound that retains raw edge while delivering clarity and depth. The cover artwork, created by Kris Verwimp, along with photography by Peter Beste, further underscoring the album’s mythical and arcane atmosphere.
With ‘The Once Forgotten Ways of Old,’ SERPENT LORD emerges from decades of silence with a work that fulfills the promise of its early recordings; it’s an album shaped by time, and driven by an uncompromising vision of black metal.
Lineup: Jake Superchi – all instruments & vocals
Mixing & Engineering: Jake Superchi Mastering: Arthur Rizk
Seattle progressive metalcore heavyweights Oathbound have officially pulled back the curtain on the grueling reality of independent music with their cinematic new video for “Set Adrift,” a standout centerpiece from their freshly unleashed full-length album, Colors in Grey, available worldwide on CD and digital platforms via Eclipse Records.
Directed by Brandon Hartsock, the visual completely dismantles the worn-out cliches of rock-and-roll excess—trading non-stop parties and glamorous backstage backdrops for a sobering look at the true currency of modern touring: mental exhaustion, financial strain, and the quiet agony of isolation. This is the fourth music video taken from their full-length album Colors In Grey which was recently released on March 6, 2026 via Eclipse Records.
The music video masterfully maps this suffocating internal atmosphere onto the physical landscape of the open highway, a concept guitarist Taylor Harper notes was pulled directly from their reality: “Life on the road is a grind. It’s a lifestyle that isn’t suited for everyone nor can many relationships stand the test of long stretches without calls and extended time apart. Schedules are flipped, meals are communal at wherever the van happens to be whenever hunger strikes. It’s the ultimate dichotomy of life as a touring musician and what most deem normal. This video aims to show the difficulties in maintaining a grounded connection with those that we love, both on the road, and waiting for us back home.” Ultimately, for vocalist CJ Brunke, the video functions not as a fictional piece of performance art, but as an archive of the band’s collective sacrifices, serving as an honest reality check for audiences who only witness the high-energy, 30-minute sets from the crowd: “This video is deeply personal, born from real experiences that each of us have had during our time on the road. I think a lot of people have a very skewed view of what the reality of touring is. In large part, there’s no partying… It’s constant driving and grinding and carrying gear back and forth and making real connections with people night after night. It’s the best part of being in a band, but it’s also the hardest part of being in a band. It takes its toll mentally and financially, yet we keep driving – every single day and night toward the hope of living our dreams.” With “Set Adrift,” Oathbound proves that the heaviest thing about the modern metalcore scene isn’t the breakdowns—it’s the honesty.
Cover art Credit: Aaron Varshay
This latest full-length from Oathbound, Colors In Grey, is exactly the kind of record the progressive metalcore scene needs right now. It’s a definitive statement that firmly entrenches the band in the upper echelon of the genre. More than a simple collection of songs, this is a rigorous, nine-track emotional excavation. The Seattle outfit has always possessed a gift for channeling raw human experience—confronting themes like trauma, addiction, and heartbreak head-on—but here they successfully forge those dark elements into a work of unexpected, profound catharsis. Released on March 6, 2026 via Eclipse Records, this album is an undeniable, critical pivot point for their career. The album’s thematic core lies in three defining pieces. “Searching for an Answer” is a brilliant, pointed piece of social commentary, diving headlong into the struggle for objective truth in a world rife with manipulation; the philosophical weight is palpable. This is followed by the technical force of “False Ideals,” which critiques herd mentality and blind faith with intricate, hard-hitting progressive arrangements. The emotional centerpiece arrives with “Insomniac.” This track strips away the armor, offering a raw, intimate portrayal of sleepless nights and racing thoughts, perfectly capturing the debilitating mental turmoil of unending exhaustion. These tracks alone prove Oathbound’s unique gift: blending weighty, universal themes with genuinely energetic compositions. The album was produced by Oathbound, and mixed/mastered by Aaron Chaprian (As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, Chimaira) at Iron Audio. Artwork for the album and singles was created by Aaron Varshay. Colors In Grey by Oathbound was released on March 6, 2026 via Eclipse Records.
Listen to Colors In Grey on digital formats & get it on CD via Eclipse Records at this location.
Oathbound on Tour (get tickets here) 6/18 – Eugene, OR – The Campbell Club 6/19 – Albany, OR – The 520 6/20 – Citrus Heights, CA – Smashed Live 6/21 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Humdinger Brewing 6/22 – Palm Dale, CA – Transplants Brewing 6/23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Escondite 6/25 – San Diego, CA – McGuffie’s Live 6/26 – Reno, NV – Club Underground 6/27 – Medford, OR – Rockafairy 6/28 – Portland, OR – Dantes
About Oathbound: Hailing from Seattle, WA, Oathbound channels the unfiltered emotion of the human condition into progressive metalcore. Exploring themes of heartbreak and trauma, the band aims to show that even in life’s darkest moments, there is a life still worth living.
Oathbound lineup CJ Brunke (vocals), Taylor Harper (guitar), Viktor Schultz (guitar), Steve Schwarz (bass), Travis Morlan (drums)
SEVEN KINGDOMS has launched their crowdfunding campaign for their sixth full-length album, Sono Sola. The forthcoming release was recorded at Morrisound Recording during April and May 2026 alongside producer Jim Morris (SAVATAGE, WARRANT, DEATH). Francesco Cavalieri (WIND ROSE, V.B.O.) also joined the project as co-producer. The album artwork for Sono Sola was designed and created by Bo Bradshaw. Further details including Sono Sola‘s track list will be revealed once the crowdfunding campaign closes on June 26, 2026.
Vocalist Sabrina Cruz comments on the crowdfunding campaign launch: “Today is the day we unveil all the cool things we have that will support the release of the new album! Because we choose crowdfunding, we as a band get to be very hands on with the products that we produce for the release of this album. We are making sure that everything you see on the page is made at the highest quality and it looks really great. Our merch is my favorite clothing because of how nice it is!
We can’t wait for all of you to receive these beautiful, limited edition items that will support and contain the best music we have ever produced. I’m proud of all of us for the hard work we’ve put into this and I’m immensely grateful to the fans who have supported us album after album. They are the reason why we exist.”
SEVEN KINGDOMS, a power metal band hailing from Deland, FL, was formed in 2007. After solidifying their lineup in 2009, the band signed with Nightmare Records and began gaining momentum in the metal scene. Their big break came in 2010 when they were handpicked by BLIND GUARDIAN to support their North American tour, which introduced SEVEN KINGDOMS to a wider audience. Following this, they played notable tours and festivals, including ProgPower USA and the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise, while releasing The Fire is Mine in 2012, which marked a pivotal moment in their career with its refined sound and strong reception.
In recent years, SEVEN KINGDOMS has continued to expand their reach with international tours alongside acts like STRATOVIRUS, AMARANTHE and EVERGREY. The band’s latest full-length album, Zenith (2022), was released through Distortion Music Group, further cementing their place in the power metal world where they were featured as the sole support for the first US Tour of POWERWOLF and then with WIND ROSE in the USA and Europe shortly after. In 2024, they released their highly anticipated EP, The Square, under Reigning Phoenix Music which hit the stages in Europe with UNLEASH THE ARCHERS and again with BLIND GUARDIAN 15 years later in North America. With world-wide touring view on the horizon, SEVEN KINGDOMS continues to elevate their status in the global metal scene.
Ferociously melodic in their approach, the quartet fuse high octane energy and intensity with compelling harmonies in their charismatic, modern take on power metal. With recording for the new album, Sono Sola, now complete, SEVEN KINGDOMS are gearing up to ignite this next chapter and invite fans to join them with the upcoming launch of their Kickstarter Campaign.
SEVEN KINGDOMS is:
Sabrina Cruz – Vocals Camden Cruz – Guitars Kevin Byrd – Guitars Keith Byrd – Drums
A dark, guitar-driven anthem of obsession, chaos, and toxic desire, delivering a heavy, hook-filled return to Saliva’s signature early-2000s sound.
Hard rock band Saliva have released their new single, “Sadistic Love,” out now via Judge & Jury Records alongside the official music video.
“Sadistic Love” is a dark, moody, guitar-driven track that taps into the early-2000s sound that helped define Saliva’s legacy. Built around a heavy mid-tempo groove, the song builds tension before breaking into an explosive chorus, pairing the aggressive, melodic vocals of Bobby Amaru with an undeniable hook. Lyrically, the track explores love as both a lifeline and a weapon, capturing the all-too-familiar feeling of being trapped in a relationship that is falling apart but still impossible to let go of.
“Some relationships become a battlefield. You fight, you break, you swear it’s over, and then somehow you’re right back in the middle of it again. ‘Sadistic Love’ is about being addicted to the very thing that hurts you. It’s about chaos disguised as passion and pain disguised as connection. Sometimes the scars become part of the attraction. It’s messy, it’s toxic, it’s real, and we wanted the song to feel exactly like that,” shares Bobby Amaru.
“Sadistic Love” marks Saliva’s fourth new single, continuing to build momentum toward the band’s forthcoming new album, slated for release later this year.
In addition to the new release, Saliva will be hitting the road this summer. The band recently made appearances at leading rock festivals such as Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival.
Fans can expect additional announcements in the coming weeks as Saliva continues rolling out new music and builds toward the release of Breaking Throughthis August.
June 6, 2026: Cape Girardeau, MO @ Arena Park June 9, 2026: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre June 10, 2026: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon June 11, 2026: Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo House of Music June 13, 2026: Sidney, MT @ Richland County Fair & Rodeo August 9, 2026: Oshkosh, WI @ Hard Drive 2026 Aug 13, 2026: San Francisco, CA @ August Hall Aug 14, 2026: Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex Aug 15, 2026: San Diego, CA @ SeaWorld San Diego
Saliva exploded onto the hard rock scene with anthems like “Click Click Boom” and “Your Disease,” the latter earning a Grammy nomination. Their major-label debut Every Six Seconds (2001) went double-platinum, followed by Back Into Your System (2002), which produced hits including “Always,” “Raise Up,” and “Rest In Pieces.”
Since 2011, frontman Bobby Amaru has led the band through a new era with releases including Rise Up (2013), Love, Lies & Therapy (2016), 10 Lives (2018), Every Twenty Years EP (2021), and Revelation (2023). In 2023, the band suffered the devastating loss of founding guitarist Wayne Swinny, whose legacy continues to shape their music and live shows. Reflecting on his passing, Amaru shared, “This band meant more to Wayne than music itself, and he wanted us to continue in its current form.”
Most recently, Saliva released Revelation: Retold (2025) via Judge & Jury Records, a deluxe reimagining of their 2023 album featuring guest vocals, unreleased tracks, and new takes on fan favorites, reinforcing the band’s resilience and continued evolution.
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 ) 