From the dark underbelly of Dublin’s music scene emerges Droptune, a genre-defiant band channeling the raw protest of Rage Against the Machine with the industrial grit of Nine Inch Nails. Built on down-tuned riffs, pounding rhythms, and visceral energy, Droptune is a sonic rebellion against the mundane.
Following the breakout success of their debut single ‘All Calm’, which has surpassed 20,000 Spotify plays and earned heavy rotation across major Irish radio stations, as well as breaking into the UK with airplay on Kerrang! Radio, Droptune are poised to make their boldest statement yet.
Their forthcoming single ‘Reaper’ (out now & featuring Niamh Van Rensberg) is an unapologetic heavy metal anthem that tears straight into the heart of political corruption and the chaos of modern warfare. Recorded at Dublin’s renowned Track Mix Studio, the track fuses blistering riffs, thunderous drums, and the electrifying vocals of Niamh Van Rensburg, whose voice cuts like a blade through the storm.
A brutal reflection of our times, ‘Reaper’ is more than just a song, it’s a rallying cry. Its searing energy mirrors the urgent need for change, embodying Droptune’s commitment to creating music that doesn’t just sound heavy, but carries weight and meaning.
Known for their explosive live shows and unapologetic presence, Droptune are quickly carving out a reputation as one of Ireland’s most vital rising heavy acts. With momentum building fast, ‘Reaper’ is set to cement their place as a band unafraid to confront the world’s darkest truths head-on.
Droptune are: Ciaran Maloney- Drums Adam Swords – Vocals Leon Guilfyle – Bass guitar Conor O’Neill – Guitars
BraveWords Records releases the re-record of “Hiroshima Mon Amour” by Alcatrazz. The single is available today on all digital services. “Hiroshima Mon Amour” is taken from the upcoming album PRIOR CONVICTIONS that will be released on November 7th.
“Hiroshima Mon Amour is another favorite live, and of mine personally… a fun one to sing with loads of power and range needed… this one will never leave the bands set list live and our new 2025 version of the song shows off the current lineup very well!” – Giles Lavery, Alcatrazz lead singer.
In advance of their forthcoming 2026 studio album, Alcatrazz reveal a new release to land just in time for their extensive November/December 2025 European tour. PRIOR CONVICTIONS contains newly re-recorded versions of nine 1980s era Alcatrazz songs, all featuring new vocalist Giles Lavery. Plus two brand new band compositions “Transylvanian Requiem” and “Stand And Wait Your Turn”.
PRIOR CONVICTIONS Tracklist:
01 Transylvanian Requiem (New Song) 02 Stand And Wait Your Turn (New Song) 03 Jet To Jet (2025) 04 Starr Carr Lane (2025) 05 Hiroshima Mon Amour (2025) 06 Island In The Sun (2025) 07 Too Young To Die, Too Drunk To Live (2025) 08 God Blessed Video (2025) 09 Skyfire (2025) 10 General Hospital (2025) 11 Kree Nakoorie (2025)
Credits: Produced Giles Lavery and Jimmy Waldo Mixed & Mastered by Andy Haller All songs recorded 2025
Giles Lavery – Vocals Joe Stump – Guitars Jimmy Waldo – Keyboards Gary Shea – Bass Mark Benquechea – Drums
Alcatrazz hit the road in Europe later this year with Girlschool.
GIRLSCHOOL + ALCATRAZZ
13/Nov Se – Gothenburg | Skeppet 14/Nov Se – Sala | Rockland (Alcatrazz only) 15/Nov SE – Rock At Sea Cruise 18/Nov Fi – Turku | Nirvana 19/Nov Fi – Helsinki | On The Rocks 20/Nov Fi – Tampere | Tavara-Asema 21/Nov FI – Nakkila | Verstas 22/Nov Fi – Kuovola | House Of Rock 25/Nov Be – Kortrijk | DVG * 26/Nov NL – Tilburg | Little Devil * 27/Nov DE – Kassel | Goldgrube * 28/Nov DE – Passau | Zauberberg * 29/Nov AT – Steyr | Kulturverein Röda * 30/Nov At – Vienna | Escape Metal Corner * 02/Dec CZ – Olomouc | Bounty Rock Cafe * 03/Dec DE – Leipzig | Hellraiser * 04/Dec DE – Nürnberg | Hirsch * 05/Dec DE – Selb | Rockclub Nordbayern * 06/Dec DE – Mörlenbach | Live Music Hall * 07/Dec DE – Dortmund | Musiktheater Piano * *BANGALORE CHOIR also on the bill
About ALCATRAZZ: Alcatrazz, formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, has been as well known for the legendary players and singers who have passed throughout the bands ranks as much as they have for their music.
Formed originally by the trio of Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea (both fresh from late 70’s hitmakers New England and the short lived band Warrior featuring a pre-Kiss Vinnie Vincent) along with vocalist Graham Bonnet (himself with impressive credentials having been a then recent member of Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group) the band set about completing the line up with drummer Jan Uvena (formerly of Alice Cooper) and a then very young Yngwie Malmsteen, a guitarist who had quickly made a name for himself upon arriving in the USA in the early 80s. The band issued their now classic debut “No Parole From Rock N Roll” album (1983) which was met with universal critical acclaim. Yngwie was soon to depart in favor of Steve Vai just in time for the bands second album “Disturbing The Peace” (1985).
The bands mission has always been a not necessarily stable line-up, but of an evolving union of established performers all forming a “supergroup” of sorts, one with perhaps more guitar fire-power than many, but definitely also with the songs to back it up.
Vocalist Doogie White (himself also formerly of Rainbow and Michael Schenker) served a successful two album stint with the band, while the “shred-lord” himself…the acclaimed Joe Stump (also a very established solo artist and a Berklee college professor) has now been the bands longest serving guitarist, with this year now making his 6th continuing year as a member of the band.
Longtime Graham Bonnet and Alcatrazz collaborator, producer, songwriter and vocalist Giles Lavery is now the man behind the microphone, having proved he was an inspired choice on two recent U.S. tours — having worked with the band in numerous other creative capacities since 2017 the band feel it was a logical move, but also one chosen on merit. Giles can be heard on the recent BraveWords Records release, Jack Starr’s “Out Of The Darkness Part II” as well as his studio and live work with U.S. metal legends Warlord, a band who feature non-other than Mark Zonder on drums…himself a former member of the Graham Bonnet Band, Fates Warning, and worth noting here… as he is also currently leading the band A-Z who feature none other than Alcatrazz main man keyboardist Jimmy Waldo! confused yet? don’t be, as all of this proves that there is a firm but perhaps overlooked consistency and lineage to what on the surface may seem like an ever evolving band personnel.
Indeed Jimmy Waldo continues to be the heart and soul of Alcatrazz… as aside from being the bands talented keyboardist, he has been the one who would, over the bands career find himself at the centre of all band affairs and decision making, from booking the band in the early days, working closely with the bands various record labels, to making sure other members, at the height of 1980s rock n roll decadence were present and accounted for when it came time to get the work done…”i think i even drove the tour bus once or twice back then” says Waldo… in fact it was Jimmy himself who personally selected Steve Vai out of a number of other contenders for the guitarist position in 1984 when Yngwie Malmsteen chose to move on to his own distinguished solo career.. “alot of people have come and gone over the years” says Jimmy… “It’s kept it fresh and we are hardly the only band like that, we still have myself and Gary still holding down the frontline from that early era” Chris Impellitteri historically was one such player in line for the job, who may not have made it into the bands ranks back in 1984, but who in 2020 finally recorded with the band as a special guest on the successful “Born Innocent” album (co-produced by Giles and Jimmy).
Bassist Gary Shea, he who named the band and designed the bands logo no less… came up with the above-mentioned iconic album titles (lets also not forget “Live Sentence”) as noted above, has been flying the Alcatrazz flag with Jimmy for over 4 decades now and is looking forward to this next phase. Gary’s recently published book “No Bass, No Party” is also an essential read for those wanting to delve deeper into the Alcatrazz story!
After the success of their latest album Adrenalin— hailed by Metal Hammer as one of the Top 10 albums of the year in the Folk/Pagan/Viking/Medieval category — and a spectacular warm-up alongside In Extremo, German folk-rock powerhouse RAUHBEIN set out on their own furious headlining tour – now finally ready to continue. Festival shows followed, taking them as far as Spain. With literally more than a thousand miles behind them, that journey has now found its echo in their brand-new single “1000 Meilen”!
“1000 Meilen” (German for ‘1000 miles’) is a stirring ballad that tells of unquenchable longing and deep love — whether between two individuals or between artists and their fans. With powerful melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Rauhbein bridge the distances life creates, crafting an emotional journey that unites and inspires.
Frontman Henry M. Rauhbein comments: “My new ballad tells of wanderlust and yearning, reflecting the soft, heartfelt core within. It’s a romantic story full of warmth, unlike anything else.”
The single follows the momentum of RAUHBEIN’s extensive run with In Extremo and sets the stage for the upcoming second leg of their “ADRENALIN TOUR 2025”, which kicks off in October with shows across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland:
“Adrenalin” Tour 2025 – Part II 03.10.2025 DE Erfurt – From Hell (SOLD OUT) 04.10.2025 DE Kassel – Kulturzentrum Färberei (SOLD OUT) 05.10.2025 DE Frankfurt a. M. – Das Bett 09.10.2025 DE München – Backstage (Halle) 11.10.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 15.10.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann 16.10.2025 DE Nürnberg – Hirsch 18.10.2025 DE Wuppertal – Live Club Barmen 23.10.2025 DE Oberhausen – Kulttempel 05.12.2025 DE Lindau – Club Vaudeville 06.12.2025 AT Wien – Szene
20.03.2026 CH Zurich – X-TRA Haus der Musik 21.03.2026 CH Münchenstein – Rockfact Music Club
With a healthy dose of irony and a much-needed wink, Henry M. Rauhbein and his band take their own lives on an adventurous ride, weaving stories of love, lust, and pain. RAUHBEIN embody the image of a tough guy shaped by life’s highs and lows, yet with a soft core and his heart in the right place. Their music, driven by powerful guitars and pounding drums, reflects Henry’s rugged and hard-edged persona. But there’s still room for melancholy and romance, introduced through strings that add depth to their sound.
At the center of it all is Henry’s unmistakable voice, which is truly the icing on the cake. It carries the weight of a life far from easy, warm and rich like a 20-year-old single malt whisky, yet raw and weathered, reminiscent of ancient oaks standing tall on the highlands. When these elements come together on stage, RAUHBEIN set off a musical explosion, blending Irish folk with rock, turning every performance into a raucous celebration full of energy and spirit.
RAUHBEIN are: Henry M. Rauhbein | vocals Godi Hildmann | guitars Olli Schmidt | bass Justin Ciuche | violin Louis Schaden | drums
New Jersey experimental metal collective TOMBS is now unveiling a searing new single, “Last Days,” which can be found at THIS LOCATION.
TOMBS frontman Mike Hill comments, “As we roll into the twilight months of the year, ‘Last Days’ is an appropriate song to herald the dark time when the veil is at it’s thinnest.”
“Last Days” is taken from the band’s upcoming studio album, ‘Feral Darkness,’ which will be released on October 17, 2025 via Redefining Darkness! The title track from the offering was previously released and can be heard HERE.
The band is not only returning with a new label, but also with a new sound! While ‘Feral Darkness’ still embraces TOMBS’ black metal roots, it also explores the band’s gothic, death rock side, creating the band’s darkest and most haunting record to date!
Formed in 2007, New Jersey-based experimental metal outfit TOMBS blends bleak, post-punk minimalism with the ferocious attack of sludge and haunting goth rock. TOMBS have established themselves as an act that’s as committed to consistency as it is to growth, developing smoothly (but never predictably) over the course of their career.
TOMBS Lineup: Mike Hill – guitar / vocals / synth Justin Spaeth – drums / guitar Andrew Murphy – Bass / guitar / vocals Dan Higgins – guitar
Guest Musician: Sera Timms – vocals on “Nightland” (Black Mare, Black Math Horsemen, Ides of Gemini)
Cover Artist: Seldon Hunt Recording and Mixing: Justin Spaeth Mastering: Andreas Rosczyk For Fans Of: Fields of the Nephilim, Samhain, Mayhem, Goatwhore
Swedish melodic rock band Treat are thrilled to announce the release of their upcoming new studio album, titled “The Wild Card” and set for release on November 21, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The band offered a taste of the record with their single “Adam & Evil”, released last month, and now share the new track “1985”, along with an accompanying music video.
“The timeline continues, and with this track we wanted to capture what we went through as a band in 1985. A year that changed everything for us, and the spirit of this song tells the whole story”, Treat commented.
Swedish melodic rock pioneers Treat are set to make a bold statement in 2025 with the release of their tenth studio album, “The Wild Card”.
Arriving three years after their critically acclaimed 2022 release “The Endgame”, the album continues the band’s legacy of delivering high-energy melodic hard rock with massive hooks, layered harmonies, and stadium-sized anthems.
Guitarist Anders Wikström discussed about how the album came to life: “I set out to write an album that would be a musical timeline for our whole career and it carries the message in each song both musically and lyrically. It takes the band full circle, something that I actually had in mind with our last album “The Endgame” and have now completed”.
“We made this album for us and the fans, and we became better at what we do together with our producer Peter Månsson. This is the first album we’ve made that actually has a story timeline imbedded, subtle but still there, starting from the early 80s up until now, and every song stands on their own in a collection of the best songs we could muster”, he continued.
Wikström concluded: “I’m really proud of “The Wild card”, it’s the strongest collection of songs we’ve put out since a long time, everybody in the band is really showcasing their best ability on this record and worked really hard to make this very special, to make the band’s legacy memorable”.
Formed in Stockholm in the early 1980s, Treat quickly rose to prominence with their blend of melodic hard rock and AOR, sharing the spotlight with fellow Scandinavian acts like Europe and Pretty Maids.
After a decade of success, lineup changes and industry shifts led to a hiatus in the 1990s – but the band returned stronger than ever with their 2006 reunion, ushering in a new era of creative resurgence and fan devotion across Europe, Japan, and beyond.
“The Wild Card” marks their fifth album since the reunion and solidifies the chemistry of their current, long-standing lineup: Robert Ernlund (vocals), Anders Wikström (guitar), Patrick Appelgren (keyboards), Jamie Borger (drums), and Nalley Pahlsson (bass).
The album is once again produced and mixed by Peter Månsson, whose collaboration with the band continues to deliver the polished, punchy sound fans have come to love.
Armed with fresh energy and an unwavering commitment to their roots, Treat are ready to show the world that “The Wild Card” is anything but a gamble – it’s a winning hand from a band that’s still at the top of their game.
“The Wild Card” Tracklist:
1. Out With A Bang 2. Rodeo 3. 1985 4. Endeavour 5. Hand On Heart 6. Heaven’s Waiting 7. Back To The Future 8. Mad Honey 9. Adam & Evil 10. Your Majesty 11. Night Brigade 12. In The Blink Of An Eye 13. One Minute To Breathe
Line Up: Robert Ernlund – Lead Vocals Anders Wikström – Guitars/Vocals Jamie Borger – Drums Patrick Appelgren – Keyboards/Vocals Nalle Påhlsson – Bass/Vocals
It only made sense for the iconic record label responsible for helping launch some of the world’s most mammoth metal artists and unleashing some of the heaviest riffs and blast beats in the universe, to collab with #metalcoffee disruptors Concept Cafes, who have already partnered with Metal Blade artists such as the legendary Cannibal Corpse to unleash their own beasts of brewdom.
This creatively unique concept itself follows the lineage of the blade, from its infancy in the early 80’s when heavy metal fantasy was a relatively unexplored dominion, all the way through to the present-day Jolly Roger sabers of this modern era of Metalcore & Deathcore. This first installment sips like an issue of Heavy Metal Magazine, as it draws inspiration from the early Metallica monster, a young prodigious Yngwie, D&D, Star Wars, & many others.
The coffee itself is as mythically prophetic as the immersive packaging art, that tastes just as ferociously fervent as the picture painted. You will expect nothing less from the masterful craftsmanship of the forging partner of Concepts: Coterie Coffee Co.
“When the grind of metal meets the grind of beans, you get a brew that’s as bold and unrelenting as the riffs that define us. Our collaboration with Concept Cafes isn’t just about coffee-it’s about forging a new kind of energy for the hardcore listener who needs the perfect blend of caffeine and chaos. Plus, we really, really love coffee in the office so our team couldn’t be happier to release Metal Blade’s first Official Private Label Coffee onto the metal realm with the help of our friends at Concept Cafes.” – The Metal Blade Team
“Actually, in a kinda organic roundabout way, I guess you could say we’ve evolved into kinda a coffee record company ourselves; so it would only make sense the eventuality that we’d collaborate with an actual record co., and whom not better to do so with than the almighty Metal Blade Records. Not only is it extremely important for us to humbly honor the MBR legacy, but it’s always at the forefront for us to help steward this legacy for the next generation(s) as well as bringing new fans to Metal. It’s a bold step for sure (pun intended), but we all agreed, a step in the right direction to broaden the reach of Metal, so enthusiasts can dive headfirst into the rich history and epic discography of this record label pioneer…the Blade is as sharp as ever (so don’t cut yourself…especially on that guillotine)!” – Concept Cafes
Roasted by Coterie Coffee Co. and brought to you by Concept Cafes
Watch this video by Elena Vasilaki for more details:
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 celebration 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.
About Concept Cafes: Everybody remembers that first opening riff, that mid-song breakdown, that blast beat crescendo that turned them on, and tuned them into Metal forever. With our artist partners like Cannibal Corpse, Max & Iggor Cavalera, and Ministry; we’re trying to recapture that moment of Metal possession for the fans by immersing them into a Metal coffee obsession like no other. As lifelong fans ourselves, we’re constantly seeking out the most epic Metal experiences; whether it’s records, live shows, merch, etc., so if we can maybe someday say we were a small part of that collective fan experience, then we’ve done our job. It’s also super important for us to illuminate the fact that these are the artists’ coffee stories, not our own, we’re just the chaotic-evil little elves that help them conjure their visions and forge them into reality for the fans.
We’re not here to snobbishly push conventional coffee culture upon Metalheads either, nor will we ever try to flip a quick gimmick on our Metal brothers & sisters to make a quick buck. We’re humbled literally everyday with this responsibility, and the opportunity to work with Metal legends. This is why we are constantly pushing the boundaries and possibilities, because foremost we believe there is no other comparison to the dedicated devotion metalheads have in keeping Metal music alive and stronger than ever! Metal deserves the absolute best when it comes to coffee! Reality is coffee culture has become basic cookie-cutter over the past couple of decades; so safe and just a shell of itself which once fueled artists and their music across several generations. We want to revive that creative fire, and as far as playing it safe…it’s metal, motorcycles, & horror…what did you expect?!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 