metal news
Please welcome Texan hateful death metal outfit CALCRAFT to the Lifeforce Records roster!
Named after England’s infamous executioner William Calcraft, the band delivers gore-drenched riffs and horror-fueled lyrics inspired by Giallo, French, and American slasher films. Every song is a tale of madness, execution, and cinematic slaughter.
Debut single out Mid-September! Album to be released late November via Lifeforce Records!
More information: INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK
GRAMMY® Award winning bassist David Ellefson (Ex-Megadeth) and acclaimed metal vocalist Jeff Scott Soto have once again joined forces and are set to release their highly anticipated second album “Unbreakable” out on August 15, 2025, via Rat Pak Records.
Today, the powerhouse duo unveiled the official music video for “Shout,” the album’s second single. The video delivers a hard-hitting performance piece that captures the raw energy, chemistry, and sonic force the pair have become known for.
“Shout is another call to those who refuse to take smack from anyone and everyone. This is our war cry theme to the world we live in today, most around the world have something to stand up for or shout about and that’s what this song represents!” says Soto.
Ellefson adds, “In a world of division and negativity, we chose to take the approach with this song that we are better together. Standing united, our voices can and will be heard.”
The duo Ellefson-Soto is joined by Italian guitarist Andy Martongelli and Paolo Caridi on drums and features 11 studio tracks with guest appearances from Tim Ripper Owens (KK’s Priest) and Burning Witches front-woman Laura Guldemond.
Recorded at Rogue Studios in Wembley UK, by Alessio Garavello and produced by Chris Collier (Mick Mars, Korn, Flat Black) “Unbreakable” is a sonic assault packed with catchy riffs, melodic vocals, and thoughtful lyrics that blends their classic metal roots with modern rock intensity.
“This album digs even deeper,” says Ellefson. “It’s heavier, more personal, and shaped by everything we’ve experienced on and off the stage.” Soto adds, “The energy we poured into this one—it’s the sound of two lifetimes colliding in riffs, rage, and redemption.”
Ellefson further comments, “One of the things I like most is I feel like you can hear a real sense of brotherhood on our records, that we’re really in the creative process together as a band. The consistency of our sound has remained intact while allowing us to further build upon each other’s strengths from our debut album. It’s an honest, organic approach that blends well and lets us explore new sounds and musical paths. At the end of the day, I don’t think there is anything that an artist desires more than that!”
“Unbreakable” drops August 15, 2025, and will be available on all major streaming platforms with limited edition autographed Vinyl, CD & Cassette bundles exclusively through Rat Pak Records.
TRACK LISTING
You can view all available formats and pre-order at https://ratpakrecords.com/
DRAGONFORCE and pop culture have always gone hand in hand—so frontman Marc Hudson’s latest collaboration with the hit anime TV show “Dan Da Dan” is total perfection! The charismatic singer lends his voice to Hayashi in the English dub of the Netflix show, delivering an impressively commanding exorcism through the power of heavy metal music. Episode six of season two of “Dan Da Dan”—episode 18 overall—released on Netflix and Crunchyroll on August 7, 2025.
MARC HUDSON about the collaboration:
“I’m beyond thrilled to announce that I had the incredible opportunity to be a voice actor in Dan Da Dan—one of my all-time favourite anime series! I play the role of the vocalist for Hayashi in Season 2, Episode 6, and getting to perform the exorcism song as part of the character was an absolute blast. After making Starbound Stories, an album deeply inspired by anime, I was so happy to be invited to actually sing on an anime—it felt like everything had come full circle. This show is wild, creative, and full of heart, and it was a real privilege to be a part of it. As the vocalist of DRAGONFORCE, I’ve had the chance to perform on some amazing songs and albums, but this was a whole new and exciting experience. I can’t wait for everyone to see the episode!”
Marc Hudson just released his latest album with Grammy-nominated extreme power metal band DRAGONFORCE via Napalm Records last year. Warp Speed Warriors stands as the legendary band’s most ambitious and innovative release to date. On it, founding guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, singer Marc Hudson, bassist Alicia Vigil, and drummer Gee Anzalone explore a wider range of varying musical styles than ever before, evolving their sound throughout the exciting musical journey while still staying true to their roots.
Herman Li on Warp Speed Warriors:
“After four years of creative incubation, we are beyond excited to release what we believe to be our most ambitious and grandiose record yet. This album showcases multiple facets of our artistic abilities, and we invite metal aficionados from every corner of the genre to discover something captivating within its layers. We can’t wait to share this chapter of our musical journey with you, it’s going to be EPIC!”
Order Your Copy of Warp Speed Warriors HERE
DRAGONFORCE is:
Herman Li – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Sam Totman – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Marc Hudson – Vocals
Alicia Vigil – Bass, Backing Vocals
Gee Anzalone – Drums, Backing Vocals
DRAGONFORCE online:
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
TIKTOK
FACEBOOK
Likewise, Marc Hudson put out his solo debut via Napalm Records in 2023. Starbound Stories is an outstanding musical adventure balanced between power metal, video game soundtracks, Japanese music and even pop influences, showcasing virtuosity throughout all of its grand instrumentation. For the album, Marc Hudson again worked with ex-DRAGONFORCE bassist Frédéric Leclercq who has since moved on as a member of thrash legends Kreator and extreme metal supergroup Sinsaenum.
Order Your Copy of Starbound Stories HERE
Line Up:
Marc Hudson – Vocals, Guitar, Backing vocals
Shaz D – Keyboards
Frédéric Leclercq – Guitars, Bass
Rich Smith – Drums
LORD OF THE LOST indulge in darkness with the complex “Bazaar Bizarre”, the latest single off their upcoming studio album OPVS NOIR Vol. 1, out this Friday, August 8, 2025 via Napalm Records. Appropriately opulent, the album opener “Bazaar Bizarre” immediately proves the bands’ sonic recalibration, re-adding their early edge to create somber mysticism in irresistible guise. LORD OF THE LOST hauntingly unite the children of the night in a sophisticated anthem, reassuring: No one lost behind.
“Bazaar Bizarre” ornately crafts a new doorway into LORD OF THE LOST’s ever expanding universe – a testament to their ability to constantly uncover new angles while staying true to their roots. Following the success of their #1 album Blood & Glitter (Official German Album Charts) and their celebrated appearance in the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, LORD OF THE LOST continue to push boundaries with unmatchable versatility. OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 is the first album of an exciting album trilogy, featuring several strictly limited special editions.
Chris Harms on “Bazaar Bizarre”:
“‘Bazaar Bizarre’ is too long, too complex, and too weird to be an album opener—almost like a mix between an acoustic hidden-object painting by Hieronymus Bosch, Apocalypse Now, and the underground troll market from the Hellboy universe. Everything hurts and is somehow eerie, but at the same time too fascinating to want to escape.
We could’ve picked a simple and accessible song to kick things off—but we didn’t want that. We wanted a long cinematic trailer for the ears, one that instantly makes it clear what kind of world all three parts of OPVS NOIR will drag you into. And ‘Bazaar Bizarre’ captures that perfectly—sonically, and in the music video, also visually—covering the full spectrum of our upcoming trilogy.”
What is the essence of LORD OF THE LOST in 2025? That is one of the questions OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 fearlessly begins to answer. Once again, the band proves not only musical excellence but also masterful craftsmanship: produced by Chris Harms, recorded, mixed, and mastered at the legendary CHAMELEON STUDIOS in Hamburg, the 11 tracks hit with a force and brilliance that immediately transport us into a dark yet colorful ballroom. From there, the tone is set: Dark Wave Metal on an amphitheater scale.
Chris Harms about the album:
“Darkness, melancholy, loneliness – all words that often have negative connotations, that we may associate with danger, sadness and loss, and not without reason. But darkness can also be security, melancholy the warm and sentimental feeling of our memories, and loneliness becomes necessary silence, peace and inner contemplation. OPVS NOIR is a travel guide, or perhaps also a travelogue, through the dark sides of our inner world, which so often move precisely in the area of tension between what we emotionally categorize as positive or negative. And with Vol. 1, all of this is just the beginning of this 3-part journey…”
Get your copy of OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 HERE – First Limited Editions Are Already Selling Out!
OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 tracklist:
OPVS NOIR is not only a musically exciting step but also a bold one! This becomes clear when looking at LORD OF THE LOST’s immediate past: support for IRON MAIDEN on two European tours, followed by their first North American shows in over a decade, sold-out headlining tours, participation in the final of the EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2023, a #1 chart entry with the previous album Blood & Glitter, celebrated performances at the biggest festivals worldwide – they even had the honour of meeting King Charles in person. Hand on heart: How easy would it have been to keep riding this wave of success just a little longer? But that’s not how LORD OF THE LOST operates – the only constant remains change.
Everything is new, yet every note feels familiar. Behind each chorus awaits a surprise, in every line, a new door opens to further uncharted paths within the LOTL universe. This band takes the expectations of its ever-growing fanbase and molds them into songs that transcend genre boundaries – and turn moments into monuments that carry us all along: No one lost behind!
OPVS NOIR Vol. 1: To be continued…
LORD OF THE LOST Live 2025
LORDS OF FYRE CO-HEADLINE TOUR
LORD OF THE LOST & FEUERSCHWANZ
w/ The Dark Side Of The Moon
02.10.25 DE – Berlin / Columbiahalle
03.10.25 DE – Leipzig / Haus Auensee
04.10.25 DE – Offenbach / Stadthalle
10.10.25 DE – Hanover / Swiss Life Hall
11.10.25 DE – Fürth / Stadthalle
17.10.25 DE – Munich / Zenith
18.10.25 DE – Düsseldorf / Mitsubishi Halle
UK + IRELAND TOUR
30.10.25 UK – Wolverhampton
31.10.25 UK – Manchester
02.11.25 UK – Glasgow
04.11.25 UK – Belfast
05.11.25 IE – Dublin
07.11.25 UK – Bristol
08.11.25 UK – London
09.11.25 UK – Southampton
LORDFEST
13.12.25 DE – Hamburg / Sporthalle
Tickets: tour.lordofthelost.de
FESTIVALS
10.08.25 UK – Derbyshire / Bloodstock Open Air
19.10.25 NL – Den Bosch / The Rock Circus
01.11.25 UK – Whitby / Tomorrows Ghosts Festival
LORD OF THE LOST Live 2026
DARK WINTER TOUR – USA & CANADA 2026
Co-Headliner Tour w/ The Birthday Massacre
Special Guest Wednesday 13
19.01.26 US – Baltimore, MD / Baltimore Soundstage
20.01.26 US – Philadelphia, PA / Theatre of Living Arts
21.01.26 US – New Haven, CT / Toad’s Place
23.01.26 US – New York, NY / Webster Hall
24.01.26 US – Worcester, MA / The Palladium
25.01.26 CA – Montreal, QC / Beanfield Theatre
26.01.26 CA – Toronto, ON / Phoenix Concert Theatre
28.01.26 US – Cleveland, OH / House of Blues
29.01.26 US – Cincinnati, OH / Bongart’s
30.01.26 US – Detroit, MI / St. Andrews Hall
31.01.26 US – Chicago, IL / Concord Music Hall
02.02.26 US – Minneapolis, MN / First Avenue
04.02.26 US – Denver, CO / Summit Music Hall
05.02.26 US – Salt Lake City, UT / The Complex
07.02.26 US – Los Angeles, CA / The Fonda
08.02.26 US – San Francisco, CA / UC Theatre
Australia 2026
19.02.26 AU – Brisbane / Crowbar
20.02.26 AU – Melbourne / Max Watts
21.02.26 AU – Sydney / Crowbar
22.02.26 AU – Adelaide / Lion Arts
LORD OF THE LOST are:
Chris Harms – Vocals, Guitar
Pi Stoffers – Guitar
Benjamin “Benji“ Mundigler – Guitar, Synths
Klaas Helmecke – Bass
Gerrit Heinemann – Piano, Synths, Percussion
Niklas Kahl – Drums
LORD OF THE LOST online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
LORDSHOP
NAPALM RECORDS
Swedish heavy metal force AMBUSH reveals the third single from the highly anticipated new album Evil In All Dimensions, out September 5, 2025, via Napalm Records! Arriving alongside a lyric video, “Come Angel of Night” is a fierce anthem of raw power, with galloping drums, sharp guitars, and soaring belts. Featuring career high performances, the track explores themes of reconciliation after seemingly irreparable damage is caused.
Founded in 2013, AMBUSH continue to showcase their unyielding energy and intricate musicianship, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with, within the underground heavy metal scene. This fall, the five-piece will bring their iconic live show to several German festivals, including Keep It True Rising, followed by a release show in Stockholm, and a full headlining tour in South America. Make sure to check out the new single below and secure your copy of Evil In All Dimensions now – denim and leather all the way!
AMBUSH on “Come Angel of Night”:
“We live in important times with conflicts that cause damages irreversible and seemingly beyond repair. How many generations will forever clash over the actions taken at this very moment? Can we find ways to start all over again or will the cuts run too deep?”
Evil In All Dimensions is undeniable proof of AMBUSH’s unwavering passion and talent for the genre. Now, with Napalm Records as their partner, they are primed to take the world by storm. The title track and opener perfectly delivers classic 80s heavy metal hooks with sleek, modern production. Taking listeners along a nightmare turned reality, this song kicks off with high energy drum grooves by Linus Fritzson and powerful riffs from guitar-virtuosos Karl Dotzek and Olof Engqvist. Bassist Oskar Andersson knows how to hypnotize the audience with his lines in the brooding “The Night I Took Your Life”, while “Maskirovka” is an anthem with a standout performance from vocalist Oskar Jakobsson. The track’s mid-tempo groove personifies the difficulties of standing up for truth in a world shaped by manipulation. In addition to their undeniable talent to revive fast and glorious 80s headbangers, the Swedes also surprise with the gripping power ballad “I Fear the Blood”. A song to pump your fist to, vacillating between themes of escapism and self-destruction, amidst the battle against one’s inner demons. Founder Oskar Jakobsson screams his soul out in this heavy-hearted and honest masterpiece, which creates the perfect moment to wave your lighters in the air, passionately belting along.
AMBUSH about the album:
“We are stoked to unveil Evil In All Dimensions – our long-awaited 4th album. For us the album feels like a new dawn where everything is possible and steel rules the world. We regard it as the proudest moment in our hellbent strive for Heavy Metal mastery, and we hope that you guys will appreciate it!”
Pre-Order Your Copy of Evil In All Dimensions NOW
Evil In All Dimensions tracklisting:
1. Evil In All Dimensions
2. Maskirovka
3. Iron Sign
4. The Night I Took Your Life
5. I Fear The Blood
6. Come Angel of Night
7. The Reaper
8. Bending The Steel
9. Heavy Metal Brethren
AMBUSH Live 2025
European Shows
20.09.25 DE – Villingen-Schwenningen / Black Forest Fest
26.09.25 DE – Hohenlimburg / Heavy Metal Fans Festival
27.09.25 DE – Rauschenberg / Erntedrunkfest
03. – 04.10.25 DE – Würzburg / Keep It True Rising V
17.10.25 SE – Stockholm / Patricia
13.12.25 SE – Eskilstuna / Luciarock
‘Evil In South America’ Tour 2025
09.11.25 BR – São Paulo
11.11.25 BR – Brasilia
12.11.25 BR – Curitiba
14.11.25 BR – Fortaleza
15.11.25 BR – Recife
16.11.25 BR – Limeira
19.11.25 PR – Asuncíon
21.11.25 UR – Montevideo
22.11.25 AR – Buenos Aires
23.11.25 CH – Santiago
AMBUSH is:
Olof Engqvist – Guitars & Backing vocals
Karl Dotzek – Guitars & Backing vocals
Oskar Andersson – Bass, vocals & Backing vocals
Linus Fritzson – Drums & Backing vocals
Oskar Jakobsson – Vocals
AMBUSH online:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS
Acclaimed international singer-songwriter Leah Martin-Brown is pleased to announce the release of her debut album, “Love & Other Crimes”, out on October 24, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
To mark the occasion, Leah shares also her new single and official video “Rainbow”, available now.
“Sometimes we all need a bit of light in our life. Rainbow truly is a catchy, feel-good song. Whether it’s the best day of your life or you feel like you need a pick me up – I really feel that Rainbow delivers that energy”, Martin-Brown commented.
Pre-Order “Love & Other Crimes” HERE
A fearless collision of rock grit and pop fervor, “Love & Other Crimes” heralds the arrival of Leah Martin-Brown – an artist who defies genre with every note.
Leah stated: “Working on this album has been one of the most intense experiences of my creative career. Being asked to be part of an album with Mutt Lange has been a dream of mine since I first picked up a guitar. It has been almost 5 years of blood, sweat and actual tears to give these songs and stories life”.
“This record encapsulates such an intense personal & musical journey and I am truly honoured to be able to now share this with the world via Frontiers. I hope that people find songs that they can connect with, that they can sing out the windows of their cars and shout from their apartment balconies, that they can dance to in their living rooms with the people they adore. I hope you all love Love & Other Crimes”, she added.
Hailing from the vibrant Australian music scene, Leah began performing live at just 13 and fronted the band Lilly Rouge, before taking her talents to the US with Evol Walks. Her journey has taken her from the sweaty rock stages of Los Angeles to Stockholm’s elite songwriting circles.
Now signed to Frontiers Music Srl and managed by Jens Lundberg, Leah has worked alongside legendary producers Robert “Mutt” Lange, Tony Nilsson, and Tommy Denander to create a debut that’s bold, cinematic, and unrelentingly modern.
Her debut single “Boys” made a strong impact upon release in March 2024, followed by the high-energy “Hysterical Love” – which generated over 73,000 Spotify streams. With the sultry “Shush”, she embraced darker melodic territory, showing a vocal style that is both powerful and emotionally nuanced.
On “Love & Other Crimes”, Leah blends searing guitars, cinematic programming (courtesy of Nilsson), and thunderous production to explore the highs and lows of love – and the lengths we’ll go to for it. From danceable hooks to emotional slow burns, each track is a chapter in a sonic manifesto.
This is more than a debut – it’s a declaration. Leah Martin-Brown is a cross-genre powerhouse, ready to stake her claim on the global stage.
“Love & Other Crimes” Tracklist:
1. Mr X
2. R U Chicken
3. Clooney
4. Levitate
5. Boys
6. Shush
7. Rainbow
8. Light Show
9. Hysterical Love
10. Hell No Kitty
11. Unscrew You
Line Up:
Leah Martin-Brown – Vocals
Tommy Denander – Guitars
Tony Nilsson – Keyboards & Programming
Leah Martin-Brown & Robert John “Mutt” Lange – Backing Vocals
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 