Pupil Slicer, the critically acclaimed mathcore band known for their boundary-pushing intensity, is back with a new double single, “Heather/Black Scrawl”! Marking the first taste of what’s to come from camp Slicer. These two singles are a testament to the band’s relentless evolution, showcasing their most confident, aggressive, and emotionally charged music to date.
“These tracks explore both my own experiences as a non-binary autistic person, as well as the more generalized treatment of many kinds of minorities as a whole.
In Heather, the unique experience of your existence being used as a political tool and your rights cast aside for the goals of others, whilst Black Scrawl deals more with the self-destructive elements of trying to just keep yourself together and overcome the sorrow that comes with such an immense amount of hatred that you will never be able to escape, let alone dealing with your own self doubts and flaws as a person.
I’m really happy to be writing more from my heart on this new material and I don’t want anyone mistaking what PUPIL SLICER stands for – this is Trans Inclusive Radical Hatred. ” – Kate
Building on the brutal hooks of their previous album Mirrors and the meticulously structured, melodic nature of Blossom, Heather/Black Scrawl represents the band’s creative apex. Recorded with Joe Clayton at No Studio, the tracks push the band’s sonic boundaries further than ever before, resulting in their most caustic and abrasive production to date.
“This is the most collaborative effort we’ve had as a band,” added Davies. “Every one of us – myself, Josh (drums), and Luke Booth (bass/vox), who joined us for the first time – poured our hearts into this. Each of us contributed to crafting the strongest vision and the best music possible for the new era of Pupil Slicer.”
Dusktone proudly announces the June 13th, 2025 release of “Neopolis”, the debut album by LIGHTS OF VIMANA, an atmospheric/progressive doom metal project that brings together three veteran forces of the extreme doom scene: Riccardo Conforti (Italy, Void of Silence) on drums and synths, Jeremy Lewis (US, Mesmur, Pantheist) on guitars and bass, and Déhà (Belgium, Slow, Cult of Erinyes) on vocals.
The album track “Remember Me” is now available HERE.
With “Neopolis”, LIGHTS OF VIMANA craft a deeply cinematic and textural sound that diverges from the members’ heavier roots, instead weaving together influences from Hans Zimmer, Porcupine Tree, and My Dying Bride. The result is a sonic tapestry that is both immersive and emotionally stirring. Déhà’s predominantly clean, expressive vocals lend a raw, human element to the album’s brooding, futuristic soundscapes, while Conforti’s ambient synth layers and Lewis’s expansive riffs create a dynamic interplay of beauty and desolation.
The album paints a vivid portrait of a dystopian world – cold, vast, and haunting – where shimmering atmospheres meet the crushing weight of doom. It is a journey through collapse and transcendence, where every note feels like a flicker of light in the ruins of tomorrow.
Riccardo Conforti – Drums, Keyboards and Drones Jeremy Lewis – Guitars and Bass Déhà – Vocals
Additional vocals on “Endure” and “Real” by Nicole Fiameni (Eurynome) Mixed by Jeremy Lewis Mastered by Evgeny Semenov at Slow Burn Studio Cover painting by Savannah Lewis
Brazilian progressive metallers MAESTRICK are thrilled to announce the release of their upcoming new studio album, “Espresso Della Vita: Lunare”, out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
The new single and accompanying video, “Boo!”, featuring Tom Englund (Evergrey, Silent Skies), is also out now.
Talking about the new song, the band said: “Like a classic horror film, “Boo!” depicts a haunted mansion where the main character’s deepest childhood fears and traumas live on as ghosts. Now an adult, he is able to take revenge and hunt them down one by one.”
“Musically, it features arrangements of instruments well-known in horror film soundtracks: the pipe organ and the theremin. It is the heaviest metal track on the album, with references to Black Sabbath’s early days mixed with screams, growls, ghostly vocal harmonies and a slight insertion of trap beats in the interlude”, they added. “With a special appearance by the great Tom Englund (Evergrey, Silent Skies), as the Spirit of Vengeance, “Boo!” Is the track we anticipate the most headbanging when we play it live!”
Vocalist Fábio Caldeira commented on the new record: “Thirteen years ago, we began what would become Espresso Della Vita, a project that would tell the story of a one-day train journey as a metaphor for our journey in life. It was divided into two albums: Solare (daytime) and Lunare (nighttime). Partnering up with Frontiers for the release of Lunare is unprecedented to us”.
“Lunare is our most ambitious, grandiose work and the ultimate representation of our vision as artists to date. We are storytellers, musical illustrators of scenes, landscapes and feelings. We could not be prouder and more excited for what this journey will bring!”, he continued.
With their new album “Espresso Della Vita: Lunare”, Maestrick aim to redefine the Progressive metal boundaries. The number of high-quality arrangements, musical abilities and influences that the band infused in the new album created the most fresh and exciting album of the genre in years.
With a malicious, dark, heavy and sarcastic approach, Maestrick deliver adult themes like addictions, racial prejudice, abuse, the holocaust and much more. It is a very emotional album, with deep reflections about what really matters in our journey/life. Thus, in the last song, the aged character gets off the train and his name, Dante, is revealed.
The explanation for his name it’s because, just like the Italian writer Dante Alighieri, who went from hell to paradise, all of us, sometimes in the same day, go from paradise to purgatory, to hell. So, at the end of the day/life, we are all “Dantes” in some way, and it’s the reason why each album has an Italian title and it’s divided into three movements.
Founded in São José do Rio Preto/SP by three friends, Maestrick have been active since 2006 and bring in their sound elements of rock and progressive heavy metal, Brazilian regional music, world music and classical music.
The band have released two albums in Brazil, Europe, United States and Japan, and are recognized for drinking from different artistic aspects – cinema, plastic arts, visual arts and literature – for their compositions, which results in a unique and, according to specialized critics, innovative style.
Not surprisingly, Maestrick captivates movie fans, notably those of Tim Burton, George Méliès, Guillermo del Toro, and Christopher Nolan. In music, it attracts listeners of both modern rock/metal, such as Muse, and also of more niche styles within metal, such as Dream Theater, Haken, Jinjer, Spirit Box, and classics like Queen, Yes, and Gentle Giant.
Their songs address everyday complex themes of human nature. The album “Espresso Della Vita: Solare”, from 2018, was rated by BURRN!, one of the most respected music publications in the world, with a score of 86/100 – quite high for the publication’s standard. Solare’s success led to a tour of Europe with nine shows in Switzerland, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic.
“Espresso Della Vita: Lunare” Tracklist:
1. A Very Weird Beginning 2. Upside Down 3. Boo! 4. Ghost Casino 5. Mad Witches 6. Sunflower Eyes 7. The Root 8. Dance of Hadassah 9. Agbara 10. Lunar Vortex 11. Ethereal 12. The Last Station (I a.m. Leaving)
Line Up: Fábio Caldeira – Lead Vocal/Piano, Synths and Orchestrations Guilherme Carvalho – Guitars/Vocal Renato “Montanha” Somera – Bass/Vocal Heitor Matos – Drums and Percussion/Vocal
Three-time Grammy-nominated metalcore titans and platinum-selling band KILLSWITCH ENGAGE – Jesse Leach, vocals; Adam Dutkiewicz, guitar; Joel Stroetzel, guitar; Mike D’Antonio, bass; and Justin Foley, drums – have announced a long-awaited, headlining return to the UK & mainland Europe with what’s sure to be one of the premiere metal line-ups this year.
For the UK & IRISH dates, the line-up will be: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, HATEBREED, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, and DECAPITATED.
For the EU dates, the line-up will be: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, DECAPITATED, and EMPLOYED TO SERVE.
The tour comprises 25 dates over 2 legs from September – December 2025, kicking off in Lisbon and wrapping up in Helsinki, and includes a stop at London’s OVO Arena Wembley.
One of the most influential bands in modern metal, the trek will see KILLSWITCH ENGAGE dominate stages performing fan favourites and deep cuts from across their 25-year discography, as well as new songs from their widely praised, recently released album This Consequence.
Known for their explosive live performances and genre-defining sound, this is not one to miss!
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach enthuses, “I am very eager to get to share the stage with top tier bands like Decapitated, Hatebreed, Fit For An Autopsy, and Employed To Serve! This is a monster of a line up and an opportunity to play some of these new songs as well as a solid mix from our catalogue! Headlining over in Europe and the UK is well overdue as it’s been about 6 years since we last were able to do this! I am certain this will be a tour that will absolutely turn heads and make for some great memories!“
Tickets and VIP packages go on general sale on Friday 9th May at 10am BST here.
Look out for earlier artist, O2, and Live Nation pre-sales beginning from Tuesday 6th May at 10am BST.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE ON TOUR: Leg 1: Mon 29th Sep – POR – LISBON LAV Wed 1st Oct – SPA – MADRID La Riviera Thu 2nd Oct – SPA – BARCELONA Razzmatazz Sat 4th Oct – ITA – MILAN Fabrique Sun 5th Oct – SWI – ZURICH Halle 622 Mon 6th Oct – FRA – PARIS Bataclan Wed 8th Oct – UK – WOLVERHAMPTON Civic Hall Thu 9th Oct – UK – MANCHESTER Manchester Academy Sat 11th Oct – UK – NEWCASTLE NX Sun 12th Oct – UK – CARDIFF Depot Mon 13th Oct – UK – LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds Wed 15th Oct – SCO – GLASGOW O2 Academy Fri 17th Oct – UK – LONDON OVO Wembley Arena Sun 19th Oct – UK – BELFAST Telegraph Building Mon 20th Oct – IRE – DUBLIN National Stadium
Leg 2: Thu 20th Nov – GER – COLOGNE Palladium Fri 21st Nov – GER – LUDWIGSBURG MHP Arena Sat 22nd Nov – GER – BERLIN Columbiahalle Mon 24th Nov – CZE – PRAGUE SasaZu Tue 25th Nov – GER – LEIPZIG Haus Auensee Thu 27th Nov – GER – HAMBURG Sporthalle Fri 28th Nov – DEN – COPENHAGEN Amager Bio Sat 29th Nov – SWE – STOCKHOLM Fallan Mon 1st Dec – NOR – OSLO Sentrum Scene Wed 3rd Dec – FIN – HELSINKI House of Culture
Last week, EU tourmates Employed To Serve shared new single “Whose Side Are You On?“, featuring guest vocals from none other than Jesse Leach. Watch the video for that track here.
Latest KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album This Consequence was released in February 2025 via Metal Blade. Fans got their first taste with pulverising track “Forever Aligned“, swiftly followed up with the instant classic “I Believe,” which has already notched up over 1 million views on YouTube. Most recently, the group shared a video for new song ‘Collusion‘.
“Making this record lit a fire under my ass and made me rethink everything,” admits Jesse. “It had to be next level. It had to be different enough for people to really recognize we’re putting forth an effort-or what’s the point of doing this? There was no repeating ourselves. It was very carefully planned out and passionately written. It sounds like Killswitch, yet there’s also a fresh spirit to it.”
This time around, the group emphasised working together face-to-face in a Massachusetts rehearsal spot. The process enabled them to apply the pressure on every element. At the collective urging of his bandmates, Jesse poured over his words like never before.
“We pushed him to do more vocal demos and were super tough on him,” recalls Adam. “He was so open to feedback though, and he definitely got the lyrics right. I love it when he and I are face-to-face, and ideas are flying around. We work especially well together when we’re in the heat of the moment. All of the demoing made for a better record, and there was so much communication between all of the band members.“
“It felt like everyone put a ton of effort into this,” Mike adds. “It’s the first time since Alive Or Just Breathing that we really hashed everything out together in the same room. It was a combined effort, and there are even some things you’ve never heard from Killswitch.”
“I never considered myself to be a part of mainstream society,” he goes on. “I’ve always been in the middle. To me, this record is about the consequences of our actions as humans as we engage in war, hatred, division, and falling in line with control. History repeats itself. We’re going to have to answer for our actions-whether it’s how we treat the earth or each other. There will be an uprising and a backlash from nature. Cause-and-effect is a driving theme. We will face a consequence.”
ABOUT KILLSWITCH ENGAGE: Killswitch Engage first shook the structure of heavy music upon climbing out of snowy industrialized Western Massachusetts in 2000. A musical outlier, the band pioneered a union of thrashed-out European guitar pyrotechnics, East Coast hardcore spirit, on-stage hijinks, and enlightened lyricism that set the pace for what the turn-of-the-century deemed heavy. 2002’s Alive Or Just Breathing became avowed as a definitive album, being named among “The Top 100 Greatest Metal Albums of the Decade” by Decibel and celebrated by everyone from Metal Hammer to Revolver. Not only did they bust open the floodgates for dozens to follow, but they also garnered three GRAMMY® Award nominations in the category of “Best Metal Performance” in 2005, 2014, and 2019, respectively, a gold certification for The End of Heartache [2004], and a platinum certification for As Daylight Dies [2006]. The group landed three consecutive Top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 with Killswitch Engage [2009], Disarm The Descent [2013], and their career high best bow at #6 with Incarnate [2016]. The latter two releases, along with 2019’s Atonement, would also both capture #1 on the Top Rock Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums charts. The band’s total streams are nearing 3 billion to date, while they’ve remained consummate road warriors who’ve sold out countless headline tours and have shared stages with everyone from Iron Maiden to Slipknot to Slayer to My Chemical Romance to Mastodon to Parkway Drive, which is a testament to their ability to cross genres and appeal to all fans of hard rock. KsE have remained a featured attraction at every major North American and European festival through the years. The band is celebrating an astonishing, 25-year career as one of the most vital and genre-defining bands of the ’00s and continues its incredible legacy.
UK gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST have announced the dates for the first leg of their ASCENSION OF EUROPE TOUR 2025.
Italian band MESSA will be direct support on all dates with HIGH PARASITE opening on the UK dates and LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE on selected mainland Europe shows.
ASCENSION OF EUROPE TOUR 2025 – PART 1 PARADISE LOST w/ guests MESSA, HIGH PARASITE, LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE 09.10. UK Manchester New Century Hall 10.10. UK Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill 11.10. UK Newcastle University 12.10. UK Glasgow Garage 14.10. UK Nottingham Rescue Rooms 15.10. UK Bristol SWX 16.10. UK Southampton The 1865 17.10. UK London Islington Assembley Hall 19.10. FR Lille Tyrant Fest 20.10. FR Paris Elysée Montmartre 21.10. FR Lyon La Rayonne 23.10. DE Cologne Live Music Hall 24.10. LU Luxembourg Rockhal 25.10. AT Dornbirn Conrad Sohm 26.10. IT Padova Hall 28.10. DE Munich Backstage Werk 29.10. CZ Prague Palac Akropolis 30.10. HR Zagreb Boogaloo 31.10. AT Vienna SiMM City 01.11. HU Budapest Durer Kert 03.11. CH Geneva PTR/L’Usine 04.11. DE Nürnberg Z-Bau 05.11. NL Utrecht Pandora 06.11. BE Antwerp Trix
Formed in Halifax, West Yorkshire, in 1988, PARADISE LOST were unlikely candidates for metal glory when they slithered from the shadows and infiltrated the UK underground. But not content with spawning an entire subgenre with early death/doom masterpiece Gothicnor with conquering the metal mainstream with the balls-out power of 1995’s Draconian Times, they have subsequently traversed multiple genre boundaries with skill and grace, evolving through the pitch-black alt-rock mastery of ‘90s classics One Second and Hostto the muscular but ornate grandeur of 2009’s Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us and Tragic Idol (2012), with the nonchalant finesse of grand masters. The band’s last two albums –The Plague Within(2015) and Medusa (2017) – saw a much celebrated return to brutal, old school thinking, via two crushing monoliths to slow-motion death and spiritual defeat. Consistently hailed as one of metal’s most charismatic live bands, PARADISE LOST arrive in this new decade as veterans, legends and revered figureheads for several generations of gloomy metalheads. In keeping with their unerring refusal to deliver the expected, 2020 brings one of the band’s most diverse and devastating creations to date. Their last album Obsidian was released in spring 2020, hitting international charts with great success.
Long-running Italian hardcore/crossover band TOXIC YOUTH will return on July 11, 2025 with their new album “Still Hungry”, to be released via Time To Kill Records.
The album was produced by Carlo Meroni at ADSR Decibel Studio (Schizo, Gory Blister, Ulvedharr) and features artwork designed by Motorcity Graphics.
“This song is dedicated to everyone working in the entertainment world — the working class: stagehands, lighting, video and audio technicians, stage managers, production managers… Their behind-the-scenes work brings every show to life through real effort, passion, countless miles and countless hours of labor. DIRTY HANDS – BROKEN BACKS. ‘We dress in black, we work for you, we are the working class… WE ARE DA CREW…'”
Tracklist:
1. Time to Kill 2. The First 3. Just For Fun (Better Play Loud) 4. All my Life 5. Sai Cosa c’è (V.F.F.) 6. The Last Fighter 7. Nothing 8. Da Crew (Dirty Hands Broken Backs) 9. Join Da Resistance 10. The Answer 11. Money Honey 12. War Games 13. Break your Phone 14. Not for Sale 15. Casciavit
The Italian crossover veterans are gearing up to release a brand-new full-length album, set to breathe new life into their signature high-energy blend of hardcore and thrash. With their unmistakable groove and raw intensity, TOXIC YOUTH are ready to take their crossover sound to the next level.
TOXIC YOUTH is a hardcore/crossover band from Milan, Italy, active since 1990. Founded by Cristian (guitar) and Max (drums), they were soon joined by Ale (Boo Ya) and, after a few lineup changes, Novo on bass. Their sound blends hardcore and thrash influences, delivering high-energy, raw performances.
In 1993, they recorded their self-titled demo at Jungle Sound Studio in Milan with Fabio Magistrali (Ritmo Tribale, Afterhours), selling 500 copies and gaining traction in the underground scene. Their intense live activity saw them share the stage with RKL, D.O.A., Beastie Boys, and Franky Hi-Nrg.
After signing with NoWayRec., they recorded their debut album but ultimately self-released “Real Attitudes, Not Words!!” in 1995, selling over 1,000 copies. They toured alongside Extrema, Insidia, Lacuna Coil, and Sadist, playing major festivals like Beach Bum Festival with Faith No More and Tiamat. Despite a strong fan base, internal struggles led to their disbandment in 2007.
In 2018, TOXIC YOUTH reunited with new drummer Hicham (Calibro 9, Cattiva Condotta) and returned to the stage, supporting acts like Sick Of It All, Siberian Meat Grinder, and Raw Power. Signing with WTF Records, they released “Back To You-th” in 2020, followed by a 2023 reissue with a bonus track. That same year, they released a 12” split vinyl with Odpisani, titled “Walkin’ Free Towards A Better Tomorrow”.
Now stronger than ever, TOXIC YOUTH continues to bring their relentless energy to the hardcore scene.
Line-up:
Ale – Vocals Cristian – Guitar Novo – Bass Hicham – Drums
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