Guitarist Gene Palubicki (Angelcorpse, Perdition Temple), vocalist & bassist Steve Tucker (Morbid Angel) and drummer John Longstreth (Origin, Hate Eternal, ex-Angelcorpse) have finished recording their debut album as MALEFIC THRONE. Titled “The Conquering Darkness,” the album is set for release on November 28th via Agonia Records.
The trio was put together by Palubicki in 2020, after initially having met at Morrisound in 1997, where both Angelcorpse and Morbid Angel were recording their own albums side to side. “This bands roots can be traced all the way back to the mid 90s when Gene, Steve, and I first met at Morrisound studios,” John Longstreth comments. “It’s an amazing feeling to see those old conversations and hang outs develop into a true celebration of blistering infernal death metal. I have no doubt that this union will be absolutely crushing.” Palubicki stresses out that the music produced by MALEFIC THRONE has the imprint of all three members very present in every moment of the songs. The synthesis of the three members through delivery and writing is what makes band its own special entity, with an an increased dynamic within the form of death metal they generate.
“The Conquering Darkness” was recorded, mixed and mastered at Menegroth The Thousand Caves (Gorguts, Origin, Atheist) with Colin Marston. Drummer John Longstreth hints at the outcome as extremely brutal and infernal nuclear death metal. Its cover artwork was painted by renowned artist Daniele Valeriani (Dark Funeral, Mayhem). Christophe Szpajdel (Emperor, Moonspell) crafted the band’s logo.
Belfast-based metal force Nihilanth are back with their brand-new single ‘Ruin’, set for release on October 23rd, marking their first new music since the breakout success of ‘The Valley Beneath’. The track offers a dark and introspective glimpse into the band’s forthcoming new EP, due for release in early 2026.
Following a whirlwind year that saw Nihilanth win Metal 2 The Masses Belfast 2024 and perform to a packed crowd on the New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Open Air, the band have wasted no time channeling that energy into their next creative chapter.
Their previous single, ‘The Valley Beneath’, which received airplay on BBC Introducing with Alyx Holcombe, helped the band make their mark as one of Ireland’s most promising new heavy acts. Speaking about the new single, the band comment: “‘Ruin’ is a song about battling inner demons, self-destruction and deprivation. You can be your own worst enemy, but even when you’re in the darkest of mindsets, we still have the capacity and realisation that all is not lost.”
Formed during the summer of 2021, Nihilanth quickly established themselves within the Irish metal scene through their crushing live performances and debut EP, Destroyer of Worlds, released on March 17th, 2023. With ‘Ruin’, the band elevate their sound further, blending atmosphere, intensity, and emotional depth in a way that feels both cathartic and devastating.
Nihilanth are: Aidan Thompson – Vocals Pete Craig – Guitar & backing vocals Lee Park – Guitar Andy Parkinson – Drums Jim Ward – Bass
US heavy-metal hardliners KILL RITUAL fire the starting shot of their forthcoming era with the title track “In My Head”. The single anticipates the band’s new album “In My Head”, out November 21, 2025 via Massacre Records
Lead guitarist, producer and main songwriter Steven D. Rice frames the new single as a stark descent into institutionalized madness: “‘In My Head’ is the typical tale of the mentally ill being abused in asylums. The torture and hopelessness they feel as being treated is visualized in the lyrics. There’s a lot of cool Eastern melody in the refrain with dreamy/nightmare vibes.”
On the album, Rice handled production, arrangements and lyrics, with Judas on vocals and Seamus Gleason on drums; Rice also performs guitars, bass, additional vocals and synths. The full-length promises ten tracks that move between vengeance, love and the will to endure —“aggression with atmosphere, darkness with melody,” as heard from opener In My Head through the haunting finale Our Elegant Demon.
Available as CD Digipak and Limited Vinyl LP, “In My Head” delivers ten powerful tracks where crushing riffs, dark melodies, and lyrical intensity come together to form one of the most dynamic works of the band’s career.
The album captures the essence of KILL RITUAL at their sharpest and most uncompromising. Recorded over the course of a year, with production, arrangements, and lyrics all crafted by Steven D. Rice, “In My Head” was mixed and mastered by Andy LaRocque at Sonic Train Studio in Sweden, and enriched visually by the artwork of Jobert Mello at Sledgehammer Graphix. The performances of Judas on vocals, Seamus Gleason on drums, and Rice himself on guitars, bass, vocals and synths converge into a relentless yet dynamic record that combines aggression with atmosphere, darkness with melody.
From the tormented opener that gives the album its title to the haunting close of “Our Elegant Demon,” the record unfolds as a journey through madness, vengeance, love, and survival. Each track pushes forward with a sense of urgency and depth, making “In My Head” a compelling statement of identity and power from a band that continues to evolve without compromise.
With “In My Head”KILL RITUAL invites listeners to step into their world of shadows and revelations, where heavy metal meets storytelling in its most intense form.
Death metal battalion VITRIOL will be embarking on a full North American headliner with support from Unmerciful and Weeping Death! The extensive trek kicks off on November 6 in Santa Cruz, CA and will make its way through the continent until the final stop in VITRIOL’s hometown of Portland, OR on December 6. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are available HERE.
VITRIOL will then dominate Europe in support of BÖLZER along with THE RUINS OF BEVERAST, MISÞYRMING + TREPANERINGSRITUALEN next year! The trek kicks off on February 20 in Berlin (DE). Tickets can be found HERE.
In addition, VITRIOL is now pleased to announce an all new powerhouse lineup! Founding member, guitarist, and vocalist Kyle Rasmussen is now joined by guitarist Keith Merrow (Merrow, Demisery), bassist Brett Leier (Gargoyl, Varthagus), and drummer Andy Vincenzetti (Morgue Defilement, Imperial Crystalline Entombment).
Rasmussen previously stated on the new changes,
“We have two large developments to share. Firstly, we are deeply saddened to announce that Matt Kilner has chosen to step away from Vitriol. While I imagine that most people’s first instinct is to ask why, Matt’s reasoning is his own, and we want to afford him the respect of not speaking on his behalf. Suffice it to say, we are pained to see him go.
“In more triumphant news, we have welcomed Brett Leier into the fold on bass and accompanying vocals. Brett is a wildly talented instrumentalist with a very potent creative mind. He also looks like he’d be camped out in a Serbian gas station bathroom with chicken wire pulled tight, which I think is a pretty sweet vibe. Brett is best known for his work in Gargoyl alongside fellow mega-shredders. Brett will be joining Keith Merrow and I on our upcoming, soon-to-be announced tour where we will re emerge as a four piece. We look forward to seeing what the future will bring. We will provide more information on the drummer situation soon enough.
Here’s a little Woo for my fellow Wooers.
“While these goodbyes don’t become less painful, I’m at peace knowing that, if nothing else, part of this band’s legacy will be to have proven that grief does little to slow the art of loss. And that you simply can not kill what is already dead.”
He added, “We are extremely excited to announce that Andy “Yung Cannon” Vincenzetti will be handling blasting duties for Vitriol moving forward. He’ll be beating ass on the road and in the studio with us soon enough. Time to go fast.”
As Merrow joined the ranks back in April, the duo had the following to say upon the exciting addition,
“We are very pleased to announce that Keith Merrow has taken up the reins as the co-guitarist in Vitriol,” said Rasmussen. “For anyone unfamiliar with Keith’s work, he’s an intensely prolific artist, songwriter, and world-class player. We are extremely excited to bring him on as we approach the writing of LP3.”
Merrow added, “Vitriol reminds me why I love guitar and extreme music. There is an energy to the band’s sound that can only come from a place of true passion for extreme arts. I’m very excited and motivated to work with Kyle and Matt on upcoming tours and albums.”
VITRIOL is touring in support of their critically-acclaimed 2024 album, ‘Suffer & Become,’ which can be streamed HERE.
Liberation Through Punishment North American Tour 2026 (w/ support from UNMERCIFUL + WEEPING DEATH):
11/06: Santa Cruz, CA @ Blue Lagoon 11/07: San Luis Obispo, CA @ Humdinger 11/08: Los Angeles, CA @ Knucklehead 11/09: Phoenix, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room 11/10: Albuquerque NM @ Launchpad 11/12: Dallas, TX @ TX Tea Room 11/13: Corpus Christi, TX @ Boozer’s 11/14: Houston, TX @ Black Magic 11/15: Fort Walton, FL @ Dwntwn Music Hall 11/16: Orlando, FL @ Conduit 11/18: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl 11/19:| Asheville, NC @ The Odd 11/20: Frederick, MD @ Cafe 611 11/21: Queens, NY @ El Bunker Del Diablo 11/22: Providence, RI @ Alchemy 11/23: Ottawa, ON @ Dominion Tavern 11/25:| Montreal, QC @ Foufone’s Cabaret 11/26: Toronto, ON @ The Baby G 11/27: London, ON @ Honey Dip 11/28: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary 11/29: Columbus, OH @ Spacebar 11/30:Chicago, IL @ Reggies 12/02: Denver, CO @ The Roxy 12/04: Boise, ID @ Shredder 12/05: Seattle, WA @ Substation 12/06: Portland, OR @ Twilight Hometown Show
REX REVENANT EU Tour (Supporting BÖLZER with THE RUINS OF BEVERAST, MISÞYRMING + TREPANERINGSRITUALEN):
20/02 – Berlin, DE – Lido ✦ 21/02 – Nijmegen, NL – Doornroosje ✦ 22/02 – Antwerp, BE – Kavka ✦ 23/02 – Paris, FR – Petit Bain ✦ 24/02 – Nantes, FR – Le Ferrailleur ✦ 25/02 – Toulouse, FR – Le Rex ✦ 26/02 – Madrid, ES – Revi Live ✦ 27/02 – Barcelona, ES – Sala Wolf ✦ 28/02 – Montpellier, FR – Victoire 2 ✦ 01/03 – Aarau, CH – KIFF ✦ 02/03 – Milan, IT – Slaughter Club ✦ 03/03 – Ljubljana, SI – Orto Bar ✦ 04/03 – Zagreb, HR – Boogaloo ✦ 05/03 – Belgrade, RS – Zappa Barka ✦ 06/03 – Bucharest, RO – Quantic Club ✧ 07/03 – Cluj-Napoca, RO – Form Space ✧ 08/03 – Budapest, HU – Dürer Kert ✧ 09/03 – Košice, SK – Collosseum Club ✧ 10/03 – Warsaw, PL – Hydrozagadka ✧ 11/03 – Gdańsk, PL – Drizzly Grizzly ✧ 12/03 – Poznań, PL – 2 Progi ✧ 13/03 – Hamburg, DE – Bambi Galore ✧ 14/03 – Leeuwarden, NL – Neushoorn ✧ 15/03 – Haarlem, NL – Patronaat ✧ 17/03 – Oberhausen, DE – Kulttempel ✧ 18/03 – Mörlenbach, DE – Live Music Hall Weiher ✧ 19/03 – Hannover, DE – Bei Chez Heinz ✧ 20/03 – Prague, CZ – Futurum ✧ 21/03 – Vienna, AT – The Fall V Festival ✧ 22/03 – Dresden, DE – Pushkin ✧
✦ = THE RUINS OF BEVERAST – Selected Shows ✧ = MISÞYRMING – Selected Shows
The artwork for ‘Suffer & Become’ was created by Dylan Humphries.
The members of JUDAS PRIEST were very pleased to donate $100,000 US to the LAFD before their show at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 19th 2025.
This was a contribution from the band to help the people who suffered damage due to the recent fires.
The members of JUDAS PRIEST are pictured here meeting with six of the fire fighters when the band presented them with the check.
SKULLD have signed with Time To Kill Records for the release of their new album, “Abyss Calls To Abyss”. After a classic grind through the underground scene, the Italian band is ready to deliver the most complete and intense record of their artistic journey so far. Their old-school Swedish death metal roots are reinforced by a strong crust punk/hardcore influence, giving the sound a raw, urgent edge. Yet, melodic deviations and dynamic shifts punctuate the album, highlighting the band’s growing maturity and stylistic range.
More details on the album and the first single will be revealed soon.
SKULLD formed in Romagna, Italy, in 2019 with the ambitious goal of blending old-school Swedish death metal with shamanic and esoteric overtones, all rooted in a strong feminist, anti-fascist, and anti-racist stance. Hailing from cities such as Cesena, Forlì, Bologna, Imola, and Milan, the members of the band have deep roots in the DIY punk and hardcore scene — a defining element of their artistic identity.
In 2020, they released their debut EP “Reinventing Darkness”, a DIY co-production with various Italian and international labels, distributed throughout the underground network. The lineup featured Pamela (vocals), Monti and Rappo (guitars), Ciufs (bass), and Teo (drums). The songs, fast and razor-sharp, combine Scandinavian death metal with crust and stenchcore, evoking dark and pagan atmospheres. The EP was well received for its raw and original sound, as well as for its lyrical themes — most notably the track “Satanic Feminism”, which explicitly ties death metal to political and gender awareness.
On March 20th, 2024, the band released their first full-length album “The Portal Is Open” via the French label World Eater Records. Recorded in Imola and mixed/mastered by Ulf Blomberg at Hobos Studio in Lund, Sweden, the album features eight tracks merging death and black metal with hardcore/crust influences and punk-infused vocals. The lyrics delve deeper into the concepts introduced on their debut, exploring pagan traditions, mythology, feminine archetypes, and esoteric and literary references.
In 2024, guitarist Moqi joined the band as a live replacement for Rappo, who had relocated to Berlin. He later became the sixth full-time member, contributing to the writing and recording of the band’s latest effort, “Abyss Calls To Abyss”.
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
