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CONTORTED Sign with Dark Essence Records, Debut Full-Length Album Coming

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: CONTORTED. Leave a comment

Over the past few years, the name CONTORTED has been seen on many concert posters around the city of Bergen, both supporting bigger bands or doing their own gigs. With the quality of the digital EPs they’ve done, it was now time to welcome them to the Dark Essence Records roster.
 
Contorted is a death metal band from Bergen. The band draws from the old school of the genre, delivering riffs that are equally intense and brutal, raw self-production, grotesque melodies, and a violent soundscape. The band aims to explore multiple branches of music, marked by a dynamic sonic palette shaped by black metal’s dark mysticism and atmosphere, death metal’s uncompromising brutality, and the experimental nature of prog rock. This has led Contorted to become an interesting addition to the extreme metal underground.

Formed in 2022, Contorted quickly became a new favourite in the Bergen metal scene. The current lineup consists of Johannes Andreassen (guitars), Kristian Brynjulfsen (vocals, guitar), Mats Hovden (drums) and Vegard Kanestrøm (bass).
 
Contorted has this to say about signing to Dark Essence Records:
We are thrilled to be a part of the roster of Dark Essence Records, and we can’t wait to release our first full length album under their banner. We are very excited to see what this collaboration has in store.
 

The band is currently working on their debut album, and more info will follow.

For more information about Contorted: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090561643158

DARK RIDE Share New Single & Video ‘Coffin’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: DARK RIDE. Leave a comment

California-based melodic punk rock band DARK RIDE unleashed their new single and official video “Coffin”, on February 14th, on Valentine’s Day.

Released on the day traditionally dedicated to love, “Coffin” embraces romance in its most obsessive, eternal and melancholic form. The track is a punk rock anthem about undying love and a passionate yet fading memory, capturing the feeling of devotion that survives time, distance and decay.

“Coffin” was co-written and produced by Randy Moore (Ghost Nameless Ghoul, Bones Shredder), who also performed all guitar and bass duties on the song. His contribution adds a darker, heavier edge to Dark Ride’s melodic punk sound, amplifying both its emotional intensity and cinematic atmosphere.

Inspired by classic Universal Monster films such as “Dracula” and “Bride of Frankenstein”, “Coffin” blends gothic romance and horror imagery with driving punk energy, turning Valentine’s Day into a celebration of love beyond death – intense, nostalgic and unapologetically dark.

The accompanying official video captures the raw energy and intensity of DARK RIDE’s live performances, translating the song’s urgency and emotional drive into a fast-paced, no-frills visual statement.

Listen to “Coffin” HERE: https://save-it.cc/massacre/coffin

“Coffin” is taken from DARK RIDE’s upcoming full-length album “Blade Manor”, set for release on March 27th, 2026, on CD Digipak, vinyl LP and digital formats via Massacre Records.

“Blade Manor” represents a bold new chapter for DARK RIDE, blending high-energy melodic punk with horror, fantasy and cinematic storytelling. Across 12 tracks, the album delivers infectious anthems, dark humor and atmospheric elements, drawing inspiration from classic horror films, ‘80s and ‘90s pop culture, and West Coast punk rock, while incorporating subtle metal influences.

Created by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emilio Menze, DARK RIDE have steadily carved out a distinctive identity within the modern punk scene. Beyond his work with Dark Ride, Emilio is widely regarded as one of the most visible and respected figures in the global horror punk community – a scene-builder who has spent years setting up shows, supporting other bands, and helping keep the culture alive both in the U.S. and abroad.

Before forming Dark Ride, Emilio toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe with his previous bands, appearing on bills alongside major genre acts and bringing horror punk to new audiences. His work with Stellar Corpses was particularly influential, earning international attention and positioning him as a recognizable presence within the scene. Emilio also fronted Plan 9, considered the world’s most renowned Misfits tribute act – further cementing his reputation as a charismatic and theatrical performer with deep roots in the genre’s legacy.

For fans outside the horror punk niche, Emilio functions as a rare bridge between underground subculture and broader alternative music, combining a cinematic sensibility with melodic songwriting and an unmistakable visual identity. Comparisons to artists such as AFI, Misfits and Alkaline Trio only touch the surface – his creative voice stands firmly on its own.

Produced by Randy Moore and Olav Tabatabai, with mixing by Olav Tabatabai and mastering by Zack Ohren (Castle Ultimate Productions), “Blade Manor” showcases DARK RIDE at their most focused and ambitious to date. The album also features a range of guest musicians from across the punk, horror-punk and metal scenes, further enriching its dynamic and collaborative spirit.

Following acclaimed performances across the US and Europe, including a debut appearance at Germany’s legendary Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival, DARK RIDE continue to build momentum as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary melodic punk.

Track listing

  1. Blade Manor
  2. Coffin
  3. Rewind
  4. Electrocuted
  5. I Bury Boyfriends
  6. Life at the End of October
  7. Seascape Samhain
  8. Fever Dream
  9. Ruined
  10. Rest In Pieces
  11. Do Or Die
  12. Psycho Summer

DARK RIDE online:
https://www.instagram.com/darkridesc/
https://www.facebook.com/darkridesc

RICK MONROE AND THE HITMEN Release New Single ‘Our Love’ with Lyric Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: RICK MONROE AND THE HITMEN. Leave a comment

Rick Monroe & The Hitmen unleash their brand-new single “Our Love” via Asylum 1212 Records /TLG/Virgin Music Group. 

“Our Love,” is a soul-soaked new single that channels the golden era of 1970s country-rock while speaking directly to today’s listeners. Warm harmonies, ringing guitars, and emotionally honest storytelling collide in a song that celebrates a love that bends, bruises, and grows stronger—but never breaks.

With clear echoes of The Eagles and Jackson Browne, “Our Love” feels both familiar and fresh, pairing classic Americana textures with modern polish. Rick Monroe’s unmistakable vocal delivery carries a message of resilience and devotion, making the track a natural fit for fans of Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, and roots-driven country-rock.

Adding to the song’s emotional impact, the official lyric video for “Our Love” was crowd-sourced from friends and fans, featuring candid, real-life photos submitted by the community that has supported Monroe throughout his career. The result is a heartfelt visual companion that mirrors the song’s message—authentic moments of love, connection, and shared history, told through the faces of real people.

Built on soulful guitar lines and a laid-back groove that invites repeat listens, “Our Love” is the kind of song that belongs on long highway drives, sunset playlists, and radio rotations that value craft and connection. The Hitmen’s tight musicianship gives the track a lived-in, road-tested feel that reflects the band’s deep musical chemistry.

“‘Our Love’ is about staying grounded when life pulls you in every direction,” says Monroe. “It’s about choosing love, even when it isn’t perfect—and seeing how fans connected to that message made this release even more meaningful.”

Rick Monroe & The Hitmen have long been known for blending heartland rock, classic country, and Southern soul into a sound that feels timeless rather than trendy. With “Our Love,” they reaffirm their place in the Americana and country-rock landscape—delivering a song, and a visual experience, rooted in honesty, nostalgia, and community.

“Our Love” is available now on all major streaming platforms.

The Band has also launched a new Exclusive VIP Fan List: https://fans.rickmonroe.com/vip-list

The official crowd-sourced lyric video can be seen below:

The birth of the Hitmen. For years Rick Monroe has been a solo artist hiring players as needed and doing the Nashville shuffle of interchangeable bands, but during covid everything changed. In 2020, Rick and the band, with Bobby Perkins & Alan Beeler, were set to have an amazing year starting off with a West Coast tour when the world shut down. Instead of everyone going their own way, they all stuck together and started streaming live shows from their basements, garages and living rooms. At the same time Rick and Alan Beeler started a standing Tuesday writing meeting which eventually became the bulk of their current album. Through some mutual friends, Rick met Malcolm Springer and they decided to track a few songs and see how it went. Once in the studio it was obvious that this was quickly becoming more of a band situation and when Malcolm brought Jason Bohl in, the sound finally came together. Rick joked one night about how the band was killing it and bam- someone said “The Hitmen”- and that was that.

For More Information Please Visit: Official Website – Instagram – Facebook – X – YouTube – TikTok – Spotify

KEVIN STEELE Releases Second Single ‘There’s A Better Day Comin’ from Upcoming Solo Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Kevin Steele. Leave a comment
Photography by Linda Militello

Kevin Steele recently announced his first solo album, One Thing Left To Do, that will be released on February 27, 2026, via Steele Records/Amplified Distribution. The second single “There’s A Better Day Comin’” is out now on digital services.

“I’ve had some pretty dark times in my life and I’ve sung about some of them on this album but I’m a survivor and I wanted to end the record on a positive note. “There’s A Better Day Comin’” is a song about hope. No matter who you are or what your life experience is, no matter what you believe in or what your politics or preferences are, just to get out of bed every morning and face the day in this ever increasingly crazy world we live in you’ve got to have a little hope. Some people might think this song has religious overtones or that I’m singing about the hereafter. I’m not. I’m singing about tomorrow, right here. That’s what we’ve got. You’ve got to make the best of this short life we’re given. For me, music has always been my savior. You’ve got to fight to find your light of love and a way to let it shine!” – Kevin Steele

Also watch the “Snake Charmer” lyric video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iobuzOipT6o

Pre-save or Pre-order the album: https://snd.click/cyc6

All of these songs showcase Kevin’s masterful songwriting across all the musical styles that have shaped his colorful career, including glam, punk, rock, blues, and even southern gospel. Kevin’s band Roxx Gang were one of America’s great bands and the first rock band signed to Virgin Records in America. Their debut record, the classic “Things You’ve Never Done Before”, sold over 250,000 copies. In a way, they were the bridge between glam and grunge and The Mojo Gurus played a vital role in keeping rock-n-roll alive in “the Tens” working with legendary producers Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, New York Dolls) and Tommy Henricksen (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, The Hollywood Vampires). With One Thing Left To Do, Steele brings his musical journey full circle with a truly remarkable record that you just have to hear.

oining Kevin on this new record is guitar phenom / co producer Billy Summer (Florida, Luxury Mane, The New Brutarians) whose music has been heard on major TV shows and films such as Ted Lasso, The Affair, Harpoon, Life and Beth, Chicago Fire, Property Brothers and many others.The result is one hot slab of Rock ‘n’ Roll revelry covering several genres that showcase a track list of impressive playing and songwriting.

“Billy and I made such a great team. Instant connection of the minds. He knew instinctively where I was going musically with each song before I would even tell him. That’s why they call us the Cosmic Twins”, said Kevin.

The band is an allstar collection of Tampa Bay, Florida musicians playing at the top of their game. They formed an instant camaraderie and the good times had in the recording sessions shine across every track!

Cover Art by Adam Turkel

Kevin Steele – One Thing Left To Do

  1. One Thing Left To Do 2:33
  2. Snake Charmer 3:44
  3. The Bedspring Boogie 2:48
  4. I Know What Yer Up To 2:22
  5. Sad, Sad Song 6:29
  6. The 9 Lives Blues 3:36
  7. Fingers Crossed 5:40
  8. Nobody Tells Me When To Quit (The Na Na Song) 4:25
  9. My Baby Didn’t Come Home Last Night 2:42
  10. There’s A Better Day Comin’ 4:38

Kevin Steele – Lead Vocals, Harmonica
Billy Summer – Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Percussion
Steve Peake – Keyboards
Steven C. Tanner – Drums
Rob Pastore – Pedal Steel Guitar
Jim Stevens – Bass on “The 9 Lives Blues”
Kyle Lovell – Drums on “I Know What Yer Up To”
Scott Myers – Trombone, Vocals
Adam Turkel – Vocals, Percussion
Linda Militello & Zoe Summer – Vocals

All songs written by Kevin Steele – Too Cool Music Publishing – BMI
except Sad, Sad Song written by Kevin Steele & Billy Summer
Too Cool Music Publishing – BMI & Billy Summer Music – BMI

Recorded at The Ward, St. Petersburg, FL
Produced by the Cosmic Twins (Billy Summer & Kevin Steele)
Engineered by Billy Summer
Mastered by Brian Merrill at Studio B, St. Petersburg, FL

More information: https://www.facebook.com/KSteeleRoxxGang

HEILUNG Launch Podcast, First Episode “Alfadhirhaiti” Now Available

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 15, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Heilung. Leave a comment

Heilung are known around the world for transcending the boundaries of sound and history. Since forming in 2015, the Nordic collective have made their unmistakable presence felt everywhere from the Billboard charts to Glastonbury, The Game Awards and major Hollywood films. Their performance rituals draw crowds into an intimate, mystical space that threads together earth, fire and incense with throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show and instruments made from human bone.

Today, Heilung are inviting both fans and newcomers to step into their world, where history and spirit converge, by announcing their first-ever podcast. Hosted by founding member, singer and shamanic practitioner Kai Uwe Faust, The Podcast journeys into the lore, traditions and primal forces that shape Heilung and their Amplified History. The first episode is dedicated to “Afladhirhait”, which opens their debut album Ofnir and is featured on their latest live album Lifa Iotungard .  

“I’m excited to offer an intimate look at how history, myth and sound merge into what Heilung calls amplified history through this podcast”, Faust says. “Join me during this first episode as I reflect on the songwriting process, mythological roots, historical references, ritual significance and the symbolic world around ‘Alfadhirhaiti’”.

Heilung’s full discography, including Lifa Iotungard, is available now on Season of Mist. Order & Stream: https://orcd.co/lifaiotungard

Tracklist

  1. Opening Ceremony (1:03)
  2. In Maidjan (12:30)
  3. Alfadhirhaiti (7:23)
  4. Krigsgaldr (9:04)
  5. Hakkerskaldyr (3:33)
  6. Svanrand (3:31)
  7. Norupo (5:42)
  8. Othan (10:21)
  9. Traust (9:41) [WATCH]
  10. Elddansurin (7:25)
  11. Hamrer Hippyer (13:32)
    Total runtime: 83:50

HEILUNG don’t play shows. They perform a ritual. Every performance begins with Kai Uwe Faust leading Christopher Juul, Maria Franz and the rest of the Nordic collective in an ancient prayer. Soon after, the audience is swept into rapture, swayed by incense and throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show, an army of warriors and bursts of fire.

Since they began in 2015, Heilung have been paving melodic paths to the past with their unique and mystifying sound. Evading all conventional genre tags and the confines of any specific labels, the group aptly self-describes their sound as “amplified history,” emphasizing their ability to connect modern society with the rudiments of humanity’s beginnings through music.

“Our ancestral Nordic civilizations did not just pop up, exist and disappear in isolation”, says Faust, a throat singer and one of Heilung’s three composers. “With singing these primordial songs we want to give tribute to these cultures, reconnect to the beginnings and remember that we all, from East to West, from past to present, are connected through the exchange of ideas and inspiring each other”.

While Heilung features authentic and archaic instrumentation that ranges from rattles and ritual bells to human bones and throat singing, their captivating brand of music is far from primitive. Producer and founding member Christopher Juul implements subtle electronic elements that elevates the musical atmosphere and provides a more in-depth and layered soundscape.

Indeed, Heilung’s success has been unprecedented, achieving milestones in its few short years of existence that many do not see in a lifetime. The collective already had rapidly been growing a buzz upon the self-release of their first full-length Ofnir in 2015, but their dizzying upward trajectory really took off from the moment they set foot on the stage at Castlefest in 2017 for the now-legendary debut of their live ritual. Luckily for those who were not fortunate enough to bare witness to this magical event, the full ceremony was captured on film, having since been viewed by tens of millions of fans across the globe.

As Heilung trekked across Europe and brought their mystifying experience to new audiences, talk of this new band and their stunning ceremony made way to Season of Mist label owner Michael Berberian, who quickly offered the band a record contract after seeing their undeniable musical impact for himself.

By 2019, Heilung launched their second full-length record, Futha, which contrasted the masculine and battle-heavy themes of their debut with a feminine counterpart that celebrated fertility and female energy. Upon the first week of the record’s release, it graced the Billboard charts with coveted numbers, debuting at #3 on the Heatseekers Charts and #4 on the Billboard World Music Chart, placing on a total of seven Billboard charts while meeting critical-acclaim from the press on a global scale.

Their music has even appeared in places that extend far beyond typical concert venues. From hit television series like Game of Thrones and Vikings to video game giants like Conqueror’s Blade VII: “Wolves of Ragnarök and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II to the blockbuster Robert Eggers film The Northman, Heilung’s music has risen far above the underground and has transcended into a greater world. Even a global pandemic couldn’t slow down Heilung’s success; it only strengthened them and gave them the gift of time to complete work on their third album. In English, Drif translates as “Gathering”. The music embodies this philosophy by tying together the beginning of civilization with today’s modern society.

Heilung now perform their rituals all over the world. They sold out their first North American tour in 72 hours. Upon returning to the United States in 2021, they were greeted by another sold-out crowd, this time at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. This performance was released as a live album on vinyl and CD in 2024. A Blu-Ray edition of Lifa Iotungard will follow, along with the release of their 2023 performance at the Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith, London.

In 2025, Heilung embarked on headlining tours of Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Along the way, they cast their spell over more of the world’s biggest stages, including Roskilde Festival, Download Festival and Glastonbury. But no matter where the future takes them, Heilung always begin their performance with a humbling reminder of where we all come from.

“Remember, we are all brothers. All people, beasts, tree and stone and wind, we all descend from the one great being that was always there, before people lived and named it, before the first seed sprouted.”

Line-up:
Kai Uwe Faust
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

Follow Heilung
Official Website: https://www.amplifiedhistory.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory
Instagram: https://instagram.com/amplifiedhistory
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7sTKZr30LqC928DZ5P9mNQ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Heilung
Bandcamp: https://heilung.bandcamp.com/music
Bandsintown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/1977594-heilung

CRYPTOPSY Featured on Cover of This Month’s Issue of Decibel Magazine

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 15, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: CRYPTOPSY. Leave a comment

Fresh off slitting through a largely sold-out European headline tour, Cryptopsy remain insatiable as ever. The most vile band in death metal are nominated for Best Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year at this year’s JUNO Awards, a category that they won just two years ago. Now, as they prepare to headline the longest-running heavy metal tour in North America, the Canadian legends are proud to add another accomplishment to their Hall of Fame career.  

Today, Cryptopsy are proud to announce that they are featured on the cover of this month’s issue of Decibel Magazine. This marks the second time the band have claimed the cover of the world’s foremost authority on heavy metal since the release of their new album An Insatiable Violence. Joining them on the cover of Issue #258 are members of Necrot, Fulci and Blood Monolith, who are supporting Cryptopsy on this year’s Decibel Magazine Tour.

“We are extremely proud to be on the cover of Decibel for the second time in less than a year”, Cryptopsy says. “Decibel is by far one of the most important magazines for metal. We’re honored to share this achievement alongside the bands who are joining us on this year’s Decibel Tour. These shows are going to be violent, cathartic and unforgettable”.    

“Between the strength of the material on their latest release, An Insatiable Violence, and the anniversary celebration of their landmark, None So Vile, 2026 is clearly the year of Peak Cryptopsy”, Decibel Magazine’s Editor-In-Chief Albert Mudrian says. “We couldn’t be more honored to bring the band’s paramount present and potent past together to headline this year’s Decibel Magazine Tour”.

Order Decibel Issue #258 HERE.

Catch Cryptopsy on The Decibel Magazine Tour 2026. During this 21-date run across the U.S. and Canada, the band will perform songs from Decibel Hall of Fame inductee None So Vile and their most recent Canadian Grammy-nominated album An Insatiable Violence.

The Decibel Magazine Tour 2026
with Cryptopsy (celebrating 30 years of None So Vile), Necrot, Fulci and Blood Monolith

Get tickets: https://www.decibelmagazine.com/events/tour

April 30 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium (Upstairs)
May 1 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Monarch
May 2 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
May 3 – Philadelphia, PA @ Decibel Metal & Beer Philly (The Fillmore)
May 5 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell)
May 7 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
May 8 – Dallas, TX @ The Studio
May 9 – Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live
May 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent
May 13 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
May 14 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone
May 16 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
May 17 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
May 20 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
May 22 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe
May 23 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
May 24 – Detroit, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
May 25 – Cleveland, OH @ The Grog Shop
May 26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground
May 27 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
May 28 – Montreal, QC @ Fairmount Theatre

An Insatiable Violence, None So Vile and other albums from Cryptopsy’s fearsome discography are now available through Season of Mist.

–Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/cryptopsyall
–Stream: https://orcd.co/cryptopsyaninsatiableviolence

Tracklist
1. The Nimis Adoration (4:10)
2. Until There’s Nothing Left (3:59) [WATCH]
3. Dead Eyes Replete (3:57) [WATCH]
4. Fools Last Acclaim (3:26)
5. The Art of Emptiness (4:16)
6. Our Great Deception (4:21)
7. Embrace the Nihility (3:50)
8. Malicious Needs (5:52) [WATCH]

More than 30 years into their storied career, Montreal death metal innovators Cryptopsy return with their ninth studio album, An Insatiable Violence, set for release on June 20, 2025 on Season of Mist.

Revered in extreme metal circles for such groundbreaking classics as 1994’s Blasphemy Made Flesh and the 1996 magnum opus None So Vile, Cryptopsy find yet another gear on An Insatiable Violence, which further solidifies the band’s place in the upper echelon of death metal. Coming out of the pandemic, the band dedicated themselves to staying on top of their game more than ever before, with the intention of consistently putting out a new record every two years. That started with 2023’s acclaimed As Gomorrah Burns, and continues 21 months later with An Insatiable Violence.

“We had to write the majority of An Insatiable Violence while on the Death to All tour, which was something we’d never done before”, vocalist Matt McGachy says. “Flo [Mounier, drums] and Chris [Donaldson, guitar] really put their hats on. It was a feat”.  

“Ever since COVID our focus is clearer, a lot of work gets done faster, and we push each other to get it done.”, Mounier says.  

In addition to featuring some of the fastest passages Cryptopsy has ever recorded – keen listeners will even hear the odd gravity blast from Mounier, a rarity from the virtuoso drummer – the controlled chaos of their signature sound is offset by well-timed passages that ease off the gas pedal enough to allow listeners to come up for some air. That dynamic rage on An Insatiable Violence in turn makes the more aggressive moments hit even harder, which is immediately noticeable on the harrowing “Until There’s Nothing Left” and the chugging closing track “Malicious Needs”. Olivier Pinard anchors “Fools Last Acclaim” with stunning authority (keeping pace with Mounier is an unenviable task) while Donaldson offsets gnarly, atonal riffs with melodic passages throughout the record. “It’s a continuation of As Gomorrah Burns,” McGachy says, “We really wanted to make a groovy record, and we think we’ve done it.”

It seems as though nothing is scarier than real life right now, and An Insatiable Violenceis a commentary on today’s society as though filtered through the transgressive, countercultural perspectives of J.G. Ballard and David Cronenberg.  

“It all came to me in a dream in August 2023,” elaborates McGachy. “I woke up, I took my phone, and I wrote down the title of the record. It’s about a person that wakes up every day and fixes a machine. Tinkers with it, tries to make it better all day long, sweating in the sun, and then at night, they strap themself into this machine and the machine tortures them, and they love it. Then they wake up the next day and fix it again to make it more efficient, to keep harnessing it, and then just keep doing it over and over again.  

While fantastically twisted, An Insatiable Violence mirrors our toxic relationship with social media.  “We’re continuously trying to feed this algorithm of the machine while it’s totally tearing us apart socially and psychologically”, McGachy continues. “’The Nimis Adoration’ is about mukbang, these Korean people that eat too much food on the Internet. Piles and piles of food. A poor girl died on a live cam”.  

At the center of the album is the mind-boggling percussion skill of Mounier, arguably the most imposing Canadian drummer not named Peart, who dominates such standout tracks as “Dead Eyes Replete”, “Fools Last Acclaim”, and “Embrace the Nihility”. “I look at Flo as an Olympic athlete,” says McGachy. “I want to push this guy to go a lot faster than Cryptopsy’s previous releases. We have so much more to give, and I wanted just drain it all out of him while he’s still at the top of his game, because he is. He’s crushing.”

“I mix up a lot of a physical activity, like resistance training into the drumming,” Mounier says. “I recently developed new techniques that make it easier to go even faster, so I tried to push that on this album. My focus is now more on dynamics and the touch of the snare, a certain snap of the snare, a rim shot on the snare, the toms, a light touch or a hard touch. Live, I can really let go, you know, give the sound guy a hard time,” he adds with a laugh.

For McGachy, who has always boasted a powerful, guttural death growl, the rigors of touring have enabled him to evolve as a vocalist, and he turns in a revelatory performance on An Insatiable Violence. In addition to ear-scraping screams that rival George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, McGachy unleashes the deepest, filthiest death growls of his career. “Gomorrah was the first album that I recorded with my full false chord scream, which is something that I’d only just touched on The Book of Suffering: Tome II in little sections,” he says. “We did at least 140 shows since Gomorrah. I exclusively did my false chords during all the songs that we performed on None So Vile and Blasphemy Made Flesh. And then, when we did go into the studio for An Insatiable Violence, Chris would be like, ‘Deeper, you must go deeper!’”

Another fearsome vocalist from Cryptopsy’s lore pops back into the booth on An Insatiable Violence. “When we were recording the vocals for ‘Embrace the Nihility’, Chris had the idea of ending the song with the same vocal pattern as the end of ‘…and Then It Passes’”, McGachy remembers. “We figured if we were going to rip ourselves off, then we may as well get the real thing. We were honored that Mike DiSalvo accepted. We are all huge fans of Cryptopsy’s DiSalvo era. His vocals on this album are an ultra Easter egg for our fans”.      

In addition to the effusive praise As Gomorrah Burns received from within the metal scene, the 2023 album achieved a first for Cryptopsy: earning them their first ever JUNO Award in 2024 for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year. “We had little-to-no expectations of winning” says McGachy. ”We didn’t even go to the ceremonies because we were on tour in Europe with Atheist. On the day we found out that we won, we had a crazy 18-hour drive from Derby to Germany, plus a ferry ride. But we still partied for 48 hours. Flo bought an expensive bottle of champagne”.  

Cryptopsy recognize that not every death metal band sticks around long enough to win a Canadian Grammy 30 years into their career. The cover art for An Insatiable Violence was created by the late, great vocalist Martin Lacroix.  “The album artwork has got to be one of the most important things to us!”, the band says. “Martin Lacroix was one of our vocalists, one of our great friends and one of the nicest people that anyone could have the privilege to meet. We really wish he was here with us to share this moment. His perfect smile would say it all! Rest in peace brother”.

With Cryptopsy’s latest career renaissance showing no signs of slowing down, the recent accolades are only the beginning. An Insatiable Violence reaches a new peak in a career loaded with them.

Lineup
Flo Mounier – Drums
Matt McGachy – Vocals
Christian Donaldson – Guitar
Oli Pinard – Bass

Follow Cryptopsy
Bandcamp: https://cryptopsyofficial.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cryptopsyofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cryptopsyofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/29PgYwTelpNl6370XLqFtN
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CryptopsyDeathMetal
BandsInTown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/2941-cryptopsy

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