Kings of Thrash, the thrash-metal combo featuring Megadeth alumni David Ellefson and Jeff Young, plus Fred Aching (Dead Groove) and Chaz Leon (Absolution) are back with a brand new single – but you’ll have to move fast because there’s just 50 copies pressed.
The highly-anticipated fifth release in Cleopatra Records’ newly-launched STRICTLY LIMITED series of instant collectors’ item, this unique coupling of “Bullets Ready” and “Lockdown” features guest appearances from Chris Poland (Megadeth), Zetro (Exodus, Hatriot, Legacy) and Gabriel Connor (Red Devil Vortex).
Packaged in authentic white-label style packaging with a one-sided sleeve card and poly bag, this thunderous release is succinctly described by David Ellefson as “Two powerhouse thrash songs designed to be old-school in their production and their bite. The new made old and the old made new…thrash never dies, it just changes generations! “
STRICTLY LIMITED is an extraordinary new series of 7-inch singles featuring rare, archival and unreleased tracks by some of the legends of rock’n’roll. Past releases include:
New York Dolls – “Looking for a Kiss” (7-inch, 50 copies)
Thor – “Quest for the Hammer” (7-inch, 35 copies)
Angel – “Lady of the Lake” (12-inch, 50 copies) SOLD OUT!
Future STRICTLY LIMITED releases include releases by Linda Gail Lewis with Hillbilly Moon Explosion, Femme Fatale and Dee Snider, and King Stott (ex-Plasmatics).
Available only from the Cleopatra Records web store, here.
TRACK LISTING
SIDE A “Bullets Ready” (featuring Zetro and Gabriel Connor)
Following the release of the hard-hitting singles “Diktatürk” and “Stumpf ist Trumpf”, BÜLENT CEYLAN reveals a more emotional side of his upcoming second studio album, B.L.N.T., with today’s new single, “Wolfsherz”. For the album’s third single, the Mannheim-born artist teamed up with none other than Heavy Metal Queen Doro Pesch. Together, they deliver a powerful metal ballad packed with intensity, emotion and soaring melodies, accompanied by a stunning official music video featuring real wolves. Doro Pesch’s unmistakable smoky vocals add even more emotional depth to the track, making “Wolfsherz” one of the album’s most touching highlights. B.L.N.T. will be released on September 11, 2026 via Napalm Records.
BÜLENT CEYLAN on the new single: “I’m more than excited that the wonderful Doro Pesch is singing this special song with me. It’s an absolute honor, and filming the video together was absolutely unforgettable!”
From the comedy stage straight into the mosh pit! German comedian and entertainer BÜLENT CEYLAN unleashes his second heavy metal album, B.L.N.T., on September 11, 2026, via Napalm Records. As one of the country’s best-known comedians and entertainers, BÜLENT CEYLAN has been performing on the nation’s biggest stages for over 25 years and holds a very special place in the hearts of his fans, thanks to his humor and down-to-earth manner. Alongside comedy, he is devoted heart and soul to metal, and not just as a fan. Bülent is a metalhead through and through! In 2024, the Mannheim-based artist released his debut album, Ich liebe Menschen(Translation: I Love People), followed by the tour of the same name with his four-piece band. With B.L.N.T., he now cements his place in the ranks of heavy metal!
BÜLENT CEYLAN comments: “For me, this album is an absolute dream come true, and I hope metal fans will celebrate it just as much as I do. There’s a lot of Bülent in this album—Bülent the person and Bülent the musician. Thanks as well to Napalm Records for believing in me so strongly and joining me on this journey.”
Following performances at the legendary Wacken Open Air, at the Scorpions’ anniversary concert, and at Metal Holidays, as well as through his collaboration with the German edition of Metal Hammer—at whose 2024 awards ceremony BÜLENT CEYLAN hosted the evening—he once again proves his standing as a serious musician with B.L.N.T.! It has humor, brains, and above all else, one thing in particular: plenty of heavy sounds. An album for heavy metal fans and for all those who share Bülent’s passion, openness, and keen eye for society.
B.L.N.T. Tracklist:
Stumpf ist Trumpf
Fünf vor Zwölf
Wir haben gelebt
Wolfsherz (feat. Doro)
Keiner kommt hier lebend raus
Habt euch endlich alle lieb
Lange Haare
Randale und Radau (feat. Michael Rhein)
Ein Hoch auf die beschissenen Zeiten
Leck mich Tag
Diktatürk
Am Ende gut
BÜLENT CEYLAN LIVE
Clubtour 2026 22.09.26 DE – Mannheim / Capitol 23.09.26 DE – Saarbrücken / Garage 24.09.26 DE – Essen / Weststadthalle 26.09.26 DE – Munich / Backstage 27.09.26 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch 29.09.26 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn 30.09.26 DE – Frankfurt / Batschkapp
BETWEEN NOTHING is a melodic death metal band from Poznań, Poland, founded in 2008 by guitarist and songwriter Tomasz Frąckowiak. Over the years, the band has developed a distinctive sound built around heavy yet melodic guitar riffs, soaring lead guitar work, and rich keyboard and orchestral arrangements.
Following the release of their debut demo in 2009, the band went on hiatus before returning in 2017 with the EP For Your Enjoyment, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their career.
The years that followed saw the release of several singles, including “Lost Faith,” “Dahlia,” and “Suffer & Goodbye,” each helping to shape and refine the band’s musical direction. This creative period culminated in the release of the EP Ghost in March 2025, featuring both new material and songs whose origins can be traced back to the earliest days of BETWEEN NOTHING.
Currently, the band is working on its first full-length album while preparing for a return to the live stage. The next step in this new chapter is the release of “No Heaven Here,” a single that showcases a heavier and more aggressive side of BETWEEN NOTHING while preserving the melodic sensibilities and guitar harmonies that have become the band’s trademark.
As founder and primary songwriter Tomasz Frąckowiak explains:
“No Heaven Here is one of the first Between Nothing songs written in a lower tuning, which gave it a much heavier character. At the same time, it contains everything we love about melodic death metal — aggressive riffs, speed and memorable guitar melodies.”
The new song was recorded, mixed and mastered by Tomasz Frąckowiak. “No Heaven Here” is also available at all popular streaming platforms (HERE).
LINE-UP:
Tomasz Frąckowiak – guitars Patryk Szumiński – bass Wojciech Szpurka – guitars Joachim Naguszewski – vocals Dominik Brzeziński – drums
Available now on all major digital platforms via Volcano Records, “Flying In The Dark” is the brand-new single from MANU PES BAND and the first taste of the trio’s upcoming album, scheduled for release this September.
Entirely instrumental, the track perfectly captures the band’s musical identity, blending hard rock, blues and heavy metal into a dynamic balance of technical prowess, infectious grooves and memorable melodies. With “Flying In The Dark”, Manu Pes Band invites listeners on an immersive journey through consciousness, allowing the music alone to tell the story. Without the need for lyrics, the guitar becomes the voice of the composition, leading the listener through shifting moods of tension, energy and introspection, alternating explosive rock-driven passages with more melodic and atmospheric moments. The band’s sound is rooted in the meeting point between blues expression and heavy metal power, enriched by subtle touches of funk and fusion while remaining firmly anchored in hard rock. Catchy riffs, expressive guitar work and a strong sense of groove define a style that pays tribute to iconic artists such as Joe Satriani, Van Halen and Led Zeppelin, while maintaining a fresh and contemporary personality. The release is accompanied by the official music video, now available on YouTube, offering a visual interpretation of the track’s atmosphere and cinematic spirit, adding another dimension to this instrumental journey.
Formed in 2023 by guitarist Emanuele Pes together with Mattia Murtas and Maurizio Serreli, Manu Pes Band embraces a free and uncompromising approach to songwriting, effortlessly blending blues, hard rock, heavy metal, funk and fusion into a distinctive musical language. “Flying In The Dark” marks the opening chapter of a new creative journey that will culminate with the release of the band’s new album this September.
Listen to “Flying In The Dark” on all digital platforms and watch the official music video on YouTube:
Progressive Latin metallers MANUEL has released the official music video for “Ladrón,” a powerful single from the acclaimed EP Parasite, available now through Wormholedeath Records.
Filmed at Grime Studios and produced in collaboration with Chuck Martin Productions, the video transforms the song’s themes of exploitation, greed, and resistance into a visually striking performance piece. Set against the raw industrial backdrop of Grime Studios, the video captures the intensity and emotion at the heart of the track while showcasing MANUEL’s distinctive blend of progressive metal, Latin influences, and cinematic storytelling.
“Ladrón” features a compelling guest vocal performance by Patrice Elizabeth Vigeant, whose haunting delivery adds emotional depth and urgency to the song’s message. The track was mixed and mastered by Evan Sammons, whose production brings clarity, power, and dynamic range to MANUEL’s expansive sound.
As part of Parasite, “Ladrón” continues MANUEL’s exploration of social inequality, resilience, and the human cost of systems built on exploitation. The music video pairs the band’s commanding performance with an immersive visual aesthetic, reinforcing the song’s themes through both sound and imagery.
The official music video for “Ladrón” is available now on YouTube, offering listeners a compelling visual companion to one of Parasite’s most emotionally charged tracks.
Wailin Storms are catching fire with their noisy and bluesy explosions of Southern Gothic Rock. Hot on the heels of feverish critical praise from Brooklyn Vegan, CVLT Nation, Treble, Decibel and other outlets, the Durham natives are fanning the flames even higher on their fifth album and first for Season of Mist. While surrounded by darkness from the outside world, The Arsonist burns with all of our heart’s desires.
“These nine songs don’t feel buffed, corrected or sanded down”, writes Decibel, who are premiering The Arsonist two full days in advance of its release. “They feel scorched”.
The Arsonist is released today, July 10, 2026 on Season of Mist, and you can hear all nine simmering songs by listening to the full album stream at Decibel Magazine’s website, HERE.
“I’ve always been fascinated by fire”, Wailin Storms vocalist and guitarist Justin Storms says. “It speaks to our inherent attraction to danger and annihilation, but also, our hope for transformation”.
Wailin Storms are igniting the stage this summer with a headline U.S. tour. The band will perform songs off The Arsonist for the first time, along with crowd favorites from across their critically-acclaimed discography.
Wailin Storms 2026 The Arsonist U.S. Tour
July 17 – Durham, NC @ Stanczyk’s [Album Release Show] [TICKETS] July 29 – Johnson City, TN @ The Hideaway [TICKETS] July 30 – Atlanta, GA @ Star Bar [TICKETS] July 31 – Knoxville, TN @ The Pilot Light [TICKETS] August 1 – Cincinnati, OH @ Motr [TICKETS] August 2 – Youngstown, OH @ Westside Bowl [TICKETS] August 3 – Columbus, OH @ Dirty Dungarees [TICKETS] August 4 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Government Center [TICKETS] August 5 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery [TICKETS] August 6 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Gutter [TICKETS] August 7 – New Hope, PA @ John and Peter’s [TICKETS] August 8 – Richmond, VA @ Cobra Cabana [TICKETS]
The Arsonist can be traced back through Wailin Storms’ past. As a child, frontman Justin Storms was so hypnotized by fire that he came dangerously close to accidentally burning down his family’s house in Corpus Christ, Texas. Old folk songs, Baptist hymns, Flannery O’Connor, René Magritte and other influences are brought stomping and screaming into the light. With its sideways gust of riffs and moaning chorus, “The Wind” blows loud enough to wake the entire cemetery.
Recorded by Matt Talbott of Hum in full analog, The Arsonist rekindles Wailin Storms roots in raw-to-the-bone blues punk. “Some of these songs are more primitive and stripped down, hearkening back to the four-track recordings that the band started with”, Storms says. “The recordings contain flaws but remain human in all the right ways. They could be a murder ballad or an old folk song that’s sung around the campfire”. Opener “Dead End” takes a Lynchian post-punk turn when its death rattle leads straight into a waking nightmare. “Calm night / Birds keep plucking out our eyes”.
Despite being haunted by a doom-soaked atmosphere, The Arsonist is inflamed by real life anxieties. “You Never Answered” is a deafening plea to put down our phone and answer the night’s call. The album rages against everyday trappings and never-ending wars, but even amidst its most chilling moments, Wailin Storms are fueled by the need for connection. “Like the wind controls the sea”, Storms croons during the slow-burning title track. “You always had a hold on me”. As the band are engulfed by the fiery pangs of love, they howl like the hounds of hell.
On The Arsonist, Wailin Storms deliver a fiery baptism of gothic rock.
Tracklist 1. Dead End (4:48) [WATCH] 2. Heart of Mine (5:13) 3. You Never Answered (4:53) [WATCH] 4. The Arsonist (4:52) [WATCH] 5. Never Rest (4:59) 6. Saved (4:24) 7. Patient Night (3:22) 8. The Wind (6:01) 9. It’s All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be (6:30)
Since migrating to North Carolina’s inland coast circa 2014, Wailin Storms have caught fire with noisy, bluesy explosions of Southern gothic rock. Hot on the heels of critical high praise and thunderous applause from crowds on both sides of the Atlantic, the band’s fifth album and first for Season of Mist fans their flames with reckless abandon. While surrounded by darkness from the outside world, The Arsonist burns with all of our heart’s desires.
“I’ve always been fascinated by fire”, Wailin Storms vocalist and guitarist Justin Storms says before alluding to a time when he came dangerously close to accidentally burning his family’s house down. “It speaks to our inherent attraction to danger and annihilation, but also, our hope for transformation”.
Born the son of a church pianist and Baptist preacher, Justin Storms converted to the church of rock ‘n’ roll after listening to the teachings of his older brother. “He was responsible for getting me into outsider music”. After forming Wailin Storms in his home state of Texas and a pass through New York City, Storms hunkered down in Durham, North Carolina, where he was joined in 2014 by the band’s current drummer Mark Oates (Bats & Mice) and bassist Steve Stanczyk.
Debut full-length One Foot in the Flesh Grave laid a solid foundation for Wailin Storms in 2015 with an East Coast and Midwest tour that led to their first appearance at The Fest. 2017 follow-up Sick City infected more ears with coverage spreading from CVLT Nation to NPR. It was their third album, though, that really opened the floodgates. Rattle was featured by The Needle Drop and named one of the best albums of 2020 by Treble, Riff Magazine, Angry Metal Guy and Machine Music. More attention from Decibel and Metal Hammer came two years later around The Silver Snake Unfolds, which was followed by the arrival of guitarist Ben Melton, as well as shows and tour dates with everyone from City of Caterpillar, pageninetynine and This Will Destroy You to Acid Bath, Eyehategod and Young Widows.
“If Bauhaus, Killing Joke, and Black Sabbath had a child, this would be it”, Metal Injection proclaimed about Wailin Storms.
Brooklyn Vegan concurred. “It’s just loud, heavy, dark rock music, and it’s awesome”.
The Arsonist can be traced back through Wailin Storms’ past. Recorded by Matt Talbott of Hum in full analog, the album rekindles the band’s roots in raw-to-the-bone blues punk as a heated response to today’s vat of overproduced music and AI slop. By experimenting with swoons of Rhodes organ, “Heart of Mine” recalls the Roadhouse from Twin Peaks. “Some of these songs are more primitive and stripped down, harkening back to the four-track recordings that the band started with”, Storms says. “The recordings contain flaws but remain human in all the right ways. They could be a murder ballad or an old folk song that’s sung around the campfire”. Other early influences soak into the songwriting’s weathered fabric: Flannery O’Conner’s grotesque sensibility, Cormac McCarthy’s unflinching fatalism, Old Regular Baptist hymns. With its sideways gust of riffs and moaning chorus, “The Wind” blows loud enough to wake the entire cemetery.
“Because the heart wants what the body wants and the mind wants what the eyes want”, Storms gravely intones. “Won’t you take me through hell”.
Wailin Storms throw heavy splashes of surrealism into the fires of The Arsonist. “Many of the lyrics draw from the same imagery and emotions conjured by David Lynch, especially his film Wild at Heart”,Storms says. “Dead End” opens the album by taking a harrowing turn of its own when the drum’s rattle leads straight into a waking nightmare. “Calm night / Birds keep plucking out our eyes”.
While shrouded by a doomy and dreamy atmosphere, The Arsonist is inflamed by real life anxieties. Taking inspiration from René Magritte, the album’s cover art, which is heavily shadowed except for a tiny house gone up in flames, was painted by Storms himself. “These songs are steeped in the trials and tribulations of everyday life”, he says. The title track is slowly engulfed by love’s eternal flame. “Like the wind controls the sea”, he croons over the gentle sway of his guitar. “You always had a hold on me”. The thunderous climax surges with such feverish intensity that it threatens to send the night of passion up in smoke.
Amidst the wreckage of The Arsonist, Wailin Storms do find a semblance of peace. “It’s All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be” ends the album with a ghostly flicker of gothic romance. “I know a place where we can sit and grow old”, Storms offers with grim assurance. A piano tolls like death’s bell as he glimpses up at a church that resembles a skull. “There’s a sliver of hope in coming to terms with death”, he concludes. “Life is temporary and that’s where its beauty lies”.
On The Arsonist, Wailin Storms deliver a fiery baptism of Southern gothic rock.
Lineup Justin Storms – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar Ben Melton – Lead guitar, backup vocals, Rhodes organ, piano Steve Stanczyk – Bass Mark Oates – Drums
Recording credits Recorded at Earth Analog in May 2025
Production Credits Produced and engineered by Matt Talbott Mixed by Mike Lust at Phantom Manor (“Dead End”, “Heart of Mine”, “You Never Answered”, “The Arsonist”, “Never Rest”, “The Wind”, It’s All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be” Mixed by Dave Downham at Gradwell House (“Saved”, “Patient Night”) Mastered by Dave Downham at Gradwell House
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 