Metal Blade‘s founder, CEO and longtime CLONE, BRIAN SLAGEL, recently joined Jim Rome on his sports podcast to talk metal. In the episode that is now live, Brian talks about befriending Lars Ulrich as a teenager, getting credit for launching Metallica, his pick for greatest metal album of all time, why metal is in such a great place right now and much more.
The Jim Rome Podcast is a premier daily sports talk podcast featuring host Jim Rome‘s opinionated and fast-paced analysis of the biggest stories in sports. Known for its unique, loyal, and vocal community of fans known as “CLONES,” the show is built on strong, definitive takes, often including, but not limited to, extensive NFL coverage, celebrity interviews, and listener-driven content.
Founded in 1982 by Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records is a premier independent heavy metal record label that launched legends like Metallica, Slayer, and Cannibal Corpse. Starting in Los Angeles to promote local bands through the Metal Massacre compilation, it has grown into a global powerhouse for hard rock and extreme music, boasting a diverse roster.
German progressive metal innovators OBSCURA have released a brand-new music video for the track ‘Stardust,’ taken from their critically acclaimed album A Sonication, which arrived in February 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. The visually striking clip sets the stage for the band’s upcoming global trek and offers fans a first glimpse into the sonic and thematic direction of the next touring cycle.
Serving as a cinematic prelude to the A Sonication World Tour 2026, the ‘Stardust’ video captures the cosmic atmosphere and technical intensity that define OBSCURA’s latest chapter, blending futuristic imagery with the band’s signature musicianship.
Kicking off later this year, the A Sonication World Tour 2026 will see OBSCURA performing across North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, bringing their most ambitious live production to audiences worldwide.
Mastermind Steffen Kummerer comments: “We are pleased to present our new music video, created once again in collaboration with our long-time director Mirko Witzki. Stardust, taken from our latest album A Sonication, reveals a more melodic, fragile, and atmospheric side of the record. Join us on the road across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia as part of the A Sonication World Tour (2025–2028).”
Stardust // USA 2026 w/ Allegaeon, Cognitive, Cryptosis
03.13 West Hollywood 03.14 Tucson 03.15 El Paso 03.16 Austin 03.17 Oklahoma City 03.18 Haltom City 03.19 Corpus Christi 03.21 Atlanta 03.22 Raleigh 03.23 Philadelphia 03.24 Brooklyn 03.25 Hamden 03.26 Rochester 03.27 Lakewood 03.28 Detroit 03.29 Joliet 03.30 Kansas City 03.31 Colorado Springs 04.01 Salt Lake City 04.02 Reno 04.03 Roseville 04.04 San José
The Sun Eater // Asia 2026 w/ DVRK, Japan dates incl. Fallujah*
Modern Metalcore outfit THE NARRATOR have announced the release of their sophomore album, Phosphor, on May 8th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to their acclaimed debut album Loreoffers ten smashing songs that respond to the global crisis with inner exhaustion and shows how close hope and self-destruction are to each other.
The unfulfilled desire for change comes to life on the brand new single, ‘Stasis‘, which features groove-laced verses, anthemic choruses and the voice of Severin Sailer from new bloods Avralize. Alongside the single, a music video for ‘Stasis‘ has been released, which you can check out below.
Like the previous singles, Phosphor was once again mastered by Ted Jensen (Bring Me the Horizon, Korn & more).
THE NARRATOR navigates the weight of time & the haunting awareness of life’s impermanence. A masterclass in modern metal!
10.04.26 UK Nottingham, Rock City 12.04.26 UK London, Modern Era Festival 13.04.26 UK Bristol, The Croft 22.-23.05.26 DE Camping Battleground Open Air 30.05.26 FR Artificial Waves Festival 13.06.26 NL Into The Grave Festival 11.07.26 DE Free For All Festival 12.-15.08.26 DE Summer Breeze Festival 04.-05.09.26 DE Pell Mell Festival 24.10.26 DE Rocken Hilft Festival
EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR 2026
26.09.26 FI Helsinki, On The Rocks 30.09.26 CH Aarau, Kiff Aarau 01.10.26 AT Wien, Flex Café 03.10.26 DE München, Backstage Club 04.10.26 DE Stuttgart, Im Wizemann 06.10.26 CZ Prag, Rock Cafe 07.10.26 DE Leipzig, WERK 2 – Kulturfabrik Leipzig e.V. 08.10.26 DE Berlin, Frannz-Club 09.10.26 DE Hamburg, Bahnhof Pauli 10.10.26 DE Köln, Club Volta 11.10.26 NL Haarlem, Patronaat 13.10.26 DE Wiesbaden, Schlachthof Wiesbaden Kesselhaus 15.10.26 UK London, The Black Heart 16.10.26 FR Paris, La Maroquinerie 17.10.26 NL Tilburg, Little Devil 18.10.26 BE Antwerp, Kavka Oudaan
THE NARRATOR were founded in 2017 in the Ruhr area of Germany and have been captivating audiences with their energetic songwriting and electrifying live performances from the very beginning. After successful tours and festival appearances, THE NARRATOR steadily made a name for themselves in the global metalcore scene.
In September 2024, THE NARRATOR released their highly anticipated debut album Lore – 10 tracks that speak volumes, boasting an impressive 12 million streams across all platforms to this day. Their latest singles, ‘Aurora‘ and ‘Pills From The Start‘ mastered by Ted Jensen (STERLING SOUND – BRING ME THE HORIZON, GREEN DAY, KORN, and many more), proved once again that THE NARRATOR is essential for every modern metal playlist. With their sophomore album Phosphor due out on May 8th and a European headline tour as well as festival appearances later this year, one thing is certain: the best is yet to come!
Legendary heavy metal powerhouse NEVERMORE have signed with Reigning Phoenix Music. The band also welcomes to the line-up Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan on bass, and new vocalist Berzan Önen. To showcase the new lineup, NEVERMORE’s first live appearance will take place on April 1st, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey.
On this new chapter, guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams share: “We are thrilled to announce that Nevermore has officially signed with Reigning Phoenix Music! It was obvious from the start that they were the perfect partner for the new era of Nevermore. Their passion for metal music combined with the extensive industry pedigree of their team made the choice easy. We can’t wait to get back on stage in front of our fans in Istanbul on April 1st, and we are just as excited to finish writing and putting together the new Nevermore album!”
Reigning Phoenix Music co-founder Gerado Martinez comments on NEVERMORE joining the RPM roster: “There are no words to describe how proud and excited RPM is at the prospect of being part of Nevermore’s next chapter. Having been a fan since 1995 when I saw them on tour with Death, I’ve followed them on their entire musical journey and cannot wait for what is yet to come.”
Directed and produced by Ola Englund, NEVERMORE have released a documentary film showcasing their rehearsals in January of this year at Swans Neck Soundworks in Väderstad, Sweden. Featuring powerful, raw performances of their tracks including “The River Dragon Has Come”, “Engines of Hate” and “The Heart Collector”, it offers an thrilling insight into the band’s new era.
The film also sees guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams discuss their decision to bring NEVERMORE back, introduce the new members, and reveal their thoughts throughout the audition process. Additionally, Loomis and Williams share news of forthcoming festival appearances across 2026, and future plans for NEVERMORE.
About NEVERMORE:
NEVERMORE enters 2026 with purpose, fire, and a clear sense of who they are. Forged in the aftermath of Sanctuary, the band carved out a sound defined by precision musicianship, fearless songwriting, and emotional intensity. From their self-titled debut in 1995 through landmark releases such as Dead Heart in a Dead World and This Godless Endeavor, NEVERMORE built a global following and a reputation as one of modern metal’s most distinctive voices.
Now that legacy moves forward under the leadership of guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams, joined by guitarist Jack Cattoi, bassist Semir Özerkan , and vocalist Berzan Önen. After years apart, the spark that first ignited the band has returned with renewed focus. For Van, the timing feels natural. “It’s been brewing for quite a while and has just started to manifest itself into the now. So what better time is there to kick things off than now?”
New music is already taking shape. Van smiles at the early results. “If the new music had to be described by one word, that would have to be delicious. Because it’s so good it’s gonna leave you hungry for more.” The writing process is unfolding alongside preparations for the stage, with the band focused equally on honoring the catalog and building what comes next.
The addition of Berzan signaled a powerful evolution. Jeff remembers the first time he saw Berzan’s audition video. “He really stood out strong in so many ways upon a first listen. I could really feel the emotion and passion when I heard him sing for the first time. He wasn’t just going through the motions.” The connection was immediate. “I could tell right away that he was a fan of Warrel’s singing just by the way he delivered and said certain words. I was really blown away at first watch.”
The history of NEVERMORE includes an extraordinary lineage of musicians who shaped its evolution. Guitarists Pat O’Brien, Tim Calvert, Steve Smyth, and Chris Broderick each left a distinct imprint on the band’s catalog and live presence. Bassist Jim Sheppard played a central role in shaping the band’s identity during its defining years.
Following the band’s disbandment, Jeff Loomis released the acclaimed solo albums Zero Order Phase and Plains of Oblivion, co founded CONQUERING DYSTOPIA, and spent nearly a decade as a member of ARCH ENEMY, contributing to releases including Will to Power and Deceivers. Van Williams remained active through projects such as ASHES OF ARES and GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS. Warrel Dane continued creating until his passing in 2017, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire musicians and fans worldwide.
As NEVERMORE steps into 2026, the mission is grounded in honesty and intensity. Jeff captures the heart of it. “Van and I are super passionate about the band. What we deliver and bring back to the audience is us wanting to hear those old tracks again just as much as the fans. We obviously want our old fans there every step of the way, but also look forward to meeting a new generation of fans as well.”
By the early 1980s, Steve Marriott’s glory days were far behind him, in commercial terms at least. A decade had passed since his band Humble Pie last graced the Billboard Top 20; by the time the group broke up for the first time, in 1975, they were scarcely bothering the Top 100.
An attempt to reform Humble Pie in 1980 got off to a promising start, but was doomed to failure, the victim both of record company inactivity, and the band’s inability to tour while Marriott underwent hospital treatment first for the fingers he crushed in a Chicago hotel doorway, then for the ulcer he discovered in Dallas. Before that, it was a Small Faces revival which collapsed in disarray.
But he remained active and, by early 1982, recovering from his ailments and relocating to Atlanta GA, he was back playing live, leading a new band and, while there was no record label impatiently awaiting the fruits of his labors, all concerned were itching to return to action.
He was accompanied now by bassist Jim Leverton, veteran of such 70s acts as Noel Redding’s Fat Mattress and drummer Fallon Williams and he was not offering up a nostalgia show. While the new line-up certainly acknowledged his past, digging back into both the Small Faces’ catalog and Humble Pie’s, fresh arrangements were as crucial as new material and unexpected covers.
“I don’t want to get sunk in nostalgia,” Marriott explained. “[But] I don’t think you can escape your history, and I don’t even want to.””
So he bawled out the oldies and the audiences went nuts. The key is, though, that they didn’t sound like old songs being revived because they once were hits. Rather, they were fresh and frantic, electrified energy zapping the years, then body swerving through a celebration of everything Marriott ever felt strongly about.
Recorded at the now long-shuttered (but so fondly remembered) Annie’s, on Kellog Avenue, Cincinnatti on December 7, 1983, the show here marks one of the last that this incarnation of Humble Pie would play. But it sparks, regardless, with the sheer energy and alchemy that was Steve Marriott in concert.
Even at the end, after all, Humble Pie were capable of some magnificent performances, and Marriott himself was always on form, laughing and joking one moment, soloing like a devil the next (you can literally lose yourself in “Five Long Years”), and always ready with a crowd-pleasing quip.
BAMBEES have released their new video for single ‘NOEYES//NOLOVE‘, out now on Flip Flop Records.
“NOEYES//NOLOVE is built around a loud, groovy riff and fast, physical momentum — made for sweaty rooms. The track plays with the idea of a parasite living inside you: a negative part of yourself that drains you and can’t be removed. It’s handled with a raw, aggressive edge rather than anything overly dark.”
BAMBEES are a chaotic concoction of Welsh life, loud riffs, and unfiltered energy. Formed in the heart of Merthyr Tydfil, their sound is soaked in the grit of post-industrial Wales: hard-working, rough around the edges, and defiantly alive.
On stage, their name has become shorthand for high-energy chaos—five close friends turning raw emotion into a glorious racket that’s as much about community as it is about noise. BAMBEES take the frustration, humour, and heart of their hometown and hurl it through jagged guitar riffs, pounding drums, and shout-along choruses, creating performances that feel like both a rebellion and a celebration.
“Finally, we’re off to Wales for the new one from BAMBEES. Their latest single, “NOEYES//NOLOVE”, grabbed me right from the off. It’s a tight two-and-a-half minutes, but it packs in so much raw power with fast riffs and a massive amount of energy. The guitar work at the start actually put me in mind of early Pixies, but the rest of the track is very much their own brand of chaotic post-punk.” – Moshville Times
• Played Chepstow Castle, supporting The Blackout (2025) • Supported GANS, Panic Shack, and Coach Party. • Airplay on BBC Introducing Wales and local radio stations. • Headline shows across South Wales.
Influences: Soft Play, IDLES, Amyl and the Sniffers
Bambees are: Rhys Davies – Main vocals Ainslee Rees – Lead Guitar Jamie Thomas – Rhythm Guitar Sofia Reffell – Bass Owen Evans – 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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 