In the midst of their ongoing and highly successful European tour, Finnish heavy metal powerhouse BATTLE BEAST is giving fans another reason to celebrate. The band has just released ‘Watch The Sky Fall’, a new highlight track from their recently launched albumSteelbound, out now via Nuclear Blast Records (released October 17th).
‘Watch The Sky Fall’ is a high-octane, melodic rock-metal anthem that captures the band’s trademark mix of power, emotion, and electrifying energy. Frontwoman Noora Louhimo delivers a stunning vocal performance that soars over the track’s driving riffs and anthemic choruses.
Accompanying the release is a cinematic music video that intertwines a gripping storyline about a dramatic heist gone wrong with the band’s explosive on-stage presence—offering both a visual and sonic feast for fans of adrenaline-fueled metal.
Songwriter and guitarist Joona Björkroth comments on the song: “Watch The Sky Fall is a classic love song done the Battle Beast way — power, emotion, massive orchestrations, and a one-and-a-half-minute guitar solo part shared between Juuso and me. Life becomes easier with that significant person by your side, whether it’s your partner or a close friend. Whatever comes your way, together you can overcome anything.”
Canadian deathcore titans DESPISED ICON are back with Shadow Work (Nuclear Blast Records), their savage seventh album! A masterclass of relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, it’s the band’s most dynamic and uncompromising effort to date
DESPISED ICON drops ‘Reaper,’ a new collaboration of deathcore titans, featuring Tom Barber (CHELSEA GRIN) and Scott Ian Lewis (CARNIFEX). True to their signature style, the song delivers morbid melodies and massive grooves with relentless intensity. Watch the track video for ‘Reaper’here:
DESPISED ICON are currently touring the U.S. with headliners SANGUISUGABOGG. The 22-date trek includes DEFEATED SANITY, and CORPSE PILE as support and will conclude on November 30th in Columbus, OH. Following the tour, the band will headline 2 sold-out hometown shows on December 6th and 7th at Club Soda.
11.22 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 11.23 Charlotte, NC @ The Underground 11.25 Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre 11.26 Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage 11.28 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza 11.29 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer 11.30 Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs 12.06 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *sold out*^ 12.07 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *sold out*^
Swedish modern rock unit SELF DECEPTION have unleashed their first single via Napalm Records, “Time’s Up”, featuring an absolute hit chorus, fresh hooks and high-energy instrumentals! The track arrives with an official music video. The band is well-known for their explosive fusion of anthemic modern metal and powerful melodic rock. Including their 2009 debut, the band has released six studio albums so far, while racking up millions of streams and views, including their viral 2022 hit “Fight Fire With Gasoline”.
Over the years, SELF DECEPTION have delivered countless high-impact shows, cementing their standing in the scene by sharing stages with the likes of Electric Callboy, Danko Jones and Adept, and playing major international festivals. This year, the band’s European festival summer was followed by a Canadian run, and they’ve already confirmed festival dates for next summer – returning to Sweden Rock Festival and further highlights like Download Festival in the UK and Masters of Rock in Czechia. In spring 2026, the band is set to embark on an Australian headline tour, having previously toured the country as support to Electric Callboy in 2023. Make sure to check out the official music video for “Time’s Up” below!
SELF DECEPTION on “Time’s Up”: “There’s so much anger boiling over these days, this song almost wrote itself. People find unity in rebellion, and that’s exactly what this track is. No more discussion, no more waiting. Tick Tock Time’s Up.”
SELF DECEPTION Live 2026 Australian Tour 2025 23.04.25 AU – Brisbane / The Triffid 24.04.25 AU – Sydney / Manning Bar 25.04.25 AU – Melbourne / Max Watts 26.04.25 AU – Adelaide / Lion Arts Factory 28.04.25 AU – Perth / Magnet House
Festivals 10.06. – 14.06.26 UK – Donington / Download UK 12.06. – 14.06.26 NL – Leeuwarden / Into The Grave 02.05.26 NO – Kopervik / Karmøygeddon Metal Festival 03.06. – 06.06.26 SE – Sölvesborg / Sweden Rock Festival 16.07. – 18.07. AT – Leoben / Area 53 16.07. – 19.07.26 CZ – Vizovice / Masters of Rock
SELF DECEPTION are: Andreas Clark – Vocals Ronny Westphal – Guitar Patrik Carlberg Hallgren – Bass Erik Eklund – Drums
Helsinki-based Finnish heavy metal band Scythe For Sore Eyes has released their third full-length album “Face Puzzle” today on November 21st. The band was founded in 2013 and has previously released two full-length albums, Dawn Of A Darker Horizon (2015) and Nothing (2019). Now released Face Puzzle was recorded at Inka Studio under the supervision of Juho Räihä. The band sought a slightly heavier sound for the new album, and clean vocals alternate with growling vocals as before.
The album also features couple of cover songs. The other is “Existence in Hatred” originally performed by Finnish Thrash Metal band Sorrowed, that was the previous band of SfSE guitarist/growler Jarno Nummenpää. And the other cover song it the legendary “Breaking The Law” from Judas Priest.
Tracklist / ISRC-codes:
25-8609 – FI3FC2553001
Blood Red Moon – FI3FC2553002
Lust – FI3FC2553003
Petrolhead – FI3FC2553004
Silence You – FI3FC2553005
Beware – FI3FC2553006
No! – FI3FC2553007
Blackheart – FI3FC2553008
Monster – FI3FC2553009
Existence in Hatred – FI3FC2553010
MetalSin view – FI3FC2553011
What We Do in the Shadows – FI3FC2553012
Scythe For Sore Eyes are: Satu Nummenpää – clean vocals Bjarke Aalto – bass Timo Rajala – guitar Jani Matilainen – drums Jarno Nummenpää – guitar/growls
In 1990, Pittsburgh’s Eviction unleashed The World Is Hours Away — a volatile mix of thrash power and punk rebellion that instantly earned cult status among crossover metal fans. Fueled by blue-collar grit and raw conviction, the album captured a scene that valued energy over polish and truth over trends.
Brutal Planet Records now brings this underground classic back to life with a striking Nuclear Green Vinyl pressing, complete with a full-color 12″ × 12″ lyric and collage insert that celebrates Eviction’s history and the Pittsburgh scene that forged them. It’s a sonic time capsule of American thrash at its most honest — loud, fast, and full of heart.
From the relentless drive of “Listen” and “Drunken State” to the defiant anthem “American Way,” every track oozes authenticity and attitude. For fans who live at the intersection of punk ferocity and metal precision — where Suicidal Tendencies, D.R.I., and C.O.C. collide — this is the definitive way to experience The World Is Hours Away.
Pittsburgh’s EVICTION formed in November of 1986 with only two members: guitarist Rob Tabachka and drummer Ron Reidell. The duo would practice at Ron’s mother’s house. Writing all original material, they were influenced both by punk and metal bands such as Dr. Know, GBH, Metallica, Exodus, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, and The Ramones. One day during a rehearsal, the police showed up for a noise complaint. The two were given an ultimatum: if they continued, Ron and his family would be evicted! From this, the band gained their name, Eviction, feeling that the word evoked a strong sense of being tossed out and rejected for not conforming to the status-quo.
Tabachka and Reidell had several songs already written before they began to search for a full band, so that once the other members were found they could instantly start to learn the material. This would afford the band a head start getting out into the club circuit.
They first found a bassist named Todd Porter who was one of the local regulars who hung out at a local record shop where Tabachka worked called Eide’s Records. The shop had—and still maintains—a reputation for being the first real underground record store in Pittsburgh. All the members of the band would end up working at Eide’s at one time or another. Porter, admittedly, wasn’t a great bass player; in fact, he was a terrible bass player. Still, the band loved his energy, and they shared the same interests and influences. Wanting Porter to stay in the band, they suggested he transition from bass to vocals. Though he had never sung for a band before, he would bring a distinctive heavy and gruff vocal style. It was unique at the time and it worked.
Down a bass player, they turned to Tabachka’s fellow Eide’s employee George Grant who had played with another local thrash band called Necropolis. However, his stay would be brief.
Now with a full lineup, Eviction began to play some parties and even had their first real show with Nuclear Assault and Half-Life. After that gig Grant left to form Birds of Prey. Once again, the band was back to searching for a bass player. They would find bassist Bill Turny. Turny, a kid from outside the suburbs who often showed up at the same parties as the band as well as frequented Eide’s, had heard they were looking for a bass player. Around the same time a second guitarist named Wes Harris was brought in to fill out the band’s sound.
Now with a new solid line-up, Eviction decided to go into Automation Studio to lay down eight tracks written by Tabachka, Reidell, and Porter for the band’s first demo, Struggle with Society.
The underground scene in Pittsburgh was growing, leading to the band getting gigs with other local bands like Doomwatch, Dream Death, Necropolis, and Half-Life. Local fanzine Warhammer, edited by Spahr Schmitt and George Grant (both of Necropolis), started to put on Thrash-a-Thons, events held at venues like the Electric Banana, City Limits, and other local halls.
The band started to get gigs opening for national acts (thanks to fan and promoter Mike Elko). These acts included Zeotrope, Exploited, DRI, COC, Heathen, Post Mortem, Sepultura, Gang Green, and more! At this time the band came upon the dreaded artistic difference, leaving them to carry on with temporary bass players Ray Moretti and Japanese Eddie. Looking for a more permanent bass player, they found that in drinking buddy Ted Williams who had just left the band Dream Death. With Williams now in the line up, the band returned to Automation Studio to record their second demo, Who Will Win?
The demo was met with critical success in underground magazines and publications, leading to more great gigs. But yet another personnel change was about to occur when Harris decided to leave; he was not into the speed metal/thrash direction the band was heading into. Scott Greg from the band Death Notice would step in before the band would embark on a small East coast tour with Delaware’s Solitude to support Who Will Win? They would head out on another small tour with New Jersey band Department of Corruption, even getting to play an afternoon matinee at the legendary CBGB with Biohazard. Only an hour before the gig, Scott Gregg had informed the band he was quitting the band.
Undeterred at another lineup change, they found Domenic Fusca to play guitar. The band then received good news. Death Records, a subsidiary of Metal Blade, wanted to sign the band. This led to their 1990 debut record The World is Hours…Away! engineered by Dean J. Becker and produced by Frank Soriano. The record sold over 15,000 copies worldwide. A video for the song “American Way” was produced by Dees Nuts, and saw heavy rotation on a local cable access music show, The Rock-n-Roll Circus. Not all was well in paradise however. Metal Blade started to make promises they couldn’t keep, and internal frustrations in the band lead to Porter leaving. Finding this out, Metal Blade dropped the band. They decided to continue on with new vocalist Tim Connel. The band played a handful of shows before deciding that this wasn’t the direction they wanted to go. This led to Reidell choosing to leave the band. In 1992, the band reformed with Porter back on vocals, Ron Volpe from the band Half-Life on drums and guitarist Joe Stevens. Volpe wasn’t working out in the band and was replaced by Andy Taravella on drums. In April of 1993, Eviction recorded their third demo, Think Tank, featuring six songs produced by Bristan Crash, a former member of Necropolis.
The demo did well, but it was too little, too late. Thrash had fallen behind in popularity due to the grunge & death metal explosion. The band still managed to make two killer music videos: “None of Your Business” and “If Hitler Had a Sister,” both made and produced by Larry Dawgello. They continued to open for great bands like Testament, Helmet, Metal Church, Voivod, and GBH. Unfortunately, the end was near. Andy and Joe were fired from the band, replaced by Moe Hennie (Gutwrench, Time Bomb) and Dale Sadowski (Death Notice, Gutwrench, Time Bomb). The band played their final show in 1994, and the rest is history. Or is it…?
JUNO nominated and Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie releases his third single “Frozen Hearts” from his upcoming studio album Empty Chairs. The single is available from Friday November 21st on all streaming platforms HERE. Watch the lyric video HERE.
“Frozen Hearts” – “Emerging from the depths of grief and resilience, I wrote Frozen Hearts as a personal tribute honouring the victims of residential schools,” says Spencer. With searing guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and a rhythm that echoes both sorrow and defiance, this song became my memorial in sound –ensuring that the voices of those who never made it home are forever heard.”
Continues Spencer, “Writing Frozen Hearts meant confronting the painful legacy of children taken from their families, children whose laughter was silenced, whose lives were cut short, whose culture and identities were stripped away. Through every chord and lyric, I tried to transform that mourning into remembrance, to carry forward the voices silenced by history. This song is my promise to remember them – with love, respect and truth.”
Mackenzie’s new album Empty Chairs will be released by Gypsy Soul Records on February 20th, 2026. The album is produced by 2XJuno nominated producer, mixer and engineer and Emmy Award winning recording mixer Ross Hayes Citrullo, the guitarist of The Commoners.
Spencer’s passion for the genre deepens as he explores the works of blues legends while simultaneously being influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers in this highly anticipated new album. This fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound in his new upcoming album Empty Chairs embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar, punchy riffs, soaring organ, dynamic vocals, and an explosive rhythm section.
With his fluid phrasing, resonant tone, and expressive performances, one could believe Spencer Mackenzie was born on Beale Street. That, however, would be wrong. The lauded JUNO-nominated blues-rock artist hails from Southern Ontario and has steadily earned accolades, and the attention of blues aficionados from around the world. Leaving nothing behind when he steps to the stage, Mackenzie offers show goers a powerhouse performance, commanding his guitar with sophistication and prowess beyond his years.
For nearly a decade, Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie has been writing and recording true blues, showcasing the raw emotion and honesty the genre demands. There’s a familiarity and ease with which he approaches the music, almost as though it flows through rather than from him. The energy of his work is infectious, permeating through the listener until they, too, feel the heartbeat of the blues.
Mackenzie’s high-energy, captivating performance is one that grabs the audience from the moment the first note is played. With numerous Canadian, European, and US shows performed, some of his most notable performances include the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival d’été de Quebec, Moulin Blues Ospel, Ribs & Blues Raalte and Kulturring Schöppingen Blues Festival alongside acts such as Walter Trout, Fantastic Negrito, Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, just to name a few. With an electrifying presence and his new album on the horizon, this left-handed guitar slinger shows no signs of slowing down, delivering performances that leaves the audience buzzing long after the final note.
Empty Chairs is just that, the fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound while simultaneously being influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar.
As previously mentioned, the new album is produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo, a 2X JUNO Award–nominee and Emmy Award winner. With a career defined by passion and creativity, Ross has earned multiple accolades for his work on albums that have topped charts and garnered millions of streams worldwide.
Citrullo’s distinctive approach to production blends artistry with technical mastery, bringing out the best in every project he touches. Now, Ross brings this wealth of experience and vision to this new album, infusing it with the same energy and dedication that has made his previous work celebrated worldwide.
“What we caught on this album is honesty and fire,” says Citrullo. “Spencer’s playing is fearless, his voice wide open, and every take breathes like a live show you don’t want to end. Producing it was about chasing moments you can’t fake—tone that tells the truth, stories that cut deep, and performances that live in the room. It’s the blues, lit up with a rock edge—hitting with modern bite and a timeless feel.”
EMPTY CHAIRS – ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. Empty Chairs (4:29) 2. Trip (3:25) 3. What You Do (4:28) 4. Don’t Know Where I’m Going (3:11) 5. Till I Get to You (3:57) 6. Frozen Hearts (4:09) 7. Helping Hands (3:18) 8. Why (3:58) 9. Shoot Me Down (4:08) 10. Won’t Find Her (3:18) 11. Evil (3:57)
Spencer Mackenzie – Guitar and Vocals Miles Evans Branagh – Piano, Hammond Organ, Keyboards Stacey Shopsowitz – Bass on tracks 1-5 and 8-11 Steve Pelletier – Bass on tracks 6, 7 Adam Canon – Drums on tracks 1-5 and 8-11 Matt Burns – Drums on tracks 6, 7 Sandra Bouza and Chantel Williams – Background Vocals Ross Hayes Citrullo – Background Vocals on track 2
Recorded at RHC Music, Toronto, Canada Produced, Mixed and Engineered by Ross Hayes Citrullo – RHC Music Assistant Engineers – Gavin Sharman, Marc Pallascio, Andrew Champion Mastered by Kristian Montano
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
1 – Empty Chairs A soulful blues rock song that expresses anger and frustration from the perspective of friends and families, who have lost innocent people they love due to gun violence. This can’t be the new normal! It’s got to change!
2 – Trip An upbeat, guitar heavy anthem for the people who just want to be noticed and for people who are crying and screaming trying to get out! Whether it’s a dream or reality, let’s go on a trip!
3 – What You Do When we say that we’re fine. Are we really? Or are we just trying to save others over ourselves? ‘What You Do’ is a high energy blues rock song that’s meant to bring your attention to the guessing game we all play.
4 – Don’t Know Where I’m Going A nod to one of the greatest guitar players to ever do it, this rendition of Gallagher’s acoustic blues folk number cranks up the volume and takes you down a road with deep, gritty guitar and an exciting fast rhythm section.
5 – Till I Get to You All the pressure you carry is lifted when you get to the one you love with this soulful acoustic style song about the person that is always there for you, understands you, gets you, and helps you through it all.
6 – Frozen Hearts This heavy blues rock song is a tribute to the victims of residential schools, who were taken from their way of life, family, culture and stripped of their identity. May the story of the ones who never made it home forever be heard and remind us to carry their memory with love and respect.
7 – Helping Hands In life there are people who only do something because it benefits them. Sometimes they are the closest to us. “Helping Hands” is a funky blues rock song about moving on from the person that thinks you need them, but they need you more than you need them!
8 – Why You can do the best job you can, but for someone who doesn’t know themselves, it often becomes a thankless job. “Why” is a sad song filled with soulful licks and harmonies that’s about doing everything right and getting hurt in return. You can solve all their problems just to be thrown out and left behind wondering why.
9 – Shoot Me Down How can you hold up both ends if you’re the only one? A relationship has two sides. This bare bones slide guitar song is about coming up with every idea for someone, them saying no, then never telling you what they really want. You can’t spend your life making up someone else’s mind if all they do is shoot you down.
10 – You Won’t Find Her It’s not you, it’s all me. We both know that’s a lie. This heavy riff driven blues rock song leaves you questioning how someone you once loved could go so wrong. You’re left confused, searching for answers, until you finally realize you’re better off without them.”
11 – Evil No matter how many people tell you to stay away or tell you, you’re wrong, sometimes we won’t listen, and we find out for ourselves. “Evil” is a song with a punchy rhythm section and an in-your-face guitar sound, that’s about learning how much someone can twist your mind or how blind love can really be.
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 ) 