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VITRIOL to Embark on North American Headliner + EU Tour, Announce New Band Lineup

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: VITRIOL. Leave a comment
Photo by Peter Beste

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.

“Suffer & Become” track listing:

  1. Shame and its Afterbirth [WATCH]
  2. The Flowers of Sadism [WATCH]
  3. Nursing from the Mother Wound
  4. The Isolating Lie of Learning Another
  5. Survival’s Careening Inertia
  6. Weaponized Loss [WATCH]
  7. Flood of Predation
  8. Locked in Thine Frothing Wisdom
  9. I am Every Enemy
  10. He Will Fight Savagely [WATCH]
    Running Time: (00:42:14)

Line-Up:
Kyle Rasmussen – Guitars and Vocals
Keith Merrow – Guitarist
Andy Vincenzetti – Drums
Brett Leier – Bass

JUDAS PRIEST Donate $100,000 to Los Angeles Fire Department

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Judas Priest, Los Angeles Fire Department. Leave a comment
Photo by Kevin Estrada @KevinEstradaPhotography

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.

Italian Death Metal Punks SKULLD Sign to Time To Kill Records for Release of New Album “Abyss Calls To Abyss”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: SKULLD. Leave a comment

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”.

Line-up:

Pamela – Vocals
Monti – Guitar
Rappo – Guitar
Moqi – Guitar
Ciufs – Bass
Teo – Drums

https://skulldband.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/skulldband

PREYRS Release New Single ‘Into The Blue’ from Upcoming Debut Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: PREYRS. Leave a comment
Photo Credit: David Cleland

PREYRS, a visceral new force in alternative rock and metal, release their new single ‘Into The Blue’, from their hypnotic debut album, The Wounded Healer, out 14th November via Pelagic Records. 

Stream and pre-order here: https://orcd.co/preyrs

Vocalist Amy Montgomery comments: “‘Into The Blue’ is empathy, anger, passion and an observation of senseless loss of life.”

PREYRS are the brainchild of Belfast rock artist Amy Montgomery and drummer/producer Michael Mormecha. Fusing raw alternative rock energy with the weight of metal, the quartet’s music is an electrifying clash of aggression and euphoria, darkness and uplift, chaos and control. Elements of artists as disparate as Nine Inch Nails, Chelsea Wolfe, Sonic Youth, and Julie Christmas combine to delirious and heady effect.

Busking on the streets of Belfast from the age of 15, Amy Montgomery met multi-instrumentalist Michael Mormecha a few years later and they’ve been working together ever since. Both songwriters in their own right, Michael fronted renowned Irish post-hardcore outfit Mojo Fury and worked as a producer for artists including The Bonnevilles, Mojo Fury and Joshua Burnside. They’re joined as PREYRS by longtime guitarist Nolan Donelly and new bass player Ciarán McGreevy.

Known for electrifying live performances, PREYRS made their UK festival debut at Bloodstock Open Air this August, as well as appearing at Stendhal Festival in Ireland. Nominated as ‘Best Live Act’ and ‘Best Artist’ at the Northern Ireland Music Prize, Amy’s undeniably fierce and captivating frontperson energy has been her secret weapon often described as ‘otherworldly’ or ‘a force of nature’. For those seeking the epic, the healing, the aggressive and the unrelenting pulse of alternative rock and metal, PREYRS are it.

PREYRS will be supporting punk legends New Model Army across Europe this winter. 

November 
11 Legend Club, Milan IT (Supporting New Model Army) 
12 Fri-Son, Fribourg CH (Supporting New Model Army) 
13 Halle 02, Heidelberg DE (Supporting New Model Army) 
14 Sudhaus, Tübingen DE (Supporting New Model Army) 
15 Meet Factory, Prague CZ (Supporting New Model Army) 
17 Werk2, Leipzig DE (Supporting New Model Army) 
18 Capitol, Hannover DE (Supporting New Model Army) 
19 Aladdin Music Hall, Bremen DE (Supporting New Model Army) 
20 Jovel, Munster DE (Supporting New Model Army) 
21 Venlo, Grenswerk NL (Supporting New Model Army) 
28 Kyttaro, Athens GR (Supporting New Model Army) 
29 Mylos Club, Thessaloniki GR(Supporting New Model Army) 

December 
20 Palladium, Cologne DE (Supporting New Model Army) 
21 Melkweg, Amsterdam NL (Supporting New Model Army) 

1. Humble Eyes
2. Wave Of Wisdom
3. Into The Blue
4. Zeros, Ones & Lies
5. Bring Ur Bruises
6. Crucify
7. Change Change
8. Nova
9. W.D.I.F.L?
10. Life Is Kind

PREYRS are:

Amy Montgomery – Vocals
Micheal Mormecha – Drums
Nolan Donelly – Guitars
Ciarán McGreevy – Bass

More information: INSTAGRAM • FACEBOOK • SPOTIFY • PELAGIC ARTIST PAGE

SPONGE Preview Brand New Song ‘Wet Brain’ from Dynamite Rarities Collection

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: SPONGE. Leave a comment

Alternative legends Sponge follow their acclaimed 1994 covers album with a fresh collection certain to enthrall their legions of dedicated fans.  It’s called Electric Cattle Gods – The Lost Tracks, and you know you need to know why.

Electric Cattle Gods was to be the name emblazoned across the marquee of the now-shuttered Ritz Concert Hall on Gratiot and Frazho in Roseville MI circa 1992-1993. A new band (actually, an old one, Point Break movie highlight Loudmouth, making a fresh start) was announcing its arrival on the local scene and… well, that’s what they were called.

Only they weren’t, because when club owner Joe Sgrol heard the news, he simply sighed. “We don’t have enough letters for that!”

He expected the band to be dismayed., Instead, they replied, “do you have enough letters for ‘Sponge’?”

“We do,” said Joe.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Releasing on November 14, Electric Cattle Gods – The Lost Tracks is, as its subtitle suggests, a dynamic collection of rare and unreleased recordings capturing the very dawn of Sponge… back to the days, in fact, before they were forced to come up with a brand new name for themselves.

Included are eleven never-before-released raw, exuberant demos and try-outs – some that probably haven’t been heard in over 30 years; others that would later be recorded for the band’s 1994 major label debut Rotting Piñata – among them “Drownin’” and Sponge’s breakout hit “Molly (16 Candles),” the b-side “Cowboy Eyes” and more.

But that’s not all!  Two brand new recordings, too, are included on the album, among them one of the mightiest of them all.  “Wet Brain” is a solid Sponge classic, and is released today as the band’s new single and an utterly captivating lyric video that not only perfectly matches the song, it’s exquisitely tied to the season as well.  After all, what’s the first thing you think of when you contemplate Halloween?

Why, a giant pulsating brain in the middle of your living room, of course!

SINGLE: https://orcd.co/sponge_wetbrain

So that’s it, and what more could you ask for?  Vintage demos, storming new epics and an origin story that could easily have rewritten 90s alternative history.  For whatever reason, one word band names were everywhere back then – maybe a lot of venues had run out of lettering for their marquee?  But if the Ritz had only had enough, the Electric Cattle Gods might have trampled that trend forever.

–CD/VINYL: https://cleorecs.com/search?q=sponge+electric+cattle+gods
–DIGITAL: https://orcd.co/sponge_ecgthelosttracks

Track listing

  1. In The Name Of God
  2. Velocity 555
  3. Nadja Hello
  4. Slower Suicide
  5. Cowboy Eyes
  6. Blowz
  7. Welcome Home
  8. Down In Texas
  9. Wet Brain
  10. Desert Low
  11. Molly (16 Candles)
  12. Drownin’
  13. Gal

STRÅLE Sign with Frontiers Music Srl, Digital EP “Reformation” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: STRÅLE. Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Sami Auru

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the signing of melodic metal band STRÅLE.

To coincide with the announcement, the band announce the release of their new EP “Reformation”, digitally available now on all platforms. The track “Resist & Reform”, feat. Björn “Speed” Strid of Soilwork and Night Flight Orchestra, is also out now, along with an official video.

Stream “Reformation” HERE

Guitarist Andi Lehtinen said: “Signing with Frontiers feels like the beginning of a whole new chapter for Stråle. It’s a label that has believed in melodic, emotional metal for decades, and to now be part of that family means a lot to us. We’ve worked hard to get here – and we’re ready to take everything we’ve built to the next level”.

Mario de Riso, A&R and Business Affairs VP of Frontiers, commented: “We’re very happy to welcome Stråle to the Frontiers family. When we first heard their music, we immediately recognized something special – a perfect blend of melody, energy, and Scandinavian attitude that fits right into what Frontiers stands for. The band has great songs, strong identity, and the kind of passion that reminds us why we do what we do. We truly believe Stråle has the potential to reach a wide audience, and we’re excited to be part of their journey!”

Stråle is a melodic metal band from Helsinki, Finland, combining Scandinavian melancholy, modern metal power, and cinematic emotion. Formed in 2009, the band has steadily evolved from underground beginnings to become one of Finland’s most exciting metal acts, known for their explosive live energy and massive choruses.

After their debut album “Bourbon Souls” (FDA Records, 2020), mixed by the renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia), Stråle entered a new chapter with a refreshed lineup and creative energy. The arrival of vocalist Daniel Jakobsson and guitarist Jaakko Suomalainen brought new color and emotion to an already solid foundation, and together the band refined their signature sound – melodic, heavy, and deeply emotional.

The new EP “Reformation” captures this evolution. Produced by Teemu Aalto (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, Ginger Evil) and Jani Autero, and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe), it blends intensity with introspection. Songs like “Resist & Reform (feat. Björn “Speed” Strid, Soilwork)” and “Close Is Not Enough” showcase the band’s emotional range, while their acclaimed cover of “Blinding Lights” and the cinematic ballad “The Flame” display both versatility and soul.

The band commented: “Reformation” marks a new era for Stråle – musically, emotionally, and as a band. These songs have already proven themselves live, especially “Close Is Not Enough” and “Resist & Reform”, which have become real fan favorites on stage. It truly feels like a reformation for us; the sound, the energy, and the connection within the band are stronger than ever. We’re thrilled that Frontiers is now taking these songs under their wings and giving them the chance to fly as high as they can”.

In 2024, Stråle completed a 16-date European tour with Orphaned Land, performing in iconic venues such as The Underworld (London), Razzmatazz (Barcelona), and Petit Bain (Paris). With over 250,000 total streams and a growing fanbase across Europe, Stråle’s sound stands as a powerful statement of emotion, melody, and contemporary Nordic metal.

“Reformation” Tracklist:

1.    Resist and Reform (featuring Bjorn Strid)
2.    Close Is Not Enough
3.    The Heart You Tore Apart
4.    Destined For Desire
5.    Blinding Lights (The Weeknd Cover)
6.    The Flame

Line Up:
András Lehtinen
Daniel Jakobsson
Rasmus Bruun
Sakari Komulainen
Janne Jääskeläinen
Jaakko Suomalainen

Follow STRÅLE:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

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