Polish black-death veterans MASSTERON are ready to unleash their first full-length album, “Second in the Spheres”, set for release on September 24th, 2026 via ATMF. The album will be available as a six-panel Digipak CD, presenting the band’s uncompromising vision of extreme metal in its purest and most focused form.
The first single “True Midnight” is now streaming HERE.
Formed by musicians with years of experience within the Polish underground scene, MASSTERON channel the savage spirit of late-’90s Polish black-death metal while avoiding the temptation of simple nostalgia. Drawing inspiration from the primal intensity of early Azarath, Inquisition and the raw force of Aura Noir, the band looks back to the genre’s foundations with the perspective and awareness of seasoned musicians.
“Second in the Spheres” is not an exercise in recreating the past, but a refined expression of everything that made extreme metal dangerous in the first place. The album consists of six tracks recorded live in the studio, capturing the immediacy and physical impact of the band’s performance without relying on artificial enhancements, excessive editing or programmed perfection.
However, rawness does not mean carelessness. MASSTERON avoid the common trap of mistaking a deliberately rough sound for authenticity. Beneath the hostile atmosphere and old-school spirit lies a meticulous approach to songwriting, where every riff, transition and dynamic shift serves a precise purpose. The result is a record that feels ancient in its attitude but razor-sharp in execution.
Spanning 37 minutes of relentless black metal fury, “Second in the Spheres” delivers a balance between aggression and control, chaos and structure. The album carries the spirit of a bygone era while proving that experience can transform traditional formulas into something immediate, powerful and lethal.
With their debut full-length, MASSTERON present a statement of intent: a tribute to the roots of extreme metal, forged by musicians who understand its history but refuse to remain trapped in it. “Second in the Spheres” is a first strike built on conviction, discipline and an undying devotion to the ancient flame.
Any Given Sin and Mascot Records have announced the release of the band’s second studio album titled Until We Disappear on November 20. Today, they present “Like You,” a recording that will be featured on Madden 2027 from EA. To preview the song, click here. Any Given Sin share, “’Like You,’ is a song about toxic relationships. There is a personal aspect to this song for all of us in our own ways. But the moral is the same; suffer no fools! We are beyond grateful to have our song ‘Like You’ featured in Madden 2027. Huge thanks to EA Sports and the NFL for this amazing opportunity.”
Prior, the band presented “Until We Disappear.” Also featured on this upcoming album are “Through Hell,” which was included in the end credits for the feature film The Barn III and the band’s interpretation of the Men At Work hit “Down Under.” A prior cover released of The Cutting Crew’s “(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight” has amassed over 22 million streams since first released.
Hundreds of seedy budget motels sit alongside the endless highways of North America. Between long haul drives and sweat-soaked gigs, you might find Any Given Sin’s vocalist Victor Ritchie and guitarist Mike Conner in one of these old hotel rooms toiling away over lyrics when they should be sleeping. Instead of getting rest, the musicians will confront life’s darkness and their own demons in the dead of night, sharing a piece of paper with thoughts and confessions scrawled in the form of verses and choruses. Victor will write a line, and Mike will answer with his own until a song slowly, but surely takes shape. These nights give the Maryland band—rounded out by bassist Rich Stevenson and drummer Mike Showalter—an edge of their own.
It’s evenings like this that have invariably informed their second full-length album coming later this year.
“The lyrics definitely happen in seclusion,” affirms Mike. “Victor and I have spent many nights in motels just writing words on paper until 3am, no matter when we need to wake up. He’ll write a cool line and show it to me and ask, ‘What do you think?’ I’ll share my own idea. It’s a long and meticulous process, but it’s really open. We’re speaking truthfully to one another. We’re dealing with darker subjects like sadness and depression. That’s usually what comes out in almost every song.”
This unfiltered honesty has defined the group’s sound since their emergence with 2015’s independent Forbidden EP. Gaining a buzz, they earned a bona fide underground hit with “Dynamite.” To date, it has eclipsed 13 million streams, but it also marked their first radio success, surging as SiriusXM’s “#1 Most-Spun Song on Octane’s Accelerator,” breaking the Top 5 of the popular BIGUNS Countdown, and closing out 2019 in the “Top 30 Songs of the Year.” From there, the guys notched two successive #1 entries on SiriusXM with “Insidious” and “Another Life,” which has clocked 10 million-plus streams thus far. Everything paved the way for the arrival of their debut LP, War Within, in 2023.
“It took a long time for us to make it this far,” Mike leaves off, “and we’re going to kick it in the ass until we can’t do it anymore. I’ve gotten a lot of messages from people who will tell us our songs got them through hard times. We hope to bring listeners comfort.”
CRO-MAGS, the iconic New York hardcore outfit fronted by Harley Flanagan, proudly announces their new album, ‘The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel,’ a tribute to their 1986 seminal debut. Following the release of the original single “Wired for Chaos,” the band now shares the 2026 version of “World Peace,” alongside an official music video, available below.
On the decision to honor ‘The Age of Quarrel,’ Harley shares:
“It all started with the making of the ‘Wired for Chaos’ movie, but there were several reasons for revisiting ‘The Age of Quarrel.’ None of the people who played on the original record ever got paid, and none of us ever received an accounting of the album’s sales. For years, I tried to reunite the original lineup to re-record it and reclaim the rights to ‘The Age of Quarrel’ and ‘Best Wishes’ through the Copyright Reversion Act. But I couldn’t get everyone together to take back ownership of the music, and that window has now closed.”
He continues, “We had to re-record a few songs for the ‘Harley Flanagan: Wired for Chaos’ documentary soundtrack because the original recordings couldn’t be licensed. That inspired me to finish the entire album. To honor ‘The Age of Quarrel,’ I brought together friends, current bandmates, and musicians from other bands to celebrate these songs that have meant so much to so many people, myself included. Forty years later, everyone who wrote these songs will finally be paid through ASCAP and BMI, and the remaining proceeds will go to charity. I’m doing my best to make things right. These songs belong to the fans. I’m washing my hands of the past and trying to clear the bad karma from this record. Love wins. My quarrel is over.”
Forty years ago, New York City’s CRO-MAGS defined the metal-punk crossover with their landmark 1986 album, ‘The Age of Quarrel.’ The intensity, influence, and groove of that record continue to resonate today, fueled by the band’s enduring legacy and hard-earned reputation as one of heavy music’s most volatile and influential acts. Now led by founding bassist and vocalist Harley Flanagan, who assumed frontman duties beginning with 1989’s ‘Best Wishes,’ CRO-MAGS bring ‘The Age of Quarrel’ full circle with a celebration of the album that started it all.
Joining Flanagan are original ‘AOQ’ guitarist Doug Holland, former CRO-MAGS/ Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Rocky George, and members of modern-day acolytes Turnstile and Rise Against for fresh takes on classics including “Hard Times,” “World Peace,” and “Malfunction,” along with the addition of the 1985 demo-era favorite “Everybody’s Gonna Die.” Drums on all tracks were handled by drum phenom Greyson Nekrutman. Produced and mixed by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Blood Incantation), ‘40 Years of Quarrel’ not merely revisits a pivotal crossover classic, but pours new fuel on the fire for old devotees and new converts to the CRO-MAGS cause.
Pre-Order ‘The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel’ HERE
‘The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel’ Track List:
1. We Gotta Know (Featuring Dave Sharpe & Doug Holland) 2. World Peace 3. Show You No Mercy 4. Malfunction 5. Street Justice 6. Survival Of The Streets 7. Seekers Of The Truth (Featuring Arthur Rizk and Rocky George) 8. It’s The Limit (Featuring Meg Mills) 9. Hard Times 10. By Myself 11. Don’t Tread On Me (Featuring Zach Blair) 12. Face The Facts 13. Do Unto Others 14. Life of My Own 15. Signs Of The Times
CRO-MAGS are currently on tour in Europe before returning to the U.S. for a series of select dates, with additional shows to be announced soon.
CRO-MAGS Live:
Europe: August 8 — Newport, UK @ Corn Exchange August 9 — Blackpool, UK @ Rebellion Festival August 11th — Barcelona, ESP @ Beach, Beer, & Chaos
USA: August 30th — Worcester, MA @ The Palladium September 1st — McKees Rocks, PA @ Roxian Theatre September 2nd — Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall September 26 — Daytona Beach, FL @ Party Weekend October 4 — Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival
More Dates TBA!
The history of Harley Flanagan and his band CRO-MAGS is integral not just to the history of hardcore, but to modern metal, rock, and punk itself. With roots stretching from the shadow of Warhol and the Velvets to CBGB’s hardcore matinees and L’Amour Brooklyn thrash-a-thons, all the way through current generations of punk and extreme metal, CRO-MAGS are the connective tissue. Just ask the likes of Dave Grohl, Green Day, and Turnstile. CRO-MAGS stand side by side with Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Metallica as both an influence and a gamechanger.
The brainchild of a 14-year-old Harley Flanagan, CRO-MAGS began in 1981 while Flanagan was playing drums for The Stimulators. By 1982/83, he had recorded the primal CRO-MAGS demos — four songs that would become the blueprint for the seminal 1986 release, ‘Age of Quarrel.’ Initially a solo vision, Flanagan wrote and played all of the music himself. In 1985, alongside guitarist Parris Mayhew, vocalist John Joseph McGowan, and drummer Mackie Jayson, the genre-defining ‘Age of Quarrel’ demo was recorded. The full-length album followed in 1986, with Doug Holland of Kraut joining on second guitar.
Explosive both on and offstage, CRO-MAGS have had a tumultuous history, to put it mildly. Through multiple lineups, six studio albums beyond the original demos, and more than four decades of worldwide touring, CRO-MAGS remain one of the most iconic bands in American hardcore and metal. Today, the band is led by Flanagan on bass and vocals — a role he has held since ‘Best Wishes’ (1989). He remains the only member to appear on every CRO-MAGS release since the band’s founding.
Swedish melodic metal force TUNGSTEN unveil “Fuego Del Sol”, the brand-new single from their upcoming studio albumAshes, slated for a release on October 9 via PERCEPTION – Powered by Reigning Phoenix Music. Blending the band’s signature heavy sound with unmistakable Spanish and Latin American influences, the track delivers powerful riffs, infectious rhythms and a vibrant atmosphere that sets it apart from anything they’ve released before.
With its irresistible groove, soaring melodies and captivating hooks, “Fuego Del Sol” stands out as one of TUNGSTEN‘s most distinctive tracks to date. The single offers another exciting glimpse of the band’s forthcoming album while proving there’s still plenty of room to expand their signature sound.
Speaking about the track, vocalist Mike Andersson comments: “Parts of the song are in Spanish, which made sense for the feel we were going for. It’s a slightly different track for us, with a more rhythmic and warm character. My wife is Spanish, so that influence is naturally there. Coming from Northern Europe, we’re drawn to that kind of atmosphere since it’s so different for us.”
Following a strong entry into the metal scene with their 2019 debut “We Will Rise” and a steady rise through albums like“Tundra,” and “Bliss,” the band now return with a powerful new chapter. Between touring and live performances throughout 2025, TUNGSTEN focused on writing material for their upcoming album, aiming to create a worthy follow-up to 2024’s “The Grand Inferno.”
Ashes sees TUNGSTEN continue their crusade, delivering irresistible metal with anthemic choruses and a fresh surge of energy that pushes their signature sound even further. The album captures everything the band stands for: powerful songwriting, massive hooks, and a dynamic mix of melody and heaviness that makes it one of their strongest and most focused releases to date!
In support of Ashes, the band will embark on a co-headline tour with INDUCTION, joined by special guests KILMARA. Following the tour, TUNGSTEN will play a string of headlining dates across Sweden and Norway. Find all upcoming shows listed below!
1. Joker 2. Bite My Tongue 3. Fuego Del Sol 4. Supernova 5. Happy 6. Ted The Exorcist 7. Sunshine Of Fall 8. The North Will Rise (feat. Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica) 9. For Thee 10. Ruin 11. The Forge
TUNGSTEN Live: 08.08.2026 – FI –Helsinki, Hellsinki Metal Festival 22.08.2026 – SE – Vita/Luleå, Vita Rockfest
ANTHEMS OF STEEL TOUR 2026 With INDUCTION & Special Guests KILMARA:
07.10.26 – DE – Herford @ Kulturwerk 08.10.26 – DE – München @ Backstage 09.10.26 – DE – Leipzig @ Hellraiser 10.10.26 – DE – Passau @ Zauberberg 11.10.26 – DE – Karlsruhe @ Die Stadtmitte 12.10.26 – CH – Aarburg @ Musigburg 13.10.26 – AT – Salzburg @ Rockhouse 14.10.26 – DE – Mörlenbach @ Live Music Hall 15.10.26 – DE – Hamburg @ Bahnhof Pauli 16.10.26 – DE – Lingen @ Alter Schlachthof 17.10.26 – DE – Solingen @ Laut und Hart Festival 18.10.26 – DE – Selb @ Rockclub Bayern
ASHES TOUR:
22.10.2026 – SE – Lund, Mejeriet 23.10.2026 – SE – Gothenburg, Valand 24.10.2026 – SE – Örebro, Rockbar 25.10.2026 – NO – Oslo, Salt 26.10.2026 – SE – Stockholm, Kollektivet Livet
Originally formed in 2016 by drummer Anders Johansson together with his sons Nick and Karl Johansson, TUNGSTEN soon completed their lineup with vocalist Mike Andersson and quickly established themselves as a force in the European metal scene. With a sound rooted in classic heavy metal but sharpened by a contemporary edge, the band has built a reputation for powerful songwriting, a clear identity and relentless forward momentum, earning growing attention well beyond their Scandinavian home base.
The band has toured extensively alongside acts such as Bloodbound, Firewind, Sonata Arctica and All For Metal, and appeared at major festivals including Sweden Rock Festival, Leyendas Del Rock, RockHarz Festival, Midalidare Metal Fest and Riverside Rock Fest, continuously building a strong live reputation.
TUNGSTEN are:
Mike Andersson – Lead Vocals Karl Johansson – Bass, Keyboards, Vocals Nick Johansson – Guitar Anders Johansson – Drums
Emerging from Borås, Sweden in the early 1990s, Beseech has earned a devoted following as one of Scandinavia’s most evocative gothic metal bands. Blending dark romanticism, doomy atmospheres, and unforgettable melodies, Beseech built a reputation for haunting yet accessible music that resonates with fans of gothic, doom, and melodic metal alike.
The band’s journey began with their 1995 demo Tears, leading to their critically acclaimed debut album …From a Bleeding Heart (1998). They continued to develop their signature sound with Black Emotions (2000) and the beloved Souls Highway (2002), which featured the iconic vocal interplay of Erik Molarin and Lotta Höglin — a duo whose contrasting voices became a defining element of Beseech’s identity. The band’s evolution continued with Drama (2004) and Sunless Days (2005), expanding their sonic palette while maintaining the melancholic beauty fans had come to love.
After years of touring and recording, Beseech disbanded in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of timeless gothic anthems. A decade later, the silence was broken with My Darkness, Darkness (2016) — a powerful testament to the band’s enduring spirit and their ability to craft new stories from the shadows. Now, Beseech rises once more, bringing back Erik and Lotta — the most iconic vocal pairing in the band’s history. Their reunion signals a return to the lush harmonies and dark atmospheres that fans remember, while pushing Beseech’s sound into new, uncharted territory. From mournful ballads to heavy, brooding riffs, Beseech continues to walk the twilight path between beauty and despair.
Their new album “Future. Present. Past” is to be released 28th of August, 2026 via Despotz Records.
Beseech members:
Erik Molarin – Vocals Lotta Höglin – Vocals Daniel Lindgren – Bass Jonas Strömberg – Guitar Manne Engström – Guitar Christian Silver – Drums
Anthrax have today released the latest single and video,‘Everybody’s Got A Plan‘, from their long-awaited 12th full-length studio albumCursum Perficioout September 18 via Nuclear Blast Records and Megaforce Records (North America).
The new video was mostly filmed on July 7 in Lisbon, Portugal when the multi-GRAMMY® Award-nominated New York hard rock titans – Scott Ian (guitar), Charlie Benante (drums), Frank Bello (bass), Joey Belladonna (vocals), and Jonathan Donais (guitar) – toured with Iron Maiden in Europe. It features live performance footage and behind the scenes backstage fun with cutaways to classic B&W boxing footage that underline the song’s central lyrics: “Everybody’s got a plan/That’s until they get punched in the face…” Watch the video HERE and listen to the incendiary song, with its massive riffs and ferocious vocals, HERE.
“‘Everybody’s Got a Plan’ has always been one of my favorite songs on Cursum Perficio,” Benante says. “The video basically shows the band on and off stage in a montage of video clips that kinda matches the velocity of the song. ‘Everybody’s got a plan/That’s until they get punched in the face’ is such a great line, and so true!”
“Most of this video was shot opening for [Iron] Maiden in Lisbon, Portugal at Estádio da Lu on July 7, 2026,” Ian notes. “We wanted to capture us having fun on tour and what better way to do that? That was a plan that didn’t end up with a punch in the face! Have fun watching my friends!”
Bello adds, “This video is a great representation of a day in the life of Anthrax on tour.”
Anthrax have previously released two singles and videos from Cursum Perficio: ‘It’s For The Kids‘ a classic Anthrax ripper locked and loaded with buzzsaw-sharp riffs, explosive drumming, and a howling and head-banging hook. It undoubtedly has all the makings of a future live staple. Listen HERE and watch the official music video HERE. It was followed by ‘The Edge Of Perfection‘, highlighted by clean guitar echoes and cymbals that gently shake until a blastbeat blows open the doors. Guitars buzz like a motorboat on the River Styx, making waves through the darkness. In their wake, a crushing rhythm trails the melody of lead singer Joey Belladonna’s lament,“My heart breaks…I’m on the edge…I’m on the edge of perfection.” Listen to “The Edge Of Perfection” HERE and watch the official music video HERE.
Meanwhile, the group recently announced they were rolling out uniquely animated short clips based on the album cover, with the first clip shared July 28. They worked with artist Mark Stritzel for the striking cover and the animation was done by Emmanuel Cappellini. Mark initially worked with the band’s Charlie Benante on the characters featured on the album cover. Watch the first clip HERE and listen to the story HERE. Every Tuesday, the group will unveil the individual stories of each character featured on the album. Beyond the Magician’s story, subsequent weeks will reveal more about the Woman In White, Dog, Winged Skeleton, and concluding September 1 with Hands.
Cursum Perficiomarks the band’s first record in ten years since 2016’s For All Kings, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. The phrase Cursum Perficio is Latin for “My journey has come to an end,”“My journey is over,” or “I complete my journey.” It proves apropos for such a complete body of work.
The band dove into recording Cursum Perficio in earnest during 2022, working out of Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles. They carefully pieced together what would be this magnum opus, mining their history with reverence, delivering on fan expectations tenfold, and broadening the scope of their signature sound. Produced by Jay Ruston and Anthrax, the result is an album that’s as angry, aggressive, and alive as their most celebrated fare.
Their journey has brought them to Cursum Perficio – a powerful, pummeling, and poetic milestone in Anthrax’s 45-year career.
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 ) 