Founded in 2024, VERBA SERPENTIS released their debut EP “Ophidic Gnosis” shortly thereafter in October of the same year. Melodic songs, evocative, atmospheric, and with the necessary bite, brutally degenerate vocals. The competent production by Stefan Traunmüller at Soundtempel Studio gave the material the right sound.
Now, with the new music video for “Monuments Of Dust” the talented Austrians are presenting their skills to the entire Black Metal community.
🎥 🎬 ⚙️ Filming and Editing by S. Sergio and Verba Serpentis
Statement of the band: “‘For those who chase the hollow light of false gods and deny the power of darkness, will be left with monuments of dust‘ – a song about the transience of all forms and the realization that destruction, chaos, and the death of the ego are necessary stages on the path to self-awareness.
Many people indulge in the supposedly easy approach of not seeking responsibility and hope within themselves and place their lives in the hands of others, literally waiting to be devoured instead of becoming aware of their existence and personal responsibility.
The music video was recorded in a church ruin, filmed and produced by Stefan Sergio. The location perfectly captured and visualized the theme. Desolate, empty, and in the midst of collapse. A monument turning to dust …”
Artwork by Serpentchron
TRACKS 01. Leviathan 05:35 📺 02. Monuments Of Dust 05:46 03. Purging Fire Ritual 05:25 04. Satan’s Eye 04:04 05. Conjuring The Legions 05:41
Symbolists of the Voice of the Serpent: Founded in 2024, these double-tongued conjurers whisper dark truths through their music. The result is an echo of ancient wisdom: the words of the serpent, weaving a tapestry of haunting melodies. They channel the essence of the forbidden and invite listeners to embrace the shadows. The timeless words of the serpent speak of defiance, darkness, and the freedom found in the embrace of the night … [ … learn more here ]
Technical death metal architects COGNITIVE are pleased to unveil their outstanding cover of Slipknot classic, “People = Shit.“
The stand-alone single comes in advance of the band’s upcoming US tour supporting Nile. The Underground Awaits Tour 2025 begins on September 12th in Raleigh, North Caroline and runs through October 11th in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additional support will be provided by Cryptopsy and labelmates, The Last Ten Seconds Of Life.
In a collective statement, COGNITIVE comments, “Here we go again mother fuckers! We have been hard at work writing our next album and prepping for tour but decided to spend some time having fun and recorded a cover of ‘People = Shit’ by the almighty Slipknot! We wanted to have fun with something that wasn’t exactly death metal, but still in the extreme realm! The world is an awful place, and humanity doesn’t make it any better, so to us the Slipknot math and song title added up correctly! We hope you enjoy and see you on the road with Nile, Cryptopsy, and The Last Ten Seconds Of Life.“
The digital single will be available for purchase on Monday, September 15th at: metalblade.com/cognitive
COGNITIVE w/ Nile, Cryptopsy The Last Ten Seconds Of Life: 9/12/2025 Chapel of Bones – Raleigh, NC 9/13/2025 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA 9/14/2025 Tally Ho – Leesburg, VA 9/16/2025 Brooklyn Monarch – Brooklyn, NY 9/17/2025 Wally’s – Hampton, NH 9/18/2025 Webster Hall – Hartford, CT 9/19/2025 Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz, PA 9/20/2025 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ 9/21/2025 Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY 9/22/2025 Mercury – Cleveland, OH 9/24/2025 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 9/25/2025 Hobart Art Theatre – Hobart, IN 9/26/2025 The Annex – Madison, WI 9/27/2025 Studio B @ Skyway – Minneapolis, MN 9/28/2025 Apollo Theater – Belvidere, IL 9/29/2025 Bigs Bar – Sioux Falls, SD 10/01/2025 Pub Station – Billings, MT 10/03/2025 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 10/04/2025 Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA 10/05/2025 Knitting Factory – Boise, ID 10/06/2025 Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT 10/07/2025 Oriental Theater – Denver, CO 10/09/2025 Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA ** 10/10/2025 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL ** 10/11/2025 Hi-Fi Annex – Indianapolis, IN ** ** No The Last Ten Seconds Of Life
COGNITIVE will be touring in support of their most recent full-length, Abhorrence, released last Spring via Metal Blade Records. The record finds the New Jersey powerhouse quintet at their brutal best. Abhorrence carries on band tradition with its a maniacal fusion of relentless riffs and thoughtful, devastating lyrics making for a raging, draining, and ultimately fulfilling experience.
An exercise in aural turbulence, each track on Abhorrence takes its listener on a magnificently traumatic journey. Wrote Rock Hard Germany in part, “Between Job For A Cowboy and Cattle Decapitation, COGNITIVE are in good company with Metal Blade. The quintet from New Jersey has also developed from a relatively conventional grind/deathcore band into a fiddly extreme metal hybrid that still prefers to contrast blast beats with downtempo parts, but also allows for melodies and generally values skilled craftsmanship… The sound is correspondingly transparent and powerful, but not soulless.” New Noise concurred, “This album has been painstakingly crafted and holds nothing back; the end result is a roller coaster of blastbeats, breakdowns, shredding solos, and a variety of different but equally powerful vocal techniques. There’s a little something for everyone to enjoy, and that broad appeal, combined with an incomparable work ethic, has no doubt contributed to their ongoing success.” Added Dead Rhetoric, “COGNITIVE continues to make a name for themselves and outdo themselves with each release, and Abhorrence sees them in their best shape yet. They can play technically without sounding too eager to please, roll out massive grooves and beatdown-level aggression without feeling too caveman-like, and toss in copious melodies without making the music seem watered down… A pristine combination of extremity.”
COGNITIVE: Rob Wharton – guitars Harry Lannon – guitars Shane Jost – vocals Tyler Capone-Vitale – bass AJ Viana – drums
As an addendum to February’s crushing “Black Noise” LP, Industrial legends BONG-RA – the primary project of Dutch artist Jason Köhnen (THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET, THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE) – present “To Mega Panopticon“, an intermezzo compilation to bridge the gap while they work on a brand-new album.
“To Mega Panopticon” delivers eight ferocious tracks: new remixes of four tracks from “Black Noise“, a freshly reworked song from 2003’s “Bikini Bandits, Kill! Kill! Kill!“, pummelling covers of classics by GODFLESH/KILLING JOKE and a vinyl-only bonus version of NAPALM DEATH‘s ‘Evolved As One‘.
This one-of-a-kind remix album is now officially released and available to purchase via DMP’s Bandcamp page. Listen to it via our YouTube channel:
Full details and album information can be found here!
“To Mega Panopticon” heralds the band’s upcoming October/November tour with AUTHOR & PUNISHER. These shows will provide the only opportunity to obtain the vinyl edition of “To Mega Panopticon“, available exclusively at the merch stand. This edition is strictly limited to 100 copies.
BONG-RA‘s “Black Noise” album is still available on CD – including merch – from the label’s EU, US (vinyl also) and Bandcamp shops. A vinyl repress is in planning.
Jason Köhnen began his musical journey in 1988 as the vocalist/bassist for BLUUURGH…, an underground Dutch Crust/Death Metal/Grindcore band. Following the release of an EP and LP, in 1991 he founded the Death-Doom band CELESTIAL SEASON, gaining widespread recognition as a prominent name in the genre outside the renowned ‘Peaceville 3′.
In 1996, Köhnen shifted from Metal to electronic music, creating the project BONG-RA and pioneering the intense Breakcore genre of electronica. His 1998 debut album led to a Peel Session in 2002, and established BONG-RA as one of the first acts to fuse Extreme Metal with electronics. The experimentation deepened with releases like the 2007 “Grindkrusher” EP, featuring BOLT THROWER samples, and collaborative releases with noise artist Maruosa in DEATHSTORM and the neo-classical Doom project WHITE DARKNESS.
Beyond BONG-RA, Kohnen co-founded THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE and later THE MOUNT FUJI DOOMJAZZ CORPORATION, releasing a series of cult albums up to 2013. Over his 30-year career, he has collaborated with notable artists such as VENETIAN SNARES and IGORRR, performed at major festivals including Glastonbury and Dour, and toured globally, sharing the stage with legendary acts like APHEX TWIN, MINISTRY and THE PRODIGY.
After a brief hiatus, during which BONG-RA explored Doom, Electronica and Jazz – including via 2018’s “Antediluvian” and 2022’s “Meditations” – Köhnen is now returning to his Metal and Grindcore roots. A deal with Debemur Morti Productions, also home to his Doomjazz project THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET, has been reached.
BONG-RA now prepares for a new era as a live three-piece featuring guitarists Attila Kovacs and Botond Fogl. This freshly rejuvenated vehicle for Metal/breaks fusion did debut in early 2025 with a new record “Black Noise” and an upcoming tour.
Released today on all digital platforms and on YouTube with an official lyric video, ‘The Time Has Come’ is the new single by METRONIMIA, a progressive rock band from Italy, launched in collaboration with Volcano Records & Promotion.
With this new step, the young group from Piedmont continues its artistic growth, establishing itself as one of the most interesting emerging acts in the national independent scene. Formed in 2018 as a Jethro Tull cover band, Metronimia quickly evolved into an original project, transforming their early experiences into a mature sound that blends a love for classic rock with a strong contemporary need for expression.
After their self-produced album “Caleidoscopio Astrale” and the singles ‘Yanez’ and ‘Incubo’, the band now returns with a track rich in meaning, inspired by the Apocalypse of St. John and reimagined through the lens of today’s social and cultural context. The Time Has Come is a musical and lyrical reflection on the collective responsibility of humanity, moving between biblical references and a deeply human and critical view of recent history. The song’s dark yet harmonious atmospheres, supported by a solid and refined instrumental framework, strike a balance between spirituality, protest, and emotional suggestion — with the magnetic voice of Elisa Marchiaro and the band’s tight interplay standing out strongly. Metronimia’s project carries the drive typical of young bands who are not content with the present but seek their own artistic space with courage and vision — far from homogenizing trends and closer to an artisanal, authentic approach to music.
The Time Has Come is not just an evocative title, but a message to those ready to look inward, to become aware, and perhaps to take a stand — in a world that increasingly needs awareness, memory, and art.
Finnish rock band SHIRAZ LANE have unveiled today their new single and accompanying visualizer video, “Live A Little More”, taken from their new studio album, “In Vertigo”, out on October 24, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The record will be available in the following formats: CD, digital, white vinyl, and a limited edition gold vinyl.
About the new single, the band said: “Live A Little More” is surely one of the highlights on the upcoming album. It showcases our versatility, embracing dynamic shifts to create a unique atmosphere – blending delicate emotion with stadium-sized power”.
“At its core, the song carries a strong and relatable message, delivered with exceptional depth and authenticity through Hannes’ exceptional vocal performance. The whole band complements this with elegant and graceful expression, serving the song in a way that allows it to truly breathe and flow”, they added. “The song is the perfect gateway to introduce a more sentimental side of the album, with a touch of lingering melancholy, yet still radiating hope and energy in an unmistakable Shiraz Lane fashion”.
“In Vertigo” marks a bold new chapter in Shiraz Lane’s evolution. It’s an ambitious, modern, and emotionally charged rock album born from relentless creativity, exploration and collaboration.
It’s a bold and genre-blending record, produced and co-written once again by longtime collaborator Per Aldeheim (Def Leppard, H.E.A.T, Pain). Packed with razor-sharp hooks, soaring melodies and high-octane attitude, “In Vertigo” pushes the band’s sound into exciting new territory, fusing pop-metal energy with a modern production edge and fearless genre crossovers.
Preceded by the explosive singles “Dangerous”, “Bullsh!t”, and the emotionally charged “Plastic Heart”, the album showcases Shiraz Lane’s evolution while staying true to their raw rock roots.
With Aldeheim’s polished yet powerful production and standout performances by Hannes Kett (vocals), Jani Laine (lead guitar), Miki Kalske (rhythm guitar), Joel Alex (bass), and Ana Vilkkumaa (drums), “In Vertigo” is the band’s most daring and dynamic release to date.
Brilliantly unpredictable and unapologetically melodic, In Vertigo proves that Shiraz Lane is not just riding the wave of modern melodic rock – they’re reshaping it!
Hailing from Vantaa, Finland, Shiraz Lane started their musical journey in 2011. Their vision of a perfect blend of sonic combustion and elegant delicacy started to blossom and reach its potential when the current line-up was solidified in 2014 and the band released their first EP “Be The Slave Or Be The Change”.
The band gained great international attention from the very beginning, and soon the young Finns were flying from Japan to South America, playing in Europe’s coolest clubs & summer festivals and had their warm first contact also with the US audience on the Monsters of Rock cruise.
Shiraz Lane resonates through their double-edged guitar sound (provided by Jani Laine and Miki Kalske), percussive ground-pounding clockwork (Ana Vilkkumaa, drums & Joel Alex, bass) and the supersonic melodies chanted by lead singer Hannes Kett. They are one of the most intriguing and entertaining bands in the current Hard Rock scene, bringing in a fresh breeze in terms of both compositions and live performance.
In addition to their debut EP, other most notable releases include the albums “For Crying Out Loud”, “Carnival Days”, “Vibration I”, “Forgotten Shades Of Life” and “Acoustic Archives’’.
Although wearing inspiration and paying homage to their predecessors, the sound and style of Shiraz Lane is unique, bold and contemporary. This has manifested in collaborations such as extensive international touring (sharing stages with bands such as KISS, Deep Purple, H.E.A.T & Crashdïet), national TV appearances, the gaming world and, most importantly, an exponentially growing & dedicated fanbase around the world.
“In Vertigo” Tracklist:
1. Stone Cold Lover 2. Dangerous 3. The Ray Of Light 4. Live A Little More 5. Babylon 6. Plastic Heart 7. Sayonara Love 8. Bullsh!T 9. Come Alive 10. Brand New Day
Line Up: Hannes Kett – Vocals Jani Laine – Guitar Miki Kalske – Guitar Joel Alex – Bass Ana Vilkkumaa – Drums
German thrash metal legends DARKNESS celebrate their 40th anniversary with the explosive new album “The Death Squad Chronicles”, out on September 26th, 2025 via Massacre Records.
Adding even more fire to the celebrations, DARKNESS have just unleashed another new single and video: “Last Round Is On Us”. A crushing thrash anthem with relentless riffs and unyielding energy, the track showcases the band’s ability to stay true to their roots while keeping their sound sharp and vital.
“The Death Squad Chronicles” will be available as CD Mediabook, limited vinyl editions in various colors, a deluxe box set, and digital. The deluxe box set will include:
CD Mediabook
Flag
Signing Card
Bonus CD – “Death Squad Chronicles XL” with the voices of Kreator, Warrant, Toxpack, Fueled By Fire, Assassin, Teutonic Slaughter, Traitor, Smorrah, Taskforce Toxicator, Hellbutcher/Nifelheim.
Produced and mixed by Cornelius Rambadt (Rambado Recordings) and mastered by Dennis Köhne, the record reimagines milestones of the band’s career with a fierce and modern production. The album features re-recordings of classics from the cult debut “Death Squad” (1987) and its successor “Defenders of Justice” (1988), a track from “Conclusion & Revival” (1989), as well as long-lost demo material now unleashed for the very first time. To crown it all, “The Death Squad Chronicles” also includes two brand new songs, proving that true thrash metal knows no expiration date.
The current line-up — Lee (vocals), Arnd (guitar), Dominik (guitar), Ben (bass), Lacky (drums) — embodies the band’s trademark aggression while adding fresh energy and razor-sharp riffing.
Track listing: 1. The Gates 2. Terror For Terror 3. Battle To The Last 4. Death Squad 5. Soldiers 6. Burial At Sea 7. Last Round Is On Us 8. Victims 9. Iron Force 10. Defenders Of Justice 11. Predetermined Destiny 12. Proud Pariah
The first single and video, “Death Squad 2025”, is more than just a re-recording: it’s a celebration of four decades of thrash under the motto “Darkness & Friends – 40 Years of Thrash”.
The video features an all-star lineup of special guests and friends from across the metal scene, including members of Sodom, Kreator, Vader, Nifelheim, Municipal Waste, Traitor, Warrant, Messiah, and many more. A collective tribute to the roots and future of thrash, “Death Squad 2025” unites generations of fans and musicians alike.
The release will be supported by a run of special shows and festivals, including: 26.09.2025 Coast Rock Festival, Emden – Germany 27.09.2025 40th Anniversary of Darkness, Essen Germany 03.10.2025 Keep It True Rising, Würzburg – Germany 10.10.2025 Thrash Nightmare Festival, Pisek – Czech Rep 11.10.2025 Breaking The Silence Fest, Arnsberg – Germany 18.10.2025 Total Thrash Assault, Speyer – Germany 08.11.2025 100% Old School Thrash, Dortmund – Germany
DARKNESS are Lee – Vocals Arnd – Guitar Dominik – Guitar Ben – Bass Lacky – 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 ) 