Guitar icon OLA ENGLUND of Swedish thrash pioneers THE HAUNTED is now sharing a guitar play-through for the song “Collateral Carnage,” which is taken from the band’s critically-acclaimed new album, ‘Songs of Last Resort,’ which is out now via Century Media Records! The clip and accompanying tabs can be seen at THIS LOCATION.
With music recorded by Oscar Nilsson at Studio Bohus, main vocals recorded by Björn Strid at The Cellar Studio, ‘Songs of Last Resort’ was then mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Kreator, Arch Enemy, Sepultura, etc). Artwork was once again provided by longtime visual collaborator Andreas “Diaz” Pettersson. Stream, download, and order it HERE.
THE HAUNTED will also be embarking on an extensive European run, which includes stops in Japan and the UK! The trek kicks off on October 4 in Athens (GR). The full itinerary and tickets can be found HERE with more TBA!
Upon its release, ‘Songs of Last Resort’ entered several international sales charts, including #7 on the Current Hard Rock Albums Chart (USA) and #77 Current Album Sales Chart (USA). The full list of placements and media accolades can be found below:
Letters of Last Resort (04:06) Album running time: (00:40:33)
THE HAUNTED – Live:
04.10.2025 Athens (Greece) – Gagarin 205 13.10.2025 Tokyo (Japan) – Loud Park 30.10.2025 Uppsala (Sweden) – Katalin 31.10.2025 Örebro (Sweden) – Frimis Salonger 01.11.2025 Vara (Sweden) – Vara in Rock 07.11.2025 Umeå (Sweden) – House of Metal Festival 09.11.2025 Manchester (UK) – Damnation Festival 04.12.2025 Gothenburg (Sweden) – Valand 05.12.2025 Norrköping (Sweden) – Arbis 06.12.2025 Gävle (Sweden) – Musikhuset 11.12.2025 Malmö (Sweden) – Babel 12.12.2025 Jönköping (Sweden) – Lick It Up @ Fabriken Bar 13.12.2025 Karlstad (Sweden) – Nöjesfabriken 12.02.2026 Tampere (Finland) – Olympia 13.02.2026 Helsinki (Finland) – On The Rocks 14.02.2026 Jyväskylä (Finland) – Lutakko / Kadotus Metal Meeting 19.02.2026 Stockholm (Sweden) – Debaser 21.02.2026 Sundsvall (Sweden) – Pipeline 3-6.07.2026 Knislinge (Sweden) – Time to Rock
And more shows are to be announced soon…
Lineup: Ola Englund – rhythm & lead guitar Jonas Björler – bass, backing vocals Marco Aro – lead vocals Adrian Erlandsson – drums Jensen – rhythm guitar
Cover Artwork: Andreas “Diaz” Pettersson Music recorded by Oscar Nilsson at Studio Bohus Main vocals recorded by Björn Strid at The Cellar Studio Mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios
Having dedicated this year to leveling Europe and Latin America behind the sheer brutality of the band’s latest Billboard-busting offering, Defeated Sanity are capping off 2025 with their first U.S. tour for Chronicles of Lunacy.
The long-standing innovators of brutal technical death metal are kicking off this mad-dash run with a special headlining show in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Defeated Sanity will then conjoin with their fellow lunatics in Corpse Pile, Despised Icon and Sanguisugabogg – who featured the band’s vocalist Josh Welshman on their new single – for 22 dates covering both coasts. Along the way, Skinless, Bayway, Ringworm, Upon Stone and other guests will appear during select shows.
“We can’t wait to finally present our new album Chronicles of Lunacy to our U.S. fans live and in action”, Defeated Sanity says. “Be sure to join us as we brutalize the U.S. once again”.
As they prepare to slam America with the critically-acclaimed Chronicles of Lunacy, today, Defeated Sanity are releasing a new drum playthrough for the album’s most punishing song. “Condemned to Vascular Famine” will have heads banging, bodies flying and brains exploding when the band spills its bloodlust all over the stage.
“‘Condemned to Vascular Famine’ was voted by our fans as their favorite song off Chronicles of Lunacy, so we decided to open our set with it on the last tour”, says Defeated Sanity’s drummer, primary songwriter and co-founding member Lille Gruber. “‘The song is a very epic and varied composition. It’s quite funny to start out a big Euro fest with this weird drum beat, but we like to fuck with our audience, as everyone knows”.
Watch Defeated Sanity drummer Lille Gruber crush “Condemned to Vascular Famine”:
Defeated Sanity 2025 U.S. Tour Dates with Sanguisugabogg, Despised Icon and Corpse Pile + special guests
November 2 – Cambridge, MA @ Sonia Live Music Venue [HEADLINE SHOW] [TICKETS]~ November 4 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall [TICKETS]* November 5 – Chicago, IL @ Metro [TICKETS]** November 6 – Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe (Old National Centre) [TICKETS]*** November 7 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada [TICKETS] November 8 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall [TICKETS] November 9 – Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater [TICKETS] November 11 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile Theater [TICKETS]# November 12 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory [TICKETS]# November 13 – Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre [TICKETS]# November 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater [TICKETS]# November 15 – Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont Country Club [TICKETS]# November 17 – Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge & Music Hall [TICKETS] November 18 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk [TICKETS]## November 19 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall (Downstairs) [TICKETS]## November 21 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum [TICKETS]## November 22 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade [TICKETS]## November 23 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground [TICKETS]## November 25 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre [TICKETS] November 26 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage [TICKETS]### November 28 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza [TICKETS]^ November 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer [TICKETS]^ November 30 – Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs [TICKETS]^^
~only Defeated Sanity *with Everybody Dies **with Everybody Dies + Gorgasm ***with Volcano + Ran Thru #with Upon Stone ##with Bayway ###with Bludgeoned by Deformity ^with Skinless ^^with Ringworm + Anatomize
Tracklist 1. Amputationsdrang (2:30) [WATCH] 2. The Odour Of Sanctity (3:36) [WATCH] 3. Accelerating The Rot (3:22) [WATCH] 4. Temporal Disintegration (5:52) [WATCH] 5. Extrinsically Enraged (4:09) [WATCH] 6. A Patriarchy Perverse (4:16) 7. Condemned to Vascular Famine (6:00) [WATCH] 8. Heredity Violated (3:48) Total runtime: 33:35
DEFEATED SANITY is unequivocally one of the most unique, boundary-pushing and crucial bands in the history of extreme death metal. Their music is as technically coherent as it is mind-bending and memorable. Endlessly replay-able and full of discovery, their maze of riffs and musical passages is inspired by infamous classic bands in the extreme metal genre, while also heavily steeped in jazz and progressive classical elements.
The band consists of four members. They’re led by drummer Lille Gruber, who’s the son of deceased co-founding member Wolfgang Teske. Gruber is joined by bandmates Jacob Schmidt (bass), Josh Welshman (vocals) and Vaughn Stoffey (guitar).
As well as being the drummer of Defeated Sanity, Gruber is the multi- instrumental, songwriting mastermind behind the band’s deep and compelling catalogue of songs and compositions. He possesses a bag of tricks seen nowhere else in the genre, and a musical prowess which is on full display throughout their new album Chronicles of Lunacy.
“We love experimenting”, explains drummer and founding member Lille Gruber. “But we realized that some of our oldest fans might have gotten lost after our last couple of albums. With the new one, we wanted to focus more on neck-snapping brutality”.
Chronicles of Lunacy punches you right in the face. Press play and “Amputationsdrang” already has you pinned to the mat beneath its non-stop blasts. Get comfortable, too, because Defeated Sanity don’t let the album up for air until the very end of Track 4. But turns out, acting like knuckle-dragging cavemen isn’t so easy for a band that has a Mensa-level maestro like Gruber at the controls.
At the tender age of six, Lille Gruber picked up heavy guitar and drums. Inspired by killer American BDM bands like Disgorge, Monstrosity and Brodequin, the German wunderkind recorded the band’s first demo alongside his father, Wolfgang Teske. Since Wolfgang’s passing in 2010, Gruber has taken on the bulk of the composing for Defeated Sanity. Whether he’s hammering his snare, pinging between cymbals or riding a colossal groove, The Chronicles of Lunacy flows like a never-ending stream of filth.
“Lille’s drumming is just ridiculous”, Jacob Schmidt says. Schmidt – who toured with Obscura behind Cosmogenesis – joined as the other half of Defeated Sanity’s chaotic rhythm section for the band’s beloved second album. His nimble, belching bass give the new album’s lead single “The Odour of Sanctity” a dizzying bounce. “He’s the face of the franchise, so we’re never going to abandon those head-scratching moments that set Defeated Sanity apart”.
Indeed, Chronicles of Lunacy isn’t Defeated Sanity for dummies. Heck, the lyrics are wrapped up in the twisted ways that delusions can rot the human psyche. This heady concept was made flesh by none other than Jon Zig. Drawn in painstaking detail by his wicked right hand, the album’s cover shows that the birth of some ideas look an awful lot like a gory and sex-crazed nativity scene.
“Each song on Chronicles deals with a different form of mental corruption”, Josh Welshman says”. “Odor” stinks of religious fanaticism. “A Patriarchy Perverse” cracks open the mind of co-ed killer Ed Kemper, while “Extrinsically Enraged” practically foams at the mouth with squealing hammer-ons. “That one’s more literal”, says Welshman with a hearty laugh. “It’s about contracting rabies”. If it weren’t for Disposal of the Dead / Dharmata, then Defeated Sanity would’ve chewed through as many vocalists as they have albums, but after a brutal showing on their last one, Welshman is back with more guttural vengeance. His growls ooze from the pit of his gut on “Temporal Disintegration”, stomped out like the innards of a cockroach by the gravity-defying slams.
While it still hits from every odd angle, Chronicles of Lunacy does draw a jagged red line back to Defeated Sanity’s brutal origins. After all, the band now share a label with their namesake. In true, DS fashion, the first song written for this album was “Heredity Violated”, a headbanging grand finale that never stops chugging. “This album isn’t as tough on the brain as the last two”, says new guitarist Vaughn Stoffey, whose chunky riffs whip “Accelerating the Rot” into the fastest song in the band’s canon. “It’s rawer and more straightforward, which gets back to what fans love about Psalms of the Moribund“.
To dig up the sheer brutality that long-time fans have come to crave, Defeated Sanity returned to Thousand Cave Studios. New York City’s most vile underground hotspot also served as the excavation site for the Billboard-charting The Sanguinary Impetus, which shoveled a fresh layer of dirt over the “polished” production of Passages into Deformity. But the band encouraged producer Colin Marston to get down and dirty with Chronicles of Lunacy. “We still wanted some of the high fidelity that you hear on modern death metal records”, Schmidt says, “but this album has the same crushing low-end as Psalms or Chapters of Repugnance“.
The band execute this two-headed approach to monstrous effect on “Condemned to Vascular Famine”. At just under six minutes, the song delivers the longest ass beating on Chronicles of Lunacy. At times, all four members sound like they’re climbing up the walls in separate asylums, but after slipping in a brief nod to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the band come slamming down into the album’s ugliest breakdown.
“That’s one of our favorites”, the band says. “It lands at a crossroad of the DS sound that we ended up with on Chronicles of Lunacy. Even though it gets pretty fucking weird at times, there’s still an emphasis on heavy, straight-up slamming”
None of their albums are ever going to follow a straight line, but on Chronicles of Lunacy, Defeated Sanity return to sheer brutality.
Lineup Josh Welshman – Vocals Vaughn Stoffey – Guitars Jacob Schmidt – Bass Lille Gruber – Drums
Guest musicians Danny Nelson and Paolo Paguntalan provide backup vocals on “Amputationsdrang” and “Accelerating the Rot”
Recording Studio Thousand Caves Studio in January 2024.
Production Recorded, mixed and mastered by Colin Marston. Produced by Colin Marston and Defeated Sanity.
Cover Art Artwork by Jon Zig Title lettering by Liz Schmidt Layout by Alex Eckman-Lawn
Following the release of their album “Liminal Spaces,” Italian progressive metal act Beriedir unveil the official music video for “As Tight As Phantoms Hold”.
First introduced live in 2024, “As Tight As Phantoms Hold” quickly became one of the band’s most energetic and impactful songs to perform on stage. Musically, the track blends tight rhythms, ambient sections, electronic drum passages, and crushing breakdowns, embodying Beriedir’s ability to merge atmosphere with sheer intensity. Lyrically, it portrays the image of an anonymous guard stationed in a desolate outpost and condemned to fleeting encounters with nameless passersby, a metaphor for loneliness, transience, and betrayal.
“An isolated box, a guardhouse at the entrance of a parking lot. Cars come and go, strangers pass by, some of them wave. Nameless, every day, no one meant to stay. That’s what some of us feel like. A keeper of nothing, only meeting ghosts. The only connection afforded was that of a stab in the back.”
The band comments:
“This song stands out as one of the most energizing to bring on stage. We wanted to push variety in composition, mixing ambient layers, electronic touches, and breakdowns to create something that constantly shifts in intensity.”
The official video visually translates this restless duality, amplifying both the haunting isolation and explosive release at the heart of the track.
With “Liminal Spaces”, Beriedir continues their stylistic evolution, moving further from their power metal roots toward a darker and more progressive identity. The record explores trauma, nostalgia, longing, and emotional fragmentation, offering an immersive experience that resonates with anyone navigating moments of solitude and transition.
Now fully embracing a modern progressive and alternative metal aesthetic, Beriedir’s sound invites comparison to Pain of Salvation, Leprous, Katatonia, Gojira, Trivium, and Dark Tranquillity. Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, “Liminal Spaces” combines sonic depth with lyrical weight, marking a bold new chapter in the band’s journey.
Track Listing: 1. Halo 2. Neon 3. In The Corner Of My Eyes 4. As Tight As Phantoms Hold 5. F.I.V.E. 6. More Than Starlight 7. Burnout 8. Anemoia 9. Massive 10. In The Liminal Space
When Eater first emerged onto the nascent UK punk scene towards the end of 1976, they weren’t simply younger, louder and snottier than the rest of the bands breaking through at that time, but more so than most of their audience as well. Frontman Andy Blade was just 15 at the time, drummer Dee Generate was 13. The first time I saw them, I’d just turned 17. The little rotters made me feel ancient.
Punk was already being described as the sound of disaffected youth; Eater were that same disaffection personified. Who better, then, to deliver the ultimate soundtrack to all that was happening all around them?
“The tracks on Duplication are essentially my favourite songs out of the seminal punk classics,” explains Blade, “before punk rock became somewhat homogenized as a formula. Whilst it is a covers album – it is not just a covers album.
“There is a difference because I was ‘there’ with my band during the explosive year of 1977 – these songs mean something to me in a visceral sense. There’s a spirit to the tracks that seems to come alive as we rehearsed them. Most importantly, however, Duplication was great fun to create and I think, as a result, it is – I hope – great fun to listen to.”
It is. Ten songs make up the album, and to call it punk rock’s greatest hits is almost an understatement. We are locked wholly into 1976-1977, with The Ramones’“Beat On The Brat” and the Damned’s “New Rose” both hearkening back to that earlier year. “New Rose,” in fact, was the first British punk single ever released! And Eater’s own debut, “Outside View” – also included here, was the third.
From thereon, The Buzzcocks, Generation X, the Saints, the Clash, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers and the Only Ones flash past, but Blade cautions the listener not to expect simple note-perfect renditions of these doughty old warriors.
“A lot of thought and a lot of love went into this album from choosing the songs, recording them, to deciding on a sleeve. The thing about Duplication is that we are not really trying to duplicate anything. In a way we’re taking the piss out of this nostalgia fetish.
“All the songs are quite faithful to the originals, but I do tend to ‘own’ songs when I sing them, so I have taken some liberties.”
This is especially apparent on the band’s latest single, an an incendiary take on what is probably the most “punk” song of them all, The Sex Pistols’ “God Save The Queen”… released to coincide with Her Majesty’s silver jubilee, and accompanied by several tidal waves of media condemnation, not to mention physical attacks on the band members and a blanket broadcasting ban. Some retailers refused to stock the record, others omitted its name from the Top 30 chart. Has any piece of plastic ever caused so much fuss?
Eater shared producers with the Pistols for a time – Dave Goodman, who handled their early singles and debut album, also oversaw three of the Pistols’ demo sessions, including their very first, in July 1976, and the January 1977 session which brought the band their second record deal (after they were sacked by EMI) with A&M Records. (Who also sacked them, but that’s another story.)
And Eater got to hear all the demos, including “God Save The Queen” – although, at that time, it was still called “No Future.”
Blade expalins, “. My only problem with the song was the first bridge – ‘don’t be told what you want’ etc. It didn’t scan and, to my mind, it made Johnny Rotten sound like an old time British comedian called Norman Wisdom. Uncool.
“But the second bridge – ‘when there’s no future how can there be sin, we’re the flowers in the dustbin’ was genius, and I always wondered why they didn’t just use the second bridge twice, like first time round and second time. So when we came to record it, I knew what I had to do – terribly sorry about that, Rotten/Jones/Matlock/Cook!”
It’s unlikely the song’s progenitors will be offended. Sex Pistols covers might be ten-a-penny, but how many (don’t even try to answer this) simply Xerox the original, with the only the occasional misheard lyric to distinguish them?
Eater retain the energy, the scorn and the anger that fueled the now-nearly half-century old original. But they add that same indefinable spark of – yes, youth, volume and rage – that was always the hallmark of Eater in their prime, but which a mere handful others of their contemporaries seem able to recapture.
To paraphrase an old song about Star Trek…”It’s punk, Jim. But not as we’ve heard it for a very long time.”
Bass virtuosos ALBERTO RIGONI and MICHAEL MANRING — both internationally acclaimed for their innovative and emotive approach to the bass guitar — have officially begun composing and recording a brand-new instrumental prog rock / ambient album titled “Dystopia”.
The duo is proud to announce that the drum parts for the album will be performed by the talented Canadian drummer David Menoudakis, known both as a versatile session musician and for his work with the band Motion Device and Quarter After Three. You can discover David’s dynamic playing on his Instagram profile: @drumsbydavid.
But that’s not all: as previously teased, a third world-class bassist will join the project — a player whose distinctive style will make this production truly unique and original. His name will be revealed soon… A hint? He has shared the stage with guitar legends Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Frank Gambale, and many more.
“Working with Alberto, Michael and …. (!!!) on this project is truly inspiring. Their creativity and vision push me to explore new textures and dynamics on the drums. I can’t wait for listeners to experience the unique sonic world we’re building together with three incredible bass voices driving the music.” — David Menoudakis, drummer
JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE are proud to announce their new album, ‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1,’ due out on December 12th via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the announcement, the new single “The Cadence of Things (Feat. Jason Scheff)” is available now, accompanied by an official music video, available below.
With ‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1,’ JIM PETERIK — Grammy-winning songwriter and founding member of Survivor and The Ides of March — delivers one of his most personal and inspired projects to date. This new chapter in the WORLD STAGE legacy is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of collaboration, where each song becomes a shared story told through harmony, emotion, and musical chemistry.
“’The Cadence Of Things’ is one of my favorite tracks on my new Frontiers release. On this song, I am honored to share vocals with the great Jason Scheff (lead singer with the group Chicago for 30 years, and son of Jerry Scheff – the long-time bassist for Elvis Presley.
“The song speaks to the rhythm of life all around us – the sound of love in the making – the sound of a heart when it’s breaking – It’s the ‘Cadence Of Things.’ The video was expertly shot by Greg Bizzaro. Enjoy!”
Watch the Video for “The Cadence of Things (Feat. Jason Scheff)”:
Produced by the legendary Ron Nevison, whose name is synonymous with the golden age of AOR thanks to his work with Survivor, Heart, Foreigner, and countless others, ‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1’ carries the unmistakable warmth and polish of classic rock records, while embracing a sense of intimacy and freshness that speaks to PETERIK’s enduring creative fire.
Across ten tracks, ‘The Power of Duets’ showcases PETERIK’s gift for melody and his ability to connect with artists across generations. On the title track “River of Music,”he shares the microphone with his son Colin Peterik, capturing a father-son bond rooted in music. That chemistry returns in “Slow Lightning,” a moment of atmospheric beauty that blends poetic lyrics with cinematic instrumentation. Elsewhere, PETERIK trades verses with REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin on the stirring “Between Two Fires,” and finds common ground with Jason Scheff (formerly of Chicago) in the contemplative “The Cadence of Things.”
Vocalist Toby Hitchcock (Pride of Lions) brings fire and range to two standout moments — “Soul of My Being,” a soulful duet with Bree Gordon, and a powerful reinterpretation of the Survivor classic “In Good Faith,” sung alongside rising star Kaity Heart. PETERIK and Kaity Heart also deliver “I’m a Survivor,” an original anthem that echoes the resilience and passion at the core of his songwriting.
Other duets include the radiant “Double Rainbow” with Jefferson Starship’s Cathy Richardson, the emotionally rich “Waiting for You” performed by Dave Mikulskis and Bree Gordon, and the uplifting “Everything You Need,” which reunites JIM and Colin Peterik one more time. Backed by a stellar cast of musicians including drummers Denny Fongheiser and Ed Breckenfeld, bassists Tony Franklin and Bob Lizik, guitarists Phil X and Mike Aquino, and keyboardists Kim Bullard and Kim Peterik, the album is as sonically powerful as it is emotionally resonant.
This is only Volume 1: with Volume 2 already on the horizon, the river of music continues to flow, stronger than ever. JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE remind us that in music, as in life, true power lies in the beauty of connection.
Pre-Order ‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1’ HERE
‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1’ Track List:
1. River of Music: Jim Peterik & Colin Peterik 2. Waiting For You: Dave Mikulskis & Bree Gordon 3. The Cadence of Things: Jim Peterik & Jason Scheff 4. Soul of My Being: Toby Hitchcock & Bree Gordon 5. Between Two Fires: Jim Peterik & Kevin Cronin 6. Double Rainbow: Jim Peterik & Cathy Richardson 7. Slow Lightning: Jim Peterik & Colin Peterik 8. In Good Faith: Toby Hitchcock & Kaity Heart 9. I’m a Survivor: Jim Peterik & Kaity Heart 10. Everything You Need: Colin Peterik & Jim Peterik
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
