• Moonspell Finishing Up Mixing Process For New Album

    Moonspell vocalist Fernando Ribeiro has offered an update on the band’s upcoming album. He said the following via Facebook:

    “New album is almost finished, finishing mixes as we speak.”

  • Rival Sons Preparing To Work On New Album

    During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” Rival Sons frontman Jay Buchanan discussed the band’s current happenings. Among their plans is a new album.

    Buchanan said the following:

    “We’re gonna be getting into the studio and recording another record. And then, of course, we have touring through the summer — U.K., Europe and also some domestic touring. So we’ve got that coming up. And [I’m] looking forward to getting into the studio — just like regular old operations.

    When you ask a band, ‘Hey, so, what does this year hold for you?’ It’s gonna be one of three things, or it’s gonna be all three things: touring, writing, recording. And I love doing all three of those things. And the band has had a little bit of time off, and so I’m looking forward to getting into the studio and being with my friends once again, and us creating that magic that only happens when we get together. So I’m looking forward to that.”

    He continued when asked if the band will utilize the same writing process:

    “Actually, well, no. Our first — I don’t know — five, six records or so, we would write on the floor and just write on the fly. And that’s definitely panic inducing because I’ve got a lot of work to do when it comes to that stuff. But ever since — goodness — [2019’s] ‘Feral Roots’ and then [2023’s] ‘Darkfighter’ and ‘Lightbringer’, we take our time. We write in advance, and also we’ll write in the studio, certainly. But we’re going in with some material, and we’ll definitely write on the floor.”

    He also added the following about release plans:

    “Well, I’m not exactly sure, because we were supposed to be in the studio right now. We were supposed to be recording right now, but, unfortunately, my wife was given a breast cancer diagnosis back in December, and so for me, I’m home. I’m gonna take care of my wife and get her through this. And so everything, of course, will work out with medicine and treatment and all of that stuff, but I wanna be right here. This is where I belong right now. And then as soon as she gets through this, then we’ll get in the studio. So hopefully, hopefully we can get this record out this year. But it’s kind of a little bit up in the air in terms of the exact timeline. We’re piecing it together, as my wife [and I], we’re just starting this journey with all of this. And so we’re learning the ropes in real time right now. So we’ll see how things go.”

    [via Blabbermouth]

  • “The Ballad Of Judas Priest” Documentary To Receive World Premiere At Berlin International Film Festival

    Judas Priest’s upcoming documentary, “The Ballad Of Judas Priest,” will be receiving its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. That event will be held in Germany on February 12-22.

    Sam Dunn, who co-directed the film alongside Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello, commented:

    “Super proud to announce that our Judas Priest doc ‘The Ballad Of Judas Priest’ will premiere at Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival this February. Beyond excited for all our German metalheads to get the first look.”

    Judas Priest continued:

    “We have lived and breathed metal for over five decades, and finally in this documentary we are summoning our congregation to officially witness our lives uncensored, in a never-before-seen way…the cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory!”

    Dunn and Morello also added:

    “While some may know Judas Priest for their huge hits that have shaped the heavy metal genre, there is so much more to their story. Tracing their incredible 50-year journey, this film will capture how Judas Priest both defined the sound and look of metal, but also made it a more inclusive place along the way. We are grateful to the band for allowing us such intimate, unfiltered access to their lives and look forward to bringing this film to the metal masses around the world.”

  • Avenged Sevenfold Singer M. Shadows: “We Don’t Really Think About What Fans Expect”

    During a recent interview with Korno Espinosa, Avenged Sevenfold singer M. Shadows discussed the band’s decision to continue experimenting with their sound. According to him, the group “don’t really think about what fans expect.”

    Shadows said the following when asked about evolving while still staying true to their roots:

    “I don’t really think about staying true to anything but ourselves. So I think that’s the most punk rock thing you can do. When we were growing up, heavy metal and punk rock was the ‘anti’ music. It was not supposed to be in the mainstream. It was the thing that you kind of rolled your eyes at popular music, and it was very anti, it was very against the grain. And I think as an artist, as long as you can keep that edge and always kind of swim upstream and continue to push boundaries and live outside of boxes, then I think that’s the true essence of punk rock and heavy metal. I think once you start trying to commodify all that and you start trying to look at numbers and start trying to look at algorithms and start trying to be with the popular kids, I think that’s the most anti rock and metal thing you can do. So to me it’s about doing what you want and expressing yourself in a way that is a little bit anti everything else.”

    He also added the following when asked about balancing experimentation with fan expectations:

    “Yeah, we don’t really think about what fans expect. We just do what we think is cool. We’re constantly listening to new artists, we’re constantly being inspired by different things and newer things, and so we don’t expect our audience to understand where we’re at until we put something out. And we don’t feel the need at this point to handhold them. I think they’ve grown up with us and they’re older, and if they want that from us, they have it. And if they want the old stuff, they can go back and listen to the old stuff. But we’re not gonna try to rehash or retread any ground just to make somebody have a second-rate version of something we did in the past. Everything we did at a certain time was ahead of the curve or groundbreaking to us — at least that’s where we were mentally when we did ‘Waking The Fallen’. It was a different thing than what was out. It was different than everything else. When we did ‘City Of Evil’, it wasn’t a repeat of ‘Waking The Fallen’. And so we continue with that mindset, and we just wanna lead people somewhere new. We don’t really wanna make them feel too comfortable. I think that isn’t very exciting to us.”

    [via Blabbermouth]

  • Aaron Lewis (Staind) Announces U.S. Tour

    Aaron Lewis (Staind) has announced a U.S. tour. The trek will find the frontman and his backing band, The Stateliners, performing fan favorites and new music.

    Tour Dates:

    01/22 Quapaw, OK – Downstream Casino Resort
    01/23 Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater
    01/27 Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center
    01/28 Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center
    01/30 Immokalee, FL – Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
    01/31 Okeechobee, FL – Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino
    02/01 Coconut Creek, FL – Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
    02/06 Hot Springs, AR – Oaklawn Event Center
    02/07 Lake Charles, LA – Golden Nugget Lake Charles
    02/12 Effingham, IL – Effingham Performance Center
    02/13 Anderson, IN – Harrah’s Hoosier Park
    02/14 Battle Creek, MI – FireKeepers Casino
    02/19 Bloomington, IL – Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
    02/20 Joliet, IL – Rialto Square Theatre
    02/21 Ottumwa, IA – Bridge View Center
    02/26 Pikeville, KY – Appalachian Wireless Arena
    02/27 Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
    02/28 Lawrenceburg, IN – Hollywood Casino & Hotel
    03/06 Scottsdale, AZ – Talking Stick Resort
    03/07 Santa Fe, NM – Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
    03/11 West Wendover, NV – Peppermill Concert Hall
    03/12 West Wendover, NV – Peppermill Concert Hall
    03/13 Reno, NV – Silver Legacy Casino & Resort
    03/14 Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Theater
    03/17 Grand Junction, CO – Avalon Theatre
    03/19 Lemoore, CA – Tachi Palace Casino Resort
    03/20 Coachella, CA – Spotlight 29 Casino
    03/21 Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley Casino Resort
    03/24 Auburn, WA – Muckleshoot Casino Resort
    03/25 Auburn, WA – Muckleshoot Casino Resort
    04/09 Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center
    04/10 Schenectady, NY – M&T Bank Center
    04/11 Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino
    04/16 Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
    04/17 Atlantic City, NJ – Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort
    04/18 Oxon Hill, MD – MGM National Harbor
    04/23 Tulsa, OK – River Spirit Casino Resort
    04/24 Norman, OK – Riverwind Casino
    04/25 Poplar Bluff, MO – Black River Coliseum
    05/01 Salado, TX – Johnny’s Steaks + BBQ
    05/02 Bellville, TX – Rock The Country
    06/06 Bristol, VA – Hard Rock Live
    06/11 Karlstad, MN – Kick’n Up Kountry 2026
    07/10 Paoli, IN – Castle Knoll Amphitheater
    07/11 Ashland, KY – Rock The Country
    07/16 Lancaster, KY – American Music Theatre
    07/18 Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino
    07/24 Shipshewana, IN – Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
    07/25 Petros, TN – Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary
    08/12 Roswell, NM – Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds
    08/13 Canyon, TX – The Lumberyard / Backyard
    08/14 Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
    08/15 Mulvane, KS – Kansas Star Casino

  • Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine: “I’m Not A Right-Winger”

    During a recent interview with The New York Times, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine discussed his political views. He also revealed that he identifies as spiritual rather than religious. The frontman said the following:

    “I’m a Christian, and I answer to a different set of angels. I obey the law, but no, I’m not a right-winger. We used to always say that religion’s for people who are afraid of going to hell, and spirituality is for people like us who have been there.”

  • Inferi Announce New Album “Heaven Wept”, Share “The Rapture Of Dead Light” Video

    Inferi will be releasing a new album, titled “Heaven Wept,” on April 10. A video for the first single, “The Rapture Of Dead Light,” can be found below:

    “Heaven Wept” Track Listing:

    01. “The Rapture Of Dead Light“
    02. “Feed Me Your Fear“
    03. “Master Of Nothing“
    04. “Eternally Lie“
    05. “Heaven Wept“
    06. “Atonement Denied“
    07. “Of Rotted Wombs“
    08. “Godless Sky“

    The group commented:

    “We’re proud to announce our 2026 release, ‘Heaven Wept,’ marking the longest gap between albums since our return in 2014.

    This album came together under challenging circumstances—after the departure of Mike Low (guitar), we had to completely rewrite material. We then brought Sanjay Kumar (Wormhole / Equipoise) into the fold and the process began anew. With Andrew Kim’s exit to join Brand of Sacrifice, Malcolm [Pugh] stepped in to perform bass duties.

    ‘Heaven Wept‘ is also the final album with Spencer Moore (drums) before he moved on to Archspire. We decided to work with Mike Low again for recording, mixing, and mastering. His deep understanding of our approach made him the perfect partner to help us refine our sound with the new lineup.

    The result is our most crushing and diverse material yet—an album that pushes Inferi to new extremes while staying true to the melodic and technical foundation we’ve always built upon.

    The result is our most crushing and diverse material yet—an album that pushes Inferi to new extremes while staying true to the melodic and technical foundation we’ve always built upon.”

  • British Politician Gets Tricked Into Paying Tribute To The Late Ian Watkins (Ex-Lostprophets)

    British politician Nigel Farage was recently tricked into paying tribute to convicted pedophile Ian Watkins (ex-Lostprophets). That disgraced singer was recently murdered in prison while serving a 29-year sentence with an additional six years on licence for 13 counts of child sex offences.

    The Reform UK leader said the following as part of a £98 Cameo request:

    “This message is to pay tribute to Ian Watkins, a good man, a really good guy who is very much in contact with me. He loved his children and will be sorely, sorely missed by them forever. He will always hold a very special place in everybody’s heart.

    Remember what he always said ‘Mad Lolz’, well, tell ya what, that just about sum up the world doesn’t it?’

    Sorry for your grief but please try and keep some happy memories.”

    The man responsible for the prank, John Smith, told Metro the following:

    “I was inspired by the lads that got him to say “Up the Ra” and wondered if he would go for it.

    Getting the video was simplicity itself, I just asked him to do a video on behalf of a late friend called Ian Watkins and his family.

    I am concerned that he could not see through my frankly paper-thin deception and his willingness to do anything for money without even a rudimentary check.

    If he would do this for a small amount of money, what would he do for paymasters with deeper pockets?

    I hope to show the world that Farage is a man who will do and say anything for whoever is paying him. I suspect he has no actual ideology and will follow the path to power that offers the least resistance.’

    If I could speak directly to him I would ask why he did not do even a rudimentary check? Will he blindly accept what he is told by the Kremlin, the White House or anyone with £70 going spare for a Cameo”

    He also added the following when asked if this makes light of Watkins’ crimes:

    “No, I am worried that Farage’s support of Grok and its ability to generate obscene images of women and children, his giggling at PMQ’s yesterday makes light of these crimes.’

    My favourite part was the fact he knowingly lied saying “Ian” was someone he knew well.

    If he is prepared to lie for relatively paltry sums, what is he prepared to do for larger amounts?

    I asked him to do Watkins infamous “Mega Lolz” catchprase but Farage f***ed it up. Maybe I should ask for a refund?”

    Farage has since responded as well:

    “Thank him for the money. There are lots of Ian Watkins. Tell him to send more. I did alter his request.”

    [via Loudwire]

  • Foreword Premiere “Intimate Torment” Music Video

    Foreword have premiered a new video for their new song “Intimate Torment.” You can check that out below. The track will appear on the band’s new EP, “Exposition,” which will be released on February 20.

    The group commented:

    “This upcoming EP carries a particularly personal weight for us as a band. It represents a moment where we allowed ourselves to fully lean into the sounds, textures and influences that have shaped us over the years, while still pushing our identity forward. A major source of inspiration came from modern gaming soundtracks—most notably titles like DOOM and Cyberpunk 2077—which encouraged us to think more cinematically and atmospherically in our writing.

    For the ‘Intimate Torment,’ video we made a very intentional decision to keep things simple. The idea was to introduce a newer color palette for the band while letting the lyrics do the heavy lifting. Instead of distracting visuals, the focus stayed on the members’ performances and emotion, giving the song space to feel as uncomfortable and raw as it’s meant to be.

    Sonically, listeners can expect a deeper emphasis on synths, more dynamic layering and a wider range of guitar tones and tunings than we’ve explored in the past. Each song dictated its own level of heaviness and tuning, allowing the aggression to feel purposeful rather than uniform. That experimentation helped us better serve the emotional and motivational core of each track.

    Listening back to the final masters, we genuinely feel like we captured exactly what we set out to accomplish. The EP sounds immersive, intentional and honest to where we are creatively right now. It feels like a clear step forward for us—one that expands our sound without losing the intensity and emotion that define who we are.

    This EP represents a natural evolution from our previous releases, both in how we approached writing and how we collaborated in the studio. In the past, we tended to be far more prescriptive—coming in with very specific ideas about individual elements and how they should be executed. For this release, we made a conscious decision to loosen that grip and place a much higher level of trust in our producer.

    While each song still carries its own distinct character and nuance, the EP as a whole feels far more cohesive and intentional. Cory played a major role in helping us achieve that shared sonic identity across the entire project. We brought him a wide range of ambitious and sometimes unconventional ideas (from influences like the video game soundtracks, to varied vocal approaches, to a diverse palette of parts and textures) and he was able to distill all of that into a unified, singular voice.

    His ability to translate our more chaotic and abstract concepts into something focused, impactful and consistent elevated the songs beyond what we feel we could have achieved on our own. The result is an EP that feels more confident, refined, and complete, while still preserving the intensity and creativity that defines us as a band.

    For someone hearing the band for the first time, they can expect a balance of weight and atmosphere. The songs are built on heavy, rhythm-driven foundations, offset by melodic elements, layered synths, and moments of restraint that allow the heavier sections to land with more impact. There’s a strong emphasis on dynamics: letting tension build, release, and evolve rather than relying on constant intensity.

    Stylistically, the band sits closest to modern metalcore acts that blend aggression with mood and accessibility. Influences can be heard from bands that prioritize texture and emotion alongside heaviness, drawing loose parallels to artists such as Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, Spiritbox, and Northlane. Those influences serve more as a reference point than a blueprint, with the focus remaining on developing a sound that feels authentic.

    This EP means a lot to us because it feels real in a way that is sometimes scary. It captures a version of ourselves that is imperfect, searching, and still learning how to communicate honestly, both with each other and with the people listening. If someone connects with this music during a difficult moment in their own life, then the vulnerability it required was worth it.

    Thank you to everyone who gives this EP their time, their attention, and their trust. We do not take that lightly, and we hope these songs meet people wherever they are and remind them they are not alone in what they are feeling.”

  • The Last Ten Seconds Of Life To Release New Album “The Dead Ones” In April

    The Last Ten Seconds Of Life will be releasing a new album, titled “The Dead Ones,” on April 17. A video for the effort’s title track can be found below:

    Guitarist Wyatt McLaughlin had the following to say about the album:

    “Everyone took what we learned from the past two releases and assembled what we thought would bring out the best of us. We examined all of The Last Ten Seconds Of Life‘s past work as well focused on how our fanbase digested and connected with our music. Focusing from the flow of structure all the way to every single word that was used. We have delivered a ten-song thriller that will bellow out through the ages.”

    He also added the following about the title track, which explores “how the actions of humanity can take an individual’s actual innate humanity away”:

    “We all know that feeling. The piercing desire to be able to have one more conversation or final words with a loved one who has passed. ‘The Dead Ones‘ explores this in an illuminated way through the delivery of a sonic séance, where the realization that in becoming a vessel for the dead, darkness and light both demand their due.”

    “The Dead Ones” Track Listing:

    01. “The Dead Ones“
    02. “Make It to Heaven” (feat. David Simonich)
    03. “Rat Trap” (feat. Nate Johnson)
    04. “Freak Reflection“
    05. “1-800-DO YOU WANT TO DIE?“
    06. “Stiletto“
    07. “Stereo“
    08. “Dollar To A Dime” (feat. Alan Grnja)
    09. “Corruption Concerto“
    10. “XXXXXXXXXX” (feat. Storm Strope)