• Epica Premiere New Song “Avatar – The Final Incarnation”

    Epica have premiered a new song titled “Avatar – The Final Incarnation.” A visualizer for the track can be found below. That clip features artwork from the band’s Oracle Card Set (out January 7). Guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen commented:

    “In Hindu philosophy, Kalki represents the final avatar who restores balance at the end of the age. That idea of breaking free from cycles — through self-realization, detachment from desires, and inner transformation — resonates deeply with me. ‘Avatar’ channels that journey toward liberation, something both powerful and universal.”

    Singer Simone Simons added:

    “We absolutely can’t wait to kick off the European tour. Sharing the stage with our incredible fans night after night is the heartbeat of what we do, and this new song will definitely warm you up for the journey we’re about to take together.”

  • Creed, Limp Bizkit, Etc. Set For 2026 Summer Of ’99 And Beyond Festival

    The lineup has been revealed for next year’s Summer Of ’99 And Beyond Festival. The event will take place at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL on July 18-19 and it will feature the following:

    July 18: Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill, Sevendust, Kittie, Puddle Of Mudd, Magnolia Park, The Pretty Wild, and Slay Squad.

    July 19: Creed, Bush, Mammoth, Candlebox, Hoobastank, Sleep Theory, Big Wreck, The Verve Pipe, and Ashes Of Billy.

  • Carrion Vael Premiere “1912” Video

    Carrion Vael have premiered a new video for their new song “1912.” This track is from the band’s new album, “Slay Utterly,” which will be released on January 16. The following was said about the single in a press release:

    “Lyrically, ‘1912’ centers on the still-unsolved Villisca axe murders, which shook the small town of Villisca, Iowa on a sweltering June night in 1912. Two adults and six children were brutally killed as they slept. The assailant moved silently through the home, leaving no survivors and vanishing without a trace. More than a century later, the case remains open to speculation, and the song explores several of the most discussed theories, from roving train-hopping sociopaths to disgruntled business associates to evangelical madmen. The truth remains unknown.”

  • Morbikon Premiere “Flames That Blind And Shadows Cast” Video

    Morbikon (Municipal Waste, Finntroll, etc.) have premiered a new video for their song “Flames That Blind And Shadows Cast.” This track is from the band’s latest album “Lost Within The Astral Crypts.” Phil “Landphil” Hall commented:

    “I am thrilled to present everyone with the third installment of my medieval fantasy animated series featuring the music of Morbikon. I love getting a chance to dive back into the universe that is building in these videos. I have learned so much since creating the first video four years ago and I hope that it shows!”

    [via Decibel]

  • Sepultura Announce Final Australian Tour

    Sepultura have announced their final Australian tour. Here’s the dates for that run:

    03/20 Perth, AUS – Metrocity
    03/23 Adelaide, AUS – The Gov
    03/25 Melbourne, AUS – Northcote Theatre
    03/27 Sydney, AUS – Liberty Hall
    03/29 Brisbane, AUS – The Tivoli

  • Ulver Premiere New Song “They’re Coming! The Birds!”

    Ulver have premiered a new song titled “They’re Coming! The Birds!.” This track is from the band’s new album, “Neverland,” which will receive a digital release on December 31 and a physical release on February 27.

  • Families Of The Late Wayne Static And Tera Wray Object To Matt Zane’s Unauthorized Documentary

    As previously reported, Matt Zane recently revealed that he was working on a documentary focusing on the relationship between the late Wayne Static (Static-X) and the late Tera Wray. The filmmaker, who was a close friend of the married couple, was planning to launch a crowdfunding campaign for the project when production begins in January. However, Static and Wray’s families have since issued a statement, expressing disapproval with the upcoming film.

    Wayne’s sister Aimee Wells Pittman shared the following message via Facebook:

    “A message from the families of Wayne Static & Tera Wray.

    We are sharing this with the world to ensure that our feelings are crystal clear on this matter.

    We are not interested in the further development of any unauthorized biography or documentary focused on our deceased son, daughter, and siblings, Wayne Wells (‘Wayne Static’) and Tera Lents (‘Tera Wray’). This includes but is not limited to: any behind-the-scenes footage from music videos, adult film sets, concerts, house parties, developmental projects, reality TV pilots, private photos, or any other portrayals of Wayne Wells Static, Tera Lents Wray Static, or either of their likenesses. Any attempt to exploit their unauthorized likeness will be met with the appropriate legal response.

    We strenuously object to any further exploration or exploitation of this dark and tragic chapter in their lives. Additionally, we feel that the music video for the Wayne Static song ‘Assassins Of Youth’, directed by Matt Zane and released in 2013, and the Static-X ‘Stay Alive’ music video released in 2023, thoroughly depict the dangerous lifestyle that Wayne and Tera were embracing prior to their subsequent deaths. Further, Static-X is nearing completion of the official Static-X documentary titled ‘Evil Disco – The Rise, Fall, And Regeneration Of Static-X’. The official documentary dives deep into the entire life’s work of Wayne Static and Static-X. The film is expected to be around 80 minutes in length and devotes the appropriate amount of time to exploring the lifestyle changes and ultimate tragedies that followed.

    If Mr. Zane is in possession of any additional rare or unseen footage that could contribute to the celebration of Wayne’s life and legacy, we kindly ask him to share the footage with our families so that we can review and consider it for potential inclusion in the official ‘Evil Disco’ documentary. Additionally, any unreleased music featuring the voice of Wayne Static or his musical compositions would require the approval of the estate before any publication or release.

    We further challenge Mr. Zane to share any musical works that he claims might contain the actual voice of Wayne Static so that we can determine their authenticity and quality for consideration. We are not interested in Wayne Static’s voice appearing within any Al-generated music.

    In closing, we would like to thank the Static-X fans around the world for their continued love and support for Wayne and the band. We are so proud of the band and what they have accomplished together.

    Static-X’s music is as popular as ever, and Wayne’s energy and legacy have been celebrated and regenerated through the band’s incredible return to the stage.

    We fully support the current team and lineup of Static-X and their continued respect and love for Wayne’s memory and our family. We are delighted that the world is continuing to celebrate the powerful music that Wayne and the band created together and the incredible energy that he and the band have always carried onto the stage.

    Sincerely, The family and estate of Wayne Wells Static & Tera Lents Static”

  • Lionheart Premiere “Valley Of Death II” Music Video

    Lionheart have shared an official video for the title track of their new album “Valley Of Death II.” That effort will be released on January 9.

  • Gore. Premiere “Wrath” Video

    Gore. have premiered a new video for their song “Wrath.” That track is from the band’s latest EP “If You Do Not Fear Me…” Vocalist Hayley Roughton commented:

    “The ‘Wrath’ video is fully leaning into the ‘Disney Princess Metal’ vibe that the song brings. I get to be a damsel in distress that gives her soul to a man that was supposed to save her, but ends up stealing her soul away for corruption. I haunt his every waking move afterwards, and eventually cause him to go mad and kill his comrades. This is by far one of the coolest music videos I’ve ever seen and I’m so grateful that it happens to be ours!”

  • IOTUNN Announce “Waves Over Copenhell” Live Album

    IOTUNN have announced a new live album titled “Waves Over Copenhell.” The effort will be released on January 9 and it will feature tracks from the band’s June 14, 2023 set at the Copenhell festival in Copenhagen, Denmark.

    *Waves Over Copenhell” Track Listing:

    01. “Waves Below”
    02. “The Tower of Cosmic Nihility”
    03. “Access All Worlds”
    04. “Mistland”
    05. “Voyage of the Garganey”

    The band shared more information:

    “IOTUNN announce new live album “Waves Over Copenhell” with first video/single “Waves Below” out now + preorder available. Release on January 9th 2026.

    Under the starry skies of COPENHELL 2023, Danish/Faroese progressive metal outfit IOTUNN took the stage by storm with a performance already etched into the festival’s history.

    A sea of specially designed laser beams cut through the night, as the band delivered some of their most majestic and emotional
    compositions – a concert experience that elevated both the audience and the music to cosmic heights.

    Now, IOTUNN releases this unforgettable moment as a live album. The album captures the intensity, the magic, and the unique atmosphere that can only arise when music meets the night sky and thousands of devoted souls gather before the stage.

    With this release, IOTUNN invites fans and new listeners alike into the heart of a concert where time and space dissolved, and where the energy of metal was transformed into a radiant ritual under the open sky.

    This is more than a live album – it is a monument to a band in their true element: raw, majestic, and unforgettable.

    Waves Over Copenhell was mixed by drummer Bjørn Wind Andersen, vinyl mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Epica, U.D.O.) at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark and will be available digitally and on exclusive vinyl in the following color variants:

    180g Black (Ltd. 333)
    Red Black Merged (Ltd. 333)

    Find pre-orders at www.metalblade.com/iotunn
    EU pre-orders: https://kingsroadmerch.eu/de/collections/iotunn